-The Peggy Foster Memorial Fund
was established in 1995 after the death of my wife. Peggy fought a 14 month battle with acute myelogenous leukemia and died on August 31, 1995.
Peggy was a very generous and loving person who wanted to play "mother" to the whole world. Her compassion and empathy was obvious in her work as a registered nurse, but also as a loving mother, wife, daughter, sister, and daughter-in-law. It was her wish that we hold a dance every year and give the money to other cancer patients who needed it. We will always be committed to honoring that wish and I thank several of my helpers for allowing us to continue that in her loving memory. Our daughter, Meredith, age 20, has provided invaluable assistance in the last few years.
However, as overall costs have risen, so have our expenditures for this dance. If have found that in the past few years, the money we make on the annual dance is not commensurate with the amount of work and expenses required. It was a very difficult decision, but we decided to hold our final dance last year. We have had a great attendance at these events for the past 15 years, but it was time for a change. The fund will certainly continue, but I am actively looking at other ways to raise funds. For the past several years, whenever I do a local speaking engagement, those honorariums are always placed into the fund.
As of this year, the Peggy Foster Memorial Fund has raised a total amount of over $100,000.00! Each year, the amount continues to grow, but so do the financial needs of the cancer patients that we assist. Just over this past year, we have been able to give significant financial assistance in the following ways:
- Purchased several custom made wigs, hairpieces, hats, and turbans for women and men with cancer after they had lost their hair to chemotherapy (wigs are usually not covered by medical insurance).
- Assisted with travel expenses for three patients who needed to go out of town for their experimental or advanced cancer treatment.
- And mainly provided financial assistance for several families who were dealing with the advanced stages of cancer. This money helped to pay utility bills, buy groceries, pay for prescriptions, or paid for a couple of months of much needed medical insurance coverage. Some of these cancer patients have even had their utilities turned off or gone without their much needed medications!
We are proud to say that 99% of our fund money goes directly to the patients and families who need it. We have no "overhead" with this organization and the patients don't have lengthy forms to fill out to get assistance. Usually one phone call, followed by an e-mail for documentation gets them a check with 1-3 days. Unless a specific amount is requested, we usually assist people in increments of $250.
Please feel free to call me with any questions, 859-431-1155.
Sincerely,
Terry & Meredith Foster