GARY CLARK,JR.

The Columbus Cancer Clinic is the
oldest free cancer clinic in the United
States. It was founded in 1921 by Catherine
Nelson Black, to assist those dealing with
cancer. It merged into LifeCare Alliance in
2005 in to save administrative costs and
create a more efficient and effective delivery
model. They provide education about
prevention and early detection, head-to-toe
screenings, examinations, and mammograms,
regardless of ability to pay.
Last year, they served 3,469 clients,
providing 1,593 mammograms, 1,163
screenings, and 713 families
with home care support
services. Generally, these
clients would not have
access to these services
due to lack of ability to pay.
Home Care Support provides
low income, underinsured
or uninsured
individuals living with cancer
with medical supplies
and equipment, medication
assistance, transportation
to and from cancer related
medical appointments,
pantry items, nutritional
supplements, and emergency
financial assistance,
including rent and utility
payments.
They prevent homelessness.
They provide
skilled nursing care, home
health aides, social work,
therapy, and dietary assistance
needed to maintain
the client and their family in
their home. All Home Care
Support services are provided
free of charge.
Columbus Cancer Center also provides
wigs and breast prostheses. Almost 60% of
their clients have incomes below $20,000
annually, and 80% of their clients are
female, and 42% are minorities.
Due to the merger, Columbus Cancer
Clinic clients also have access to LifeCare
Alliance help such as Meals-on-Wheels, pet
food, wellness and homemaking services.
Chuck Gehring told us that 70% of their
clients have pets. That doesn’t surprise me,
I understand how animal companions help
and soothe the spirit.
These services do not just rely on
government assistance or the charity of
kindhearted donors. LifeCare Alliance
operates Social Entrepreneurship enterprises
to assist in accepting all clients in
need. The Project Blues concert was held
in their Catering Event Center. LifeCare
Alliance Catering is a full service catering
company operated by LifeCare Alliance.
The profits from it help to pay for clients
when funding does not exist. In 2012,
catering will pay for over 400 clients. For
the past decade, LifeCare Alliance has
accepted all qualified clients in need.
Most similar programs in the United States
have large waiting lists.
Jonn Del Toro Richardson told me,
“My family was impacted by this when my
dad was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer
and my mom had to quit work to tend
to him. I thank God my mom taught us
about family and my sisters and I pulled
together to get through those tough days
ahead. We had each other, but there are
many out there that have no one to turn to
and rely on the help of others. When Mike
Berichon approached me about Project
Blues I was in right away. We put a show
together for the patients and it all just went
from there.
“I personally enjoy performing for the
patients and clients, to see them light up
PHOTOGRAPHY © DUSTY SCOTT
and enjoy themselves is an amazing sight.
I'll never forget one lady thanking us for
coming, she said to me ‘I haven't been out
of my house for a year other then hospital
and doctors visits and haven't had any visitors
except for the food bank this made my
year.’ I can't begin to tell you how much that
statement affected me.”
Mike Berichon is a Columbus music
lover who was instrumental in conceiving
Project Blues. He took on much of the organizational
work, and it is no surprise that he
too is driven by what cancer has taken from
him. Mike wrote his feelings for his sister in
this poem, and works so that others might
not have to experience his loss:
Roses And Thorns
by Mike “Bear” Berichon
Helplessly…
Watching darkness overtake the day
I’d give anything to find a way
To keep the darkness at bay
I don’t know what to say
To give her hope…to give me hope
I love you….this hurts
Roses and Thorns
I want The Power to change
Snap His fingers and re-arrange
I am her, she is me
If I pray it, can He make it be?
Out from the gloom, show her light
You’re beautiful…I am empty
Roses and Thorns
Runnin’ down the road at 90 plus
Blues a blarin’ and comforting us
I am me, and she is she
He says that’s how it has to be
I'll never forget that ride.
Sure was a beautiful day…I miss her.
Roses and Thorns
Hopefully…
Watching darkness overtake the day
Finally, I have found a way
To make the darkness go away
I now know what to say
To give her hope…to give me hope
Sure is a beautiful day…we are one
Roses and Roses
© 2010 Mike “Bear” Berichon
BLUES REVUE 31