 The society forecasts that more than 62,000 Illinoisans -- or about
170 people on any given day -- will be diagnosed with cancer in
2009. With help from the new Web site, the American Cancer Society
plans to assist 27,000 people in Illinois this year, a nearly 20
percent annual increase."While the likelihood of beating cancer
is greater than ever before, positive outcomes depend on easy and
early access to a wide range of information, services and
resources," said Mary Maryland, R.N., Ph.D., president of the
American Cancer Society, Illinois Division. "These challenging
economic times -- in which many people must decide whether to pay
their bills or get treatments -- make the need for Patient
Navigation Services even greater."
Visitors to
www.illinoiscancerhelp.org will have access to a full spectrum
of hands-on cancer support, including information to better
understand a cancer diagnosis, emotional support from cancer care
specialists and cancer survivors, and practical day-to-day
assistance to remove barriers to their cancer treatment plan.
Services include transportation assistance to treatments, discounted
lodging at hotels for patients who need to travel to receive care,
insurance coverage assistance, resource matching and referrals, and
cosmetic help such as a free wig or headwear for patients who have
lost their hair due to chemotherapy.
Through the Web site, patients can request a call or personal
e-mail from a cancer care specialist to discuss available resources
and assistance options. They also can find the nearest American
Cancer Society Patient Navigation Services centers, located in
medical centers and hospitals throughout the state as well as in
local American Cancer Society offices. Doctors and other health care
professionals can use the Web site to refer patient to the society's
Patient Navigation Services program or to locate relevant clinical
trials.
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Cancer patients also can order a free Personal Health Manager Kit
at
www.illinoiscancerhelp.org. The kit is an easy-to-use tool
designed to help patients organize and keep track of diagnosis and
treatment information, appointments, medication, test results,
insurance, bills, and various other logistical and practical details
associated with fighting cancer.
In addition, the society continues to offer cancer information
and access to support groups via its call center, accessible anytime
at 800-227-2345.
The society is building broader awareness of the program through
all of its community events, such as Relay for Life and a marketing
campaign that includes TV public service announcements focusing on
the organization's programs.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with
nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from
cancer. As a global grass-roots force with more than 100,000
volunteers in Illinois and millions elsewhere, the society fights
for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community.
The American Cancer Society saves lives by helping people stay well,
by helping people get well, by finding cures and by fighting back.
As the nation's largest nongovernmental investor in cancer research,
the society turns what is known about cancer into what people do. As
a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had
cancer, and countless more who have avoided it, will be celebrating
birthdays this year. To learn more or get help, call anytime,
1-800-227-2345, or visit
www.cancer.org.
[Text from file received
from the American
Cancer Society, Illinois Division] |
