$150,000 grant to Desert Cancer Foundation

Thursday, January 14, 2010

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Tim O?Bayley, O?Bayley Communications, 760/778-3525 tim@obayley.net or Donna Craig, Chief Program Officer, Desert Healthcare District, 760/323-6700

PALM SPRINGS, CA - JANUARY 14, 2010: Desert Healthcare District's Board of Directors has
awarded a $150,000 grant to Desert Cancer Foundation, a local nonprofit organization that assists
local residents who cannot afford cancer-related services. The grant is allocated in two parts:
$100,000 in support of the Foundation's Comprehensive Patient Assistance Program for 2010, and
$50,000 in matching funds for pledges and donations raised at Suzanne Jackson Breast Cancer
Fund's annual walk. The grant will assist approximately 234 District residents by providing funds for
screening, diagnosis and treatment, and access to cancer-related services.
"These funds from the District will assist local people who have literally fallen through the cracks of our
healthcare system," said Peggy Bilous, Executive Director of Desert Cancer Foundation. "They simply
can't afford the treatments for their cancers, which is oftentimes a matter of life and death. When that
happens, they turn to us, and we provide financial assistance for diagnosis, treatment and care."
Desert Cancer Foundation will use the $100,000 grant during 2010 to support cancer-related medical
costs for its clients. The funds will pay for outpatient services for uninsured clients, co-insurance for
insured clients, MediCal share of cost, prescriptions, inpatient hospital costs, and insurance premiums.
The Suzanne Jackson Breast Cancer Fund will utilize the other $50,000 of the grant, matching funds
raised during its annual walk, to provide screening and diagnostic services at no cost to low-income,
uninsured Coachella Valley residents who live within the District boundaries.
"Desert Cancer Foundation's clients are local residents who have no other option to obtain cancerrelated
services in a timely manner," said Glen Grayman, MD and District Board President. "Because
of the nature of cancer, services are often urgent, and treatment tends to be costly and complicated.
An important aspect of this grant is that the $100,000 portion will translate into cancer-related medical
services valued at more than $600,000 because the Foundation leverages their
relationships with physicians to provide services at a fraction of the normal cost. This is going to help a
great many people gain immediate access to the critical services they urgently need."
Founded in 1994, Desert Cancer Foundation (DCF) provides financial assistance to Coachella Valley
residents in support of cancer screening, diagnosis and medical treatment with two specific programs.
These programs are accomplished through the efforts of three full-time staff members, a volunteer
board of directors, and the generous support of individuals and businesses in the Coachella Valley.
Since its inception, DCF has funded cancer related medical and insurance services valued at nearly
$31 million.
DCF works with social workers, financial customers and physicians to direct their clients to public and
private programs that may support some of their medical oncology needs. The services underwritten
by the Foundation are either not available to these clients in a timely manner through these programs,
or come with costs that the clients are unable to afford.
Desert Healthcare District is a government agency, established by the state of California in 1948, to
improve and support community health programs within a 457-square mile service area in the
Coachella Valley. The District also owns and oversees the lease of Desert Regional Medical Center in
Palm Springs.
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