Kitsap Cancer Services is dedicated to providing services to cancer patients and their families in Kitsap county by promoting financial, emotional, and physical well-being. This mission guides our goals as we coordinate with local medical staff to understand the needs of our community and do our best to meet the needs of cancer patients and their families. Learn more.
Kitsap Cancer Services Programs:
Compassionate Care Grants
Grant checks went out to 146 cancer patients who were not only struggling with a cancer diagnosis but facing the stress of being unable to provide for themselves or their families. Most of these individuals were unable to work or had lost jobs because of illness, forcing them under Federal Poverty Levels. Over $72,000 was paid out in $500 grants for patients utilizing monies for items such as rent, utilities, medications, copays, transportation, and medical specialty items. Of that, $2,500 was used for patients needing dental clearance prior to receiving their treatment, and KCS is thankful for those participating dental groups who were able to see them and provide treatment in a timely manner. Another $625 was utilized for those needing counseling and coping tools as they faced uncertain futures. Local agencies that normally provide free services to Medicare and Medicaid patients were booked out as much as a year. $68.000 was spent on grants in 2022.
Vivien Blyth Fund
This is a program in which KCS purchases 80-$50 Safeway gift cards for local oncology social workers to dispense at their discretion, to cancer patients on the frontlines who are financially depleted and in emergent need of gas, groceries or medications involving copays. Vivien Blyth was one of the first oncology social workers that KCS had the pleasure of working with and this was her wish upon retirement – to be able to provide a patient with a small token that could go a long way in an emergency. The money spent was $3,800.
Mary Briner Oncology Massage
A self-supporting program for cancer patients who are referred for the amazing benefits of oncology massage but are unable to pay with insurance or do not have the financial resources to do so. Anyone can donate to KCS and earmark money to support that program. Mary is a licensed practitioner who is certified in Oncology Massage and has had many years of experience. She also donates time with Peninsula Cancer Center in Poulsbo. (Currently on hold due to COVID-19 protocols.)
Holiday Sharing
Local Oncology Social Workers suggested 11 families that were especially in need for the holidays. Either a mom or dad had cancer and were unable to provide the food and gifts most normal families would enjoy at Christmastime with situations involving a spouse having to quit work to become a caretaker for the other. Families received monies from KCS in hopes of providing some sort of normalcy during the holidays which are always difficult times for people living with cancer. ($3,300)
All of these programs are supported by the generosity of individuals such as you and local businesses who participate in our annual fundraisers: The Sweetheart Dinner Auction (a joint winter event with The Rotary Club of East Bremerton) and the KCS Golf Challenge, which is normally held in August. KCS is not an exclusive organization. We help men, women, non-binary folks, and children. We help EVERY TYPE of cancer patient.