LemonDrop Foundation to deliver nearly 300 ChemoPaks to Cape Girardeau cancer patients

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — The LemonDrop Foundation will deliver nearly 300 ChemoPaks to local cancer patients Thursday, marking the nonprofit organization’s largest donation to date.

The care packages will be distributed to patients undergoing active treatment at Mercy Cancer Center and Saint Francis Cancer Institute. The first delivery is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Mercy Cancer Center, followed by a second drop-off at Saint Francis Cancer Institute.

The LemonDrop Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on raising awareness of testicular cancer and the importance of early detection. Its ChemoPak Program, launched in 2022, provides customized care packages designed to offer comfort and encouragement to patients receiving chemotherapy and other cancer treatments.

Each ChemoPak includes items such as lemon drops to help ease nausea, non-scented lotion, a blanket and crossword puzzles for use during treatment sessions.

“This year’s ChemoPak campaign represents our biggest investment of both time and resources,” said Nate Gautier, director of The LemonDrop Foundation. “We look forward to this initiative every holiday season, but this year we were able to expand our impact in a meaningful way for patients in our community.”

Foundation board members and LemonDrop Long Drive fundraisers Nick Martin and Casey Crowell helped prepare the care packages, along with volunteers who packed nearly 300 ChemoPaks on Dec. 16 at the Small Business Development Center.