Mission Statement
The mission of Cancer Services is to provide personal, compassionate cancer support, education, and prevention services to help improve the quality of life of our clients
and the health of our community.
History of Cancer Services
The origin of the current Cancer Services dates back to the middle 1940's when a few concerned citizens began collecting funds to fight cancer. In March 1948, the group was incorporated as Midland County Cancer Society. Approximately 30 community representatives were elected to the board. Their mission was to control the disease of cancer through early detection, education, and service to patients. This included maintaining the radium supply for Midland Hospital, distributing educational leaflets, offering films for loan, and providing medical equipment for use in home care. Volunteers helped in a variety of ways, such as making bandages and other patient supplies. The group worked closely with the Midland County Health Department to improve the health of the community.
In 1956, the Midland County Cancer Society withdrew from the American Cancer Society due to a funding conflict with the United Fund--a common problem around the country at that time. The Midland organization did not want to conduct a separate drive (which ACS required), so it disaffiliated with the organization. Along with 50 other groups leaving ACS, an effort was made to form a new association. As a charter member in the early 1960's, Cancer Services is still an active member of the Cancer Agencies National Staff Association (CANSA).
For many years Cancer Services was a visible health promoter through community parades, and displays at the Midland County Fair. The Breast Cancer Visitor Program, was begun in 1977 to train volunteers to visit clients with breast cancer. The Cancer Volunteers Program, initiated in the early 1980's, provided trained volunteers to help families with rides to medical appointments, errand service and other occasional needs.
A feasibility study was conducted in 1977 to determine the need for more services. The generous donation of office space by a local businessman, and increased United Way funding allowed Cancer Services to hire an Executive director and significantly increase community services: more client services and a larger educational program focused on anti-smoking student presentations. A part-time health educator was hired in 1984. In 1985, a part-time volunteer coordinator joined the staff, and a special Board of Directors committee decided a name change would help eliminate some of the cancer agency's "identity confusion;" In 2008, we expanded to Clare and Gladwin counties which required us to change our name to Cancer Services.
In 1993 the Midland County Tobacco Reduction Coalition was formed to coordinate activities that reduce the initiation of smoking by youth, and to promote clean indoor air. More recently, in April 1994, the Partners As Life Survivors (PALS) Program was developed to support persons coping with all kinds of cancer. While programs have evolved over the years, the overall mission remains the same: With an emphasis on education and volunteer services, Cancer Services responds to the needs of today and encourages hope for tomorrow.
