Susan Steffens has been named executive director of the Arkansas-Oklahoma Cancer Support Foundation and Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House of Fort Smith.
Judy Englehart, president of Regions Insurance and president of the Cancer Support Foundation Board of Directors, said Steffens’ personal and career background are well suited for the Executive Director position.
“Susan brings a wealth of experience in fundraising, grant writing, marketing, public relations, finance, business development, and management,” Englehart said in the statement.
Originally from Cleveland, Tenn., Steffens attended the University of Tennessee and earned a bachelor’s degree from Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Ga. She earned her master’s degree of Business Administration from Webster University in Fort Smith.
She recently served as executive director for the Donald W. Reynolds Crisis Intervention Center (aka Crisis Center for Women). She previously held the position of assistant executive director and chief financial officer for Bost Inc., the second largest non-profit of its kind in the State of Arkansas.
Steffens is a 2011 graduate of Leadership Fort Smith. Her community affiliations include: Zonta International, the Network of Executive Women, and the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce committees. She previously served on the board for the Children’s Emergency Shelter, on the board for the Mount Magazine Girl Scout Council, on the board for the Fort Smith Art Center, on the board of the Christian Women’s Job Corp, on the Step Up, Speak Out, Prevent Child Abuse committee, and as director of women’s ministries for a local church.
The Arkansas-Oklahoma Cancer Support Foundation was founded in 1978 to support the Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House, whose mission is to provide an array of cost-free programs and services to cancer patients and to provide cancer awareness education programs across a 14-county area of Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma. A myriad of services and programs are available for cancer patients and their families.
During 2013, the Cancer Support House served 579 new cancer patients. 2013 services and programs included: providing 872 mastectomy and ostomy supplies, held 14 specialized support groups, privately fitting and providing 1174 wigs, hats and turbans, disbursing 1,500 gas vouchers, distributing nutritional supplements to 93 patients, paid $9,200 in utilities or prescription assistance, and celebrating countless milestones. Located at 3324 S. M St., in Fort Smith, all services are confidential and are provided free of charge to cancer patients.
On April 5, 2014, the Cancer Support House is hosting the 20th Annual Wine & Roses fundraising event. This premier event accounts for 30% of their budget to provide vital services and programs to cancer patients. Tickets and Sponsor opportunities are still available online at ReynoldsCancerSupportHouse.org or at 782-6302.