2011 High Plains Programs and Services
American Cancer Society National Cancer Information Center (1-800-227-2345)
Trained cancer information specialists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to offer the comfort of live support, answer questions about cancer, link callers with local resources, assist with health insurance questions, and provide information on local events. Spanish-speaking information specialists are available. Interpretation services in other languages are available by appointment.
American Cancer Society Web site (cancer.org)
This user-friendly Web site includes an interactive cancer resource center containing in-depth information on every major cancer type. The site answers questions about cancer, risk factors, strategies for early detection and prevention, new diagnostic techniques, and the latest treatment options. In addition, select content is available in Spanish (cancer.org/español) and in Asian languages (cancer.org/AsianLanguageMaterials).
Cancer Survivors NetworkSM (csn.cancer.org)
This virtual community provides connectivity, anonymity, and accessibility for survivors and their caregivers. This online service from the American Cancer Society contains survivor and caregiver content, personal stories, personal Web pages, discussion forums, an expressions gallery and survivor recommended resources.
Transportation and lodging
Some patients must travel long distances to their cancer treatments. Assistance with transportation and lodging during treatment are two of the most frequent requests that the American Cancer Society receives from patients and their caregivers. Depending on your location and your situation, you may be eligible for rides to treatment, gasoline assistance, discounted hotel rooms or a stay at one of our Hope Lodge facilities. The High Plains Division currently has three Hope Lodge locations: Kansas City, St. Louis and Lubbock. To learn more about Hope Lodge visit cancer.org/hopelodge, to learn about other services available where you live, call 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org/inyourarea.
I Can Cope®
This series of educational classes is for people with cancer and their families and friends. Doctors, nurses, social workers, and other health care professionals provide information about cancer, encouragement, and practical hints through presentations and class discussions. To learn more, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org/icancope.
Look Good…Feel Better®
Look Good…Feel Better® is a free program that helps women deal with the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment. Programs are facilitated by certified cosmetologists who help women deal with the changes in their physical appearance caused during radiation and chemotherapy. Look Good…Feel Better® is a joint, cooperative program among three collaborators: The American Cancer Society, Personal Care Products Council Foundation and the Professional Beauty Association/National Cosmetology Association. To learn more, call 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.
“tlc” TM
A “magalog” (magazine and catalogue in one) that provides medical information and special products for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer, breast cancer survivors, and any woman experiencing treatment-related hair loss. This convenient, nationwide catalog is sent directly to homes upon request. Products in “tlc” include a variety of hats, turbans, kerchiefs, hairpieces, mastectomy bras, and breast forms. Silicone prostheses are also offered. To learn more, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or visit tlcdirect.org.
Reach to Recovery®
Reach to Recovery volunteers are breast cancer survivors who are trained to help breast cancer patients and their families. Volunteers meet with patients face-to-face or over the phone to provide support. Patients may request a visit at any point in the breast cancer experience, or a physician may recommend the visit. To learn more, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.
Personal Health Manager
When you’ve received a cancer diagnosis, finding the information you need to make good decisions about your treatment can be difficult. Keeping insurance forms, educational materials, test results, prescriptions, care instructions, and appointments organized can be overwhelming. The American Cancer Society’s Personal Health Manager is a convenient organizer with high quality, reliable cancer information included to help patients and their caregivers manage their cancer journey. If you would like to receive one at no cost to you, call 1-800-227-2345.
Quitting Smoking – Great American Smokeout®
Smoking is associated with increased risk of at least 15 types of cancer. Half of all those who continue to smoke will die from smoking related diseases. In addition, an estimated 8.6 million people suffer from chronic conditions related to smoking, such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and cardiovascular diseases. Lower your risk and stay well by quitting smoking. The American Cancer Society can help with counseling and tips on how to quit. Call 1-800-227-2345 or visit greatamericansmokeout.org to learn more.
Choose You TM
The American Cancer Society has launched a new nationwide movement to shine the spotlight on a sobering statistic: one in three women will get cancer in her lifetime. Choose You is designed to inspire women to put their health first in order to stay well and help prevent cancer. At ChooseYou.com, women can choose from five different health categories: Eat Right; Get Active; Get Recommended Health Screenings; Protect Your Skin; and Quit Smoking. The site includes online tools such as a calorie calculator, virtual dietitian, nutrition and activity quiz, smoking cost calculator, prevention and early detection videos, and a desktop helper with daily health tips. To learn more, visit chooseyou.com.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer®
The American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer gives everyone the power to fight back against this disease, honor breast cancer survivors, remember people we have lost, and raise funds and awareness to help end this disease. Each step we take is personal and each donation helps save lives. When our feet hit the pavement, we are making strides towards a world with more birthdays – a world where breast cancer never steals another year of anyone’s life. To start a team, join a team or sign up to walk as an individual, visit cancer.org/stridesonline.
Relay For Life®
The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. Community-based Relay For Life events raise much-needed funds and awareness to support the American Cancer Society’s mission to save lives by helping people stay well, helping people get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back. We aren’t just fighting one type of cancer – we’re fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. To learn more and get involved, visit RelayForLife.org.
DetermiNation®
Do the unthinkable. Achieve what seems impossible. And change the course of cancer forever. Finishing a race can be a life-changing experience. Join the American Cancer Society DetermiNation team and become a part of a remarkable community of ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things by dedicating your personal race journey to saving lives from cancer. With professional training, the ultimate community of support, and inspiration every step of the way, we’ll help you finish a half-marathon, marathon, triathlon or other endurance event- for your first time or your best time. To learn more visit acsdetermination.org.
Research
The American Cancer Society continues to be the largest source of private, nonprofit cancer research funds in the United States. Since 1946, the Society has invested more than $3.5 billion in research to help understand cancer’s causes, determine how best to prevent it, and discover new ways to cure it. In 2010, the American Cancer Society awarded 276 research grants, amounting to nearly $107 million to help find cures for cancer. In the High Plains Division, there are currently 85 multi-year grants totaling more than $46 million. Two additional Society-funded scientists were named Nobel Laureates in 2009, bringing the organization’s total record to 44 winners of science’s top honor. For more information on research, visit cancer.org/research.
Advocacy
Conquering cancer is as much a matter of public policy as scientific discovery. Whether it’s increasing funding for cancer research and programs, enacting smoke-free laws and raising tobacco taxes, or paving the way for more people to access quality, affordable health care—government action is constantly required. That’s why the American Cancer Society and its nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), work in concert to ensure that elected officials across the country make cancer a top national priority. To learn more, visit acscan.org.
Children’s Camps
The Society sponsors camps for children who have, or have had, cancer. These camps, staffed by pediatric oncologists and nurses, are also equipped to handle the special needs of children currently undergoing treatment. This summer camp experience provides a place for these young patients to become kids again. For more information please visit cancer.org/highplainssummercamps
Student Scholarships
Available to childhood cancer survivors ages 25 and under; must be pursuing a college or technical school degree. For more information please visit cancer.org/highplainsscholarships.
Call 1-800-227-2345, or contact your local office to find out how we can help you.
