Beebe Healthcare’s Tunnell Cancer Center Receives over $7,000 from The Miracle Angels of Israel United Methodist Church

Beebe Healthcare’s Tunnell Cancer Center received a donation on Sunday, February 18 from The Miracle Angels of Israel United Methodist Church of Lewes in the amount of $7,476 that will benefit the Center’s Patient Special Needs Fund.

Sister Betty J. Streett, Treasurer and Committee Member of The Miracle Angels, became a cancer survivor in April 1998. She was treated at Beebe Healthcare’s Tunnell Cancer Center under the care of Dr. Srihari Peri, who then became a dear friend. During the check presentation event, Sister Streett praised the Tunnell staff for their compassion and care throughout her treatment.

The Miracle Angels of Israel United Methodist Church have been involved with raising funds for cancer survivors since 1999, starting with their initial involvement with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life Team. They later transitioned to the Sussex County Cancer Survivor Fund organization.

For the past six years, all proceeds were donated to the Patients Special Needs Fund at Tunnell Cancer Center. The Miracle Angels chose Tunnell Cancer Center so that the donations would stay in Sussex County and help local cancer patients and their families. In 2016, Betty retired from the Sussex County Cancer Survivors Fund organization and the Miracle Angels decided to continue under the leadership of Israel United Methodist Church. Proceeds continue to benefit the Patient Special Needs Fund at Tunnell Cancer Center.

In January 2017, the group presented a check to the Tunnell Cancer Center in the amount of $6,785 from their 2016 fundraising efforts. They raised funds through letter donations from families and friends, area businesses and baked goods sales, and a Second Joy Night Gospel Celebration for Survivors and Caretakers, sponsored by Joyce Rickards and Shore Clark members from Friendship United Methodist Church of Millsboro. Sister Betty shared that charity mission yard sales held in the spring and summer at the church parking lot helped to reach their ultimate fundraising goals. Additionally, they created connections by allowing for the opportunity to reach out to cancer survivors and caretakers who continuously come to support and encourage.

The Miracle Angel’s goal was to raise more than $6,000 and they surpassed that goal, raising a total of $7,476.00.

“The wonderful thing about this gift is that it has been given by people who have not been asked; it has been given by people with an understanding of the hardships cancer treatment can bring; it has been given from the heart. Tunnell Cancer Center is very fortunate to receive this gift from the Miracle Angels for the Cancer Patient Special Needs Fund,” said Barry Hamp, Executive Director of Oncology Services at Beebe Healthcare.

“It’s our joy to work to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients. We want to spread love, joy, and hope to all cancer survivors. What greater joy for the Miracle Angels than to listen with compassion and love and spiritually connect to cancer survivors and their families within our very own community. We are so blessed to be a blessing to someone else,” said Sister Betty Streett.

“Our hope is for wellness with every penny we raise!” added Sister Sandra Neal.

Photo Caption: (Shown left to right): Carolyn A. Morris; Betty J. Streett; Sandra Neal; Rev. Marjorie Belmont-Burns; Shorel Clark; Barry Hamp, Executive Director of Beebe Healthcare’s Tunnell Cancer Center; Joyce Rickards; and Lorie Hopkins.

Beebe is planning the next generation of care. Plans include a new health campus near Millville, which will include a second cancer center location and a free-standing emergency department. To find out more: www.nextgenerationofcare.org.