HFS Federal Credit Union Fights Back Against Cancer

HFS Federal Credit Union (HFS) members shared their generosity during the Credit Union’s Annual Fundraiser in May. Throughout the month, all branches collected donations in support of American Cancer Society (ACS), and together collected over $26,100.

HFS Federal Credit Union (HFS) members present a check to the American Cancer Society. Courtesy photo

“The American Cancer Society Relay for Life movement is the world’s largest fundraising event to save lives from cancer,” said Sarah Luchenbill, West Region Community Development Manager. “The Relay for Life of Hilo Volunteer Leadership Committee is thankful for the support of HFS Federal Credit Union as a Team and sponsor of the event. The funds raised help the American Cancer Society attack cancer in dozens of ways, each of them critical to achieving a world without cancer—from developing breakthrough therapies to building supportive communities, from providing empowering resources to deploying activists to raise awareness. Funds raised will support vital patient programs right here in Hawai‘i such as our Hope Lodge—located on O‘ahu that offers a free place to stay to Hawai‘i Island residents receiving treatment on O‘ahu—assistance with ground and air transportation, and our 24/7 cancer support line that provides free information and support for people facing the disease to name a few.”

Local cancer survivor and Relay for Life of Hilo Event Co-Chair Lee Lord understands first-hand how vital these services are.

“I can’t express how amazed and shocked I was when they turned the check towards Sarah and I with the amount $26,164 on it,” Lord said. “I was truly amazed at the HFS family for their willingness to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. I thought about the countless lives that those funds will impact. Every year the percentage of people dying from cancer [and] that are diagnosed with cancer decreases. Someday no one will die from cancer. As a five time skin cancer survivor myself and strong supporter of all that ACS and Relay for Life are doing I really want to express my heartfelt and deep appreciation—Mahalo HFS you are making a big difference.”

Many members of our local community have been touched by cancer and the American Cancer Society directly, through a family member or even a friend. It is for this reason that HFS continues to support ACS. When the community comes together to collectively support an organization that has helped many of their loved ones, a real difference can be made.

This year’s Relay for Life of Hilo will be held on Saturday, July 21, 2018, at the Francis Wong Stadium from 4 p.m. to Midnight. A free Cancer Survivor Celebration will be held before the event at Aunty Sally’s Luau Hale. The celebration will include a free lunch and is open to all cancer survivors and their caregivers to attend. For more information please go to their website or call (808) 935-9763. Survivors can register for the survivor celebration by calling the office. The event is open to the public.

HFS Federal Credit Union is the largest Credit Union on the Big Island serving over 50,000 members from six locations island-wide. HFS FCU has supported the Big Island Community for over 80 years holding onto the same sense of ‘ohana (family) with a deep desire to help those in its communities to succeed and grow. Membership is open to all who live, work, worship, attends school, volunteers or participated in associations headquartered on the island of Hawai‘i.

For more information about HFS FCU, contact the Credit Union at (808) 930-1400 or visit online.