AZ Giving: Patti Bruno of Desert Cancer Center Foundation 

Desert Cancer Center Foundation is an organization that focuses on giving cancer screenings to the uninsured.  Based solely on volunteer work, community involvement is their center of success. Their vision is to “improve the health status of women and their families.” AZFoothills.com speaks to the president, Patti Bruno, for more of an inside look at what their organization is all about.

AFM: What made you decide to get involved with The Desert Cancer Center Foundation? Do you have any personal history?

PB: I think we all have a story. The reason I got involved was because my father passed away of bone cancer at the age of 49, as well as my sister, who passed of ovarian cancer at age 42. My other sister is a double breast cancer survivor. I think the impact we make is important. It is important to give back. I wanted to work with an organization that was hands on and that is what The Desert Cancer Center Foundation is all about. We are reaching those who nobody chooses to help.

AFM: What amount of community involvement does The Desert Cancer Center Foundation rely on to succeed?

PB: Everything we do [is a result of] the community. We host two events; other than that, we have outside resources from community volunteers that put on events to help our cause. All the money we receive comes from fundraising and donations. We would not be able to do the things we do without the help from our community. Even Brighton, from the Chandler Fashion Mall, is donating 10 percent of all profits sold from cancer bracelets to The Desert Cancer Foundation. Without the help from our nonprofit organizations and community volunteers, none of our charity work would be possible.

AFM: As a nonprofit organization, what do you do to insure its success?

PB: We know that we are changing lives because we offer screenings to those who otherwise would not be able to receive screenings. We help those who never would’ve been able to receive mammograms. We partner with schools and other nonprofits in order to help those who are afraid to even ask for help. We make sure 100 percent of the money we raise goes toward providing the screenings for our uninsured patients.

AFM: What are your goals for this organization?

PB: We would eventually love to reach out to other types of cancer screenings. We want to assist in melanoma detection and eventually, skin cancer screenings. We would also like to allocate some of our money to help those affected by cancer with long-term care, long after their cancer treatments.

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For more info on Desert Cancer Center Foundation, click here.