Our Mission

Serving Dimmit, Edwards, Kinney, Maverick, Medina, Real, Uvalde, Val Verde and Zavala Counties

The foundation operates Kate Marmion Rides to Radiation that provides 100% donor supported transportation to qualifying radiation therapy patients of the Kate Marmion Regional Cancer Center.

Kate Marmion Rides to Radiation, a 501 (c) (3), was created after the close of the “Saving Lives Close to Home” capital campaign which raised over $5 million to build Kate Marmion Regional Cancer Medical Center in Uvalde. This effort brought Kate Marmion Regional Cancer Medical Center - the first and only radiation therapy practice west of San Antonio- and expanded specialty care for the residents of our region.

Osiel Saldua

Osiel Saldua is a retiree from Del Rio who has been married for 48 years and is receiving six-weeks of radiation to shrink a tumor. ìThe van service has helped me so much because our kids are either working or in school and gas prices are so high that I cannot afford to drive myself. The van schedule is set and I do not have to worry about anything. Everyone is so good and kind to me and make me feel comfortable. I really appreciate the care I am receiving and the donors that give to make the van service possible for me because without the van I would be in a bind; I have one less thing on my shoulders to be concerned with.

Beatriz Galindo

Beatriz Galindo is from Eagle Pass and received 28 radiation treatments in February for uterine cancer. ìI am here today for a follow up appointment and I am so thankful I am feeling good and my hair is growing back. The van service was marvelous and convenient and I tell others about how much it helped me all the time. I have no family members to drive me so the service gave me an opportunity to have my treatments. I appreciate the van service so much and the people who give to make it possible.

Patients typically receive 30 radiation treatments delivered over six-weeks. Our mission is to help alleviate financial burdens for patients associated with traveling to and from their daily treatments in our vast nine-county region.

Two vans transport medically underserved, low to moderate income, insured and uninsured patients. Patients use the service if they are unable to drive themselves, have unreliable transportation, or their family members are unable to take off of work to take them to and from their treatments.

There are significant costs in providing the service in nine counties. It is the highest priority of the foundation board of directors to be good stewards of your gifts and to ensure that excellent service is provided efficiently and economically.

I would like to ask you to help continue this meaningful work by giving a 100% tax-deductible gift.

Your gift will fund operation of two vans including fuel, repairs, maintenance, and insurance (each van averages 5,000 miles per month), van drivers’ salaries and benefits, fundraising and administrative costs.

Thank you for your consideration and know that your gift of any amount will allow us to continue helping here and helping now.

For more information or any questions you may have, please contact Sheri Rutledge at 830-278-6251 ext. 1616. P.O. Box 900, Uvalde, Texas 78802.