Cortland Memorial Foundation Announces Partnership With Hope for Heather – Program to Promote Public Awareness and Provide Financial Assistance

The Cortland Memorial Foundation has announced they have partnered with Hope For Heather Ovarian and Other Gynecologic Cancers Program. The program will work towards increasing education and awareness.

Hope for Heather also will help provide financial assistance and comfort for women and their families who are affected by those battling ovarian and other gynecologic cancers.

During a press conference yesterday afternoon, founders of Hope for Heather, Gary and Frieda Weeks presented a check in the amount of $10,000 to the Cortland Memorial Foundation to begin the new special fund for Guthrie’s patients.

Hope for Heather was founded in 2009 by Gary and Frieda Weeks as a not-for-profit organization in memory of their daughter Heather, who lost her life to cancer at the age of 24. Heather was known as an advocate for women’s cancer and was committed to raising funds to find a cure.

“It feels wonderful. We are going to help so many women and we’re also going to help men spread awareness as well about the women in their lives; their sisters, their daughters, mothers, their friends and neighbors. All of this is going to raise awareness and education.” Cortland Memorial Foundation Director Sheila Ossit spoke on how it felt to receive a generous donation by Hope for Heather to the Memorial Foundation to X101 News.

Hope for Heather will additionally provide a care package for women battling cancer with comfort items to use. The care packages are at no cost for the patients.

“Wow is all I can say, right? Because [Guthrie] couldn’t do it without so many of our local partners and it really impacts and has a positive impact on every single one of our patients and those that may not be able to have access that can have some of these comfort items; it really goes a long ways to providing that support locally here in our community.” Guthrie Cortland Medical Center President Jennifer Yartym spoke on how the impact will be for patients.

Hope for Heather is a 100% volunteer organization and has raised over $1.3 million dollars since 2020. You can make a donation to Hope for Heather by visiting HoperForHeather.org. You can also make a donation to the Cortland Memorial Foundation.