Foundation News 02/12/08 - Thank You for Helping Raise $339,000 in the Mission to Defeat Cancer! The BUDDY’S Race Against Cancer is undeniably everybody’s race against cancer! Men, women, boys, gir... (more) 02/12/08 - Frank H. Strang Senior Center Provides “Resources” for Thompson’s George Bruce Nichols Patient Resource Center On any given day you can find cancer patients, a family member or two, Cancer Center employees and o... (more) 02/12/08 - A New Year’s Resolution January is a month for making resolutions for the New Year. 2008 represents a fresh start, an opport... (more) Read More Articles Read the Full Newsletter Download the PDF version View the Newsletter Archives

The Thompson Cancer Survival Center Foundation was established in 1994 to provide ongoing support of the treatment efforts at the Cancer Center.

The Foundation extends resources to projects throughout the Thompson Cancer Survival Center, including research, innovative diagnostic care, treatment and early detection, education and direct patient support. Thompson Cares, a program funded through the TCSC Foundation, provides the means for patients in financial need to access transportation, accommodations and other resources related to their care.

The Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable organization under IRS code 501(c)(3). All donations to the Foundation are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed. The mission of this organization's board is to provide the means to expand and support the Cancer Center's efforts to eliminate cancer deaths in East Tennessee.

The projects and programs supported by the Thompson Cancer Survival Center Foundation are made possible because of the financial support received from our donors – from you, our neighbors, concerned area business people and corporations and many, many individuals who want to make a difference in the fight against cancer.

Ongoing and increased contributions are the source by which cancer will be conquered. There are many ways to make a gift of support:

• Cash/check donations
• Annual giving
• Pledges
• Gifts of stock, real estate or property
• Planned gifts (trusts and wills)
• Gifts in honor of or in memory of a loved one.

The BUDDY'S Race Against Cancer, a 5K Walk-n-Run, is Thompson's flagship fundraiser spearheaded by a partnership between Thompson and BUDDY'S bar-b-q. In 1993 Cathy Hodges, a former Thompson patient and community leader, inspired a group of friends to join her in organizing a foot race to raise money in support of Thompson Cancer Survival Center’s mobile mammography and cancer screening services. Facing a diagnosis of breast cancer, Cathy set out on a personal mission to tell people of the importance of early detection and mammograms. She wanted this fundraiser to be instrumental in providing cancer screening services to people throughout our region. In 1993 the Race Against Cancer was begun.

In 1994, BUDDY’S bar-b-q joined Thompson Cancer Survival Center to become the Race’s Event sponsor after Buddy Smothers, founder of BUDDY’S bar-b-q, lost his valiant battle with melanoma cancer in 1992. The race was then renamed in his honor and in appreciation to his family for their generous philanthropic spirit. More than $1 million has been raised through the BUDDY'S Race Against Cancer.

If you would like to know more about the work of the Thompson Cancer Survival Center Foundation or about making a contribution, please contact our office today at (865) 541-1227.