It was a no-brainer for PYA consultants Monica Wiggins and Derek Long to join the Cancer Support Community- East Tennessee s Young Leadership Council. Both with loved ones affected by cancer, Wiggins and Long knew first-hand how families and friends of those with cancer must deal with the fear, uncertainty, hardships, and emotions that come with battling the formidable disease.
Through their leadership role with the council, the colleagues will have the opportunity to grow their leadership skills while helping cancer patients and their families cope with the disease.
Being a part of the council allows me the opportunity to not only give back to the community, but to also support an organization that is near and dear to my heart. Many of my family members have faced cancer, and I have seen first-hand what a challenge it can be to not allow cancer to take over who you are as a person, said Wiggins.
The Cancer Support Community- East Tennessee provides a full range of support services for cancer patients and their families in a comfortable, home-like setting including support groups, professionally led educational workshops, stress management sessions, and social gatherings all of it for free.
Because there is no cost for these services, the Cancer Support Community needs the ongoing monetary support of donors in the community. Long expressed his eagerness to get involved in those efforts. I m looking forward to raising community awareness for the organization by coordinating fun community events that generate money for the center, he said.
With these new leadership opportunities, the PYA professionals hope to assist the healthcare non-profit as it nurtures cancer patients and their families in a setting that enhances their health and well-being with laughter, joy, and hope.
PYA Audit Principal Doug Arnold also has been involved with the Cancer Support Community- East Tennessee since 2010, as a member of the board of directors, where he currently serves as treasurer and as an executive committee member since 2011.
