Our "Who Helps You Learn Well" Contest Winners

Advocacy Group Winners

Patient Resource Cancer Guide has acknowledged those advocacy groups whose dedication and compassion has helped cancer patients to Learn Well. We've asked our readers, and the visitors to our Web site to enter the name of the person or group who has inspired them to Learn Well and empowered them to get there. It’s our way of recognizing their invaluable contribution to cancer patients and their families. Each month we choose a winner from each category and send them a thank you gift for their dedication and support.

December 2011 Y-ME Breast Cancer Organization Beginning with a conversation at a kitchen table between two breast cancer survivors in 1978, Y-ME Breast Cancer Organization has grown to become a national organization that is committed to providing support and information to all those who are impacted by breast cancer. Y-ME’s core program is its Y-ME Hotline, which is staffed 24/7, year round, by breast cancer survivors who are trained and certified peer counselors. The hotline is in English and Spanish – with availability of more than 150 languages.

November 2011 Extra Mile Program – McLaren Cancer Institute The Extra Mile Program provides basic necessities for patients in need at McLaren Cancer Institute in Flint, Michigan – including nutritional supplements, gas and grocery cards, bus ride passes and prescription co-pays. Founded in 2009, Jean Battles, LMSW, ACSW, Radiation Oncology Social Worker, facilitates the program. The entire Radiation Oncology staff participates in raising funds through bake sales, donations, making and selling holiday gift baskets and home décor items. A local motorcycle club also hosts an annual fundraiser for the program.

October 2011 Breast Cancer Bridge Program at South Jersey Healthcare The Breast Cancer Bridge Program at South Jersey Healthcare in Elmer, New Jersey provides personalized support, education and complementary therapies for women facing breast cancer. The award-winning program was created in 2000 by cancer survivor and program coordinator, Doris Moore, RN. It also pairs women who are in the midst of their cancer journey – those with abnormal mammograms, newly diagnosed breast cancer, in active treatment and survivors – with nurses who serve as health care advocates.

September 2011 Hampshire County Relay for Life The Hampshire County Relay for Life of West Virginia is one of hundreds of American Cancer Society Relay organizations whose purpose is to raise funds to help find a cure for cancer and honor those who have been diagnosed with the disease. The dedicated Hampshire County group also provides educational cancer information and hosts survivor receptions. The group's efforts culminate in a 24-hour relay walk and this year, the Hampshire County Relay reached their fund raising goal of more than $97,000.

August 2011 The West Island Cancer Wellness Centre The West Island Cancer Wellness Centre (WICWC) is located in Quebec, Canada. Since 2009, this unique center has provided wellness resources that support and augment traditional medical services for more than 3,000 cancer patients, their families and friends. WICWC's psychosocial care and programs address the mind, body and spirit-from the moment of diagnosis. Participants have access to staff oncology nurse for information, support groups, exercise classes, nutrional advice, massage therapy and much more.

July 2011 Ephrata Community Hospital Breast Cancer Support Group The Ephrata Community Hospital Breast Cancer Support Group meets once a month under the leadership of Sue Auxier, RN, BSN. This support group has helped so many women that it is one of the first contact numbers given to newly diagnosed patients. Located in Ephrata, Pennsylvania (45 miles east of Harrisburg), current patients, breast cancer survivors and supporters are all welcome. Participants are continually encouraged by the on-going support and education offered by the group.

June 2011 LUNGevity Foundation The LUNGevity Foundation is committed to funding promising research for early detection and treatment of lung cancer, and providing a community for those impacted by the deadliest cancer killer. In 2002, LUNGevity created its Lung Cancer Support Community (LCSC), which is now the largest online lung cancer support network. It provides online community interaction, lung cancer information, advocacy opportunities and 24-hour telephone support. Membership is free and LCSC draws praise for its support of patients, family members and caregivers alike.

May 2011 Vital Options International & Selma Schimmel Vital Options International was launched 1983 when Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Selma Schimmel, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Selma initially targeted this not-for-profit cancer communications, support and advocacy organization for young adults with cancer. Vital Options later expanded to people of all ages and in 2000 became international with the mission of facilitating a global cancer dialogue. Since 1996 it has hosted The Group Room – the first cancer talk radio show of its kind.

