Cheerful Heart serves Lake County cancer patients

Cancer patients in Lake County are eligible for non-medical services provided by Cheerful Heart at no cost to the patient. The non-profit services include gas cards, meal preparation, transportation to treatment or medical appointments locally or to Missoula and Kalispell, massage, hair and skin care; and a local cancer support group. 

The organization provides volunteers for the Oncology Clinic in Polson at St. Joseph Medical Center. Volunteers serve soup on Tuesdays at the Polson clinic. St. Luke in Ronan schedules appointments at their infusion center throughout the week. Both clinics carry inventories of head coverings including wigs, hats and scarves, Knitted Knockers (breast prosthesis) and ComfyChemo shirts available for no charge to patients.

Cheerful Touch is a personal care program offered by Cheerful Heart to cancer patients currently in treatment. The program includes local cosmetologists and massage therapists offering massages, skin, nail and hair care. Call Cheerful Heart with questions or to schedule an appointment at 406-883-3070. Patients should consult with their doctors before using these services

A cancer support group meets from noon to 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month in the Chapel at St. Joseph Medical Center. The Cheerful Heart Cancer Support Group is for anyone affected by cancer and is led by Matthew Connally of the Ronan/Polson Nazarene Church. The Chapel is located inside the front entrance to the hospital.

Cheerful Heart, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit, has served cancer patients in Lake County since 2002. Those with questions or needs can call 883-3070. Check out the Cheerful Heart web site at www.cheerfulheart.org or email cheartinc@gmail.com. Mailing address for the organization is Cheerful Heart, P.O. Box 688, Polson, MT 59860.