Hancock County Fights Cancer presents checks totaling $46,000 to cancer support organizations

September 27, 2024 | By Joy Swearingen

From left, Cynthia Stewart, Hancock County Fights Cancer board president; Jerome Lee, HUGS of Hancock County board member; Kris Pilkington, HCFC board vice president; Florine Dixon, HUGS board member; Melita Finney, HUGS board member; Jo Webster, HUGS board member; Tammy Lucie, HUGS board member; and Tracy Lee, HUGS board member | Photos courtesy of Hancock County Fights Cancer

CARTHAGE, Ill. — Hancock County Fights Cancer recently presented checks totaling $46,000 from proceeds of this year’s team fundraising events and annual block party.

The group presented a check for $18,400 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for cancer research and a check for $27,600 to HUGS (Help Us Give Support) of Hancock County, the local cancer support group.

At the HCFC annual meeting held in August, Kari Davis reported total receipts from the 13 teams was $32,789.30. More funds were raised through a car show, community sponsors, township drives and other activities during the annual Block Party, held June 1 on the courthouse square in Carthage. An $8,500 donation was received from the Strawberry Strut committee following its 2024 run. The report showed $47,762 was raised in the year ending July 15 after payment of $3,153 in expenses.

“We are grateful to the Strawberry Strut committee and to the community for their support of our cause,” HCFC board president Cynthia Stewart said in a press release.

HUGS is a not-for-profit organization that gives financial and emotional support to cancer patients from Hancock County.

“The financial support may include $200 gas cards, $200 pharmacy and $200 gift cards,” HUGS treasurer Melita Finney explained. “Additional assistance is available if needed. HUGS relies solely on memorials and donations to fund these services. Every dollar we receive stays in Hancock County to be used here,” Finney said. “Our board has a special task of being good stewards of all the money donated to HUGS.”

At the annual meeting, the board voted to continue giving 60 percent of funds raised to HUGS and 40 percent to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Hancock County Fights Cancer board and officers for FY2024/2025 are Stewart, president; Kris Pilkington, vice-president; Kari Davis, treasurer; and Joy Swearingen, secretary. Other board members are Brooklyn Beagles, Nikki Fink, Camie Pilkington, Kim Taylor, Rachel Ward, Greta Wetzel and Brenda Young.

The event committee will host a meeting in the back room at Los Charros from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13, to brainstorm the 2025 event. Anyone interested in volunteering to be on the committee is invited.

HUGS gladly accepts cancer patient referrals from the public. HUGS provides cancer patients in Hancock County with gas cards or help with prescription costs, as well as other financial support on a case-by-case basis such as rent, utilities or emergency needs.

Anyone knowing someone who has been diagnosed with cancer can make a referral to HUGS by calling Florine Dixon at 217-219-0084 or Joyce Buckert at 217-357-3887.