Robbie White, Georgia Cancer Support, Inc., came home to help organize a chapter in Polk County.

Although she resides in Milledgeville, this cancer survivor has family and friends in Rockmart and Cedartown.

In 2007, White was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. This helped her realize the needs of families not being met in the community where she lives.

“After going through cancer treatment myself and working with other cancer organizations, I realized there wasn’t a cancer organization that really helped cancer patients one-on-one,” White said.

“I saw a lot of people in my situation not receiving the support I was able to receive and I wanted it for them. It became my passion to help these patients.”

She said the difference between Georgia Cancer Support (GCS) and other cancer groups is that it is a Christian base organization, which operates off donations and fundraisers. All of the money collected goes back to pay for the cancer patient’s needs.

“We focus on newly diagnosed, patients receiving treatment and people who are terminal,” she said.

No one involved in the organization is paid, according to White. Their goal is to offer hope and make a difference in someone’s life that has cancer.

White said she came to Polk County to help organize a GSC Chapter after talking with Davina Williams, who has been an active participant in Polk’s Relay for Life.

“I wanted to something for my good friend Ginger Jolly Head,” Williams said. “She lost her battle with the disease, and I had a desire to see a chapter here that could help people.”

White contacted the Cancer Navigators and discovered that Polk has one of the highest concentrations of the disease in North Georgia.

Thereafter, she met with about 50 people interested in forming a GCS Chapter here. They gathered at Victory Baptist Church.

Denise Powers, Cancer Navigators, addressed the group and noted the need for transportation and help getting people to and from treatment or to see their doctor.

Willians and Judy Wiggins were elected co-chairs of the new chapter. Plans are to continue the organizational process and another meeting date will be set soon.