Cindy Businger swears that she followed an angel through a snowstorm last winter.  While driving her husband, Gary, to a doctor’s appointment in a near blizzard, her only chance of staying on Route 68 was to follow in the tracks of the semi in front of her. 
     “It was a pretty spiritual experience,” she adds. “Once we got safely to the doctor’s office, the semi turned off the road. . . sort of like he knew his job was done.”
     Thankfully, Cindy and Gary have a few more “angels” on their side.  Through United Way of Hancock County, contributors provided a significant portion of the budget of Cancer Patient Services last year.  The Businger’s rely on this local organization to help defray the exorbitant expenses of Gary’s serious illness.
     Three years ago, with children grown and retirement looming, the Businger’s began building a home on five acres near McComb.  It was a dream they had shared for several years.
     Working days for the Hancock County Special Projects Office, and spending evenings at his building site, Gary grew tired and contracted what he thought was a bad sinus infection.  When eight months of antibiotics weren’t effective, Cindy insisted that Gary see an ear, nose and throat specialist.
     In July 2002 Gary received the bad news.  He had cancer of the head and neck and an extensive surgery was scheduled.   Doctors removed part of his tongue, upper palate, and 39 lymph nodes in his neck.  This led to a year of feeding tubes, and a major infection.
     “I don’t know what we would have done without the support from Cancer Patient Services,” adds Cindy.  “Because he couldn’t eat regular food, Gary drank six cans of Ensure every day.  We received the Ensure at no charge, and medical travel reimbursement from Cancer Patient Services.”
      Gary has since been diagnosed with kidney cancer and has successfully undergone the removal of his kidney.  This past summer, he had surgery to correct problems with his teeth and jaw.  Now, he’s traveling to Lima twice a week for “hyper baric therapy” prior to having some teeth extracted.  The oxygen therapy will improve his chances of fighting off infection when the teeth are removed.
     After selling their country property, the Businger’s dreams have become simpler, but not less meaningful to them. 
     “I dream of being able to eat normally. . . maybe enjoy a sandwich or ham at Easter,” says Gary.  He remains on a liquid diet, which, he admits, gets very boring.
     In addition to taking care of Gary, Cindy continues to work full time at an area dental office.  Their sons, Brian and Eric, both have careers in law enforcement.
     “We’re fortunate to have lead a comfortable life, says Cindy, but, until you’ve dealt with it, it’s hard to imagine the cost of fighting cancer.  United Way and Cancer Patient Services have helped tremendously.” 

Cancer Patient Services is a United Way Partner Agency.