Nonprofit Spotlight Reynolds Cancer Support House

Nonprofit Spotlight

words Catherine Frederick with Susan Steffens, Executive Director, Reynolds Cancer Support House

The Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House provides cost-free, ongoing support for patients fighting cancer. The House is a haven where patients join others to accomplish a shared goal – survivorship. The Reynolds Cancer Support House is the largest free-standing cancer support facility in the country. Located away from a sterile hospital or clinical setting, the Support House provides individuals a comfortable and inviting place of recovery and hope. Do South® reached out to Susan Steffens, Executive Director, to learn more.

3324 South M Street Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.782.6302 reynoldscancersupporthouse.org

Next month, we’ll showcase another worthy charity in our area free of charge. If you have a nonprofit you’d like to see recognized, email us at catherine@dosouthmagazine.com.

DS: How did Reynolds Cancer Support House come to be? In 1978, local business leaders and medical professionals organized the Oncology Foundation. As more treatment options became available, so did the need for ancillary assistance such as hair loss needs and emotional support for patients and caregivers. In 1997 a community partnership was formed to provide non-medical needs for cancer patients, and the organization was formally changed to the Cancer Support Foundation. After receiving a gift from the Phillips Pro-Charity Golf Classic, the Cancer Support Foundation was able to open the Phillips Cancer Support House, which provides patients support groups, wigs/hats/turbans, cancer prevention, and other health-related classes/events. In 1998, the Cancer Support Foundation received a $2.4 million grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, and the Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House opened in 2000.

DS: Who does Reynolds Cancer Support House serve, and in what ways? We serve cancer patients and their families. From the time of diagnosis through their life, we are here. We help with transportation, and we have a beautiful salon for wigs and head coverings. We help with mastectomy and other supplies, nutrition, and emergency financial assistance. We also partner with medical professionals to offer educational classes. Screening events are held each year, and we promote sun safety with our Sun S.M.A.R.T. program and Take A Stand, Don’t Tan, in partnership with the River Valley Skin Care Alliance. We offer a variety of emotional support groups for men, women, and children. We have cancer survivors who have been a part of our support groups for over two decades, sharing much more than the commonality of a cancer battle. They share life!

DS: Tell us how Reynolds Cancer Support House impacts our community. We register approximately 500 new patients annually, all with unique needs, some large, some small. Sometimes the request is financial, and the need is immediate. If we cannot help, we work to find an organization that can. We provide non-medical programs and services that would be impossible for patients and their families to receive elsewhere.

DS: How can our community support Reynolds Cancer Support House? We rely on our community to keep the ship afloat! Due to Covid-19, we cancelled our major fundraisers in 2020 and several events we receive proceeds from were cancelled. For 2021, we took a ‘Reimagined’ approach with Wine & Roses and will have a ‘Mini-Series’ on three dates with limited capacity. Our 30th Annual Survivors’ Challenge event on Saturday, October 16th, and Sunday, October 17th features our 10K Run, 5K Run/Walk and Celebration Walk at the Cancer Support House on Saturday. On Sunday, we have the Inaugural Triathlon event at Marvin Altman at Baptist Health. Financial sponsorships for Survivors’ Challenge are welcome, and we need volunteers! For info, call Natalie Swearingen at 479.424.1812.