In case you have been identified with most cancers, are a caregiver or have misplaced a liked one, you might have probably confronted distinctive challenges alongside the way in which. In our eightieth anniversary yr, we had been proud to satisfy the wants of anybody affected by most cancers by way of our emotional, sensible and monetary help applications and affected person advocacy efforts.
In 2024, we supplied over 90,000 hours of direct assist, answered over 45,000 calls on our helplines and distributed monetary and co-pay help to over 25,000 individuals to assist ease their monetary burdens.
In June, households who misplaced a liked one to most cancers gathered for our fifteenth Annual Therapeutic Hearts Household Bereavement Camp in Mount Pocono, PA. Whereas collaborating in enjoyable and therapeutic actions, together with crafts, horseback driving, fishing and assist teams, adults and youngsters linked with others who had related experiences.
Our in-person neighborhood applications in New York and New Jersey gave individuals with most cancers and caregivers the chance to make like-minded connections. A number of highlights had been Girls Empowerment Day and a brand new sequence of skincare workshops hosted with Christine Valmy and potluck picnic and pumpkin carving occasions hosted with Silly Most cancers.
Our digital applications, which included two dozen Coping Circle Workshops on subjects akin to wellness and diet, continued to supply accessible emotional and academic assist.
This yr, Most cancersCare’s Pet Help and Wellness (PAW) Program launched new sources, together with Serving to Paws, a searchable on-line database connecting pet homeowners affected by most cancers to pet care companies and a brand new information and movies on caring for a pet.
In October, we celebrated one yr since launching myTRIAList, a free useful resource that helps to make medical trials extra accessible. Our Chief Government Officer, Christine Verini, was additionally named in Most cancers Well being’s listing of Individuals Who Energy Scientific Trials for her work spearheading this useful resource.
2024 was one other profitable yr for Most cancersCare’s seasonal applications providing assist to individuals dwelling in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. This fall, our Again-to-College Program supplied age-appropriate faculty provides to 187 college students affected by most cancers in pre-Okay by way of highschool. To mark the start of winter, our Winter Heat and Vacation Reward Card Packages supplied kids and youths affected by most cancers with packages of winter equipment and vacation reward playing cards. Moreover, people aged 50+ in energetic therapy for most cancers obtained new coats by way of our Coats for Consolation Program.
In fundraising information, Most cancersCare’s Nationwide Gala commemorated our eightieth anniversary and paid tribute to our oncology social staff. This occasion raised over $1,000,000 for our free assist companies. Our Competition of Hope Gala in New Jersey additionally raised over $150,000 to fund our free applications.
In November, over 200 individuals participated in our annual Stroll for Hope, a family-friendly 5K stroll in Woodbury, NY. Beforehand the Lung Most cancers Stroll for Hope, our annual stroll now contains individuals affected by any most cancers analysis. Over $100,000 was raised at this occasion to assist Most cancersCare’s free emotional, sensible and monetary companies.
The dimensions and scope of our 80-year-old group have grown tremendously since 1944, however we’ve by no means wavered from our mission. We’re humbled by each consumer who has ever turned to Most cancersCare and are grateful to our oncology social staff and useful resource navigators for his or her assist. We all know too properly how overwhelming and tough most cancers may be. So, simply as we’ve for the final 80 years, we look ahead to offering assist and hope to those that want it within the years to return.