Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas Expands its Reach to the Outer Banks

Pictured L-R- Outer Banks Community Foundation President & CEO Chris Sawin, Director of Cancer Services at Outer Banks Health Hospital Beverly Jones, Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas Executive Director Laura Allen, and OBCF Board Member and President of Outer Banks Health Hospital Ronnie Sloan.

Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among children in the United States and for many families, getting treatment for their children means costly travel far from home over many months and even years. Here in North Carolina, for example, there are just seven pediatric oncology hospitals, none of which has all the latest treatments and technologies.

That means that often children faced with cancer and their families will be referred to oncology centers in Houston, Philadelphia and New York, meaning they have to travel hundreds of miles regularly to receive the lifesaving treatment they need.

But thanks to Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas (CCP), the financial strain for children with cancer and their families who live in North Carolina and South Carolina has been dramatically reduced, easing the burden as they navigate their children’s cancer journeys. For children in Dare County, that burden has been lessened even more as a result of a grant the Outer Banks Community Foundation (OBCF) recently awarded to CCP.

“We are essentially a childhood cancer safety net,” said CCP Executive Director Laura Allen, noting that her organization was thrilled to be awarded the OBCF grant. “Our organization was already helping children and families on the Outer Banks, and this is just the beginning of a new partnership of support.”

One of those families was the family of Victoria and Ross Botson of Southern Shores. Their 19-year-old daughter Gwendalyn died on March 2 after a courageous two-year battle with Stage 4 cancer. Gwendalyn, an avid lacrosse player, surfer, and lover of the outdoors, was cherished and supported by her Outer Banks community. As her obituary states, “Her fun-loving and irreplaceable spirit touched so many lives as a true example of a courageous warrior filled with grace, faith, humor, and a passion for life.”

The Botsons said they were grateful to CCP, which helped them during Gwendalyn’s illness by providing reimbursements for things such as gas and meals during travel. “It’s a really good partnership,” Ross Botson said, stating that it helped a lot with the back-and-forth expenses during treatments. He added that they would also send care packages filled with comfort items for Gwendalyn.

“On our island, we need the help because we have to travel so far when our kids are sick, which is also hard on them,” said Victoria.

Outer Banks Community Foundation Board Member and President of Outer Banks Health Hospital Ronnie Sloan meeting with Director of Cancer Services at Outer Banks Health Hospital Beverly Jones, Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas Executive Director Laura Allen, and Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas Volunteer Grant Writer Roger Sullivan before giving them a tour of the new Cowell Cancer Center in Nags Head.

“My heart aches for children who are diagnosed with cancer and their families as well,” said Ronnie Sloan, OBCF Board Member and President of Outer Banks Health Hospital. “While we would like to care for every single person with cancer in our community, it is true that the needs of pediatric patients are unique and require the specialization of pediatric providers. As an OBCF Board Member, I knew instantly that this grant to CCP would make a difference for local families. As a healthcare administrator, I am grateful for organizations like CCP who do everything they can to make a very difficult situation just a little easier.”

Focused on treatment access, CCP provides transportation, lodging, and meals for children receiving cancer treatment and their families. Within 24 hours of receiving a referral from social workers at the pediatric oncology centers in North Carolina, CCP family advocates are on the phone working with families to understand their needs and determine a plan to provide both financial and emotional support.

Whether it is providing funds for flights to treatment centers, meals, home care needs, or mental health services, CCP’s support doesn’t end until a child turns 21. “This is an organization that will be by your side throughout your family’s cancer journey,” Laura of CCP said.

CCP was founded in 2001 in Spartanburg, S.C.  As its mission and reach expanded through the years, it eventually served all counties in South Carolina and North Carolina. Since 2017, CCP has been helping children diagnosed with cancer on the Outer Banks get to treatment “no matter how far, how long, or how frequently,” said Laura, adding that the OBCF grant helps CCP to continue to ensure that Outer Banks children diagnosed with cancer, and their families, have the transportation, food, and lodging they need.

Last year, CCP helped more than 2,100 Carolina children in their cancer journeys and is expected to help more than 2,400 children this year. “We aim to help families stay whole, trying to help them adapt to their new normal and not feel the huge financial burden and the loss of income associated with diagnosis and treatment,” she said.

CCP’s impact is far-reaching. In 2024, CCP is expected to reimburse more than 2.5 million miles of cancer treatment travel and provide more than 640 hotel stays and more than 28,200 meals for families whose children are receiving cancer treatment.

“‘Your child has cancer’ are the four most horrible words a parent would have to hear,” Laura acknowledged. “We want people to know that Children’s Cancer Partnerships of the Carolinas will be at your side and that all Dare County children will have the support needed to get through their cancer journey.”

For more information about Community Enrichment Grants, please visit OBCF.org.

About the Outer Banks Community Foundation: The Outer Banks Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to fostering philanthropy and supporting local causes. Through its charitable funds and grant programs, the Foundation strives to enrich the quality of life for residents of the Outer Banks.