January 4, 2010:  The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga has awarded a $20,000.00 grant to the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer.  The grant will provide funding for comprehensive psychological and neuropsychological assessments, as well as academic coaching for families affected by pediatric cancer.  These services are part of Hatch’s house of hope landmark “early detection/early intervention” program designed to identify and treat learning, thinking and behavioral problems related to children’s cancers and it’s treatments. 

“Service at Hatch’s are focused on helping families thrive in the face of this terrible disease, “ said  Jim Osborn, Co-Founder of the Austin Hatcher Foundation. “We are embarking on a new phase in cancer care and the Austin Hatcher Foundation is grateful for the support of the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga.” 

With more than 80% of children surviving cancer, it is estimated that by 2030, one in every 250 adults will be a pediatric cancer survivor.  As a result of the cancer and it’s treatments many of these children are left with trouble remembering things, paying attention, planning ahead, and keeping up with their classmates and  can affecting their long term success as they become adults.  In addition, approximately 60-80% of the siblings of children with cancer have social and academic issues altering their development and future as well.   One recent study published in the Journal of Cancer Epidemiology has even reported that female adults who are childhood cancer survivors are 20-25% less likely to marry than their peers. 

Until recently there were few programs designed to specifically address these cancer related issues.  The Austin Hatcher Foundation and its Hatch’s house of hope are working to change that.   With the help of the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, they have the unique opportunity to help these families minimize the psychological and educational side affects of pediatric cancer and its necessary treatment. Hatch’s house of hope, located at 979 E. 3^rd St. C-232, Chattanooga, TN, was opened in September of 2009.   Services at Hatch’s are free of charge to those accepted for care.  Hatch’s has programs designed to help families during all stages of pediatric cancer treatment, however, at the present time, comprehensive psychological and neuropsychological exams are limited to families with children diagnosed within the last 6 month and are based on the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) standardized assessment protocol. 

Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga is a place for your contributions where they will truly benefit those who need it most. From the young students at Battle Academy to Chattanooga Cares to Inner City Ministries and so much more, CFGC touches thousands of lives every year and through those efforts all of Chattanooga becomes greater. They make it possible for each and every citizen or resident to affect the greater good of a city or region.  The foundation gives individuals and businesses the chance to come together, combining their giving, creating a large and powerful pool of assets that work to improve all aspects of the community. The result is a stronger, greater place to live and work. For more information visit www.cfgc.org