A cancer diagnosis is not something anyone expects, much less something intuitive to navigate. The team of experts at Cancer Services, based in Winston-Salem, serves the triad with this understanding. As a nonprofit organization, Cancer Services provides comprehensive support to individuals affected by cancer, including patients, survivors, and caregivers. With many services, community outreach, and a holistic approach, this organization strives to ease such an unprecedented journey. 

Personalized for Everyone

Many individuals are often unaware of what kind of assistance they need after receiving a diagnosis, much less that there are resources out there dedicated to supporting them. LeeAnn Taylor, operations director of Cancer Services, encourages folks to “connect with us as soon as possible to access all of our resources because it is very overwhelming.”

Seventy years living out the mission statement, “Enhance Health, Life, and Survivorship,” Cancer Services has five key services dedicated to providing different services, all of which come together to create the most significant impact possible, such as their personalized approach to patient advocacy and financial assistance. They teach clients how to navigate the healthcare system, provide financial aid for medications, gas cards, and emergency household expenses. They are partnered with a local Davie County pharmacy, Foster Drug of Mocksville, to provide medication for clients who qualify for financial aid. 

Their services aren’t limited to just financial; they also address the physical aspects of support. With supplies from disposable first-aid and hygiene products to medical equipment and mobility aids available for loan, such as canes and wheelchairs, Cancer Services has options for individuals who need access to these items that they might be unable to get otherwise.

Taking Back Control

Medical treatment is just one step in the process. Continuing to live confidently and taking control where you can is just as important in the journey of survivorship. Cancer Services seeks to create these opportunities for clients, and one way they’ve done this is through their Appearance Boutique. Clients can access wigs, hats, scarves, and other items free of charge. This gives clients the opportunity to manage any physical side effects of treatment they may experience. Cancer Services has blessed many clients with these types of items. Wigs, for instance, are a way to create a sense of normalcy in clients’ lives and the lives of their loved ones. Of these services, a client of Cancer Services said, “Your help allows us to live and experience life as a family rather than just exist and survive.”

Cancer Services also strives to create a sense of community and support. They accomplish this with their unique approach to emotional and peer support. Volunteers who have been through their own journey and are either finished with treatment or are in remission often approach the organization with the desire to give back. Many of them accomplish this by calling clients who are newer in their journey to offer them emotional support. This allows for deep, personal connections to be built. Hearing from someone on their survivorship journey is invaluable and encouraging for new clients. This deep sense of understanding serves to develop a sense of community and healing. 

Supplemental wellness programs are available as well. A dietitian on staff specializes in creating healthy eating plans for clients during and after treatment. Clients may also attend nutrition education seminars and cooking classes to build their own knowledge and skills to take charge of their health! Stress relief opportunities, such as massage therapy, are also available to clients by appointment.

For clients interested in growing their knowledge at home, check out these podcasts! 

The Cancer Dietitian Podcast and the Triad Cancer Connection Podcast feature stories from survivorship experts and cover topics from nutrition to prevention.

Community Outreach and Giving Back

As a non-profit organization, Cancer Services does get a grant from the Davie Community Foundation. They also host two fundraisers a year. One is a letter campaign, and the other is a gala called Wrapped up in Ribbons. However, their most significant source of fundraising has been that which other members of the community do. Every year, the Oak Valley Ladies Golf Club hosts a tournament, and all their proceeds go to breast cancer support! Cancer Services can pull from these funds all year long to give financial aid to its clients with breast cancer. The hard work of groups such as this golf club is invaluable, as Cancer Services has a limited staff of only thirteen members. Because of this generosity, staff members are able to get their work done efficiently, despite their small size. 

Volunteers are needed! Care team volunteers call clients; other volunteers donate supplies, funds, or gas cards to make trips to radiation treatment less expensive. Volunteers can get involved in different projects. For example, a big group got together to do yard work for a client! Whatever your unique skill set might be, there is an opportunity for you to get involved with this organization. 

2025 Survivors Day! 

Cancer Services invites anyone on their journey with a cancer diagnosis to register for the 2025 Survivors Day event on Saturday, May 31st, 2025. The event will take place at the Intergenerational Center for Arts & Wellness. Lunch will be provided as well as other activities and resources. Registration is now open and required for the event. If you or someone you know would like to attend, please sign up here. 

A Beloved Resource

Cancer Services has accomplished an unbelievable amount of life-changing work in its 70-year history, from cultivating a holistic approach to support beyond the treatment side of a cancer diagnosis to raising funds to ensure that resources are available to everyone. A client put it into words best: “Thank you for being so good and kind when I came to your office for help.  You were awesome and went above and beyond to satisfy my needs ~ I wish everyone in the world was like everyone at Cancer Services.”