Quarterly Update

How does an organization in the business of helping people with a scary, sometimes fatal disease report a "great first quarter" without sounding morbid or insensitive? It is, admittedly, a unique position to be in.

On one hand, the fact that more people are being served by our programs means that more people are being diagnosed with cancer in our community. On the other hand, those same people - if our programs were not available - would still be on the frightening and often confusing journey that is cancer treatment and recovery. The difference is that without our services, many of them would be required to choose between paying their mortgage and buying their monthly prescriptions, or be unable to get to their treatments because their cancer made them unable to drive.

We can report that we have had a great first quarter because we have been fortunate enough to serve 462 new patients being seen in local oncology clinics with the compassionate, professional cancer support and education that we are bound by our mission statement to provide.

Our patient assistance staff are the first in line to help when a patient requests an application for services. Our licensed social workers begin providing emotional support the moment they greet a new patient. From there, we are available as much or as little as needed. Since January 1st of this year, we have provided the following to cancer patients and their families in Northwest Arkansas:

$18,328.00 in direct prescription assistance;

Assistance through drug company assistance programs valued at $52,398.00;

$55,365.00 in direct emergency financial assistance;

$16,500.00 in gasoline cards;

3708 hours of emotional support services to 927 patients;

193 hours of Spanish interpretation;

668 van trips to and from appointments for a total of 39,743 miles.

Our health educators are out in the community every week sharing information on prevention, risks, awareness and our services to civic groups, schools, health fairs and local companies. Their services are vital to the health and well-being of our community... in fact, the screenings that they help secure for patients in need or provide at our annual screenings in our office can save lives. All of our educational services - as with all of our assistance and support - are provided at no cost to the patient. Since January, our health educators have provided: 

Education and prevention information to 128 individuals;

Smoking cessation counseling valued at $4,247.00 to 60 individuals; 

188 cancer screenings valued at $122,813.00.

Also in the first quarter of 2012, we held several small fundraising events in the community. You may have seen us on Facebook and Twitter talking about our events at Fish City Grill in Rogers, Ozark Natural Foods in Fayetteville and Ruby Tuesday in Fayetteville and Bentonville. They all hosted us for some great friend-making and awareness-building opportunities. Thank you to everyone who came out to see us or supported us silently at those events!

Finally, as a not-for-profit organization, the support we receive from local businesses and individuals is vital. We are grateful for the following grants that affirm that our work is vital and valued in our community.

Arkansas Blue and You Foundation

Carroll County Community Foundation

Komen for the Cure - Ozark Affiliate

Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation

Winthrop Rockefeller Cancer Institute Auxiliary

See, it HAS been a great first quarter! Thank you for your support that allows us to do what we do in Northwest Arkansas. We are humbled every day by comments and notes such as this one:  

"The cookbook arrived today - I'll enjoy looking through it! Hope Cancer Resources helped two of my brothers as they battled cancer, and it is nice to have a remembrance of your organization. It was a great encouragement to my brothers to receive financial help... Thank you for all you do!"

What is SPOHNC?

Support for People with Oral, Head and Neck Cancers isn't the easiest support group name to remember, but if you spoke to the people who have been helped through the monthly meetings of this group, led locally by Jack & Temple Igleburger, you'd know that the value of the support provided by group is worth the trouble.

Jack is himself a survivor of oral cancer and started the local chapter of the organization in 1991 Here is some information taken from the organization's newsletter:

"[SPOHNC] is a non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the emotional, physical and humanistic needs of oral and head and neck patients and their caregivers. The group is patient-directed, offering peer advice and encouraging self-help for patients in need. SPOHNC chapters hold monthly meetings offering information, support and encouragement to newly diagnosed patients, survivors, family members and friends in a friendly, non-threatening forum. Survivors discuss situations, experiences, coping strategies and hopes. Educational programs are also presented as part of the group program."

The local SPOHNC support group meets every third Saturday of the month at 10:00 a.m. at the Cancer Support Home in Fayetteville. Attendees share successes and concerns, ask questions and get advice from others who have dealt with challenges similar to their own. Current news about cancer is also shared, and issues such as prescription medicine expiration and new studies in oral, head and neck cancer treatment are popular topics of discussion. It's an extremely supportive group, and the fact that it's still going after 21 years speaks to the dedication of Jack and Temple to their mission of helping others who are going through what they did. For more information, contact Jack or Temple at 479-876-1051 or 586-4807 or tmplnjak@cox.net.

