History

In the Early 1950's, a group of women belonging to Theta Psi Chapter of the Phi Beta Psi Sorority out of concern for those afflicted with caner, the sorority members gathered to make cancer bandages. The dressings were made and stored in member's homes until being dispensed to patients. To coordinate their efforts this group of caring women organized the Delaware County Cancer Society and storage was made available in the Ball Memorial Hospital Medical Building.

A temporary office with telephone access was set up in the basement at Ball Hospital where Ethel Vlaskamp was tracking down cancer patients' records for the Tumor Study Committee. She incorporated into her responsibilities answering the phone and dispensing dressings for the newly formed cancer group. In 1956 the Delaware County Cancer Society relocated to the nurses' residence, Maria Bingham Hall and Ethel was asked to be Executive Secretary. The activities of the organization expanded as films on cancer were purchased and programs to educate the public were developed.

In 1962, after separating from the American Cancer Society and maintaining membership in the Community Chest, now called the United Way, the agency became incorporated and focused on local services.

Fifty years ago the word "cancer" was unspeakable. In fact, that is how we became known as the "Little Red Door". A group of women from Indianapolis met once a week to sew pads for cancer patients. They met in an old army barrack that had a bright red door. It soon became a common practice to say "I'll meet you at the Little Red Door" instead of the Cancer Society. The name and symbol was registered by the Marion County Cancer Society in 1958. In 1963 the Delaware County Cancer Society made a request to the Indianapolis unit to use the name and symbol of Little Red Door. With some provisions, permission was granted. Since that time Little Red Door, a name suggesting human understanding and hope, has been used by the agency.