Madison County Community Foundation

Your generosity provides a beacon of hope for many Madison County residents battling cancer.

“Cancer does not discriminate.”

The passionate and dedicated staff and volunteers at Little Red Door Cancer agency provide resilience and support when cancer unexpectedly hits the residents of Madison County. Since its inception in 1945, this organization has pursued its mission: to make the most of life and the least of cancer.

Mandy Pietrykowski, Director and CEO of Little Red Door, is persistent and passionate about living out the mission and impacting as many lives as possible, and the needs are endless. Pietrykowski says, “Without the support of funders, we couldn’t do the programs that we do.”

A Community Impact Grant from the Madison County Community Foundation provided funds for an ongoing project aimed to address two critical needs: transportation and nutrition.   

For cancer patients, getting to treatment centers is often a logistical nightmare. The grant from the Madison County Community Foundation provided 595 rides to and from cancer treatment and 52 cases of nutritional supplements, representing over 1200 individual meals. With these supplements, clients were able to maintain a healthy weight, achieve higher energy levels and live a more active and independent life during treatment and recovery.

The poignant stories of the support of Little Red Door are countless. A client from Elwood, diagnosed with cancer in January 2023, found solace in the gas cards provided by Little Red Door for her treatment appointments. These cards not only eased the financial strain, but also gave her access to life-saving treatments. Nutritional support, coupled with compassionate check-ins from client navigators, ensured she felt supported every step of her journey.

Another client, Michael, faced unimaginable challenges, including financial hardship and the daunting prospect of treatment. Little Red Door stepped in with education, support, and means for transportation. (Click here to hear Michael’s inspiring story in his own words.)

As Little Red Door continues its mission, they envision a future where no one faces this battle alone. Little Red Door dreams of establishing a brick-and-mortar presence in Madison County.

Financial support is the largest need of Little Red Door, but there are other vital ways to get involved in this organization. Volunteers are always needed to provide transportation, deliver meals, put together care packages, and write handwritten notes to patients.

Together, we can open pathways to hope, transforming the lives of those affected by cancer through compassion and practical support.

Every gift, large and small, contributes to the mission of Madison County Community Foundation to increase the quality of life for the citizens of Madison County.

Consider giving to the Impact Madison Fund to help us continue to meet emerging local needs. All donations to this fund will be tripled.

Your generosity truly is a beacon of hope.

Learn more about Little Red Door: Little Red Door

Would you like to volunteer?  Volunteer — Little Red Door

Save the Date: Little Red Door 17^th Annual Face of Hope Breakfast

Date: Thursday, November 21^st, 2024

Time: 7:00am – 9:30am (EVENT BEGINS AT 7:30am)

Location: Indiana State Fairgrounds - 1202 E 38th St, Indianapolis, IN 46205

*Complimentary parking provided by the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

Contact Brenda Ewigleben at bewigleben@littlereddoor.org for more information.