HOW DOES CHANGE HAPPEN?
As cancer screenings, treatment and care improve, people affected by cancer are increasingly burdened with researching and coordinating outpatient care and recovery on their own. The growth of cancer information and resources on the Internet, in many cases complicates the burden of decision-making and information gathering. Patients and their loved ones face many challenges traditionally addressed by multiple programs, thus adding to their frustration and anxiety.
The comments and questions below are examples of the phone calls that Meg Maley, owner of an Oncology Home Health Care Business, received on a regular basis:
"I think my cancer may be reoccurring after two remissions. I just moved here and need help finding a doctor and financial help. I am also struggling with the recent death of my husband."
"I am 62 and just diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. I want a second opinion. How do I do that?"
"My mom lives 300 miles away from me and was just diagnosed with breast cancer. How can I help her? What can I do?"
"Last week my husband was diagnosed with cancer. I feel so lost and confused. We have many important decisions and appointments to make, I am just not sure where to begin. To complicate matters I have three kids and live out-of-state."
Meg and many cancer survivors in the community were often asked questions from people who just did not know what to do next or where to begin with a cancer diagnosis. In 1998, fate brought Meg together with a local judge who was caring for her husband who had late-stage cancer. The Honorable Roxanna Cannon Arsht was not only a client, but a strong community advocate and Delaware's first female judge.
Roxana and Meg convened a group of Delaware leaders and cancer survivors to create a central resource not just for information, but also for professional compassion and guidance. In 2000, an independent research study conducted by the Delaware Division of Public Health confirmed the need for a central resource for information, referrals and guidance. After detailed planning and support, Cancer Care Connection was incorporated as a 501(c) 3 in 2000. The program design and training included collaborations with the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service, the US Food and Drug Administration, Cancer Care, Inc, and a pilot with AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals at their Headquarters Offices Delaware.
CCC's program of a central resource for comprehensive information plus professional guiandance has evolved and is very robust today.
Cancer Care Connection strengths and key accomplishments
- Master's level oncology social workers, backed by Oncology nurses
- Provide a manageable number of links and connections to practical resources
- Coaching based on social work self efficacy model-empowerment for cancer survivors
- Created and utilize database with over 1,800 resources to provide information quickly and links to web resources
- Compliment and collaborate with government, cancer, medical and service organizations
- Delaware's Governor endorsement: "(CCC) provides precisely the type of coordination and help to make it easier-not just for the (cancer) patient, but (also) for those surrounding the patient... Having a professional to help you makes a difference." Governor Ruth Ann Minner, 2003
- Members of the Delaware Cancer Consortium; active on three committees
- One of core group eligible to receive funds from Delaware's Tobacco Settlement Fund
- Contracted with Delaware's Department of Health and Human Services to support newly hired State Cancer Coordinators based at hospitals (2005)
- Extended reach to cancer survivors through contract with state agency to train and support staff on CCC model; provide backup support for complex calls (2005)
- Contract with Delaware's Department of Health and Human Services to maintain and provide comprehensive data listings to members of Delaware's Cancer Consortium (2005).
- Formed Delaware Hispanic Resource Collaborative to increase understanding and of the Hispanic community's cancer support and prevention needs (2005)
- Collaborated with State Chamber of Commerce and numerous cancer organizations to raise awareness of cancer resources and programs for the workplace (2005-06)
