In a modest office in Danville, Virginia, something extraordinary happens every day. Lives are changed, burdens are lightened, and hope is restored—all through the tireless work of a local organization that has become a lifeline for hundreds of cancer patients in the region.
A Mission of Support
“Our main thing is we want to be there for the client from their initial diagnosis, through the treatment, when they ring that bell of remission, or if we are helping to provide dignity in their final days,” explains Moriah Shepherd, Executive Director of the Danville-Pittsylvania Cancer Association (DPC). She’s describing the organization’s unwavering commitment to supporting cancer patients throughout their entire journey—a mission that has defined this nonprofit since the 1950s.
Unlike national organizations where donations might be dispersed across the country, DPC focuses only on serving residents of Danville and Pittsylvania County. As Shepherd is quick to point out, “We are not a chapter of the American Cancer Society; therefore, all donations received are used to support our mission of providing cancer-related prescriptions, travel reimbursement, and medical supplies/equipment.”
Meeting Critical Needs
The services provided by DPC address the practical obstacles that often complicate cancer treatment. The association helps defray the cost of cancer-related prescriptions, equipment, nutritional supplements, and provides transportation reimbursement among other special needs.
Transportation assistance has become one of their most vital programs. When Shepherd began as executive director, the organization paid 20 cents per mile for cancer-related appointments. They’ve since increased this to 35 cents, reimbursing an astonishing 500,000 miles for patients in a recent year.
“Something as simple as mileage reimbursement can make a difference in a person’s life,” notes Shepherd. Many cancer patients must travel considerable distances to receive specialized care, creating both financial and logistical burdens that DPC helps ease.
Perhaps most remarkably, the association has established partnerships with local pharmacies where bills go directly to DPC, allowing patients to “walk out of the pharmacy without having to pay a dollar.” The organization can offer up to $500 in benefits monthly per client, covering everything from medications to equipment like wheelchairs and canes.
Local Impact, Personal Touch
Currently, DPC provides both financial and emotional support for over 377 people undergoing cancer treatments in the region. According to Shepherd, breast cancer represents their largest client group, accounting for 68 of the clients they serve.
The organization’s impact extends beyond practical help. “We help to smooth the way for clients and their families through the emotional and financial burdens that are presented throughout their cancer journey,” Shepherd explains, highlighting DPC’s holistic approach to cancer support.
Community Powered, Community Focused
What makes DPC extraordinary is its deep roots in the community it serves. “Every dollar raised stays local and goes back to our neighbors and friends going through their trials,” Shepherd emphasizes. This local focus creates a powerful sense of neighbors helping neighbors.
The community has embraced this mission wholeheartedly. The annual Bridge2Bridge race has grown into the largest fundraising event for the organization, raising $100,000 in 2024—double their usual goal of $50,000. Now in its 16th year, the event holds deep personal significance for participants, with Shepherd noting, “We actually have a spot where you can write down who they’re walking or running in memory of. So, it truly reflects on the mission at heart.”
Other local groups have likewise rallied around DPC’s mission. Recently, the Fraternal Order of the Eagles presented the association with a donation of $183,166, prompting Shepherd to remark, “Shock is an understatement!”
Leadership With Purpose
Appointed as executive director in 2022, Moriah Shepherd brought a wealth of experience to the role. Prior to joining DPC, she led development efforts for the Danville Science Center as a professional fundraiser. A recipient of the 2019 Young Professionals PACE Award from the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce, Shepherd had completed the Duke University Nonprofit Management Certification and received facilitation certification with the Virginia Cooperative Extension.
Her connection to the mission, however, is deeply personal. “Along with many members of this community, my family has seen the devastating effects of cancer and the triumphs of remission,” Shepherd shared when taking the position.
Looking Forward
Under Shepherd’s leadership, DPC continues to expand its reach while maintaining its focused mission. The organization faces the ongoing challenge of awareness—many eligible residents either don’t know about DPC’s services or mistakenly believe they’re income-based.
“The only requirements to help is that a patient lives in Danville and Pittsylvania County and is undergoing cancer treatments,” Shepherd clarifies, emphasizing that their support is available to all local cancer patients regardless of financial status.
As cancer treatment evolves, so too does DPC’s approach to supporting patients. What remains constant is their commitment to being there at every step of the journey, from diagnosis through treatment and beyond.
For more information about the Danville-Pittsylvania Cancer Association or to donate, visit danpittcancer.org.