5th Annual Event to Raise Funds to Help Local Cancer Patients get to Treatments

Thousand Oaks, CA, August 28, 2013 --(PR.com)-- With a cancer diagnosis, comes much more than a life altering change. Much like an earthquake, we go through the rolling, the shaking and the uncertainty of the impact. When we face this, we come to a realization that we need more help than expected. How will I get to treatment if my spouse works; how will I pay rent and insurance if I can’t work; what are the side effects; what alternative options do I have; what help is available to me? Questions like these can be answered by cancer survivor extraordinaire & founder of UCAAN, Rachel Shur. UCAAN – United Cancer Advocacy Action Network a 501c3 organization in Thousand Oaks, CA is a 100% volunteer run organization that Shur started in 2009 after her own 2 year battle with cancer.

The services that UCAAN provides are free to cancer patients, survivors and their families and include: Customized resources based on the need of the patients, $25 gas cards for patients to get to treatments, fluoride trays to help prevent the dental deterioration caused by radiation and chemo as well as information about re-mineralizing your teeth after the damage is done. Gifts of hope and support are given to patients & their families, free wigs and information about the personal fundraising program is also available.

UCAAN’s focus is Finding Solutions 4 Cancer Patients in Need. “We tend to forget about quality of life of the patient once they have had treatment. What happens after your body has been damaged by these life-saving medical treatments. How do you restore your body? This is one of the many ways that UCAAN helps cancer patients. We need to start focusing on how we can help Now – but we need the support of our community,” says Shur. UCAAN relies on the generosity of the community to fund their programs and hopes to raise enough this year to help even more cancer patients locally through their gas assistance program, which now has 25 patients participating in it.

UCAAN announces their 5th Annual Charity Date Auction; Sunday September 22nd, 2013 from 5pm-11pm and will be held at the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills, CA. The event includes auctioning off dates with bachelors & bachelorettes, a silent auction of gift baskets, wine & restaurant packages and even several celebrity items like a Framed Michael Jackson Laser Engraved Tribute, something special from TV’s Hercules Kevin Sorbo, a day (including lunch) on the set of the hit series "Justified." With the star of the show, the Peabody Award Winning actor Nick Searcy, as your guide and more from big name celebrities to come. It’s free to attend, includes a cash bar, $7 for parking and a great chance to enjoy an evening of inspiration, laughter, excitement & surprises. Hors d’oeuvres will be served, the live and silent auction will be held from 5-9pm followed by an after party of karaoke. The room will be decked out in the spirit of Mardi Gras and we will have local featured artist Mr. Hoodbrush available for airbrushed tattoos & masks. Sponsors include; The Warner Center Marriott Woodland Hills, Big Fish Entertainment, Mr. Hoodbrush, Brighton Collectibles @ The Lakes, Barone’s Express, Lupe’s Mexican Restaurant, Chang 101, PF Changs @ The Lakes, Fibernew and more.

*All couples & singles are welcome and encouraged to bid on their wonderful date volunteers and the many captivating & celebrity items available. Their date volunteers are a lot of fun but are helping to support UCAAN – not to procure dates.

UCAAN has sponsorships available in their event brochure and interested parties should email: ucaanorg@yahoo.com. This also applies to donation sponsors. If you’d like to find out more information about UCAAN or this event, please visit www.ucaan.org or call 805-479-1032.