College is an expensive endeavor. Now imagine facing the prospect of paying for school on top of carrying crippling medical debt all while battling a potentially life-threatening illness.
Founded in 1993, Cancer for College is a charity that has been providing need-based college scholarships and educational experiences to cancer survivors since 1993. Since its inception they have granted over 1,400 scholarships awarding more than $4 million to survivors around the country.
Lexicon is proud to partner with Cancer for College to provide a new scholarship designed to help cancer survivors realize their dream of earning a law degree. We will work together to find a deserving survivor and help alleviate the financial burdens that come with education and the disease. Our mission is to help these young people thrive through college and beyond.
The scholarship application period will be open from November 1 until January 31 each year. To learn more about this scholarship, please visit www.cancerforcollege.org
42% of cancer survivors and their families lose their life savings to cover the medical expenses associated with a cancer diagnosis. Five thousand people aged 15-19 will be diagnosed with cancer this year, with one in 100 current college students being cancer survivors.
The $25,000 Lexicon Services Legal Scholarship was created in collaboration with Cancer for College to help the recipient realize their dream of earning a law degree and alleviate the financial burdens of law school.
We are excited to have named Elizabeth Dia as the recipient of the 2021 Lexicon Services Legal Scholarship. Elizabeth was diagnosed with adenosarcoma of the uterus in 2019, a rare form of uterine cancer, at the early age of 23. Extensive medical treatment and surgery allowed her to beat cancer, but it also drained Elizabeth of her life savings, forcing her to delay her dreams of applying to law school.
Elizabeth has been accepted to the New York University School of Law and will begin in the fall of 2021. She plans to focus her law practice on immigrants’ and civil rights. During her undergrad at The University of Chicago, Elizabeth interned at the National Immigrant Justice Center and The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Upon receiving her bachelor’s degree in history, she spent two years working at Harris Immigration Law; a Chicago-based law firm focused on immigration counsel for businesses and individuals. Elizabeth then worked as a paralegal at Loevy & Loevy, a civil rights law firm, where she helped victims of injustice and violence. Her goal as an attorney would be to continue this work and be involved in policy and legislative advocacy so that she can make a significant impact on our society.
Congratulations to Elizabeth on your scholarship and pursuing your legal future at NYU Law School! Lexicon extends our best wishes for her future as an attorney!
Each month Lexicon chooses a new charity to support. Here are some of the causes Lexicon has supported recently.
During July, Lexicon focused on TWO charities and two great ways for our employees to give.
We focused on supporting The St. Louis Area Foodbank who partners with 500 organizations and programs in our region to feed people and fight food insecurity with a food drive.
Additionally, we supported Food Outreach whose mission is to provide nutritional support and enhance the quality of life of men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS or cancer, with a virtual donation drive. Lexicon employees stepped up to the challenge, donated over 150 items, and helped to raise over $700 for Food Outreach with their monetary donations and Lexicon corporate match.
Dan Cuneo, Lexicon CEO, recently met with Justin Kralemann, Sr. Director of Development & Strategic Initiatives for Food Outreach, to present him with the check from Lexicon and our people.
In honor of Father’s Day, the Lexicon June charitable initiative supported the St. Louis Men’s Group Against Cancer with the Comedy for a Cause initiative.
The St. Louis Men’s Group Against Cancer was formed over 50 years ago and has raised millions of dollars for the cancer community. The organization comprises a committee and medical advisors of St. Louis men who want to support the prevention, research, and care of the entire St. Louis cancer community. Through their efforts, the thirty-plus local organizations that help men, women, pediatric, and geriatric cancer patients receive funding to execute their specific initiatives.
Each week during June on Monday, Lexicon employees sent in a dad joke that coincided with a theme for the week, and each joke that our employees sent in raised money for the SLMGAC. The jokes were then “performed” for all of our employees to enjoy each Friday during a special Lunchtime Laughs virtual gathering.
Brad Paubel, Lexicon CIO, was proud to present a check for $890 for the funds raised to Margie Price, Executive Director of St. Louis Men’s Group Against Cancer.
Ovarian cancer ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women, with approximately 21,410 women receiving a diagnosis each year. May 8 is World Ovarian Cancer Day, and also occurred on Mother’s Day weekend in 2021.
In honor of the moms and other important women in our lives, Lexicon hosted Mom’s the Word May Trivia Challenge to benefit St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness (SLOCA).
SLOCA is the ONLY non-profit organization in Missouri dedicated solely to ovarian cancer. The late Christina Carr formed the organization and during treatment for ovarian cancer, it was her wish to increase awareness about her disease. In 2002, she reached out to six women that were all survivors of ovarian cancer to spread awareness, fund critical research, and support other patients and survivors.
Each Monday morning in May, a mom-themed trivia question was sent to all Lexicon employees. For each correct response and participation, Lexicon leaders dedicated funds to the organization.
At the end of the trivia fundraiser, Lexicon was able to raise a total of $1,295 in support of ovarian cancer research and survivor support.
In April 2021, Lexicon employees showed their support for The December 5th Fund.
The December 5th Fund’s mission is to give a “Great Day” without worry to families whose loved one is afflicted with cancer. The organization creates once-in-a-lifetime memories for families and provides ongoing support for the family as they continue the journey through treatment.
To celebrate the start of the baseball season, our people sent in their pictures to join us in the Lexicon section at the ballpark for our “Great Day at the Ballpark” initiative. For each employee picture submitted, Lexicon donated to the December 5th fund.
We filled the section and raised $1,170 for the organization!
Scott Brennan, Lexicon CEO, was proud to present the check to Thomas Wiley, Founder/ President of the December 5th Fund, to assist with their efforts to families.
In March 2021, Lexicon employees added coins to the pot at the end of the rainbow for our Rainbow Collections initiative to benefit Camp Rainbow.
