Support for the Journey...

THE MATTER 

OF A GAS CARD

Lisa Manzini-Pace, LCSW

   Hope Cancer Resources    

The patient was tall and solid with a weathered and wise face.  He asked for the Social Worker after finishing his chemo treatment at the oncology clinic.  He drove to his daily treatments  from somewhere well into Oklahoma.  The previous week he had called in advance and a gas card had been left at the reception desk.  This no nonsense man had anticipated the same thing this week.

The social worker invited him to her small office in the clinic and explained that a gas card could be given to him in person as well.  The patient indicated that time was an important factor and asked again about how to arrange for it in advance.   He sat for a while after having been issued the gas card.  The social worker asked him a little about himself.  He wasn’t a big talker but indicated that his wife had severe medical issues and would soon require surgery in Fayetteville.  They commiserated on the complexities of health and medical care.  The man had a pleasant sense of humor and they laughed a little.

Each week on the same day he would ask to see the social worker for his gas card.  She learned where he was from originally, the work he had done, about his family and more.  He was not a natural talker but seemed to enjoy the little chats.  The social worker found them pleasant as well.  He liked to laugh despite the hardships of his situation.

In later visits the patient confided that his wife wasn’t doing well.  He, however, appeared to bear up quite well despite his treatments.  They talked about the news.  It had been a turbulent couple of weeks in the nation and the world.

                

Last week the patient asked the social worker if something was wrong.  This surprised her because there had been a serious occurrence but she felt she had concealed her sadness.  She explained about the death of a young man, a senseless and tragic event.  The patient nodded with understanding.   He knew about loss.  He had been in Vietnam.  His kindness was apparent.  He later confided that his wife’s situation was even more complicated.  The social worker offered reassurance and walked him out.  As he was leaving, the man turned back with a sad smile and said, “See you next week.”

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.