NEW YORK, New York (September 6, 2017) –In response to the destruction of Hurricane Harvey, CancerCare®, through initial generous donations from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and its philanthropic affiliate, the Conquer Cancer Foundation, and the Community Oncology Alliance, is providing emotional and financial support to cancer patients who have been affected by the storm.
Many cancer patients and their families who have been displaced are not only dealing with the challenges of their cancer diagnosis and treatment, but also with the trauma of uncertainty, loss of medications, and temporary relocation. Funds will be made available to ensure that support reaches cancer patients as their individual situations and needs emerge.
To apply for assistance, patients and health care professionals can call CancerCare’s toll-free Hopeline, 800-813-HOPE (4673), staffed Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
As part of this relief effort, CancerCare will provide:
- Financial assistance to cancer patients in active treatment who have been affected by Hurricane Harvey. Grants will be distributed via check, and can be used to help offset the costs of medical bills, homecare, childcare, transportation, general household bills, lodging and other treatment-related expenses. The application requires that a patient’s oncology care provider verify the patient’s treatment status and location.
- Resource referrals to help people coping with cancer in the midst of a natural disaster find resources to help address the needs that have arisen as a result of Hurricane Harvey’s impact.
- Emotional support with one of CancerCare’s oncology social workers, who provide emotional support to people coping with cancer, their caregivers and their loved ones.
- Educational information to help patients and families anticipate and manage the emotional and logistical challenges of living with cancer in the midst of Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath.
“As the leading national nonprofit organization providing free, professional support services to help patients and caregivers manage the many challenges of a cancer diagnosis, CancerCare is uniquely poised to respond to the distress faced by cancer patients impacted by Hurricane Harvey,” said Patricia J. Goldsmith, CEO, CancerCare. “We are grateful for the support of ASCO, Conquer Cancer Foundation and the Community Oncology Alliance in helping to make these funds available to cancer patients who have been affected by these catastrophic events.”
About CancerCare®
Founded in 1944, CancerCare is the leading national organization providing free, professional support services and information to help people manage the emotional, practical and financial challenges of cancer. Our comprehensive services include counseling and support groups over the phone, online and in-person, educational workshops, publications and financial and co-payment assistance. All CancerCare services are provided by oncology social workers and world-leading cancer experts. Headquartered in New York, NY, CancerCare maintains three additional locations in Norwalk, CT, Ridgewood, NJ and Syosset, NY.
To learn more, visit www.cancercare.org or call 800-813-HOPE (4673).
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