April is National Oral, Head and Neck Cancer month, and this week - April 22-28 - is dedicated to sharing information about the multiple types of cancer that the month encompasses. To that end, we'll do our part and provide some information here:

Tobacco (including smokeless tobacco, sometimes called “chewing tobacco” or “snuff”) and alcohol use are the most important risk factors for head and neck cancers, particularly those of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx. Eighty-five percent of head and neck cancers are linked to tobacco use. People who use both tobacco and alcohol are at greater risk for developing these cancers than people who use either tobacco or alcohol alone.

Head and neck cancers account for approximately 3 to 5 percent of all cancers in the United States. These cancers are more common in men and in people over age 50. It is estimated that about 12,000 men and 9,000 women will develop these cancers each year. If you are a smoker, or know someone who is, it's important that you are aware of the following symptoms and visit your physician as soon as you see any of them develop.

Symptoms of several head and neck cancer sites include a lump or sore that does not heal, a sore throat that does not go away, difficulty swallowing, and a change or hoarseness in the voice. Other symptoms may include the following:

• Oral cavity. A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, or lining of the mouth; a swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable; and unusual bleeding or pain in the mouth.
• Nasal cavity and sinuses. Sinuses that are blocked and do not clear, chronic sinus infections that do not respond to treatment with antibiotics, bleeding through the nose, frequent headaches, swelling or other trouble with the eyes, pain in the upper teeth, or problems with dentures.
• Salivary glands. Swelling under the chin or around the jawbone; numbness or paralysis of the muscles in the face; or pain that does not go away in the face, chin, or neck.
• Oropharynx and hypopharynx. Ear pain.
• Nasopharynx. Trouble breathing or speaking, frequent headaches, pain or ringing in the ears, or trouble hearing.
• Larynx. Pain when swallowing, or ear pain.
• Metastatic squamous neck cancer. Pain in the neck or throat that does not go away.

It's Volunteer Appreciation Week!

This week is National Volunteer Appreciation Week, and Hope Cancer Resources is joining dozens of other nonprofit organizations in our area who are thanking their volunteers for their service. We are fortunate to have dedicated volunteers working in our office, at our events, and with patients at Highlands Oncology Group clinics. We regularly receive thanks from patients and families to pass along to our volunteers. With a caring gesture or kind word, they make a vital difference in the lives of people going through one of the most stressful and frightening times of their lives. 

Our volunteers go through a training process that includes introduction to the Strengths Perspectives method of communicating in an emotional support setting. Strengths Based practice uses peoples' personal strengths to aid in recovery and empowerment. It's about reframing personal perception to find good even in the worst situation. The volunteers are also trained in "active listening", positive interactions and how to be supportive and encouraging in their contact with patients. Our volunteers act as an extension of our emotional support staff, and provide invaluable patient comfort to those undergoing cancer treatment in Northwest Arkansas.

But our volunteers are not only providing beneficial services to our patients, they are receiving benefits in return. In 2007 a publication called The Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review of Recent Research found a significant connection between volunteering and good health. The report shows that volunteers have greater longevity, higher functional ability, lower rates of depression and less incidence of heart disease.  The report is available online here. 

Here's a video featuring volunteers Conjie Williams and Art Thrun, and Lisa Russell, a nurse at Highlands Oncology Group, sharing why they volunteer and the impact of their work:

One of our volunteers shared a personal story with us recently. She has worked with us for several years helping coordinate one of our special events. At that event, we provide statistics on the services we provide, we have patients share their stories, and we honor an individual making a difference in Northwest Arkansas cancer care. This volunteer has heard this information every year, but it wasn't until she started volunteering in our office that the impact we have on individuals battling cancer in our community really hit home. Through her tears, she shared her "lightbulb moment" and how much she appreciates being able to help us fulfill our mission of providing

compassionate, professional cancer support and education in the Northwest Arkansas region today and tomorrow.

