Run-Ride for Ragan Proceeds Donated to the SoutheastHEALTH Foundation

A check for $20,000 was presented to the SoutheastHEALTH Foundation Cancer Care Fund by organizers of Run-Ride for Ragan. Funds will help meet urgent needs of cancer patients and provide mammograms for underserved women. From the left are SoutheastHEALTH Foundation Executive Director Patti Ranzini and Run-Ride for Ragan committee members Judy Nordman, Tracy Blattner, Barb Ward, Cathy Willen and Nancy Hess. Carla Bittle also serves on the committee.

The third annual Run-Ride for Ragan held in late September raised $20,000 for the SoutheastHEALTH Foundation's Cancer Care Fund.

Proceeds will be utilized to provide breast cancer services, such as mammograms, for underserved women in Cape Girardeau and the surrounding area. Additionally, funds are used to assist the more than 1,000 patients treated at the Southeast Cancer Center each year with urgent needs such as transportation, nutritional supplements and housing.

Run-Ride for Ragan honors the late Ragan Ward Neilson, a Cape Girardeau native and the daughter of Dr. Robert and Barb Ward. Ragan died of breast cancer in October 2007 at the age of 32. "This tragedy is mirrored across the nation as more and more young women are diagnosed with this disease," said Ragan's sister, Michelle Alvey. "Ragan's perseverance was a powerful testimony. She never lost hope, and always presented a positive and generous spirit in spite of her fierce struggle."