When Patty Lough, 62, was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2021, she and her husband, Brian Lough, knew it would be a long journey. However, she had the support of not only her family but also her church, including Ella Stultz, who was inspired to raise $1,000 for Franciscan Health Marie Canine Cancer Center Crawfordsville.
After her surgeon told her that Franciscan Health Marie Canine Cancer Center Crawfordsville was the best cancer center around, Lough decided to go there for treatment and was glad she did.
“We were very comfortable with the oncologist, nurses and staff. Everyone was so friendly, easy to talk to and always had a smile,” she said.
Lough also mentioned how the center is set up perfectly for consultations and treatment with the private treatment area having recliners and warm blankets that sit in front of big windows looking out on a patio area with trees, plants and flower pots.
“I can’t say enough about how comfortable the cancer center is,” she said.
Ella Stultz, the daughter of the pastor for Congregational Christian Church in Darlington, which Patty and Brian Lough attends, is close to Patty.
“I have known Ella since she was two years old. The sweetest little girl with a big smile and a contagious laugh,” said Lough, who teaches pre-school to second grade Sunday school class.
Stultz, who is now a senior at North Montgomery High School and will major in business at Purdue University in the fall, was in Lough’s first class.
“Ella is an amazing woman that is very special to me,” she said. “As soon as Ella found out about my cancer, she made me a cozy blanket to take to Franciscan Health Marie Canine Cancer Center Crawfordsville so I wouldn’t get cold during the treatments.”
When Stultz heard of Lough’s diagnosis, she had a difficult time with the news and wanted to help. As soon as she learned how well the center was treating Lough, she saw an opportunity to contribute.
“She has become an amazing influence in my life and someone I love dearly. She is important to me and has become my ‘Aunt Patty,’” Stultz said. “I wanted to find a way to do something for Patty, to show my appreciation for her … Brian talked to me about donating to the Franciscan Health Marie Canine Cancer Center Crawfordsville and told me all the ways they would be able to use the money. After hearing what the money would be used for, I knew 100% that I wanted to donate the proceeds there.”
Franciscan Health Marie Canine Cancer Center Crawfordsville knows cancer affects every part of a person’s life, not just medically, and strives to be a support system in as many ways as they can for their patients.
“The money donated to the Franciscan Health Marie Canine Cancer Center Crawfordsville stays 100% within our walls or for our patients,” said Kathleen Nelson, director of oncology services. “We have been able to purchase some small equipment for our team to better serve our patients. We also use the money to assist patients in need with things such as gas cards, groceries and taxi services.”
Inspired, Stultz immediately went to work selling bracelets to people in her church saying, “#loughstrong” and “Isaiah 43:2.”
“The response from my church was astonishing. I think almost everyone bought at least one bracelet … Patty is loved by every single person who sits in our sanctuary pews,” Stultz said. “I think a community is important when it comes to supporting people who are ill or struggling because it helps build a support system. It allows people to come together and offer emotional, physical and spiritual support. Most people would consider my church a community, but the people in my church would consider us a family.”
“So many people, especially the youth, are focused on what the world can do for them,” Nelson said. “This young lady did the exact opposite! She took a friend’s cancer diagnosis and gave it meaning and purpose to support her friend and encourage others to pay it forward.”
The center has been serving the community since 2009, providing many of the same services as facilities in large cities, only in an easily accessible area with a hometown feel. A lot of these services are made possible by donations from people likew Ella who want to honor their friends and family.
If an individual or an organization would like to donate and support cancer care right here in Montgomery County, contact Jen Eberly, director of development for Franciscan Health Foundation, by calling 765-423-6812 or emailing jennifer.eberly@franciscanalliance.org.
If you’d like to make an appointment with or learn more about Franciscan Health Marie Canine Cancer Center Crawfordsville, visit FranciscanHealth.org or call 765-361-3000. The center is at 1706 Lafayette Road, Crawfordsville.
Additionally, Franciscan Health Marie Canine Cancer Center Crawfordsville includes Franciscan Physician Network Oncology & Hematology Specialists, Niraj Gupta, MD, and Nibal Saad, MD, who will provide medical oncology and hematology services.
