Doreen has recruited support from all across Pennsylvania to help her in this mission. She has gotten legal help to allow the organization to become a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3), so that donors can make tax-exempt contributions. She has created a tireless board of directors, a committed allocations committee, and a marketing and fundraising machine. Doreen is the face of the Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund – meeting with health and social services organizations to spread the word about how to apply for help. Since the beginning, BPCAF has provided financial assistance to 27 individuals, some requiring assistance multiple times. She accomplished all of this while juggling single parenthood as mom to Garrett and Ryan, now ages 6 and 3, and facing her own health crisis when she needed spinal surgery one year ago.

While Doreen has proven invaluable to so many families in their personal struggle, she is quick to point out that she could not have done it without Penn State University’s Coaches vs. Cancer (CVC). Penn State’s Men’s Basketball Coach Ed DeChellis, his wife Kim and their board, led by Steve Greer, Elana Pyle and Frank Welsh, were part of the team that helped to form BPCAF, using monies they raised to help local people in need. CVC’s generosity has extended to Mount Nittany Medical Center, mobilizing to help us purchase advanced pumps to deliver pain medication and a blanket warmer to help people going through radiation therapy to be more comfortable.

We live in a remarkable community. Each day, we see more people facing a diagnosis of cancer. Those of us who are privileged to work at our Medical Center get to behold tremendous acts of strength. We also witness incredible acts of generosity. Doreen Perks, the Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund and Penn State’s Coaches vs. Cancer exemplify the best examples of both.

If you would like more information about the Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund (BPCAF), visit www.bpcaf.org.

To learn more about PSU Coaches vs. Cancer, visit www.cvcpennstate.org.

Aileen S. Galley, ACSW, LSW
Administrative Director, Penn State Cancer Institute at Mount Nittany Medical Center