LITTLE RED DOOR CANCER AGENCY INC
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Mission Statement
Little Red Door Cancer Agency’s mission is to make the most of life and the least of cancer. Since 1945, Little Red Door has worked to alleviate the physical, emotional, and financial burdens of cancer for low-income, underserved Hoosiers.
About This Cause
Founded in 1945, Little Red Door Cancer Agency began as a grassroots effort to address a critical need in central Indiana: providing free education and resources about cancer at a time when the disease was shrouded in fear and stigma. Initially operating from a modest refurbished World War II barracks in Indianapolis, marked by a distinctive small red door, the Agency became a haven for cancer patients and their families seeking support. The name "Little Red Door" emerged organically, symbolizing hope for those facing the uncertainties of a cancer diagnosis. In its earliest years, Little Red Door offered information about cancer symptoms to a community eager for knowledge. Volunteers quickly recognized the need for more direct support, creating a loan cupboard stocked with sickroom supplies and dressings. As demand grew, the Agency joined forces with the Community Fund—now United Way of Central Indiana—in 1950, securing resources to expand its impact. Just three years later, Little Red Door received its official nonprofit charter as the Marion County Cancer Society Inc., formalizing its role as a vital community asset. As cancer care advanced and the needs of patients evolved, Little Red Door’s services expanded exponentially. In 1963, the Agency moved to a larger space in the Cole Building at 730 East Washington Street, followed by a relocation in 1968 to its current headquarters at 1801 North Meridian Street on the near north side of Indianapolis. By 1995, after half a century of being affectionately known as Little Red Door, the organization embraced this identity officially, rebranding as Little Red Door Cancer Agency and unveiling a modernized logo. This pivotal moment conveyed the Agency’s enduring promise to the community while embracing a future of expanded programming and broader reach. Little Red Door has always been defined by its ability to adapt to the shifting landscape of cancer care. In recent decades, changes in healthcare policy, such as the introduction of the Affordable Care Act and alternative Medicaid expansion through the Healthy Indiana Plan, prompted the Agency to refine its focus. Today, Little Red Door provides a comprehensive suite of services designed to alleviate the many challenges faced by cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and families across 14 counties for adults and all 92 for kids. Cancer is more than a medical diagnosis; it is a life-altering event that exacerbates existing vulnerabilities and creates new challenges. Social determinants of health—such as access to nutritious food, transportation, and physical activity—play a critical role in determining an individual’s cancer treatment outcomes. Therefore, Little Red Door's philosophy is rooted in the belief that meeting the basic needs of its clients is vital to ensuring they have the best possible chance of successful treatment, recovery, and improved quality of life. With nearly an 80-year legacy, Little Red Door remains one of Indiana’s oldest, most trusted cancer support organizations, serving thousands of individuals each year through education, individualized support, and critical programs that remove barriers to care and improve overall health outcomes. Key programs include: Client Navigation: Client Navigators, with expertise in social services, work closely with each client and their family to address barriers to care, provide education, link them to critical services, and empower them to take actions that improve their health. Navigators also help clients access critical basic needs like food, housing, and employment, directly influencing their ability to fully engage in treatment and recovery. Little Red Door's referral partnerships with community organizations, healthcare providers, and FQHCs ensure that patients receive well-rounded care that meets their medical and social needs. In 2023, Client Navigators supported 1,678 unique cancer patients. Rides of Hope: Transportation is a significant barrier for many clients who often struggle to attend life-saving treatments due to financial or logistical challenges. Through Rides of Hope, Little Red Door provided 19,854 transportation services in 2023, helping clients attend treatments without the added stress of arranging or affording transportation. Nutritional Supplements: Cancer treatment often results in side effects that hinder proper nutrition, such as nausea, appetite loss, and swallowing difficulties. Little Red Door's Nutritional Supplements program provides nutrient-dense, liquid meals to clients who struggle to maintain a healthy weight. In 2023, Little Red Door distributed 97,152 individual meals, ensuring clients had the sustenance necessary to support their recovery. Care Packages: Little Red Door's care packages provide newly diagnosed cancer patients with both practical and comfort items, including blankets, water bottles, self-care products, and handmade fleece blankets. These packages help with treatment side effects and serve as a warm introduction to Little Red Door’s broader services. In 2023, Little Red Door delivered 1,115 care packages, helping patients feel supported as they begin their cancer journey. Door to Wellness: Little Red Door believes in treating the whole person, not just the disease. The Door to Wellness program offers physical, mental, and psychosocial wellness activities, including fitness classes, oncology massage, meditation, and creative therapies like journaling and crafting. In 2023, Little Red Door saw over 3,500 unique engagements, offering Little Red Door's clients holistic support as they navigate cancer treatment and survivorship. Michelle's Boutique: Little Red Door provides cancer patients with wigs, headscarves, lymphedema garments, and other medical supplies that help restore confidence and dignity. In 2023, Little Red Door completed 214 appointments and provided 79 wigs, 68 wig accessories, and 48 headscarves to clients in need. Camp Little Red Door and Beyond the Woods: Little Red Door's youth programs offer kids with cancer and their families opportunities to build social connections, experience the outdoors, and find joy during a challenging time. Little Red Door served 148 unduplicated youth in 2023. Tobacco Free Coalition of Delaware County: Little Red Door serves as the fiscal sponsor for this coalition, which leads tobacco cessation and prevention initiatives across Delaware County. The coalition works to reduce tobacco use through education, community outreach, and support services; promote healthier lifestyles; and reduce the impact of tobacco-related illnesses in the region.