Couple crusades for cancer clients

Gift of Life of Southeast Texas has been credited with extending the lives of hundreds of local men and women through the nonprofit’s crusade to ensure those with little or no insurance have access to cancer-detecting programs, as well as subsequent treatment. However, according to Gift of Life Founder Regina Rogers, its supporters like Joe and Linda Penland that allow the life-saving initiatives to take place.

The Penlands, Rogers shared, have long given “unwavering and extraordinary support of Gift of Life,” most recently marked by the addition of a Men’s Health screening event at the Hardin County Health Department that was sparked as a direct result of the couple’s involvement. During the Hardin County event, the first of what Gift of Life staff anticipates to be a regularly scheduled occurrence, the Penlands were honored and celebrated for their service.

Joe Penland, as recounted in appreciation of his service to Southeast Texas via the Gift of Life nonprofit, is a gentleman’s gentleman that exemplifies the “American Dream” – rising from humble beginnings to that of a respected entrepreneur that is centered by an unshakable devotion to God, country and family. As the founder of the “family-built, family-owned, family-operated and family-oriented” Quality Mat Company, Penland patented and perfected several designs and built one of the world’s oldest and largest manufacturers and suppliers of ground protection and construction mats.

Penland and his wife Linda, both cancer survivors, not only know firsthand the importance of early detection, but are also acutely aware of the critical consequences coming to medically underserved individuals that have limited access to lifesaving health care.

“Ardent supporters of Gift of Life Men’s Prostate and Women’s Breast Health and Cancer Prevention Programs,” Rogers shared of the couple’s contribution, something that has become a way of life for the Penlands, “they have made available hundreds of nocost screenings for men and women and helped diagnose breast and prostate cancer in more than 350 Southeast Texans.”

For all that can be written of the Penlands’ labor of love for their fellow community members, and for all that will forever remain behind the scenes but just as appreciated, the Gift of Life offered up penned gratitude: “Joe and Linda, we treasure, appreciate, admire and love you. Thank you for your giving hearts and extraordinary generosity.”