By Holly Kline
Indiana Women in Need is a local organization dedicated to assisting breast cancer patients with their everyday needs while they endure various treatments. Nancy Shepard is an RN and the founder of the I.W.I.N. foundation.
“We provide things like housekeeping and lawn maintenance,” Shepard said. “Our most popular need is for the gas and/or transportation to a patient’s treatments. Our next most popular need is meal preparation or assisting with the cost of groceries, and we also do wellness services like massage and exercise classes.”
I.W.I.N. started in 2000 and is a 501(c)(3) organization that relies solely on donations and private grants; the foundation serves patients throughout the state of Indiana.
“I got started in the cause with the intention of raising funds to give to another organization,” Shepard said. “Other survivors said that it was good to support organizations that are trying to find a cure, but that there weren’t any services available to help patients with everyday tasks while going through surgery and/or treatments.”
Patients learn about I.W.I.N. in a variety of ways. “They hear about us from social workers and nurses and especially in rural areas, we’ve seen increased awareness through word of mouth,” Shepard said.
Both women and men are eligible for I.W.I.N.’s services; patients start the process by filling out an application found at www.iwinfoundation.org. “The application process is pretty easy,” Shepard said. “The biggest criteria for us are that the patients have to be in aggressive treatment.”
I.W.I.N. currently serves over 300 women and men each year and is the only organization of its kind that is growing in requests from patients. In July, I.W.I.N. celebrated providing $1 million in services and hopes to keep going.
“I am the founder but I’m not a paid CEO,” Shepard said. “We’ve operated as a true volunteer grassroots organization and we’re looking for Indiana-based businesses to partner with.”
Visit www.iwinfoundation.org to learn more about I.W.I.N.’s accomplishments and needs; third-party fundraiser ideas are always welcome. I.W.I.N.’s Pink Pajama Party fundraiser is coming up Feb. 21 & 22 at the Indianapolis Marriott North hotel; check I.W.I.N.’s Website for registration details.