McKesson employees give back for 16th Community Days program

SAN FRANCISCO — From Oct. 27 through Nov. 1, 2014, more than 11,000 McKesson employees at more than 170 locations across the United States will participate in the 16th Community Days program, an annual company event. During Community Days, employees will gather for large group volunteer projects benefiting local communities where they live and work. This year, employees nationwide will help create more than 18,000 warm scarves and 36,000 hand-written cards containing comforting messages for cancer patients, which will be included as part of cancer care packages distributed through Giving Comfort, a program of the McKesson Foundation.

 

Each year, 1.6 million people in the United States are newly diagnosed with cancer. Giving Comfort was established to provide cancer patients with care packages, called "Comfort Kits," filled with the most needed and requested items to provide comfort and relief during chemotherapy treatment. 

 

"While the search for a cure continues, patients fighting cancer need our help right now," said Elizabeth Howland, managing director of Giving Comfort. "We surveyed hundreds of cancer patients and oncology professionals and found that small items of comfort can help patients endure tough times. We are hopeful the efforts of McKesson employees nationwide and Giving Comfort's Comfort Kits will help make treatment more bearable for these patients."

 

Nearly one quarter of people with cancer will exhaust all of their savings as a result of treatment costs, even with insurance. As many as 11% of cancer patients cannot afford food and basic necessities due to treatment costs. Giving Comfort provides relief to these patients through the items included in the Comfort Kits, such as a warm blanket, toiletries, a warm cap, a journal and other frequently requested items.

 

Through generous donations by individuals and the support of the McKesson Foundation, Comfort Kits are provided to patients in need free of charge. Individual donations go directly to purchasing and shipping Comfort Kits to patients. The Kits are delivered into the hands of patients through Giving Comfort's partnerships with organizations in more than 165 locations — such as the American Cancer Society, Ronald McDonald Houses and the Mayo Clinic — across 33 states.

 

In addition to providing donated kits, Giving Comfort provides an e-store that allows individuals to purchase a Comfort Kit online for a friend or loved one, regardless of income, and have the gift sent directly to the recipient's home or hospital room with a personal note enclosed. All of the proceeds from  kit sales go directly back into supporting Giving Comfort's Comfort Kits for low-income patients.