We set up our rainbow displays at Lexicon locations, and our employees and visitors were asked to donate their spare change to benefit the Camp Rainbow organization.
Through the generosity of Lexicon employees, we raised $1,210, and Lexicon matched this amount for a total of $2,240! This amount benefitted 10 children that have been isolated to allow them to connect in laughter, creativity, fun, and traditional campfire activities with Camp Rainbows virtual camp-in-a-box with programming.
Lori Moser, Lexicon Vice President of Strategy, Mergers, and Acquisitions, and Michelle Fritz, Lexicon Billing Representative, had the opportunity to visit the new Camp Rainbow facility in Fenton, MO. While there, they presented the Lexicon matching donation to Heather Bachman, Executive Director of Camp Rainbow, and Suzanne Slagle, Camp Rainbow Business Manager.
Lexicon is committed to expanding our local charitable impact throughout the St. Louis area and in our other office locations in the U.S. with our entire team’s help.
To kick off 2021, January and February were the employee’s choice! Lexicon challenged our employees to pick their favorite local organization that assists the cancer community and support the organization how they chose (donate their time, raise funds, etc.). Also, Lexicon committed to matching the amount raised by the top two employees who raised funds for their favorite organization!
Through this initiative, we were introduced to Kids Rock Cancer.
Kids Rock Cancer is an innovative program that helps children cope with the unique emotional challenges that accompany a cancer diagnosis. Through the proven healing power of music therapy, Kids Rock Cancer helps children combat feelings of anxiety, depression, uncertainty, and helplessness. The program provides:
Scott Brennan, Lexicon CEO, and our top fundraisers Genny Hembrock, Process Improvement Specialist, and Lauren Phillips, Director, Quality and Process Improvement, joined the Kids Rock Cancer Couch Sessions to share our organization’s overall charitable program and present the funds raised.
In December 2020, Lexicon challenged its employees to donate $5 each in charitable giving to help those battling cancer in the St. Louis area celebrate the holiday season with their families.
Through the St. Louis Peregrine Society’s Holiday Program, 120 families affected by cancer received holiday gift boxes filled with pajamas, gloves and hats, grocery store gift cards, and toys for kids. Through donations, Lexicon employees helped offset the cost of the organization’s holiday gift boxes and bring holiday cheer to families facing the challenges of cancer.
The St. Louis Peregrine Society is dedicated to improving the quality of life of cancer patients living in the St. Louis area. In 1948, a group of St. Louis women envisioned an organization solely devoted to providing services to those in our community suffering from cancer. Their dream became a reality in April of 1949 when the St. Louis Peregrine Society (originally incorporated as the St. Louis Cancer Society) was formed. Their mission then as it is now is to “improve the quality of life of cancer patients living in St. Louis City and County.”
Through this initiative, Lexicon was able to raise a total of $1,270 through employee donations and Lexicon’s matching amount. $635 was donated from Lexicon team members throughout the month, and Lexicon CIO Brad Paubel provided Lexicon’s matching amount to Peregrine Society Executive Director Shari Cunningham.
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and Lexicon is asked to Blow it Up for Lung Cancer.
A simple task, such as blowing up a balloon, is next to impossible for lung cancer patients to do. Throughout November, Lexicon employees were asked to purchase a balloon for $1 to support Lung Cancer Connection, Inc. Lexicon matched employee donations, up to $2,000. With their donation, employees were encouraged to share the name of a loved one who has had lung cancer or died from the disease.
With a mission to raise awareness, increase patient and family support, and advocate for greater funding for lung cancer research, screening, and treatment, Lung Cancer Connection, Inc. is a non-profit organization comprised of lung cancer patients, survivors, family, friends, and medical professionals, all dedicated to providing information, education, resources, and hope about this devastating disease.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To support those who have and are battling breast cancer, Lexicon launched the Post-it for Pink initiative to support the St. Louis chapter of Pink Ribbon Girls.
Pink Ribbon Girls was founded by breast cancer survivors who have a passion for supporting and empowering others who are currently fighting against breast and gynecological cancers. This organization strives to make the burden lighter for patients and their families. They balance the fear and uncertainty that breast and gynecological cancers bring to individuals and families by providing FREE direct services of healthy meals, housecleaning, rides to treatment, and peer support to our clients to ensure that No One Travels This Road Alone. In St. Louis, Pink Ribbon Girls supports patients and their families in 23 area hospitals and 86 zip codes.
Throughout October, Lexicon employees were encouraged to put on a pink shirt, headband, pants, or any pink attire and send in a picture. Lexicon committed to contributing $15 to the Pink Ribbon Girls for each employee who submits a picture. Plus, Lexicon will donate an additional $500 if more than 100 employees send a picture to support the cause.
September is childhood cancer awareness month. To honor those kids that have or are currently fighting cancer, Lexicon partnered with the St. Louis based organization Friends of Kids with Cancer.
Friends of Kids with Cancer is devoted to enriching children’s daily lives undergoing treatment and survivors of cancer and blood-related diseases and are dedicated to helping St. Louis area kids with cancer be kids for over two decades. The organization focuses on advocating for these special kids, and their families with the educational, emotional, and recreational support needed due to the long hours of chemotherapy, illness, and isolation.
Throughout September, Lexicon employees were challenged to walk in honor of these kids and raise funds. During their walking, employees could also earn wellness points for our corporate wellness initiative. Healthy employees helping kids, it was a win-win. The Lexicon team took 20,411,008 steps, the equivalent of over 8,000 miles, in September to support Friends of Kids with Cancer.
Lexicon CEO Scott Brennan and the top steppers of the month proudly presented a check for $1,500 to Brandy Bimslager, executive Director of Friends of Kids with Cancer, at the month’s conclusion.