One of the Largest Gifts for Transportation Ever Received Locally
To be made in Ceremonies on Wednesday, June 16
 
In ceremonies on Wednesday, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas will present the 2010 Cattle Baron’s Gala with a $100,000 donation for transportation services for area cancer patients. The Cattle Baron’s Gala is a major fund raiser of the American Cancer Society, and the gift is the largest ever received locally for transportation services.  Many healthcare providers consider arranging transportation to and from treatment appointments to be the leading non-medical challenge for people facing cancer. 
 
Methodist Health Ministries is making the donation in honor of Jaime and Lori Wesolowski, chairs of this year’s gala, which will be October 16 at Estancia at Thunder Valley in Boerne.  Jaime Wesolowski, CEO of Methodist Healthcare, is a cancer survivor.  Funds raised at the gala benefit thousands of South Texas cancer patients and their families in a variety of ways.
 
On average, the American Cancer Society (ACS) annually receives approximately 18,000 requests for transportation (one way rides) from our area.  ACS offers a wide range of free and reduced cost transportation services for cancer patients who either are not physically able to get back-and-forth without help or who cannot afford transportation.  This assistance takes many forms, from volunteers driving patients to and from appointments as part of the Road to Recovery program, to gas cards for patients well enough to drive but unable to pay for gas, to contracted transportation services that provide a vehicle and driver.
 
Methodist Health Ministries is a private, faith-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing medical and health-related human services to low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas .  The mission of the organization is “Serving Humanity to Honor God,” by improving the physical, mental and spiritual health of those least served in the Southwest Texas Conference area of The United Methodist Church.
 
WHO: Jaime and Lori Wesolowksi, 2010 Cattle Baron’s Gala Chairs
                       
Roy R. Campbell III, Chair of the Board of Directions, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas , and Kevin C. Moriarty, President & CEO, Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Gia Dice, M.D., medical oncologist
 
WHEN: Wednesday, June 16, at 3 p.m.
 
WHERE: American Cancer Society Office, 8115 Datapoint Dr .