A family fighting both floodwater and cancer is touched by the assistance, but still needs a home.
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
Published August 16, 2003
HUDSON - Yolanda Dicus got the one thing Friday she wanted most: to see her sister smile.
After readers learned about the flooded family's plight in the Pasco Times, a half-dozen people called the American Red Cross to offer clothing, financial assistance and other personal items.
Perhaps the most touching call came from the local chapter of the American Cancer Society, which offered its array of loanable wigs to Mrs. Dicus' sister, Alicia Snyder. At age 26, Snyder is battling her second bout with cervical cancer and is losing her hair from the treatments.
Snyder picked out a long, ash blond wig that frames her soft face. The group also offered a makeover and $200 worth of makeup.
"My biggest thing is, it put a smile on my sister's face, especially because she's going to have long hair again," said Mrs. Dicus, 34. "I'm glad she was taken care of."
The family of seven - Mrs. Dicus and her husband, sister and four children, not to mention two dogs and two cats - still need a new home, though.
More than 6 inches of floodwater last weekend forced them out of their rented house east of Little Road and south of Denton Avenue. Since the area sits well outside the flood zone, the family didn't have flood insurance.
Anyone interested in helping may contact the local chapter of the American Red Cross, (727) 862-8685.
- Bridget Hall Grumet can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6244, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6244. Her e-mail address is hall@sptimes.com
