The WMC Foundation’s Cancer Care Travel Fundraiser is scheduled for this weekend.

Residents of small Alaskan communities must travel hundreds or even thousands of miles for some types of medical care. A Wrangell foundation aims to help Southeast residents undergoing cancer treatment with some of the travel costs — and this weekend (August 6) they’re holding a “Fun and Frolic” golf outing to raise money for the cause.

Many Southeast Alaskans do not have access to cancer treatment in their communities. For some patients, that means moving to Sitka, Seattle, or down south. Those costs add up. And that’s where the WMC Foundation comes in.

“The one thing insurance — if you get it — doesn’t cover is getting there,” said Wrangell resident and golfer Chris Ellis, who has participated in WMC Foundation fundraisers for years. “Literally no one in this town gets treatment. It’s just not possible. It’s one of the things we give up when we choose to live here. But [it’s a comfort] Knowing that there is help, and knowing that you are not alone and that there is a whole community behind you to find somewhere.

The WMC Foundation began in 2008 in connection with the former Wrangell Medical Center. The medical center has been taken over by the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC), but the foundation still exists separately. Changed the name to “WMC” to reduce confusion.

“What we do is pay for people who go out of town to get cancer care,” said Janet Buness, a retired nurse and WMC Foundation board member. “The fee is $1,200 for one year and covers your transportation and hotel. It could be a rental car so it’s not just jet fare or a boat trip.

WMC Foundation Treasurer and former Wrangell Hospital CFO Olinda White said the foundation has reimbursed more than 150 cancer patients in Wrangell, Petersburg and other small communities in the Southeast for $132,000 worth of travel expenses.

“Some people go on a boat, so you know, it’s a couple hundred dollars,” White explained. “Some people fly and have to be gone for a while, so they have a large amount of money that is not covered by insurance and we [help] Pay the rest.

Over the years, the WMC Foundation has raised funds in a variety of ways – book sales, chocolate lovers’ festivals, and auctions. Last year, the foundation received $10,000 in funding from former Alaska First Lady Nancy Murkowski at the Falls Resort on Prince of Wales Island, between Hidaburg and Craig.

Currently, the main way he raises money is the Rally for Cancer Care, a 9-hole “Fun and Frolic” golf event at Wrangell’s Muskeg Meadows Golf Course. This year it is scheduled for Saturday, August 6 at 9 am.

Ann Kramer has been a mammography and imaging supervisor at Wrangell Hospital for over 25 years. She says the event is especially for women.

“‘Women’s fun and revelry,'” she says, “doesn’t mean old ladies.” Bring young women, bring teenagers, and I’ve even taken my 11-year-old granddaughter. It’s a great way to help others and share and build positive memories.

Kramer said the event can be difficult for skilled golfers. In addition to the nine holes — many of which are played with special rules, such as a foot in a bucket, or hitting a wiffle ball instead of a golf ball — a qualifying tournament and silent auction.

“There’s going to be a professional golfer, Jim Abbott, who can give you some tips on how to hold your club and how to hit the ball, hopefully in the future,” Kramer explained with a laugh.

SEARHC, Wrangell’s health care provider, stepped in this year to donate prizes, raffle prizes and run some games. Cash prizes are up to $300, and merchandise includes golf clubs, canvas chairs, outdoor grills and more. Art from local artists and “brews brewed right here in Wrangell” are up for bid in the silent auction.

Also, the food.

“My God, you’ve never served food for days,” Kramer said. “All you Southern gals have your barbecue sandwiches with your salad. Pasta salad, potato salad – we have so many wonderful donors for this, we have unique, unique cupcakes and flower arrangements that come…”

For years, a staple of the show has been the cheeky “Bub Cake,” a delicious breast cancer fundraiser. Last year, the featured dessert was a very crunchy mermaid cake. WMC Foundation President Patty Gilbert said the foundation is making a difference this year.

“No bubbly cupcakes, but bubbly cupcakes are going to be served along with bubbly prizes, so warn the girls,” Gilbert said.

She says the event will go rain or shine. And she adds that first-time golfers have it right: “All you have to know is how to spell golf, and you’ll be fine.”

WMC Foundation members like Kramer say even women who don’t golf should come out and enjoy the lawn games and food and participate in the silent auction.

“It’s great to have that kind of fun and know you’re helping someone because one day you might be that person,” Kramer said.

Outside of the event, Treasurer White said the foundation is always encouraging more applications.

“Don’t say you don’t need me. So I don’t apply,” White insists. “The money is for everyone. We want everyone to apply to leave town for any cancer treatment. Every one [dollar]It’s important, and it should be used.”

The $1,200 annual grant from the WMC Foundation is available to anyone undergoing cancer treatment in a Southeast community with a population of less than 5,000, said Gilbert, the foundation’s president.

“We’re advertising in Prince of Wales Island, Petersburg and Wrangell to try to get the word out,” says Gilbert.

Boones, a retired nurse, said applying for compensation is surprisingly simple.

“It’s one page, very easy to fill out,” she says. “It doesn’t ask you anything about the nature of your income or anything like that. It asks what kind of health insurance you have, and wants to know your doctor’s name.

Gilbert said the foundation aims to never turn away a cancer patient.

“We don’t deny applications,” she says. “We’ve advertised in Juneau for two years, and Juneau has been very present in promoting this wonderful benefit, so we’ve had a lot of requests from Juneau, and our fundraising events have been overwhelming. [But] We want to continue this program as long as possible.

Chris Ellis said it was inspiring to see the women of Wrangell and Petersburg come together to show people they are not alone.

“Everyone puts their differences aside for a day and just focuses on having fun and doing something good for someone else,” Ellis says.

During the parade, there is a recognition period for cancer survivors.

“Every cancer survivor is called to stand and given a pink carnation,” Kramer said. “This is really humbling and emotionally helpful in every way. We are one people and we are all in this together.

There is a special, emotional wallpaper that comes out once a year for the Cancer Care Rally.

“We have balloons on it, and you can write the name of someone you love, someone who has had cancer — a survivor or someone who has passed away,” Kramer said. Every year, we add to it, and it’s amazing to look at the balloons, look at the names and remember all these wonderful people. They are not forgotten. And we’re working hard to raise money to help other success stories.

In addition to helping with travel treatment costs for cancer patients, the foundation also seeks to support Alaska’s new health care workforce—supporting four-year renewable $1,000 annual scholarships for Wrangell High School students in health care-related fields.

The WMC Foundation Rally for Cancer Care will be held on Saturday, August 6 from 9 p.m. Registration is $35. There will be a ferry from Moose Point to Rangel to bring Petersburg residents to the parade. For more details about the event or the WMC Foundation, visit the foundation’s website at wmccancercare.com.

Contact KSTK news@kstk.org or (907) 874-2345.