Sterling Heights

New organization seeks to fulfill cancer patients’ financial, emotional needs

By Cortney Casey
C & G Staff Writer

In the final months of his stepfather’s life, Michael Meddaugh remembers opening the refrigerator and realizing there was nothing of substance inside.

Perplexed, the Clinton Township resident asked his stepfather, Bruce, why his kitchen was woefully understocked. His stepfather’s reply: The money that would have funded groceries went toward cancer medications instead.

“People shouldn’t have to decide whether they’re going to have prescriptions or they’re going to have food,” said Meddaugh. “It was just a terrible situation.”

He said he saw similar struggles play out with his father and grandmother, also low-income cancer patients, and contacted numerous Michigan-based nonprofits on their behalf — to no avail.

“There was just no help,” said Meddaugh, who lost all three family members in a three-year period. “They didn’t even have any resources where to direct me to … and I could not find one that provided what I think most cancer patients need. I was bound and determined to make sure that this didn’t happen to other people.”

The experience drove Meddaugh to co-found a cancer foundation a few years ago, but after realizing that he wanted to take his efforts beyond the local level, he splintered off to establish the United Cancer Association, a Sterling Heights-based nonprofit aimed at serving Michigan and beyond.

Meddaugh said the association’s goal is to supply low-income cancer patients with support for medical bills, prescriptions and day-to-day needs, including food, transportation, household appliances, cleaning and hygiene supplies, etc.

“But more importantly than that, we want to help them emotionally, because we feel cancer affects not just the one person, but the whole entire family,” he said, noting that the group hopes to partner with a social worker. “When you’re told you only have six months to live, money really starts to lose meaning, and life itself begins to be a lot more meaningful.”

With the association still in its early stages — Meddaugh filed paperwork with the state last April, but efforts didn’t get fully under way until December — he said he understands when he encounters some skepticism about the group’s legitimacy.

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs confirmed that the organization is listed under the state’s nonprofit corporation designation, and Meddaugh said a federal 501(c)(3) nonprofit status is pending.

The association has three core founders, including Warren resident Vince Pulis, who, like Meddaugh, is driven by personal losses.

“I’ve lost a few people in my past, growing up, that were close to me,” said Pulis. “Just recently, right before Thanksgiving, I lost my grandmother to cancer, and just three weeks ago, I lost someone who was like a second mother to me my entire life.”

The timing seemed to be a sign, nudging him toward involvement with the United Cancer Association, he said.

“Seeing how ugly cancer truly is, and it doesn’t care who you are, how old you are … by doing something like this, it’s just a way to give back and help people out who have it,” he said. “Just trying to emotionally, financially and spiritually help them out as much as possible through the ordeal.”

Beginning in April, members plan to deploy to specific cities for one week at a time, relying primarily on spare change drives at intersections as fundraisers. In each community, they intend to take on one local individual as their beneficiary.

“Donors really like to know where their money’s going,” said Meddaugh. “They want to put a face to the dollar that they give.”

Their current plans call for hitting Chesterfield Township the first week in April, followed by Warren and then Sterling Heights. The association is seeking low-income cancer patients in need of assistance who reside in those municipalities.

Members are also conducting an ongoing can and bottle drive; soliciting stoves, washers, drivers, refrigerators and other appliances for beneficiaries; seeking desks, chairs, computers and printers to stock their fledgling office; and looking for volunteers.

Their landlord has offered a few months of free rent, and they’re hoping a web designer might offer his or her time and talents to set up a website. So far, they’ve paid out of pocket for their licensing fees, said Meddaugh.

“We’re putting in a lot of work, and a lot of effort forward,” he said, noting that all of the founders — the third of whom declined to be identified due to affiliation with another agency — are volunteers. “It’s a lot for three people, but I definitely believe we can do it.”

While Meddaugh said the organization strives not to turn anyone away, in general, beneficiaries must demonstrate “true financial need,” with no “major help” coming in from another outlet and incomes of less than $10,000 per person in the household.

“We’re looking, essentially, for people who have no help from the state, no help from family, very little assets … we’re very, very open-minded, because we know every circumstance is different,” he said.

“Obviously, we know we can’t eradicate (cancer), but we know what we can do is, we can help those individuals who need help,” he added. “It doesn’t sound like a lot, but essentially, in our first year, we’re looking to help about 50 people.”

As for the future, Meddaugh has high hopes: “Our goal is to be the biggest in the state within the next two years, which I think is completely feasible,” he said. “Within three, we’d like to be spread out over six states here: Basically, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.”

Donations in the form of check or money order, made out to United Cancer Association, can be directed to 20237 Bermander, Clinton Township, 48035, MI while the group is getting its Sterling Heights office set up.

For more information, to volunteer or to schedule a pickup for bottles, cans, appliances or office equipment, call Meddaugh at (586) 334-6649.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Cortney Casey at ccasey@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1046.