Copyright Charleston Post and Courier
INMAN — After Ruth Arledge was diagnosed with cancer, her mother wasn’t sure what to expect as treatments began at Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital. A year later, Ruth is preparing to celebrate her third birthday Dec. 14. Arledge said her daughter will continue to take oral chemotherapy for at least another year. She has hope that Ruth will overcome the situation with help from family and friends. On Nov. 5, the family received a welcome surprise. They were selected by Cornerstone Building Brands and Roc Solid Foundation to have a playset, complete with a slide and swing, built at their residence in Inman. Cornerstone volunteers finished the playset in under four hours. “We have partnered with Roc Solid Foundation to build 16 playsets in 15 communities across the country,” said Gia Oei, Cornerstone Building Brands vice president of corporate communications and culture. “Our company pays for the playset itself and volunteer work hours to build it.” Cary, N.C.-based Cornerstone Building Brands employs 145 workers in the Gaffney area. Volunteers from the company’s Gaffney location helped build the playset for Ruth Arledge. Roc Solid Foundation helps select sites for the playsets. After returning from cancer treatments, Ruth was surprised to see a new playset in her backyard. The family calls her “Ruthie”. “We are so thankful for this,” Katie Arledge said. “She’s always loved to swing and slide, even before her diagnosis in September 2024.” It’s been a difficult time for the family as they lean on family and friends to get them through. Ruthie’s in the maintenance phase of her cancer treatment, which is expected to continue through December 2026. Green Point Baptist Church, where the family attends in Inman, has also helped throughout the process. “I don’t know what we would do without our church family,” Katie Arledge said. “We just take everything day by day and look forward to the end of her treatment.” The partnership with Roc Solid is part of Cornerstone Building Brands’ Connecting Communities program. Since its launch in 2022, the program has generated more than 4,000 volunteer hours, engaged 1,600 team members, and supported more than 150 organizations with over $262,000 in charitable donations. “We are thrilled about the partnership with Cornerstone Building Brands, which is helping us reach more families fighting pediatric cancer than ever before,” said Eric Newman, Roc Solid Foundation founder. “When kids are playing, cancer is the last thing on their minds.”
