YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – A Mahoning Valley nonprofit that was established 51 years ago helps people with malignant cancer pay expenses from transportation and rent to utilities and food.
All of the money stays local and all of the staff are volunteers. No one gets paid. The organization has no office. It limits overhead expenses to a post office box in Canfield, Ohio, postage and printing for events.
“The Silver Lining Cancer Fund was established in 1975 by Dr. Lawrence Pass, who was a local oncologist,” says Cathy Hura, the organization’s president. “And he really believed that in a bad situation, something good could develop from the silver lining.”
One of Pass’s patients was a child with leukemia and after several visits to the office, her condition wasn’t improving. The girl’s mother told him the family couldn’t afford treatment.
“He reached out to his family and friends to help with this patient and then realized that there’s a bigger need for that besides one patient – there’s the whole Mahoning Valley,” Hura says.
GROUP MISSION
Pass contacted more colleagues, doctors and friends and they formed a social group to raise money. That turned into the all-volunteer Silver Lining Cancer Fund.
“We help financially. That’s our mission statement, to help people with malignant disease financially,” Hura explains. “And again, there’s not another organization that helps financially. We can’t change the prognosis of it. We can ease the burden.”
Breast cancer is the most frequent illness of women who seek help from Silver Lining, with lung and pancreatic common cancers for all genders. The organization helps adults and children.
To be eligible, a patient must be in need and in active treatment. Applications are available at hospitals and treatment centers throughout the region and in Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Information is available on the Silver Lining website, silverliningfund.org.
Those in active chemotherapy treatment are eligible for $500 from Silver Lining. The organization sends a $200 payment for those in active radiation treatment. Those undergoing both types of treatment may receive $700. Recipients may reapply for more help after three months, provided they’re on active treatment.
NOTES OF GRATITUDE
Norine Blasko, the organization’s treasurer, says Silver Lining volunteers receive thank you notes from recipients, explaining how much the money helped.
“There was a woman that wrote us a letter and said to us, ‘if not for that check coming today, my utilities were going to be shut off and your check made it happen that now I will have my utilities, and I have a little bit of money left over to go to the grocery store,’” Blasko recalls.
Hura also points to the organization’s impact, described in communication received from those who have received funds.
“There’s someone that we’ve been helping for quite a while now, and you don’t realize how much they appreciate it,” she says. “That’s what we hear. ‘I really appreciate all that you’re doing.’ And some of them, if one of the family members has passed, they will have in memory of. They collect money and send it in memory.”
And the need keeps growing. In 2024, Silver Lining paid about $68,000 to those undergoing treatment including treatment for breast cancer. Last year, the amount climbed to $85,000.
“The need is rising,” Hura adds. “It is every year.”
Much of its funding comes from grants, donations and corporate sponsors. The organization also relies on fundraisers, one each in spring and fall, as well as donations from groups and individuals. Hura has been visiting Rotary clubs across the region, telling members about the organization and its mission.
The Rotary Club of Boardman is among those that donated to the cause.
“Cancer touches the lives of so many in our community, including members of Boardman Rotary,” Deb Liptak, Boardman Rotary president, says in an email. “Like Silver Lining who serves people in need with cancer, Boardman Rotary believes in Service Above Self, and is happy to support such a worthy cause…”
Blasko lists Daprile Insurance Group and Simon Roofing among regular donors to Silver Lining.
FUNDRAISER
This year’s fall fundraiser, Ladies and Gentlemen’s Night Out, is set for Nov. 1 at Mr. Anthony’s, 7440 South Ave., Boardman. Admission is $65. Ticket information is available on the organization’s Facebook page. Those interested in buying tickets or donating may reach Hura at 330 519 3407. All proceeds from the fundraiser benefit the fund.
Silver Lining’s board includes two medical professionals, a financial practitioner and a business person. The remainder of the membership consists of 18 women, many of whom have also worked in the medical field.
Both Blasko and Hura got involved in Silver Lining because they were close to people who had cancer. A good friend of Hura’s was a Silver Lining volunteer when she was diagnosed with the disease. That prompted Hura to join the organization about 15 years ago. What keeps her involved is the desire to help others.
Blasko knew several friends and family members who battled the disease. She too is a cancer survivor. She joined the organization 26 years ago.
“There was always that driven passion that I had for it, and I feel it’s a good organization because no one receives a paycheck,” Blasko says.
Her own experience with cancer also influences her involvement.
“It made me drive more because I was there listening to patients, and I felt blessed that – I’m not wealthy by any means – but at least I had insurance that took care of the medications,” Blasko explains.
Recipients use the money for a variety of needs.
“I just got off the phone with somebody, and they need an application because her husband now has to go [out of town] like three days, he has to be on treatment,” Blasko says. “They don’t want to have to travel back. They’re in their 70s, and I understand that. And you have to pay for a hotel. You have to pay for the gas and the tolls. And that money does come in handy. And then I had one person, their insurance didn’t pay much, so they used that money to pay their medical bills.”
When someone doesn’t qualify to receive a check from Silver Lining because they aren’t in treatment but have a need, Blasko acts as a resource, pointing them to other organizations that may help. It’s information she gleaned from her own battle with the disease. Drug manufacturers, for example, sometimes offer free or discounted prescriptions to patients who can’t afford them, but you have to call and ask, she explains.
“And I only found this by talking to people,” Blasko recalls. “It’s almost like a full-time job. You have to go through a lot. You have to do a lot of research.”
Several years ago, some of the original board members planned to disband the group because of a lack of funding. Neither Hura nor Blasko would let that happen. That’s when they started leading the fundraisers.
“And at our first event, which was at Antone’s, we had 150 women, and that’s how it was revitalized,” Hura says.
This year, she’s hoping for 400 attendees to the Nov. 1 event, which includes a basket raffle, vendors and other attractions.
“Everyone’s been touched by a family member or a friend or someone that has had cancer,” Hura adds.
Pictured at top: Cathy Hura is the president of the Silver Lining Cancer Fund. The all-volunteer organization helps people in the tricounty area who are battling malignant diseases pay expenses.
