About Us
About Us
Since CCAGCC’s beginnings in 2011, we have raised thousands of dollars to assist families of children with cancer in times of hardship. We are a tight knit group of men and women whose goal is to provide support, raise awareness, and ensure no one fights their battle alone.
Where Does Your Donation Go?
90% of all donations go to local families, 10% of funds go to research projects that are directly related to the local children and 0% goes to administrative costs.
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Local Families
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Research Projects
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Administrative Costs
She is currently undergoing chemotherapy which she will receive weekly for 68 weeks in hopes to stabilize and stunt the tumor. From this journey, we have learned, even more, to count our many blessings.”
–Ashlynn Johnson’s mother, Mandy
Board of Directors
Get to know the Board who supports us
Ginger Diamond
“As if it was fate,” Ginger happened upon CCAGCC in a news article in 2011. Her nephew, Blake, was taken from their family by a brain tumor just shy of his seventeenth birthday. The devastation of childhood cancer hit close to home and she knew she had to get involved. Ginger is a graduate of Union University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She worked in the healthcare field from 1977 to 1995 before retiring and moving to Douglas, Georgia to raise her two children, Craig and Will. With previous volunteer experience with the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation in Atlanta, she was grateful she’d be able to help a cause dear to her heart in her hometown. She was so grateful when asked to serve as the first president of CCAGCC and on the Board of Directors. Ginger’s involvement in Childhood Cancer Advocacy is expansive. She serves as Vice President for the Coalition Against Childhood Cancer (CAC2) and was a delegate to Capitol Hill for Action Days for Childhood Cancer. She’s also had the pleasure of serving on the Planning Committee for Curefest for the past 4 years and continues to volunteer for the PBTF, Rally and Cure.
She recently was asked to serve on the Leadership Panel for Fight Cancer Global. Her favorite part of working with CCAGCC has been that she has been blessed with connecting with the families and children. “Their strength and endurance to face each day with a positive attitude regardless of the outcome is truly remarkable,” she said. In her free time, Ginger is a volunteer Wish Grantor with Make A Wish GA, participates in Garden Club and enjoys kayaking.
Vivian Johnson
Since joining the CCAGCC board from its inception in 2011, Vivian, has worked doggedly to promote awareness for childhood cancer and support families affected by the disease. As a retired social worker and former director of the Coffee and Ben Hill DFCS, she understands the complexities that a child’s illness can bring to a family. She has also served as a board member for the Child Advocacy Center in Coffee County and the board chair for Family Connections in Coffee County. “It is an honor to serve the children and families who are dealing with financial difficulties while battling childhood cancer,” she said. Vivian and her husband, Dr. Shep Johnson, have two adult children – Audrey and Andrew. They have lived in Douglas, Georgia for 22 years. Vivian is on the Board of Trustees for Shorter University and owns her own jewelry design business.
Lori Hennesy
Lori is a native of Fitzgerald, Georgia and has lived in Douglas for 14 years. Lori has a passion for serving. She’s volunteered with CCAGCC since its inception in 2011. She also helps with local fundraising efforts related to breast cancer with the Alpha Theta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi and independently raised funds for Susan G. Komen with the Breast Cancer 3-Day. Lori also serves as the PTO president at her child’s school and manages several fundraising efforts on behalf of the school. Lori is a graduate of Valdosta State University, with a degree in Political Science and a Masters of Public Administration. She is the Tourism Project Manager for the Magnolia Midlands region with the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Lori has been with the State for over 11 years and prior to that spent three years in the in downtown development as Main Street manager for both Fitzgerald and Douglas. Her relationship with these local and state organizations has helped Lori build an array of personal relationships and helps to spread the message promoting childhood cancer awareness. Lori is married to Matt Hennesy and has one daughter, Holley. Lori enjoys traveling and experiencing new culinary adventures.
Kirk Farrar
Kirk graduated from Coffee High School in 1987. He went on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Kennesaw State College in 1991. At the age of 24, while living in Atlanta and pursuing a career with Kraft General Foods, Inc., Kirk was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and went through both chemotherapy and radiation treatment. After completing treatment, he chose to return to law school and graduated from John Marshall Law School in 1997. Following graduation, Kirk returned to Douglas to practice law with Curtis Farrar, Joey Hennesy, and Drew Tanner. In addition to practicing law, Kirk has served on the Board of Directors for First National Bank of Coffee County since 2008. He also represents the Ware County Judicial District of the Board of Governors for the State Bar of Georgia. Kirk currently serves as the Chairman for the CCAGCC Board of Directors. His personal experience with cancer and the emotional roller coaster of treatment and recovery guides him through the decisions and ideas the Board makes. It helps him stay true to the needs of the children and families they serve. Kirk and his family attend GracePointe Church. He and his wife, Abbie, have three children – Noah, Kensley, and Leighton. When he’s not in the office or dedicating time to CCAGCC, Kirk enjoys traveling and attending sporting events with his family, visiting Kensley at UGA, and playing tennis with Leighton.
Dr. Keith Childers
Keith has lived in Douglas for the last 20 years with his wife, Deb, and their children. Like other board members, he has been with CCAGCC since its inception in 2011. Keith graduated in 1988 from Marshall University with a B.S. in Chemistry then followed that with a medical degree from West Virginia University. After a residency in Pediatrics at the University of Kentucky, he opened his practice in Douglas in 1998. As a pediatrician, he knows first-hand how devastating the diagnosis of childhood cancer can be and has had to inform many families of this diagnosis. “Words are inadequate to describe their looks of shock, despair, devastation, and hopelessness. For years, I watched how overwhelming the cancer treatments were – financially, emotionally, and physically – for the patient and their families. I was always wishing that something more could be done,” said Keith. When he was presented with the opportunity to volunteer with CCAGCC, he jumped at the chance. To him, CCAGCC brings a small beacon of hope to families in need to let them know they’re not alone.
Walda Kight
Walda is a Douglas native. She’s served on the Board of Directors for CCAGCC since 2014. She graduated from South Georgia State College with an Associate of Science degree and followed that up with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Georgia. Walda has served as an administrator at South Georgia State College since March 2008 and has held the role of Vice President for External Affairs since July 2012. Through her job, and as a parent herself, she witnessed many examples of families who faced financial hardships due to medical or life situations through no fault of their own and wanted to help find a way to lessen the burden these families face to allow them to focus more on caring for their child during their difficult time. Her favorite part of working with CCAGCC is seeing a child who has battled cancer be able to enjoy special events or time with their family that perhaps could not have been afforded otherwise. “Their smiles and joy warm my heart!” she said. She is heavily involved in the community, serving on the CRMC Foundation Board, volunteering as a REACH mentor for the Coffee County School System, and is still active with Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. Walda and her husband, Jeff, have two children – Brandon and Lauren. She enjoys traveling, cheering for the CHS Trojans teams and UGA Bulldogs and spending time with her family.
Dr. Justin Harrell
A Coffee County native, Justin attended the University of Georgia and the Medical College of Georgia. After graduation, he returned to practice in Douglas because of its strong sense of community. He is continually amazed by the focus and resolution of this group to assist local families through exceptionally difficult journeys. CCAGCC is one of the reasons he’s proud to call Douglas home. Justin lives with his wife Cassie, and three children – Flynn, Ava, and Miriam. He has served on the CCAGCC board since 2011.