Five Questions: Tammy Mast

Tammy Mast took the position of executive director of gynecologic cancer support group New Hope – Now Every Woman Has Our Prayerful Embrace – in April 2003, after group founder Joy Lamberson-Klock became too ill with ovarian cancer to continue the work. Lamberson-Klock died in July of that year. Mast is one of several individuals and groups that will be honored at a Nov. 17 luncheon at Highland Springs Country Club for outstanding philanthropy in the community by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Q: What does New Hope do for gynecologic cancer patients?

A: We have peer-to-peer mentoring and support group meetings, and we provide nonmedical assistance to help ease some of the financial burdens of increased expenses and decreased ability to work. We know that creates a better atmosphere of healing and lets them spend more time with family and friends at a time they really need to.

Q: You were chosen as Outstanding Fundraising Executive of the Year; what has your group done to raise funds this year?

A: We do a little bit of everything. Our budget is about $105,000, and all of that is raised through local donations and fund-raising efforts. Our biggest fund-raising event is an administrative professionals luncheon and fashion day that we hold in April, in conjunction with Administrative Professionals Day. We had between 400 and 500 people attending that. But there are a lot of smaller things – some direct mail, some individual solicitations. You just do a little bit here and there.

Q: Your group has been working on an awareness campaign about gynecologic cancer. How much is awareness a problem?

A: There was a study done last year, and it was amazing. Almost 50 percent of women asked could not even name a symptom of a gynecologic cancer, even though 86 percent were very concerned and felt like they could at some point have a gynecologic cancer. We want to change that here in the Ozarks, especially with cervical cancer, which has been linked to the human papillomavirus. Now that there’s a vaccine for that virus, and education about the vaccine is very important. Theoretically, the vaccine could eliminate 70 percent of all cervical cancers.

Q: You’ve been working as executive director for three-and-a-half years; what keeps you going?

A: It’s our mission – the women that we serve and their families. To pick up the phone and have someone crying at the other end, saying they need help and they need someone to talk to, and to have that ability to say, ‘Let me take care of that.’ It’s the most rewarding thing you can do, to help someone else. It’s that drive that keeps me going.

Q: What advice do you have for someone who is suffering from a gynecologic cancer or thinks she might be?

A: Women need to know their bodies and realize when something’s not right. They need to be persistent with their doctors, because you know when something’s not right with your body. Also, I think building up a support network is important, whether that means talking with someone who has been through it or getting involved in church. Support is the No. 1 thing they need to look for and make sure they have in place. There are a lot of people out there who want to help.[[In-content Ad]]