More Than a Mission Statement

When we created our mission statement back in 2009 we thought we covered the bases pretty well. But a mission statement is really just "the big picture" of the organization it represents. For those individuals fortunate enough to have never watched a loved one endure a battle with cancer, or gone through one themselves, it's hard to imagine exactly what "cancer support" can entail.

Our social workers work with patients to determine their immediate needs, as well as needs that may arise in the future as they are going through treatment. Since we meet with patients on their very first visit to the oncology clinic, it's common to hear "I'm fine, I won't be needing any help." But we still share our services and programs... just in case. And many times, we hear from them later when the reality sets in. Cancer treatment is extremely difficult - physically and emotionally. On both fronts, we meet patients' needs.

Here's a list of the opportunities for giving support that we encounter every day with the patients and families we serve:

Financial Assistance

Prescription Assistance: Hope Cancer Resources assists with the purchase of cancer-related prescriptions and will help find long-term drug assistance whenever possible. The medications used to treat cancer are not like those used to treat a case of strep-throat or a stomach bug. And you don't have to be uninsured to find yourself facing a financial struggle when diagnosed with cancer. When medical insurance covers a percentage of your prescription medications and your chemotherapy drug is $2000 for a 30-day supply, you could end up writing a check for $500. And that's just for one medication. In 2011, we purchased 981 individual prescriptions for patients at a total value of $45,035. In addition, we assisted in matching patients with pharmaceutical company programs that provided $173,414 in prescriptions to patients in Northwest Arkansas.

Emergency Financial Assistance: We provide direct, temporary assistance to cancer patients who are struggling financially due to their treatment, including payments for housing and/or transportation needs as well as dental needs associated with their cancer diagnosis. Just as with prescription medication costs, a cancer-related financial crisis can be completely unexpected. A patient undergoing cancer treatment may be forced to take time off work or incur travel expenses, or just have more medical bills than usual. We help alleviate the stress associated with making sure that bills are paid while medical necessities are provided. Last year, we provided $188,380 in emergency financial assistance and $56,175 in gasoline cards to help patients get through their treatment.

Emotional Assistance

Our services compliment each other in every way. Every time we interact with a cancer patient or their family members there is an opportunity to provide emotional support. Even the smallest thing - like providing a brochure - can reduce a patient's stress level. Licensed social workers help patients and caregivers cope with emotional distress through counseling, education and information on support groups offered in our community, including those facilitated by our staff. In 2011, we served 2,337 patients with 9,348 hours of emotional support through support groups, counseling, and intensive emotional support.

Spanish Interpretation

Imagine being faced with a diagnosis of cancer and not being able to speak the same language as the medical staff providing your treatment. Our Spanish interpreter is available to assist patients during appointments as requested by patients and their caregivers. Last year, our interpreter provided 599 hours of assistance to patients in need.

Tobacco Cessation
Every list ever published telling us how to be healthier and reduce our risk of cancer puts stopping smoking at the top. We all know it's a deadly habit, but it's a terrible one to try to quit on your own. Our Certified Health Education Specialists will meet one-on-one with patients to talk about strategies and resources to help you quit using tobacco products. In 2011, we provided smoking cessation counseling to 94 individuals who made the decision to quit.

Transportation
Sometimes a patient's biggest obstacle when trying to survive a cancer diagnosis is just getting to treatment. Some types of cancer or medications cause patients to be unable to drive for their own safety. Some patients simply don't have adequate transportation or anyone who can get them to and from their appointments. We provide rides to and from treatment and other cancer-related medical appointments when a patient has no other options available to them. Last year, our drivers made 2,299 trips totaling 129,043 miles to guarantee every patient had an equal shot at recovery.

Please visit the Hope Cancer Resources website for more on our services and contact information.