ASHLAND — The Ashland County Cancer Association celebrated its relocation with a ribbon cutting Wednesday afternoon, doubling the amount of facility space and allowing it to expand services to the community.
Replacing the space once occupied by Armordyne Computer Solutions, the updated space will have room to further assist Ashland County individuals who are victims of any type of cancer. The agency is now located at 1011 East Main St., Suite A in Ashland, and the Armordyne Computer Solutions moved next door.
“I’m amazed and honored to see how many people showed up,” said Director of the Ashland County Cancer Association Angela Woodward. “We needed a place to sit down with (our clients), pray with them, encourage them and just be with them during their time as they register with us or for whatever need that they may have.
“That was the most important reason we decided to (obtain) a larger place.”
Founded in Ashland approximately 74 years ago, the cancer association relocated from a 900 square-foot facility to an 1,800 square-foot space. Z’s Hair Design will now expand into the space previously inhabited by the Ashland County Cancer Association.
“Everyone is touched by this organization here in Ashland County,” said Mayor Matt Miller. “This is something that makes Ashland County unique.
“We all know of the national associations that address cancer and cancer research and assist people, but this is locally grown.”
The Ashland County Cancer Association currently serves 125 individuals in the county. Last year, they utilized roughly $110,000 to assist victims of cancer despite age, financial income and type of cancer.
Woodward thanks local organizations including the United Way, the Ashland County Community Foundation, the Mohican Area Community Fund and the Samaritan Hospital Foundation for their donations.
“I know with organizations like this — heartfelt, loving, godly organizations that care about each and everyone of us that have had cancer and the families — I can’t say enough about how good this is to have in our community with loving, caring, godly people,” said County Commissioner and Ashland County Cancer Association board member Jim Justice.
The association receives no governmental funding and is not associated with any national organizations. Community members can find out more about the organization by visiting the Ashland County Cancer Association’s website, finding them on Facebook, emailing ashlandcocancer@gmail.com, or by calling 419-281-1863.
“God opens the doors for this organization for the Ashland County cancer patients,” said Ashland County Cancer Association board president Doug Fitch. “This group answers those doors. Where there is help, there surely is hope.”
