Linda Bickel Grassi, raised in Wildwood Crest and a graduate of Wildwood High School, was a Glenwood Avenue Elementary School teacher in Wildwood for 20 years. She was fondly known to everyone as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend.
When diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Linda’s close friends and co-workers came together to raise funds to help defray the enormous costs of her treatment. Even though Linda lost her battle with cancer in May of 1994 at the age of 46, the work and the love continue through the Love of Linda Cancer Fund, Inc.
Current treasurer Margaret Clark was happy to share her history with the fund. “I first met Linda in 1982 when my youngest son entered her 3rd grade class at Glenwood Avenue School…Our relationship was cemented in mutual love and respect. I was devastated when I heard of her ovarian cancer diagnosis, and while I was not involved in the initial organization, I joined Love of Linda Cancer Fund in 2002.”
Starting with three patients its first year, Love of Linda has assisted over 2400 Cape May County cancer patients with $1.6 million being dispersed over the last 19 years. “Cape May County is where we raise our money and Cape May County is where we spend our money,” stresses Margaret Clark.
The organization’s motto is, “The love lives on for others.” This was derived from the fact that so many people supported the original “For the Love of Linda” organization when she was battling her ovarian cancer, that after she passed, the organizers decided to continue in her memory.
“In my 11 year tenure, I have recorded donations from all over this country as well as overseas. Not only do we receive donations in memory of our deceased patients but I have a list of over 800 names of non-patients for whom we’ve received memorials. Hence, our motto of the love lives on!” explains organization representative Margaret Clark.
Joanne Gill, social worker at Hope Community Cancer Center, makes a great deal of patient referrals to Love of Linda and sums up her experience with the organization as simply “so wonderful”. “All it takes is just a phone call, and Love of Linda is more than willing to help,” continues Gill.
What Joanne notes as particularly unique about Love of Linda is the fund’s small number of giving restrictions as compared with similar resources for cancer patients. “They are open to assist basically any one receiving treatment and in need in Cape May County. Love of Linda has been nothing but kind to the cancer patients of this county.”
Love of Linda is not a needs-based organization and patients are not required to submit any bills for payment. The only criteria is that patients live within Cape May County and their cancer diagnosis is current. Whether they are newly diagnosed or receiving ongoing treatments, they are eligible for the fund’s help.
Gill also confirmed that Hope Community Cancer Center and Love of Linda collaborate in work beyond these referrals. Dr. Julianne W. Childs organizes an annual Hope Musicfest to raise money for local cancer organizations, including Love of Linda.
The next Musicfest will be held in January of 2014 at Yesterday’s Restaurant & Bar in Marmora. The Hope Musicfest features local bands and musicians and is a great event to gather, have fun, and support organizations, such as Love of Linda, that provide a great service to the residents of Cape May County dealing with cancer.
Further, Love of Linda organization members choose to make more intimate contact with Hope Cancer Center patients the first week of June in celebration of Cancer Survivors Week. “Love of Linda brings snacks, lunch, or cookies for our patients to enjoy,” explains Gill. Ultimately, Love of Linda seeks to spread the message that they are there as a resource for those of all ages suffering with various forms of the disease.
“I really don’t know what we would do without them,” states social worker Joanne Gill passionately. “In today’s economy, there’s not money floating around to help these patients facing such high expenses. Economically, it is an extremely difficult time to be sick,” she stated. Love of Linda intervenes in a major way for those patients facing already unfavorable economic situations.
Best of all, Love of Linda does not specify exactly how donations to patients must be spent. Whether they be used for gas money, tolls, childcare, or a mortgage payment, this decision is at the patient’s discretion. “The oncologists in Cape May County provide excellent care but even they are forced to refer patients to larger facilities, which require several hours of travel time. Regardless of where one receives treatment, it’s those unexpected expenses that chip away at one’s income. That’s where Love of Linda is most supportive,” explains organization treasurer Margaret Clark.
Joan Lappin of Cape Regional Medical Center’s Thomas Sinclair Radiation Oncology Center expressed a similar gratitude for Love of Linda and their lack of stringent dispensary guidelines. “Love of Linda is honestly like our savior, because they don’t restrict how the money is used. Patients can use it for an expensive prescription or to fill up their gas tank. The choice is theirs,” stated Lappin.
Lappin also offered praise for Love of Linda’s efficiency and quick turn-around time after receiving their referrals. “If I am in a jam and have a patient who is being discharged and needs the financial help, Love of Linda is very good at cutting that check and getting it into the patient’s hands right when they need it.”
Love of Linda is also unique in that they are open to helping the same patient a number of times if necessary. “As long as I refer a Cape May County resident with a diagnosis and who is currently in treatment, and a 90 day window has passed since he or she last received a Love of Linda check, that patient is again eligible for assistance from the organization,” explains Lappin.
This undying commitment to assisting any and all Cape May County cancer patients is what truly sets Love of Linda apart.
“On average, we annually raise half of what we disperse to cancer patients. The remaining funds come from memorials, general donations, and those fundraisers conducted by others on our behalf, which are too numerous to mention,” states treasurer Clark.
The Love of Linda Cancer Fund is supported by planned fundraising activities throughout the year, including raffles, a Beef ‘N Beer dance party, a spaghetti dinner, and the popular Memorial Golf Tournament held at the Avalon Country Club. Next year will mark the tournament’s 20th anniversary.
In addition to the Love of Linda fundraisers, various other organizations and office co-workers have raised money on the fund’s behalf. A great deal of these individuals and business owners who conduct such fundraisers on the fund’s behalf do so because they have had a loved one who was helped by Love of Linda.
However, the greatest source of revenue comes from memorial contributions, which enables the love of a deceased one to live on for others.
For an up-to-date schedule of upcoming fundraisers and a list of past Love of Linda benefactors, please visit loveoflinda.org. Online donations have been made quick and easy with Love of Linda’s PayPal account.
Love of Linda has also compiled a cookbook filled with 150 favorite recipes from area cancer patients, survivors, residents, and restaurants. The cost of each book is $10 + $3.50 for shipping. If you would like to order a book, please visit their “Contribute” page to purchase via Paypal.
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