A Promise of Hope for Generations to Come

By Lauren Snipes

For Gray Covington of McColl, South Carolina, HOPE now has a new meaning.  

In March of 2023, Gray was enjoying a full and blessed life.  She was planning her daughter’s wedding and became a “Gabby” to her first grandchild, a baby girl. This also was the time of year when she scheduled her yearly mammogram at McLeod Regional Medical Center’s Breast Imaging Department. Soon after completing this routine screening, Gray received a call to come back in for a diagnostic mammogram. While this was not the first time she had been called back for further testing, this time felt different. This time, she knew that something was wrong.

Gray’s intuition was correct. Following a series of tests, she was diagnosed with Stage I Triple Positive breast cancer on April 11, 2023, and surgery was scheduled soon after. Following her surgery, she met with her Medical Oncologist Dr. Jamie Smith and her Radiation Oncologist Dr. Virginia Clyburn-Ipock. Gray learned she would soon begin a series of 12 chemotherapy treatments, one year of infusion therapy, and lastly, multiple rounds of radiation therapy. 

On her first day of treatment at the McLeod Cancer Center, Gray had a few visitors. One was Leon Wagnon, a dedicated Cancer Center Volunteer. 

“Leon was my childhood Pastor,” she shared. 

To Gray, this was truly a “Godwink.” She felt reassured, knowing she was where she was supposed to be. Then, she met numerous infusion therapy staff members, who treated her with kindness and true compassion. Finally, she met Sarah Beth Averette, the HOPE Fund Coordinator. 

Sarah Beth presented her with a new patient bag that included a warm blanket, thermometer, planner and other items for Gray to utilize during her treatments. Tucked inside the bag was a pamphlet about the HOPE (Helping Oncology Patients Everyday) Fund, which assists patients facing financial challenges while undergoing their cancer treatments. 

“I was so moved when I learned about the HOPE Fund. So many patients cannot work, do not have insurance and cannot afford to pay for everything that comes along with this diagnosis,” Gray explained. 

Each time Gray sat in the waiting room ahead of her treatments, she would often observe those waiting with her. She felt heartbroken, realizing that many surrounding her did not have a support system, insurance coverage or even the financial means to get through a life-altering diagnosis. Knowing that the HOPE Fund was there to help these patients with transportation, immediate needs, medication and other critical requests was reassuring. 

Gray often watched patients go into Sarah Beth’s office, seeking help. They would walk in nervously, their faces stricken with fear. After a few moments, they would walk out, relieved and at ease. 

As Gray progressed through her treatments, successfully completing her radiation and chemotherapy, she was continuously reminded of the importance of the HOPE Fund. Now that she had seen firsthand the challenges faced by patients, she wanted to give back.

Today, more than a year later, Gray is delighted to be cancer free, enjoying life with her family on their farm and teaching yoga at her local community center. 

She is also now a member of the HOPE Fund Advisory Committee, and lends her heart, compassion and experience to help determine how to best use the fund to assist patients. Recently, Gray and her husband, Rhett, decided to donate a gift of stock to support the HOPE Fund Endowment in honor of her late grandmother, a fellow breast cancer survivor. 

“This endowment will ensure that the HOPE Fund is here and available to patients forever, regardless of the fluctuation of annual donations,” Gray shared. “I cannot imagine there ever being less of a need to support cancer patients than there is right now. I only see the need growing, and we want to make this assistance possible for generations to come.”