April 2011 Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas (BCRC) The vision of the Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas (BCRC) is that no woman goes through breast cancer alone. This non-profit, grassroots organization was founded in 1995 by seven women who met during chemotherapy and together created BCRC to offer women and families the support they had needed. Their Certified Patient Navigators, including Marjorie Gallece, consult with women (for free) after diagnosis to educate and guide them through the wide variety of support and treatment options.

March 2011 Cancer WellFit™ The Sports Club of Greenville, South Carolina offers The Cancer WellFit™ fitness program free of charge for cancer survivors. In this 10-week, small group program, class trainers assist participants to build muscle strength, increase endurance, improve functional ability and help reduce the severity of therapy side effects. Merry Johnson heads up this beneficial program and participants not only appreciate the many physical benefits, but note that their self-esteem grows through their participation as well.

February 2011 Oklahoma Project Woman Oklahoma Project Woman began in 1998 to help low-income or uninsured women with breast by offering health information, no cost mammography, diagnostic procedures and surgical services. Since the beginning of the program, it has provided breast health care for more than 17,000 uninsured Oklahomans, 360 of whom were diagnosed with breast cancer. The organization is privately funded and survivors have noted that caring volunteers even made homemade pillows for them for their recovery from surgery.

January 2011 Beyond Boobs Inc. Beyond Boobs supports young women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer before reaching menopause and has a vision of breast health with a focus on health and wellness. Formed by two survivors who found a lack of resources devoted to young women, the organization addresses the serious issue of cancer in a light-hearted manner. The dual mission of this group is to save lives through education and to support and encourage young women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

December 2010 ACS Relay for Life - Mt. Clemens & Claudia Makowski The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in local communities a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people take turns walking or running around a track or path. At Mt. Clemens, Michigan, survivor Claudia Makowski has led the way volunteering for their relay team and assisting newly diagnosed patients.

November 2010 Wellspring Resource Center A service of Winchester Medical Center in Winchester, Virginia, the Wellspring Center provides supportive services and programs to meet the needs of the “whole” person surviving cancer and other chronic diseases. Opened in 2006, the center has a full-service hair salon including wig fitting, massage therapy, prosthesis fittings assistance and a small gift shop. Each month they offer activities such as support groups and educational classes to help patients and caregivers live with all types of cancer.

October 2010 Hospitality Homes This unique hospital housing option in Boston helps families who are dealing with cancer – regardless of diagnosis, age or place of treatment. Through the host housing program, cancer (and other serious medical) patients and their families, receive free housing from families in the area. They also provide support, understanding and the chance to leave the clinical atmosphere of a hospital. Since 1983, more than 158,000 guest nights have been provided.

September 2010 Research Advocacy Network The Research Advocacy Network (RAN) is a non-profit organization that brings together all participants in the medical research process to improve patient care. RAN focuses on education, support and connecting patient advocates with researchers. It sponsors programs to match trained volunteers with opportunities in the research community, and also equips advocates to understand research studies in order to communicate with patients and researchers.

August 2010 Sisters Network Inc. Sisters Network Inc. (SNI) is the leading national voice for African American breast cancer survivorship in the U. S., promoting breast health through nationally recognized outreach. The purpose is to save lives by empowering women through education, advocacy, increasing the number of women obtaining mammograms and clinical trial recruitment. SNI has over 3000 members, 40 affiliated chapters and impacts approximately 2 million individuals each year.

July 2010 Prostrate Conditions Education Council PCEC provides patients (in Denver) with a large number of resources, organizes the largest national free screening for men’s health and is well respected throughout the Denver community. PCEC is one of the nation’s leading sources for prostate health information. It is committed to raising awareness and education through early detection, promoting available treatment options and by helping to conduct nationwide screenings. Since its founding in 1989, PCEC has screened nearly 5 million men in the U.S.

June 2010 Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group Man to Man is a program sponsored by the American Cancer Society to help men obtain information and support through community-based education, particularly with support groups. This local group is sponsored by Onslow Memorial Hospital, which serves Jacksonville, Onslow County and coastal North Carolina. Among other projects, the Man to Man prostate cancer support group gives lectures at any event that they are called on to help in throughout Jacksonville.

May 2010 ACS Cancer Survivor's Network – Colorectal The Cancer Survivors Network (CSN) – sponsored by the American Cancer Society ¬– brings survivors and caregivers together in a "virtual community" of mutual care and support. The online feature of this network helps patients connect to other survivors during times in which they are cut off from community and friends because of their illnesses. One of their colorectal cancer groups has a wonderful sense of humor and refers to themselves as the “semicolons.”