Car club donates to help cancer victims and their families

The Nostalgia Car Club has kicked in $3,500 to help pay the bills of cancer victims and their families in the Yuma area.

The Yuma car club donated that sum to the Somerton-based Josefina Yepez Cancer Foundation.

“One of the reasons we decided to donate the money to the foundation is that they give 100 percent to people,” said Brian Loder, vice president of the club.

“We choose organizations that keep the money here. We don't want the money to go to Phoenix or to some national fund. We want it to remain in Yuma County.”

The donation to the cancer foundation comes from various club activities throughout the year, including its annual car show in November that alone raised $20,000.

The donation brings the total amount available in the fund to $10,000, which goes to pay medical and household bills of cancer victims and their families.

“That is money that is now ready to help patients,” said Jose Yepez, a Somerton city councilman and president of the foundation.

Aside from donations, the club organizes an annual benefit walk from San Luis, Ariz., to raise pledge money that goes for the families in need.

Last year, the foundation gave out $300 each to 35 area cancer patients and their families, Yepez said.

“It might seem like small amount, but it's important because at times the family of a patient is struggling to pay household expenses, like the light or water bill, or are struggling to take (the patient) up to Tucson or Phoenix for treatment.”

For more information about the Josefina Yepez Cancer Foundation, visit www.jycf.org.