A Helping Hand

A cancer diagnosis can turn a person’s world upside down. Along with the increased stress and anxiety that often come with fighting for your life, cancer patients may also be burdened with high medical bills and increased transportation costs as they travel to and from their treatments and follow-up appointments.

All of these extra expenses can make everyday necessities more difficult to afford. Sock Out Cancer, a creative and generous community effort that began in 2017, has raised more than $700,000 over the last five years to help cancer patients and their families pay for practical, nonmedical needs, such as transportation, utility bills, groceries, rent or mortgage payments.

“Sock Out Cancer is an amazing cause,” says Andrea Mastronardi, development manager of the UHS Foundation. “It allows our patients to funnel all of their strength into fighting cancer instead of worrying about things like how they’re going to pay their monthly rent or an upcoming utility bill.”

Coordinated by the Binghamton-based Security Mutual Life, Sock Out Cancer raises money through the sale of colorful socks and community events, including a 5K run/walk benefit that took place in September and a live concert benefit on October 9—this year, a musical tribute to Elton John and Billy Joel. The multi-hued socks (the colors represent the fight against the many types of cancer in all of its forms) are sold online for $10 a pair.

Funds raised through Sock Out Cancer are distributed to participating hospital foundations, including the UHS Foundation, and social workers at UHS help the Foundation determine who needs the extra support.

“Patients are so appreciative of the financial assistance,” Mastronardi shares, “and we at the UHS Foundation are grateful to partner with Sock Out Cancer to provide this monetary support to our cancer patients.”