Celebrating Steven’s Birthday with Two Gifts to Support Cancer Patients

Today — April 25, 2020 – is Steven Vanover’s birthday. He would have turned 30 years old and (so long as social distancing wasn’t a mandate) he would undoubtedly be ringing in his next decade by partying with friends and family all weekend long. Unfortunately, we don’t get to celebrate that milestone today.

But there is something else that we are celebrating on this 25th day of April. To honor Steven, the Steven Vanover Foundation is excited to announce that we will be making two gifts of $25,000 to support Norton Cancer Institute and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to help provide food for cancer patients who are unable to afford groceries and meals at this time, primarily due to hardships as a result of COVID-19.

Finding the need

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic is lost on no one.

As we reflected on what Steven faced during his 15-month battle with sarcoma, we found some common denominators to what many of us are experiencing right now. Washing hands and carrying around hand sanitizer was the norm for him. Being stuck inside for days on end to receive treatment or to deal with the side effects of treatment was the standard. Quarantining, social distancing, feeling anxious about symptoms and dealing with doctors is what Steven frequently dealt with. Adding any additional struggles would have been debilitating. 

And yet this pandemic has brought even more hardships to each of our lives. Financial struggles, unemployment, food shortages, lack of access to basic services, the inability to be around loved ones – it has taken a toll on our emotional and physical health.

However, this struggle is even greater for cancer patients.

Going out in public isn’t an option for cancer patients during this time. Because they are immunocompromised, they are more susceptible to getting sick. This can make it difficult or even impossible to meet their basic needs, such as acquiring food. And yet healthy, organic food is what they need in order to have the strength to battle their disease.

Additionally, the medical bills from cancer treatment may be astronomical for some, even if they are lucky enough to have good health insurance. With unemployment rates on a dramatic rise, some cancer patients may have even lost health benefits during this time.

We had to put two-and-two together: cancer patients are some of the most vulnerable people affected by this pandemic.

Meeting the need

While you may know about the Steven Vanover Foundation’s commitment to supporting cancer research, you may be unfamiliar with the other important piece of our mission statement, which is to support initiatives that meet the needs of cancer patients.

After speaking with Norton Cancer Institute and Memorial Sloan Kettering, we learned that one of the greatest needs of cancer patients in both hospitals is having enough food to feed themselves and their families.

During this pandemic, it is crucial for us to shift our focus to meet the needs of the patients at the same two hospitals that helped Steven during his cancer battle. These are friends in our community and folks at the epicenter of the pandemic who are increasingly in need of a meal to eat. So, in honor of Steven, we are doing our part to make sure they have one less thing to worry about.

Both gifts totaling $50,000 will help ensure that patients who receive treatment as soon as next week (and who express a need for food) may leave the hospital with groceries for their family.

Your help is needed

In time of a global health pandemic, we can’t slow down. And we are endlessly grateful for you – our donor – that has made this possible.

If you feel so inclined, we ask that you consider making a gift of $25 today in honor of Steven’s birthday to help the Steven Vanover Foundation fulfill its mission.