WKRN, Nashville, Tennessee News, Weather, and Sports |Local charity aims to help struggling cancer patients

Local charity aims to help struggling cancer patients

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Fighting cancer can be a tough enough battle not to mention mounting medical bills and other living expenses cancer patients face.

Started just a few months ago and based in Middle Tennessee, the Pink Lady Fund Association aims to help cancer patients with the “day-to-day” things in addition to offering financial and emotional support.

Robin Phillips is the charity’s president and knows first-hand how hard it can be to watch a loved one battle the disease.

Her mother is a 16-month breast cancer survivor and it is her fight that inspired Phillips, a real estate agent by day, to start the Pink Lady Fund Association.

During her mother’s experience, Phillips told News 2 she looked all over to find an organization that could help with the “day-to-day” things but found there aren’t many that “help people on a one-on-one basis."

She said the Pink lady Fund Association aims to do just that, offering to take patients to and from doctor’s appointments, for example.

“It's not so much just the meal, or just the fact that electric bill got paid or your house got cleaned, it’s that somebody cared and you have a reason to keep on with your treatments and keep on fighting,” said Mandy Hawley, who volunteers with the Pink Lady Fund Association.

The Pink Lady Fund Association’s goal is to help at least 50 people by next year.

"Definitely the economy plays a part, because what if not only you're unable to work but your spouse is unable to work and what if your children aren't able to help because they're making less pay or they're not currently employed?” Hawley asked.  “Who steps in to fill that gap?"

The organization hopes to eventually open a group home in Nashville for cancer patients who travel from out of town into the city for treatments. 

For more information about the Pink Lady Fund Association and how to donate or volunteer, visit PinkLadyFund.com.