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.

Cheerful Heart’s Cancer Support Group is now meeting from 10 to 11 a.m. on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month in the third floor Leahy Conference Room at St. Joseph Medical Center. The change allows the group to meet during Oncology Clinic on Tuesdays which will hopefully make it easier for folks to attend. Matthew Connolly, pastor of the Church of the Nazarene in Pablo, leads the group.

The group welcomes those recently diagnosed, those undergoing treatment, cancer survivors, and/or family members. The group aims to provide a safe place for members to share, learn, support, and encourage members after a cancer diagnosis; and, to conquer the fear in themselves and others. Confidentiality is practiced, anything spoken in group stays with the group. Gatherings are informal allowing drop-ins when schedules and life permits.

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.