Daniel Prince
Organization served cancer patients in the county for more than 50 years
For more than 50 years, Union Cancer Services has been serving those living with cancer diagnoses in Union County. The program supports Union patients through providing everything from nutritional supplements to transportation and fuel reimbursement for out-of-county medical appointments.
The organization was run for years by Ola Jean Kelly before passing the baton to Lou Stackhouse, who served as Executive Director for the organization until her retirement last August. During her tenure, the organization moved from the Union County Recreation Department building on Thomas Street into the Union County Carnegie Library following its 2018 renovation.
After Stackhouse retired, the Union Cancer Services board voted to dissolve the organization and pass its assets along to the Union County Library System, which allows the library system’s social worker, Annie Jones, to continue to provide this vital resource for the county. All donated funds have been utilized for providing services to clients in Union County.
The program is funded through donations, which include United Way of the Piedmont, Timken Foundation, and numerous individuals in the community. Most recently, Union Presbyterian Church donated $10,000 to the program, allowing them to increase the fuel reimbursement budget in light of rising gas prices.
Since the transition, the Union County Library System has incorporated cancer services into existing resource assistance services provided by their social worker. Some of those other resources include resource and basic needs assistance, benefits application assistance, and the Community Pantry, consisting of perishable and non-perishable foods and hygiene products.
To learn more about the services of the Union County Library System, call 427-7140 extension 204, or email resources@unionlibrary.org.