February 04, 2011
Donation creates informative 'Cancer Corners'
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Southern Illinois University Carbondale community will have easy and ready access to important cancer-related information thanks to a pair of charitable organizations and student volunteers.
The George Bates Memorial Foundation is donating $10,000 to The Hope Light Foundation, which in turn is using the funds to create two Cancer Corners on the SIUC campus. The displays will be set up in the Student Center near the first floor Information Desk and in the Student Health Center. Each special display will feature an assortment of brochures, booklets and DVDs/CDs pertaining to cancer.
Visitors can stop by and pick up free materials from a variety of national and regional cancer-related organizations including the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Lance Armstrong Foundation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and many others.
SIUC student organizations are participating in the effort to raise awareness about cancer, too. Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity will be keeping the Hope Light Cancer Corner in the Student Center organized and stocked with the health-related materials while Eta Sigma Gamma, the campus registered student organization affiliate of the national professional health education honorary, will do so with the Student Health Center display.
Representatives from the George Bates Memorial Foundation, The Hope Light Foundation and SIUC will be on hand for a check presentation at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9, at the Corker Lounge in the SIUC Student Center.
Media Advisory
Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to attend the check presentation at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9, in the Corker Lounge at the SIUC Student Center.
Rudy and Beverly Bess, of Hazelwood, Mo., established The Hope Light Project as a non-profit charitable organization in 2005 to help people recognize cancer symptoms and respond quickly to save lives. The project establishes cancer information displays in libraries and health departments across Southern Illinois and southeastern Kentucky to increase access to important cancer information and aid in the mission of saving lives.
The George A. Bates Memorial Foundation is a longtime generous SIUC supporter. Bates was a successful stock market investor and The Bates Foundation formed after its namesake’s death in 1989. The foundation provides funding for numerous charitable organizations and projects. Beneficiaries include SIUC and the Hope Light Project.