Woman gets new voice box thanks to community

By Lawrence Baker

Lake Powell Chronicle

Page residents came out to support one of their own in cancer survivor Vicki Wood.

The cancer outreach program held a fund-raising dinner of chicken fried steak and trimmings, donated by The Ranch House Grill, at the Elks Lodge July 21, to purchase Wood a voice box.

A very grateful Wood said, “I am blessed. There are a lot of cancer patients that have no one.”

The cancer outreach program spearheaded by Jo Bjorholm, paid $400 toward the cost of the new voice box and Shadow Foundation of Flagstaff paid $200. After covering the expense of the voice box, the organization has $548.92 that will be made available to Wood for fuel, food and motels to assist with the remainder of her therapy and cancer-treatment trips to Flagstaff, according to Bjorholm.

“If the voice box she just received does not work well for her, then there is money available to upgrade if she wants to.

Whatever is not used by Vicki, for her trips will then go back into the general fund for other cancer patients,” Bjorholm said.

“I want to thank everyone for everything they have done,” Wood said. “I just want everyone to help cancer patients that are less fortunate than me.”

Bjorholm added, “This started out as neighbors helping neighbors and everything is done by volunteers. It is all put together so we can raise money for outreach.”

Bjorholm, who also put on the Road Rally for Relay event, took the opportunity to give a full update on the outreach program. “Right now is my board meeting and my financial report is right now,” she said before breaking down the amount of money they have received in donations and how it has been used.

According to Bjorholm, the organization has been able to put $5,621 into the hands of patients that require assistance. The entire room lit up with applause when she announced that a total of $7,212 has been raised so far this year.

“Events like this aren’t just me. The Elks Lodge has donated the space four times this year and the Ranch House Grill has donated all of the food,” she said.

Share on Facebook