Information Worth Repeating

A couple of weeks ago a co-worker shared this article, based on research published by the American Cancer Society's professional journal, Cancer (find the more techincal report here). While the entire MSNBC article is valuable reading and affirms why we do what we do in Northwest Arkansas, the final paragraph was what really made us pump our fists in the air and do a touchdown dance. It says:
"The new study suggests that far more than the uninsured are struggling with medical bills. Those with insurance may still have trouble paying for co-pays, deductibles and care not covered by their plan, experts said."

We have been saying this for years!!! 

In fact, it's one of the reasons that we exist at all. It became clear to Hope Cancer Resources' founders that all the medical personnel and cutting-edge oncology treatments  in the world doesn't do any good if a patient can't afford to get to their appointments or pay for the treatments they need to fight and recover from the disease. Too often, people will choose to do the practical and affordable thing, even if it means not fighting their cancer.

One way we are fighting this trend in Northwest Arkansas is by providing free colon, prostate and skin cancer screenings every year and offering our Save-A-Life program for those who need expensive diagnostic or preventative procedures done but can't afford them. For example, even with a doctor's recommendation, most private-pay insurance companies will not cover a colonoscopy for a person under the age of 50. With the number of people dying from colon cancer each year topping 56,000, we are doing what we can to make sure people who need some testing don't put it off because of their financial situations.

Another service offered by Hope Cancer Resources is our Prescription Assistance Program. Even with private medical insurance, some medications routinely prescribed to fight cancer can require a co-pay of $600 - $1,000 a month. For a 30-day supply. We have heard too many stories of patients who have discontinued their use of certain drugs because they think the cost is too much... they can't afford to pay their electric bill and pay for their meds. Or they are working fewer hours because of their treatments, and they need to use that money to buy groceries to feed their families. These are decisions no one should have to make. Cancer is an equal-opportunity disease, striking people of every color and gender and socio-economic level. Recovery from cancer should also be equal-opportunity, and we're working hard to make that happen in Northwest Arkansas.

This knowledge has been bubbling around in the medical community for years, but is very exciting to see research studies confirming what we've experienced firsthand. It's not just those who are uninsured or on federal or state support who are having a hard time making ends meet and receiving the treatments they need to fight cancer - it might be your neighbor, or your child's teacher, or your co-worker. It could be you.

If you'd like to join us in our efforts to give cancer patients in NWA the chance at recovery they deserve, please visit our website and look into our volunteer efforts or donate. We can't do it without you.