What is CAN Cancer?
CAN Cancer is a new, local appeal to provide community assistance to cover non-medical living expenses for Central Oregonians fighting all forms of cancer.
CAN Cancer was established by Gil, Stu and Corinne Martinez of Wilderness Garbage in cooperation with the Central Oregon Haulers, a group of garbage and disposal companies including Bend Garbage & Recycling, Cascade Disposal, High Country Disposal, and Madras Sanitary Service.
"The way we see it, we are designed by profession to pick up the pieces, to clean up the dirty side of fighting Cancer." – Corinne Martinez, founder and owner of Wilderness Garbage
You Can Pitch In
These lavender envelopes will be arriving in your garbage billing statements beginning March 6th. Residents who want to make a tax deductible 
donation can use this envelope to send cash, check or credit card donations straight to CAN Cancer. Read more
Every Dollar Stays Local
100% of the money contributed will be put into a fund with the St. Charles Foundation so that all funds raised will be used directly to benefit local families. This fund will help pay for living expenses such as fuel, travel, and food costs not covered by insurance or other programs. Read more
The Ugly Side of the Fight
It's the ugly side of the fight - the financial and emotional strain. Something CAN Cancer founders Corinne and Gil Martinez know firsthand. When their son, Stu, was diagnosed with throat cancer, the cost of travel to St. Charles from La Pine, and the everyday living expenses, mounted quickly. The Martinez family is winning their fight.
Not all are as fortunate as the Martinez family. Survivors attest that fighting the disease requires every ounce of their emotional and physical strength. The chances for beating it drop significantly when energy is spent worrying about paying for the gas to travel to a treatment center or the expense of food bought to feed a tired immune system. It was the Martinez' idea to develop a resource for helping families facing these challenges.
Specifically, they wanted a local organization that ensured the money donated would be given directly back to local patients. The Central Oregon Haulers have partnered with the St. Charles Cancer Treatment Center to handle the distribution of aid to local cancer patients who need it most.
"We see patients everyday who struggle to afford their treatment , some forgo therapies because they can't afford them. It is our hope that this fund will relieve some of the worry about the incidental cost of receiving care, so that these patients can focus on improving their health." – Peggy Carey, St. Charles Cancer Program Director
Donating Online
Online donations can be made by visiting www.cascadehealthcare.org. Select "CAN Cancer" on the gift designation list to be sure your contribution goes straight to our fund.
Keeping Donations In Our Communities
CAN Cancer is relying on the Central Oregon community and the Central Oregon Haulers' customers to pitch in and give their neighbors a fighting chance. Without their donations, there will be no money to help.
"If each customer that the Central Oregon Haulers serves, pitches in just one dollar or more, we'll raise more than $65,000 for this cause," said Martinez. "We're asking these homeowners, these customers, to help us reach that goal so our community can fill a void where other programs and insurers fall short."
Why Lavender?
CAN Cancer has chosen lavender to help brand their efforts and boost visibility and recognition of the new program. Why lavender? In the world of cancer awareness, the color lavender represents all types of cancer. Because our assistance is not limited to any specific type of cancer and will touch those undergoing all types of treatment, we felt it was the obvious tie-in.
Donor funds sustain and enhance the outstanding health care resources available to the community by expanding programs and services in vital areas, supporting physicians and staff and providing necessary support to improve facilities and equipment.
