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NC officials say women's cancer charity took in $18 million, only spent 1% on helping patients

PRE News & Ideas | By Annette Weston
Published March 13, 2024 at 6:56 AM EDT
Fear of cancer's return may be driving women with an early diagnosis of breast cancer to have one or both breasts removed, though research shows milder treatment is just as effective.
Jose Luis Pelaez
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Getty Images
File: Fear of cancer's return may be driving women with an early diagnosis of breast cancer to have one or both breasts removed, though research shows milder treatment is just as effective.

The state of North Carolina has sued a cancer charity for taking in donations to provide financial help for women with cancer, but pocketing the bulk of those donations.

Attorney General Josh Stein and Secretary of State Elaine Marshall have accused the Women’s Cancer Fund and its owner Gregory Anderson of deceiving donors and violating telemarketing and consumer protection laws.

CRFI claimed to provide financial aid to women with cancer and their families but Stein said the organization only spent about one percent of donations on actually helping patients.

State officials said CRFI claimed to provide financial aid to women with cancer and their families but the organization only spent about one percent of donations on actually helping patients.
Office of NC AG Josh Stein
State officials said CRFI claimed to provide financial aid to women with cancer and their families but the organization only spent about one percent of donations on actually helping patients.

The lawsuit says the nonprofit collected more than $18 million from donors between 2017 and 2022, but under $200,000 went to help patients. The rest went to pay Anderson, host for-profit fundraisers, and pay for overhead costs.
Annette Weston
Annette is originally a Midwest gal, born and raised in Michigan, but with career stops in many surrounding states, the Pacific Northwest, and various parts of the southeast. An award-winning journalist and mother of four, Annette moved to eastern North Carolina in 2019 to be closer to family – in particular, her two young grandchildren. It’s possible that a -27 day with a -68 windchill in Minnesota may have also played a role in that decision. In her spare time, Annette does a lot of kiddo cuddling, reading, and producing the coolest Halloween costumes anyone has ever seen. She has also worked as a diversity and inclusion facilitator serving school districts and large corporations. It’s the people that make this beautiful area special, and she wants to share those stories that touch the hearts of others. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.
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