Here, we speak with LaWanda Jones, senior development manager with the American Cancer Society, about the second annual Shuck Cancer event that will take place on Thursday, April 28, in downtown Gulfport at Fishbone Alley.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OR MISSION OF SHUCK CANCER GULF COAST?
Shuck Cancer Gulf Coast is a fundraising event benefitting the American Cancer Society’s Mississippi Community Transportation Grants Program. These are funds awarded to health systems or health system foundations across Mississippi so they can help cancer patients with transportation barriers getting to and from cancer-related appointments. These grants are awarded through a competitive application process and focus on addressing the unmet transportation needs of people needing cancer treatment. These funds are also restricted to transportation for our state; they cannot be used for any other programs. Our local recipients are Singing River and Memorial health systems.
HOW AND WHY DID SHUCK CANCER COME ABOUT?
The first Shuck Cancer event started four years ago with the New Orleans American Cancer Society team in partnership with John Michael Rowland, owner of Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar, to target transportation barriers in Louisiana. With the huge impact COVID had on our community, the American Cancer Society needed to devise a way to increase funding to help more health facilities across Mississippi get to cancer patients so they could continue their treatment.
The Shuck Cancer concept was a great fit for the beautiful Gulf Coast community, and all we needed to do was put our Coast flair on this event.
WHO WERE THE LEADERS IN BRINGING THIS TO FRUITION?
In 2021, Nicole Martz and Annie Sanders met with me to hear about this great concept that would target transportation barriers for cancer patients in the Gulf Coast community and the State of Mississippi. The campaign would challenge community leaders to help grow awareness of access to care disparities while raising funds to help bridge the gap, specifically for Mississippi. It took several community and business partners that invested time and funds to bring the Gulf Coast’s first Shuck Cancer event to fruition.
WHAT CAN ATTENDEES EXPECT?
Shuck Cancer Gulf Coast is hosted by our executive board members, along with our 20 “Shucker” honorees, who are dedicated to eliminating transportation barriers for patients receiving treatment on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. These 20 business professionals committed to raising $2,500 to help bridge the gap.
The event will feature wine and oyster pairings, craft beer, spirits and cuisine from across the Coast. Unfazed Show Band will have us dancing through night, and you can even check out the first Tap Truck on the Gulf Coast, a live artist and so much more. Visit acsengage. org/shuckcancergulfcoast for tickets and event details.
WHAT IMPACT DOES SHUCK CANCER MAKE ON THE COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE IT SERVES?
In 2021, the American Cancer Society provided more than 8,016 rides to 592 patients in the Mississippi area through the Mississippi Community Transportation Grants Program. We exhausted every available transportation resource, and we’ll do the same this year. With additional funding resources, we could serve even more patients.
This year, we have challenged ourselves to raise $125,000 to support the Mississippi Community Transportation Grant Program.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST SIGNIFICANT THING YOU HAVE LEARNED OR GAINED BY BEING INVOLVED IN SHUCK CANCER?
Every day, thousands of people facing cancer need a ride to treatment, but many do not have a way to get there. Finding transportation can present financial and logistical challenges. Access to transportation to and from treatment is a critical factor in determining whether patients receive and complete their cancer treatment. More than 18,250 residents in Mississippi will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and many of them will need our help to access the care they need. Patients who can’t find a ride often delay treatment or skip it all together. It is not an issue that can be solved overnight, but it is an issue we can work to improve.
