Singing River Foundation Bridges a Gap

Singing River Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting the mission of improving health and saving lives through Singing River Health System. One of the ways we fulfill this mission is by providing direct assistance to patients of the Singing River Cancer Center through donations allocated to our Cancer Fund.

Patient needs vary widely—from medications, medical equipment, and supplies to dental expenses and travel costs. When a patient faces a challenge impacting their health, Singing River Foundation steps in to help bridge the gap.

Stephen Ladnier’s Story

One such patient, Stephen Ladnier, faced an unimaginable challenge during his battle with cancer. After experiencing a back strain, Stephen visited his healthcare provider for imaging, which revealed devastating news: he had stage IV small cell lung cancer, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

As he began treatment at Singing River Cancer Center, Stephen underwent regular chemotherapy sessions and leaned on the Center’s social worker, Donna Burks, for guidance and support. During one of their conversations, Donna learned that Stephen’s water pump was broken, leaving him without access to clean water. He revealed that he had been bathing in a creek, putting himself at high risk of infection—a risk no cancer patient should have to face.

Donna reached out to Singing River Foundation’s Executive Director, Laura Sessum, to see if there was a way to repair Stephen’s well. While this was an unusual request, the Foundation was able to help.

Within three days, Stephen received a call confirming full approval for the repair. By the following week, Stephen had clean, running water once again. In his final days, Stephen found comfort in something many of us take for granted: access to clean water.

Though we lost Stephen in late 2024, his story is a testament to the impact of compassion and community support.

Join Us to Make an Impact

If you would like to help improve the health and lives of people on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, please consider supporting the Singing River Foundation. Whether by sharing this story or making a donation, your contribution ensures that we can continue providing critical assistance to those in need.

Together, we can bring care and compassion to more patients like Stephen.