- May 16, 2024
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Dr. Sara Dean (Courtesy photos)
Halifax Health Center for Oncology Breast Navigator and Clinical Coordinator Jennifer Peludat, Halifax Health Center for Oncology Case Manager Sabra Moniz, and Florida Hospital Oncology Social Worker Jennifer Ketring all work with Light the Way.
Cancer makes most of the normal, everyday activities we do nearly impossible. Like taking care of your lawn or getting the perfect Christmas present for your daughter. That's where Light the Way comes in.
"We had a patient going through treatment who was concerned about the holidays," said Founder Angela Heaster. "He had a 7-year-old daughter who wanted a specific toy. It was the only thing on her list. So one of our volunteers went out and got it.
"There was another patient recently who worked in atomic energy and ended up with throat cancer. He's in his late 50s, going through a lot of treatment and he was paying $85 a month for yard service, which was something he used to be able to do himself. So we reached out and found a local landscape company that has agreed to do his basic mowing and edging for the next three months for free. That makes a huge difference in his situation."
Founded just earlier this year, Light the Way is an Ormond Beach-based community network that supports local cancer patients and strives to help their individual needs such as care packages, thoughtful gifts, meals and food delivery, home cleaning, transportation and medical expenses. Heaster works with different officials at local hospitals and treatment centers to determine who needs what.
"We're the loophole when nothing else fits," said Heaster. "We're the special circumstance that they can come to and make it happen."
Just recently the organization teamed up with Ormond Beach dentist Dr. Sara Dean to offer another unique service: dental care.
"People going through cancer and treatment can lose their teeth or get cavities from dry mouth," said Dr. Dean. "A lot of times it's emotional too because they've gone through this tough experience and then they also lose the aesthetics of a natural smile. Getting that back is a step towards their recovery."
Light the Way is hosting their second fundraiser of the year Nov. 10 at the Gaslamp Shoppes on Granada. There will be food, music, wine, activities and local vendors from 4 to 8 p.m., and a percentage of all sales from the Gaslamp Shoppes will go to support local cancer patients.
"We do this to make a statement," Heaster said. "A statement that says your community is here, and we care about you."
Like Light the Way on Facebook for more information.
