Through these numerous events and promotions, The DPA plans to raise funds to benefit the McMinn Area Cancer Relief Fund (MACRF), a program which provides support to people in McMinn and Meigs counties who are actively receiving cancer treatment - either chemotherapy or radiation - with expenses not covered by insurance, such as medication co-payments, utility bills, travel to treatment centers and even groceries.

"One hundred percent of all MACRF's donated funds go to local cancer patients," said Connie Woodcock, president of MACRF, "and with the need continuing to rise in this area, we're appreciative of the support of The DPA and all of those businesses and individuals in the area who pitch in. Every little bit goes a long way to help those who are fighting cancer."

For breast cancer alone, Woodcock said the average is three to five patients per week - and that's just in the McMinn Surgical Group office where she is employed.

"We see cancer every day in some form," she said. "Many people are affected by it in some way."

Started in 2000, MACRF has donated nearly $200,000 to well over 1,000 people in the area.

"The need has grown constantly since we started," Woodcock said.

Funds will be raised through the following ways:

• Think Pink Luncheon Ticket Information | Vendor information/application
• Think Pink T-shirts
• A newspaper special section focusing on Breast Cancer Awareness
• Think Pink Business of the Day Ad with photograph
• "Tell Us Your Survivor Story" Online Submission Form

For more information these campaign items Click Here