Philadelphia Cancer Patients to Benefit from Expansion of the American Cancer Society Patient Navigator Program
The American Cancer Society today
launched its Patient Navigator Program at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson
in Philadelphia, thanks to support received from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
. This is the first site to launch in Pennsylvania as part of a strategic
nationwide effort to significantly extend the reach of this innovative program
and assist individual cancer patients in negotiating the health care system.
“A cancer diagnosis can be a
life-changing experience for patients, their families and their caregivers,”
said Garry Pincock, CEO, American Cancer Society Pennsylvania Division. “Our
patient navigator is able to provide support every step of the way, from
explaining what to expect with chemotherapy, to making sure patients have
transportation to and from appointments. Fighting cancer is a difficult,
challenging journey; but with the help of trained American Cancer Society
patient navigators, people don’t have to go through it alone.”
The American Cancer Society Patient
Navigator Program directly connects cancer patients to a cancer education and
support specialist – known as a “patient navigator” – who, through one-on-one
relationships, serves as a personal guide to patients and caregivers as they
face the psychosocial, emotional and financial challenges that cancer can bring.
The service is free and confidential, and places an emphasis on assisting the
medically underserved.
AstraZeneca’s support will enable the
launch of a full-time American Cancer Society Patient Navigator Program at the
Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson. According to American Cancer Society
estimates over 70 thousand people in Pennsylvania were diagnosed with cancer in
2008. The gift is part of a $10 million pledge by AstraZeneca to the Society to
accelerate development of at least 50 new Patient Navigator Program sites over a
five-year period in communities throughout the United States.
"With funding from AstraZeneca, the
American Cancer Society Patient Navigator Program will enable us to assist
patients with personalized community resources and support,” said Richard G.
Pestell, M.D., Ph.D., director, Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson. “This program
proactively reaches patients who are most in need of specialized services and
support, providing the critical link to local resources that will improve their
outcomes and quality of life."
As no cancer experience is the same,
American Cancer Society patient navigators connect patients and caregivers with
the most appropriate programs and services to help improve each individual’s
access to health care and quality of life. Whether it is getting patients and
caregivers the information they need to make treatment decisions and better
understand their disease, helping them deal with the day-to-day challenges of
living with cancer, such as transportation and insurance issues, or connecting
them with community resources such as support groups, American Cancer Society
patient navigators can provide help throughout the disease continuum – from the
time of diagnosis, through treatment, into survivorship. Furthermore, navigators
are able to increase treatment compliance and follow-up care.
“AstraZeneca is thrilled to be the first
company to give nationwide, large-scale support to the American Cancer Society
Patient Navigator Program,” said Lisa Schoenberg, Vice President of Growth
Specialty Care, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP. “This new program site at
Jefferson is a testament to our commitment to help provide cancer patients with
personalized cancer care. We are proud to support the American Cancer Society
Patient Navigator Program in its mission to improve patient outcomes, not only
in Philadelphia, but in communities throughout the country.”
About the American Cancer Society
Patient Navigator Program
The American Cancer Society Patient
Navigator Program provides guidance for cancer patients, survivors and
caregivers to help them navigate the cancer experience, with a focus on
eliminating barriers to cancer care for the medically underserved. Formally
launched in 2005, the Patient Navigator Program, in collaboration with
community-based hospitals and cancer centers, links those affected by cancer to
patient navigators who serve as personal guides for patients as they face the
psychosocial, emotional and financial aspects of their unique cancer experience.
Patient navigators receive national-level training through the American Cancer
Society, in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute Patient Navigation
Research Program, as well as localized training and opportunities for ongoing
education.
There are currently more than 100
American Cancer Society Patient Navigator Program sites across the U.S. The
American Cancer Society Patient Navigator Program is a component of the American
Cancer Society Cancer Resource Network, a comprehensive offering of free
resources to help patients, their families, and caregivers manage the impact of
cancer on their lives by providing information, day-to-day help, and emotional
support.
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 grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for
every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by
helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping
people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by
finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting
back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying
communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest
non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.4
billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we 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 about us
or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit
cancer.org.
About
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is engaged in the research, development,
manufacturing and marketing of meaningful prescription medicines and in the
supply of healthcare services. AstraZeneca is one of the world's leading
pharmaceutical companies with global healthcare sales of $ 31.6 billion and is a
leader in gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory, oncology
and infectious disease medicines. In the United States, AstraZeneca is a $13.5
billion dollar healthcare business.
For more information about AstraZeneca in
the US or our AZ&Me Prescription Savings programs, please visit: www.astrazeneca-us.com.
About Kimmel Cancer Center at
JeffersonKimmel Cancer
Center (KCC) at Jefferson
is one of the leading cancer research facilities
in the country. A National Cancer Institute designated center, KCC is home to
internationally renowned physicians and research scientists dedicated to all
aspects of cancer. Cancer treatments at KCC utilize leading edge technology,
along with world class therapeutics and more than 100 clinical trial options.
KCC is the cornerstone of the Jefferson Cancer Network, a consortium of more
than 20 institutions dedicated to improving cancer care and clinical research.
Media Only Contact:
Ed Federico
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Phone: (215) 955-6300
Published: 6/16/2009