Polson organization providing help for cancer patients

For the last 15 years, an organization in Polson has helped patients with errands and companionship.

Cheerful Heart is a nonprofit that provides non-medical help free of charge to cancer patients in Lake County.

Barbara Morin, a volunteer coordinator of the organization, explained that Cheerful Heart does multiple tasks, largely dealing with transportation to and from treatments and doctor appointments.

That’s not all the volunteers do.

“We’ve been known to do meal (preparation),” she said, adding that volunteers have also cleared walkways of snow.

Volunteers also offer “light respite care,” allowing caregivers to have time to run errands or grab lunch.

One thing volunteers don’t do, Morin said, is offer medical assistance, while the organization doesn’t provide financial assistance.

“There is a library in Polson that is full of donated books” about cancer, Morin said. She added that the library, located in the Resource Room at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson, is mostly used by newly diagnosed patients.

Also in the Resource Room are hats, scarves and other headdresses, free of charge to patients.

On Tuesdays, Cheerful Heart offers a helping hand at both St. Joe’s in Polson and St. Luke’s in Ronan, Morin said, serving soup and offering other companionships to patients.

Cheerful Heart began in 2002 by Judy and Mitchell Kinsel after moving to Polson in 1999.

Currently there are six board members, all of who are cancer survivors, spouses and parents of cancer patients.

As Mitchell battled brain cancer, Judy was a chef, homemaker and caregiver, among everything else, Morin said.

“She found herself in a town where she knew no one,” Morin shared.

Before his death, Mitchell and Judy came up with the idea “to help people get help” during treatment.

Morin said that Cheerful Heart is always keeping an eye out for volunteers. She added that anyone interested may call her at 406-883-3070.

To utilize Cheerful Heart, patients can also call Morin and fill out a client form. Patients, she said, must be actively receiving treatment.

More resources regarding cancer treatment along with more information about Cheerful Heart can be found at www.cheerfulheart.org/