Brit explained, during Marge’s treatments, they received some assistance with travel from the American Cancer Society, and it helped, but took weeks to get it and it was only $50. “It is nice to be able to give $600 checks through the Marge Cares Foundation. It costs a lot for these people to travel for medical care,” he said. “Though we are not the only organizations that help out, between us all, we can make a difference.””

GLENDO – Marge Cares Foundation raised $41,100 to help defray traveling costs for people who find themselves in need of medical care away from their hometown. The annual fundraiser is in its 13th year and each year the event grows by word-of-mouth. 

Saturday’s event hosted more than 200 people at the Glendo School’s all-purpose room and was packed with three-and-a-half hours of entertainment as people volunteered to give money to the cause. There was a chili and dessert dinner-by-donation, raffle, silent auction, 14 rounds of big bucks bingo and a live auction in addition to business and individual sponsors through monetary or in-kind donations. The quality and quantity of donated items is bar-none a high mark to meet in order to surpass. Ninety-percent of those donations are from the local area and around Wyoming; the remaining from surrounding states.

Last year, the Marge Cares Foundation gave away $43,000, helping 80 people from around Wyoming and neighboring states with travel needs not covered by insurance. The amount they can give and the number of people they can help is a direct result of how much they make in donations.

“We are fortunate through the fundraisers that have grown through word-of-mouth,” Brit Wilson said. 

His wife, Marge, passed away April 8, 2011, from breast cancer. One of Marge’s wishes before she passed was to set up a fund to assist patients in small rural communities with their travel expenses to and from their medical procedures.

Brit explained, during Marge’s treatments, they received some assistance with travel from the American Cancer Society, and it helped, but took weeks to get it and it was only $50. “It is nice to be able to give $600 checks through the Marge Cares Foundation. It costs a lot for these people to travel for medical care,” he said. “Though we are not the only organizations that help out, between us all, we can make a difference.”

Vicki Hood, a rural Guernsey resident, spoke highly of the foundation’s efforts. Hood, who is very close to needing dialysis from chronic kidney disease, said she got a huge surprise one morning in the Guernsey post office. “I got an envelope with a return address of a gentleman in Glendo. I had no idea who it was but when I opened it, there was a check to help me with travel expenses. I had never heard about the Marge Cares Foundation but I can’t tell you how grateful I was for that check and perhaps even more, the thought that people who either don’t or barely know me, would offer that kind of help. Traveling is extremely expensive and I’ve made several trips to Omaha to be tested as a transplant candidate. It was truly one of the nicest things I have ever had happen on my behalf. I hope people will continue to support the event because it does make a difference.” 

Anyone needing help with their travel expenses due to illness – even if their issue is not cancer – can contact the Marge Cares Foundation via their Facebook page or call Candy Geringer at 307-351-8716.