Blog

Last weekend was a great weekend to be outside and enjoy autumn weather—especially in Lewiston, Maine, where the Cancer Support Community and three other nonprofits represented Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer initiative.

To raise vital funds for a local organization called the Patrick Dempsey Center for Hope and Healing (yes, we’re talking about McDreamy!) Amgen and Breakaway from Cancer sponsored the Dempsey Challenge, a weekend full of events for the whole family. On Saturday, there was a 5K and 10K run/walk, where local groups showed off their creative team t-shirts in support or in honor of their loved ones who have had cancer. The next day was a cycling race where riders challenged themselves with routes ranging from 10 to 100 miles.

Each year, 1 in 8 U.S. women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and about 1 in 1000 U.S. men are diagnosed. During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we want to ensure that everyone touched by cancer knows about all of the programs and services we offer, all free of charge. Additionally, in recognition of this awareness month, the Cancer Support Community is offering both new and ongoing programs and services for those affected specifically by breast cancer.

On Tuesday, October 1, the federal government began a partial shutdown after Congress became gridlocked over funding for the government and its activities for the new budget year (which started that day).

As we noted then, the shutdown does not affect Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security. These programs will continue during the shutdown. In addition, the state health insurance marketplaces/exchanges are open for business to help people enroll for health insurance, as required by the health care reform law.

However, in addition to the closure of all national parks, and halting of several important government functions including the seasonal flu program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to name just one, the shutdown does affect some key programs that are important to people with cancer. And that impact will increase if the shutdown continues.

I remember every little detail of that cool and crisp October morning—what I was eating, what I was wearing when my mom broke the news. She had gone in for a routine check-up and the doctor noticed something on her face. She had gone to a specialist a week after her doctor’s appointment without telling anyone—even my father—and my mom was told she had skin cancer.

What if you had the chance to get up close and personal with Broadway star Lindsay Mendez? On Monday, October 7^th, the singing sensation from Wicked will be performing a private concert in Philadelphia to benefit the Cancer Support Community, and we want to make sure that you have a ticket!

To get you even more excited for this fabulous event, we asked Lindsay a few questions about her story and her relationship with the Cancer Support Community.

As we have discussed, today is the day that the Health Insurance Marketplaces open so that consumers can compare plans and shop for affordable insurance coverage. The Marketplaces will make health insurance coverage available to the 48 million Americans who are currently uninsured.

As you have heard in the news, Congress is gridlocked over funding for the government and its activities for the new fiscal year (which also starts today). As a result, the federal government is partially shut down.

As implementation of the health reform law (the Affordable Care Act) continues, individuals that do not have insurance through an employer or government plan like Medicare or Medicaid will be required to purchase insurance on state-based Health Insurance Marketplaces, or Exchanges. Open enrollment begins October 1^st for coverage that will begin as early as January 1, 2014.

As we mentioned previously, Cancer Support Community has participated in a partnership of 19 cancer and advocacy organizations to develop the Cancer Insurance Checklist.

On September 10, 2013 the Cancer Support Community’s Cancer Policy Institute sent a letter of thanks and support to those Members of Congress who recently introduced legislation to protect the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) user fees from sequestration.

In 2012, Congress passed the FDA Safety and Innovation Act (FDASIA). As a result, new fees – paid by drug and device manufacturers – were instituted to provide the FDA with a much needed funding stream to provide for improvements to their drug and device review processes. This dedicated funding stream was designed to facilitate timely patient access to safe and effective new and generic medicines, medical devices and diagnostics.

Newly diagnosed and don’t know where to turn? Longtime survivor and looking for new resources? The toll-free Cancer Support Helpline (1-888-793-9355) is available to help you navigate your cancer journey. Professionals like Laura, one of our call center counselors, are equipped to help you find the support you need!

We asked Laura a few questions so that our readers can learn more about her story and how the Cancer Support Helpline may be helpful for them.

As implementation of the health reform law (the Affordable Care Act) continues, individuals that do not have insurance through an employer or government plan like Medicare or Medicaid, will be required to purchase insurance on state-based Health Insurance Marketplaces, or exchanges. Open enrollment begins October 1^st for coverage that will begin as early as January 1, 2014.

As we have written about before, one unknown about the plans offered in the Marketplaces has been the out-of-pocket costs to consumers, both for premiums and health care co-pays, deductibles and coinsurance.