.jpg)
Everyone has experienced a cancer diagnosis in one way or another - either personally or through a family member or friend. Various emotions are experienced - fear, anger, sadness, hope, determination and peace.
Bloomington/Normal has a magnificient facility that helps Central Illinois Residents fight cancer. Located in the heart of our community at 407 East Vernon Avenue in Normal, IL, The Community Cancer Center ("CCC") offers an array of comprehensive cancer services for the community which includes radiation therapy. The medical oncology services are provided by Mid Illinois Hematology Oncology Associates, LLC.The CCC also provides all the support services which include an oncology social worker and nutritionist, a health educator and breast health navigator and a chaplain.
I have recently joined the CCC Planned Giving Subcomittee which is part of a larger committee whose objective is to raise charitable funds so that the CCC can continue to grow and expand its services to our community.
The CCC itself was formed in 1999 as collaboration between our community's two hospitals - OSF Healthcare and Advocate Bromenn. These two competing hospitals joined forces so that our community could enjoy the highest quality of cancer care with state of the art equipment.
Planned Giving is a term used for when someone wants to incorporate a charitable gift with their tax, estate planning and financial goals. Planned Giving can take the following forms (among others):
Bequests in your Will or Trust
Naming the CCC as the beneficiary of Life Insurance
Charitable Remainder Trusts
Charitable Gift Annuities
Low Basis Stock
Qualified IRA Distributions
As a member of the Planned Giving Subcomittee it is my job -- along with other members of the subcomittee -- to help educate CCC staff; prospective CCC donors; and the public in general on various ways one can give part of their estate or assets in a tax efficient manner that fits within their estate planning and charitable planning goals.
I was fortunate enough to be given a recent tour of the CCC by its Executive Director, Joe Prosser. The CCC campus is an absolulely beatiful facility. The CCC facility has been expanded recently to more than double its original size.
The facility is impressive, but what is more impressive is the committment that the CCC has to our community in fighting cancer. The CCC fights cancer through:
State of the art equipment that puts us on the same level as many larger institutions
Physician collaboration including electronic consultation with Mayo Clinic
Oncology Nutritionist services
Oncology Social Worker services
Spiritual resources through a non-denominational Chaplin
Community education events
The CCC even has a Peace Garden that cancer patients can enjoy while they are there.
Money donated to the CCC helps in numerous ways. It helps support cancer prevention and screening, educational programs, transporation programs, support groups and charity care.
Best of all - this money stays in our community and directly helps our friends and family fight cancer.
I am honored to have been recently asked to join the CCC's Planned Giving Subcomittee. I have had family members and friends use this facility to beat cancer and it is a perfect way for me to give back and honor them.
The Community Cancer Center is truly a jewel in our community. If you are interested in learning more about how to donate to The Community Cancer Center you can Click Here for more information.
Sincerely,
Chad A. Ritchie
Ritchie Law Office, Ltd.
This article is a service of Attorney Chad A. Ritchie and the Ritchie Law Office, Ltd.
Click Here or call (309) 662-7000 to learn more about Ritchie Law Office, Ltd. and our Estate Planning process, which starts with an initial consultation called our “Ritchie Legacy Planning Session”.
To sign up for the Ritchie Law Office, Ltd. monthly newsletter, click here! Keep up with estate planning news, federal and state legislation affecting your estate plans, and the latest events and happenings at Ritchie Law Office, Ltd.