Ray Tibbets, Shawneen Rubay, & Janice Murray

On March 7th, 2011, KHTS was pleased to welcome Circle of Hope to the KHTS Community Resource Station. We featured this organization on the KHTS Non-Profit Spotlight – hosted by Janice Murray . The KHTS Non-Profit Spotlight airs Mondays at 10am on AM-1220 KHTS and is sponsored by Castaic Lake Water Agency.

The mission of Circle of Hope, Inc, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity, is to provide emotional support and financial assistance for medical expenses for uninsured and underinsured individuals with Breast Cancer who live in, work in, or receive treatment in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Individuals with breast cancer are sometimes unable to work due to side effects of treatment. They may be unable to pay their normal bills due to the high costs of medications, co-payments, or insurance premiums. Some will not qualify for public assistance programs during cancer treatments. These financial burdens are devastating to individuals struggling with breast cancer. Patients should be able to focus on recovery, not debts. Circle of Hope wants to help.

They are in a health insurance crisis. Nearly 16% of the USA population lacks health insurance. Premiums for a family of four have increased 25% within the last 5 years, with often inadequate coverage. When you add in 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime, financial hardship is inevitable. ( Statistical references upon request)

Circle of Hope, Inc. believes that providing financial and emotional support will improve the quality of life and increase the individual’s chance of success in their battle against breast cancer.

They help the public through our three service programs: Second Opinion Assistance, Financial Medical Aid and our Compassionate Angel Program (CAP) for practical emotional support. Individual applications for assistance are reviewed by our Board, who determines the distribution of funds based upon need and debt ratio.

Circle of Hope will have their annual 5k Walk for Hope & People’s Choice Car Show on Saturday April 16 at Castaic Lake. The walk begins at 9:30am and their will be a People’s Choice Car Show and BBQ. Register online before March 27 and get a free t-shirt. Registration fee is $25.

KHTS would like to thank Ray Tibbets, and Shawneen Rubay for stopping by the Community Resource Station.

For more information on “5K Walk for Hope” and other upcoming events, visit them on the web at www.circleofhopeinc.org or call Circle of Hope at (661) 254-5218.