The Lydia Project, the Augusta-based nonprofit devoted to providing financial and emotional assistance to those with cancer, has changed its name to Cancer Support Services in order to highlight its purpose.
“When somebody has a cancer diagnosis, they don’t look up The Lydia Project,” said executive director Michele Canchola. “But nobody confuses Cancer Support Services.”
The organization officially rebranded on April 29, following two years of discussions among the board of directors about the name. The website says that “internal research indicated the organization’s ambiguous name made it difficult to promote awareness among new patients.”
Incorporated in 2004, what is now Cancer Support Services offers comprehensive aid for oncology patients in the CSRA, including emergency relief—such as rent, utilities and prescriptions; transportation for medical appointments; prayer requests and other outreach.
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The organization is known for its Dakshar Chudgar Lydia House, which was constructed and opened in 2011. While not a medical facility, the center is used to offer free lodging for patients from outside the area, mostly Georgia and South Carolina statewide, who need a place to stay overnight for testing or treatments in the CSRA. Services also include meals, hospitality and transportation.
The house was named to honor Dr. Dakshar Chudgar, an obstetrician/gynecologist who both supported and was supported by the Lydia Project before passing away in 2009; and her husband, the late Dr. Bipin Chudgar, also an OB/GYN, whose $500,000 donation provided the seed money for the lodging center.
Canchola notes that serving a wider range of patients—or “cancer-fighters”—amid the COVID-19 pandemic was a further impetus for changing the name.
“Before the pandemic, and even years before, we were only serving women,” she said. “What changed for us is during the pandemic, we never closed, for those two years plus to now. It was never easy, but we were always open. There’s a lot of places who didn’t.”
The Lydia House became the place to go to for those dealing with cancer as other facilities shut down, particularly regarding transportation. Patients who couldn’t get rides anywhere else would consult the organization. Then family members would ask for rides to the house, wanting to avoid hospitals.
Canchola says that before the pandemic, Cancer Support Services provided an average of maybe 200 rides a year.
“At the end of 2021, we counted 2,520 trips we paid for,” she said.
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As the center would not, or could not, close its doors, it came to no longer primarily aid women. Staff took a cue from Gilda’s Club, a similar organization based in Chicago, named after Saturday Night Live comedian Gilda Radner, which rebranded into the Cancer Support Community in 2009.
“The new name more accurately mirrors the population served and reflects the broad array of comfort and assistance,” said board member Hap Harris. “ Including overnight accommodations at the Daksha Chudgar Lydia House – that the organization provides to men, women and children fighting all types of cancer.”
The name “Lydia Project” will still be used for the tote ministry, in which women dealing with cancer are given free tote bags filled with supportive items (such as a journal, lotion and a response card for prayer requests).
But, Canchola says, Cancer Support Services is focusing on where it’s going.The rebranding coincides with the organization’s third annual “Route 44” fundraising partnership with Sonic, in which all drive-ins of the fast-food restaurant in the CSRA will donate a percentage of 44-ounce drink proceeds during May to Cancer Support Service’s outreach programs.
“Bottom line to everything we do want to make sure we’re doing the best that we can,” said Canchola.
Cancer Support Services is located at 1369 Interstate Pkwy. in Augusta. For more information, visit its website at www.cancersupportservices.org.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering education in Columbia County and business-related topics for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
