As we glance again upon this previous 12 months at Most cancersCare, we’re heartened to acknowledge the methods during which we had been capable of present assist and hope to anybody affected by most cancers. Annually, 180,000 folks attain out to Most cancersCare for emotional assist, monetary help and trusted academic assets. In 2016, we launched a searchable, on-line database of most cancers assets, partnered with the New York Authorized Help Group (NYLAG) to supply weekly onsite authorized clinics for folks with most cancers, and printed our landmark Affected person Entry and Engagement Report.
In fact, a lot of what makes us pleased with our group lies inside the exchanges between social employees and purchasers, the bonds shaped between members of our assist teams and the phrases of thanks we obtain from those that really feel they’ve been helped. Under, seven Most cancersCare social employees mirror on their 2016 highlights:
Andrew Chesler, LMSW“On December 15, Most cancersCare purchasers gathered at our nationwide headquarters in New York Metropolis for a enjoyable, interactive improv workshop. Improv is a comedic artwork kind and empowering train that helps folks develop the power to remain within the second and deal with the optimistic. Our improv workshop was led by a veteran improviser and most cancers survivor, and featured improv video games and workouts that introduced folks with most cancers and caregivers collectively to snort, bond, and discover commonality.”
—Andrew Chesler, LMSW, Oncology Social Employee
“In 2016, I used to be requested to turn into the Director of Consumer Advocacy, a brand new position created to convey the affected person/caregiver voice to the rising dialogue on affected person entry and engagement in serving to to ascertain finest practices in most cancers care. As a two-time most cancers survivor I’m honored and excited to convey our purchasers’ voices to the nationwide dialogue on the right way to tackle the wants of individuals whose lives have been ceaselessly altered by most cancers. In that course of I even have the chance to share the illustrious 72 12 months historical past of Most cancersCare and our mission which has by no means wavered: to supply assist and hope to anybody affected by most cancers.”
—Richard Dickens, LCSW-R, Director of Consumer Advocacy
“One very particular spotlight of 2016: Most cancersAutomobilee was acknowledged by the Worldwide Affiliation for Social Work with Teams for our assist group applications. The IASWG introduced Most cancersCare with an award at their annual symposium in June, such a beautiful acknowledgment of our mission and the significant methods we join sufferers and their family members with group and assist.”
—Caroline Edlund, LCSW-R, On-line Help Group Program Director
Caroline Edlund, LCSW-R“For a few years, Most cancersCare employees has held a particular Remembrance assembly at our New York workplace . This 12 months, we had been happy to open the occasion to purchasers dealing with the lack of a beloved one. We referred to as this occasion ‘Bear in mind and Renew.” Visitors got here from throughout the New York Metropolis tri-state space to attach with others,share their tales and supply phrases of encouragement and assist. Essentially the most highly effective moments of the night got here when visitors had been invited to say a couple of phrases about their beloved one, every inserting a single rose right into a vase upon conclusion of their remarks. By the shut of the night, the empty vase had been remodeled into a stupendous bouquet of roses, symbolizing how our visitors got here collectively to kind a group of hope and therapeutic.”
—Liz Ezra, LCSW, OSW-C, Pancreatic Most cancers Program Coordinator
“An thrilling spotlight within the youngsters’s program this 12 months was the launching of a new again to high school program. By means of this program, 70 youngsters and youths affected by most cancers acquired a brand new backpack crammed with faculty provides. A most significant second throughout the launch of this program was listening to from a younger mom about how excited her son, who has been recognized with most cancers, was to have acquired his faculty provide package deal. In her phrases, ‘he was so completely satisfied to point out his new bag that he added his gold ribbon to the Most cancersCare pin and mentioned he’ll hold it on his bag ceaselessly. You’ve taken a giant burden off my shoulders.’”
—Ahuva Morris, LMSW, Kids’s Program Coordinator
Kathy Nugent, LCSW“The spotlight of my 12 months, as it’s has been for the previous eight years, is my involvement with the Therapeutic Hearts Household Bereavement Camp. Having the chance to spend a therapeutic weekend with such great households who’ve skilled a dying to most cancers could be very particular for me. It’s heartwarming to see the faces of the youngsters bonding and making mates with different younger youngsters who actually perceive what every goes via. The camp helps to bolster my love of working with our households to supply assist and hope, and energizes me to proceed my work all year long.”
—Kathy Nugent, LCSW, Director of Regional Applications
“I’m proud that my program was capable of service 250 girls for wigs and prosthesis. 150 wigs and 100 prostheses. Seeing their smiles once they depart makes my day!”
—Essie Roman, LMSW, Ladies’s Clinic Program Coordinator