Finding the right cancer specialist can be difficult for residents in rural communities. Finding support within the community should not be.
Since 1989, the Ontonagon County Cancer Association has worked with families and individuals facing a cancer diagnosis to ease one of their biggest worries: money.
Board member Tammy Perrin said the association sees 40 to 50 people struggling with cancer each year. “It seems, unfortunately, every year we probably are dealing with somewhere between 40 and 50 people that are struggling with cancer each year,” Perrin said. “And oftentimes after somebody has benefited or after they have passed, that family wants to do something for the organization.”
Across the nation, certain cancer diagnoses are rising among people under 50. Breast, prostate, lung and colorectal cancers remain the most common among people over 65.
Perrin said the association keeps the identities of those it supports confidential. Every dollar donated through Giving Tuesday, the annual Knock Out Cancer walk and small gifts throughout the year goes back into the community.
Individuals or families fighting cancer submit an application to the association. The application requires a doctor’s signature confirming the diagnosis. Each approved person receives up to $2,000 per year. If the association raises more money in a given year, it divides the extra funds among those currently fighting cancer.
“Each family that or each person that is dealing with cancer, they submit an application to the association and it just needs to have a doctor’s signature when they have that cancer diagnosis,” Perrin said. “And then every year we give up to $2,000 to that person. If there’s more money that we raise every year, then that money would be divided among the people that are suffering from cancer. So all of the money that we’re earning is going back into the community.”
Clients use the funds to pay medical debt and bills, cover travel to appointments and afford treatment options. Recipients save their receipts and submit them to the association.
“We’ll save the receipts and then send it, give it to our organization,” Perrin said. “And it could be for medication, could be for gas money, it could be for hotels. It’s what the insurance isn’t covering. So there’s a lot of expenses with cancer that isn’t covered by insurance.”
The association has partnered with Copper Shores’ Giving Tuesday campaign since 2016. In 2026, the campaign celebrates its 10th anniversary, and the association is among a select group of nonprofits taking part. Perrin said Giving Tuesday has raised the association’s profile, which in turn has brought more support to cancer patients in Ontonagon County.
Readers can learn more about the Ontonagon County Cancer Association on its website. More information about the Copper Shores Giving Tuesday 2026 campaign is also available online. Readers can follow the My UP News and Keweenaw Report Giving Tuesday Spotlight Series for more coverage.
