The Berrien County Cancer Service collected $19,204 in donations for its Pennies for Patients fundraiser last week.

The nonprofit organization will be taking donations for Pennies for Patients through the end of the month, although May 10 was the big push.

“I am really excited to see we are coming back up again after a few years of declining donations,” said Nancy Church, executive director for BCCS.

Pennies for Patients raised $16,441 last year. The most the fundraiser has ever collected was $28,550.60 in 2007 — the year prior to the recession.

The donations go toward funding BCCS programs, including its free in-home nursing visits and other cancer care services for cancer patients.

“I want to send a thank you to the local community because their donations enable us to take care of the local cancer patients,” Church said. “Our funding is all local and it has been such a blessing since 1948 that the local community has seen the value in what we do in taking care of those going through a difficult time.”

Pennies for Patients is the largest annual fundraiser for the BCCS, a United Way agency.

The mission of BCCS is to provide free skilled home nursing services, equipment, information and supplies at no cost for cancer patients and their families in Berrien County. It receives funding through the United Way of Southwest Michigan, private donations, memorials and fundraisers.

Donations remain in Berrien County to help local people.

Those wanting to donate to the BCCS or those wanting more information about it can contact the BCCS office by phone at (269) 429-3281 or by email at staff@bccancerservice.org. The BCCS website is bccancerservice.org.

It is located at 7301 Red Arrow Highway, Stevensville.