RUTH LYMAN WATKINS
Ruth Lyman Watkins played many roles in her life. A successful businesswoman and philanthropist, she was a respected figure in our community. But late in her life, she appeared in what some consider her finest role: cancer patient.
For many months during her treatment, she sat with other patients also fighting cancer. She listened as they shared their dreams with her — dreams of having gas for the car or transportation to the hospital … of being able to afford medications and medical supplies … of having a wig or prosthesis so they could look like themselves again … and of finding a safe, affordable place to stay during weeks of daily treatment. They dreamt of understanding what the doctors were telling them about their disease, of having someone who knew their fears, someone who would listen.
Then Ruth met another group of dreamers at FirstHealth — folks with similar aspirations — and the Cancer CARE Fund was born, the first of many such CARE Funds. Through the leadership and generosity of Ruth Lyman Watkins, and the support of community members like her, The Foundation makes the superb cancer care provided by FirstHealth of the Carolinas accessible to all.
Read more about the mission of The Foundation at FirstHealth.