As you can tell, we are proud of our volunteer corps. And in case you're wondering - we always have room for more. Bring a friend and join us for the next volunteer orientation meeting scheduled for April 19th. Learn more about our volunteer opportunities and how you can make a difference in only a few hours a month. Contact Christy Scarrow, Coordinator of Volunteer Services, at 479-361-5847 for more information.

Join us for the Battle!!

We're taking it to the streets! Our annual Heather Ridley-Fleeman Battle for Hope fundraising event is May 5th - only a few weeks away - and we want you to join us!

The Heather Ridley-Fleeman Battle for Hope was created by the family and friends of a lovely young woman who fought a brave battle of her own. She was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in her 20s, and lost her fight at the age of 28. The importance of early detection, knowledge of risk factors, and understanding of symptoms is a major part of this event that raises money to support Hope Cancer Resources' Save-A-Life program. 

We shared some info recently on colorectal cancer, including the good news that colonoscopies are saving lives. The bad news is, not everyone is able to afford a colonoscopy. Some insurance plans will not cover the procedure in individuals under the age of 50 (when regular colonoscopies for people at average risk are recommended to begin). But even with insurance coverage, a co-pay can amount to several hundred dollars.

Our Save-A-Life program provides assistance for screening and diagnostic tests, including colonoscopies and other colorectal-associated procedures, for uninsured and under-insured individuals in Northwest Arkansas with a physician's referral. These tests provide access to early detection, which offers a better chance for a cure should cancer be diagnosed. Without our assistance, some patients would not be able to get the tests they need in a timely manner, putting them at risk for a late-stage diagnosis with a lower chance for successful treatment.

Registration for the Battle for Hope is available online through the website. You can register yourself, or sign up as a member of a team to run (10k or 5k) or walk (5k or 1 mile). But if none of those options are appealing (we know not everyone is eager to get up early on a Saturday morning) you can still help by purchasing raffle tickets or tribute signs. The signs will line the courses on race day in honor or in memory of loved ones who have fought or are fighting cancer. Raffle tickets will give you a chance to win some very nice prizes - including a watch from Blakeman's Fine Jewelers, tickets to a show at Walton Arts Center, and gift baskets from local businesses. Best of all, you don't have to be present to win! A list of all the businesses donating prizes and raffle items for the event is located on the race website here, and our awesome event sponsors are here.

The deadline for signing up your team or purchasing tribute signs is April 20th - so don't delay! The first 400 to register will also receive a goody bag containing some nice coupons and freebies - and while the race shirt is always free with registration, sizes are limited after the 20th.

We hope to see you on May 5th!

One for the Guys

It's not the most common form of cancer, nor is it the most deadly. In fact, it's pretty rare... but testicular cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in American men between the ages of 15 and 34. The good news is that it is highly treatable, even if it has spread beyond the testicles upon diagnosis.

In 2012, it is estimated that 8,590 men will be diagnosed, and 360 men will die from testicular cancer. In order to skew the odds in your favor, get familiar with these symptoms and learn how to spot reasons for concern:

• A lump or enlargement in either testicle
• A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
• A dull ache in the abdomen or groin
• A sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum
• Pain or discomfort in a testicle or the scrotum
• Enlargement or tenderness of the breasts

Testicular cancer usually affects only testicle. Be sure to see your doctor if you notice any unusual pain, swelling or lumps in your groin, especially these symptoms last longer than two weeks. The American Cancer Society provides some instruction on how to perform a self-check.

Risk factors include:

• An undescended testicle (cryptorchidism). The testes form in the abdominal area during fetal development and usually descend into the scrotum before birth. Men who have a testicle that never descended are at greater risk of testicular cancer in either testicle than are men whose testicles descended normally. The risk remains even if the testicle has been surgically relocated to the scrotum. Still, the majority of men who develop testicular cancer don't have a history of undescended testicles.
• Abnormal testicle development. Conditions that cause testicles to develop abnormally, such as Klinefelter's syndrome, may increase your risk of testicular cancer.
• Family history. If family members have had testicular cancer, you may have an increased risk.
• Age. Testicular cancer affects teens and younger men, particularly those between ages 15 and 34. However, it can occur at any age.
• Race. Testicular cancer is more common in white men than in black men.