CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – The Clarion American Legion donated $5,000.00 to the Clarion Sunshine Project to help cancer patients in Clarion.

(Pictured: two of the Clarion Sunshine Project Founders — Tracy Myers and Tiffany Chambers — with members of the American Legion)

The legion presented the check to Tracy and Tiffany on February 8 at the American Legion on Main Street.

About The Clarion Sunshine Project

The Clarion Sunshine Project was developed to provide financial assistance to patients in need who are suffering from oncologic or hematological disorder. The group is a 501 (c) (3) organization that collects money and distributes it based on financial need to provide payment directly for treatments, co-pays, scans, lab tests, or anything else patients may need.

The project was co-founded by Tiffany Chambers, Tracy Myers, and Colby Hunsberger due to the observation of financial needs for their patients.

Colby Hunsberger, RN, an Oncology Nurse Navigator at The Cancer Center at Clarion Hospital, said the idea to start an organization like this came to him during his first week on the job, when he saw patients struggling with financial concerns.

“Some patients have bills in the upper thousands of dollars. When patients are struggling with a disease that is making them sick and receiving medications that make them sick, the last thing I want to see is them thinking ‘how will I pay for my treatments.’ With new insurance policies, patients can have deductibles from $500.00 to $6,000.00 based on their policies,” explains Colby.

“Through the Clarion Sunshine Project, we can help our brothers, sisters, neighbors, and friends.”

The group has a board of directors who assist in program development and review.