This Thursday in San Antonio, the annual Healing Hearts telethon will once again be held, aiming to raise funds for the ThriveWell Cancer Foundation, a local charity that supports people with cancer.
The organisers note that supporting ThriveWell has special significance for the TV station: FOX SA anchor Karen Martinez received assistance from the foundation during her battle with cancer, and after her death in 2013 her colleagues pledged to fulfil her last wish — to continue supporting the organisation’s mission.
ThriveWell provides cancer patients and their families with a range of services: it helps with transport to medical appointments, partially covers treatment costs, and provides housing for those who have to travel to San Antonio for therapy. In addition, the foundation organises free classes in physical activity, nutrition and wellness programmes for anyone who has faced a cancer diagnosis, and runs support groups for patients and their carers.
Donations to the foundation can be made online by going to the website shown on screen or by scanning the QR code during the telethon broadcast.
This year’s campaign is being boosted by a major charitable contribution: well-known San Antonio philanthropist Gordon Hartman has pledged to match the total raised — up to 100,000 US dollars — in support of local cancer patients.