FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. —SCA Tissue has donated $5,000 to Hairstock 2011, a community art and music fair that raises funds for cancer patients who are undergoing treatment at the local branch of the Cancer Center of Northern Arizona (Arizona Oncology), located on the Flagstaff Medical Center campus.
SCA’s donation, the largest cash contribution in this year’s fund-raising event, will be added to the Hairstock patient assistance fund, which offers cancer patients and their families help with expenses incurred while traveling to receive medical treatment.
Hairstock creator and event coordinator Cecilia Weining of Arizona Oncology has worked with patients at the Cancer Center for the past 11 years, and often sees them struggling with the day-to-day costs related to their care. “We serve a large area,” said Weining. “Patients often have to travel hours to get to the clinic, and they need money for gas, food or lodging for unexpected overnight stays. Through the patient assistance fund, we can help with these expenses, as well as with prescriptions and co-pays.”
For SCA, the choice to support Hairstock is a natural extension of the company’s internal wellness culture and demonstrates a commitment to improving the quality of life in the communities where SCA does business, said Don Jordan, Director, Southwest Operations of SCA Tissue. “We are pleased to be able to support Hairstock and, through it, the patients and families who are coping with cancer,” he added.
“I think it’s wonderful that SCA Tissue is able to come out and support our community. Not only do they offer us employment opportunities, they also are willing to help out the people who live here,” said Weining.
Personal Testimonial
SCA employee Neal Evans knows first-hand the important role that Hairstock plays. Evans is president of the United Steelworkers Union local 12-8850.
“Hairstock touches me personally because of the understanding my family gained into the needs of cancer patients from my 21-year-old cousin's battle with cancer,” said Evans. “Thankfully his parents had insurance that would cover the medical expenses of cancer treatment, but there are many other expenses connected to traveling to Flagstaff to undergo treatment.”
Evans said his extended family was able to pool resources and raise funds through a benefit event to cover those additional expenses, but others are not always that fortunate.
“That is where Hairstock steps in and makes the travel and lodging expenses of treatment possible for those patients in financial need,” said Evans, whose cousin today is full recovered, married and a father. “My family and our community are blessed to have the Cancer Center, the amazing staff there, and the Hairstock charity to ensure the ability of those in need to seek treatment.”
The Hairstock Art & Music Fair will take place Saturday, April 23, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Orpheum Theatre in Flagstaff. The event will include a silent auction, activities for children and local bands. Hair donations accepted at the event will be used to create wigs for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Admission is free; donations will be accepted at the door.
SCA Tissue has nearly 260 employees at its mill in Flagstaff and converting plant in Bellemont. In addition to Arizona, SCA Tissue North America, which is headquartered in Philadelphia, has manufacturing facilities in Alabama, New York and Wisconsin. The company employs more than 2,000 in the United States and Canada.
About Hairstock:
Hosted by Flagstaff’s Orpheum Theatre in partnership with Arizona Oncology and Alley Cats Salon, Hairstock 2011 will include a silent auction, activities for children, live music and food from local vendors. Hair donations will be accepted at the event, and used to create wigs for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. All proceeds from the event go directly to a patient assistance fund administered by the Flagstaff Medical Center Foundation to help cover cancer patients’ daily living expenses not covered by traditional insurance.
Standing, left to right, are Don Jordan, Etta Yazzie, Gail Timonen, Neal Evans, Tammy Murphy, Rich Ayrey, Becky Hayes, Debbie Hansen, Nancy Foreman, Lisa Canez and Gregg Westbrook. Front row, from left to right, are Cecilia Weining, Leah Burbaker and Betty Ware. Jordan, Evans and Westbrook are with SCA: all others pictures are with Arizona Oncology.
Download Press Release: SCA Tissue Donates $5,000 to Hairstock 2011, Helping Local Cancer Patients