Floyd Allen, MSW, LMSWCancerCare

New York

Founded in 1944 as National Foundation for Care of Advanced Cancer Patients

First social worker in 1945 Name of CancerCare and chapters - 1953 Leader in death and dying movement-

1968 Mission focused on end of life services

Mission and Program changes: Regional offices developed in 1978 Service at all stages of illness -1983 Worksite and Education -1985 Telephone Education Workshops -1991 National Program -1994 Launch of Website -1996

National financial assistance -1999 Publications programs -2003 Program Collaborations for services:

-Lance Armstrong Foundation-American Society of Clinical Oncology-Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Establishment of the Co-Pay Foundation -2007

Institute of Medicine Report, November -2007

More than 107,000 people benefited from our programs in last fiscal year

1,500 + new requests for services per week

6000 website visits per day All 50 states represented with

international requests 85% of all US counties More than 30,000 clients per year receive

counseling Currently 5,225 registered users in online

groups

Connect client at point of contact with the organization, with a Social Worker who makes initial assessment of comprehensive needs

Provide client entry into the available services that organization can provide to address latent issues that are affecting their lives

Responds to presenting problem, easing anxiety and restoring a sense of control

Allows further exploration of other challenges present for client

Focuses on coping with the impact and effects of cancer

Staffed by Licensed Masters level Social Workers Free professional counseling and facilitated

support groups for people affected by cancer Focuses on coping with the impact and effects of

cancer Child individual counseling and family events Bereavement Three modalities for counseling services

- Face to face, telephone and online

Reach clients who are geographically isolated from resources for care

Provide support for elderly or homebound clients who are not mobile

Address emotional and psychological challenges despite challenge of circumstances

Medium does allow for an intimate setting that allows the client to access benefits of counseling

Provides Intuitive Community

Opportunity to connect physically in the company of others

Provides support and comfort Information for coping and managing the

challenges of treatment, side effects and effects of cancer on their lives

Organize resources and share information about best available services

Provides Intuitive Community

Allows flexibility in addressing emotional needs Provides more options for an unpredictable

schedule for both patients and caregivers Allows ability to “look” and benefit from material

being discussed without pressure of responding when overwhelmed

Allows client to post responses when they are emotionally able

Client is able to save material they find helpful for future use

Provides Intuitive community

Since 1944 2008: $4.2 million to approximately

24,000 Primary assistance; Transportation,

Homecare, Childcare Provide resource assistance for those

seeking medical, legal, entitlements and benefits

Funders include: Avon, Komen, Mary Kay, Reader’s Digest, Lance Armstrong Foundation, pharmaceuticals

Designed to provide practical and emotional support information

Identifies areas of challenge within the continuum of the cancer experience

Helps communication with the healthcare team Provides talking points to help patient and family

navigate the emotional impact of the diagnosis, treatment, side effects, end of treatment and bereavement

Provides practical resource information to help secure and navigate benefits and entitlements

Organized to help our clients with anticipated and known challenges within the cancer experience

Provides entrée to addressing needs that affect the quality of life for the patient and family

Is a first step to helping the client give voice to their experiences which may be difficult to express

Illustrates what may still be possible for the patient to control within their cancer experience