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Dr. Gast encourages the staff of FSRO to be out and about in the community. She supports and sponsors many programs in Fort Smith as well as nearby communities in Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Our commitment to the American Cancer Society has grown stronger each year since we first partnered with them in a transportation grant program that enables patients to travel each day to treatments, sometimes from miles away, by giving them gas vouchers or reimbursement for transporation expenses. We had a Relay For Life team in 2004 and were a corporate sponsor of the Relay in 2005 and once again a sponsor in 2006. We actively participated in Relay for Life 2007. Our Relay for Life team won the award for Best Campsite that same year. We sponsored the Survivor dinner in 2009, 2010 as well as having a tent. We are again sponsoring the Survivor dinner in 2011.
Our office sponsored the Banner of Hope project and the huge purple and white banner hung in our office to be signed by all patients and families affected by cancer who were interested in lobbying Washington to increase and not decrease the funds for cancer research and other programs. The banner went to Washington, along with others from around the country, September 19-20, 2006 and was displayed on Capitol Hill.
In our newest community support event, Dr. Gast is a Founding Sponsor of the Komen Cancer Foundation Paint the Park Pink Event on October 27, 2007, which took place in Creekmore Park in Fort Smith. We again sponsored the Paint the Park Pink Event in 2008.
We have been involved in Partners in Education since 2002 and partner with Morrison Elementary School. We have met a variety of needs through the program including snacks for testing, party treats, science fair judges, books for each student at the end of the year, pedometers for the physical education classes, money for classroom materials and many other projects.
Other public school activities include a Germfighters Program. We visited over 2000 area students in the classroom and taught the proper techniques of handwashing. Our office participates in career day at the Junior High Schools. FSRO staff goes to the schools and speaks with students about medical careers. Dr. Gast also funds 2 high school scholarships annually to graduating seniors at Roland High School.
Breast Cancer Awareness is dear to our hearts in this office and Dr. Gast has hosted a reception annually during Breast Cancer Awareness month (October) for all breast cancer patients and survivors that have come through our office. Besides the traditional ribbon cake and punch, we have had lots of give aways and plenty of fellowship. The staff really enjoys getting a chance to see current and past patients in a social venue.
The tabs at the top of this page will take you to a picture album of various community activites. These are some of the projects Dr. Gast's office participates in throughout the year providing a positive link with the community we serve.
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