Virtual Summit features health equity experts, Biden Administration officials

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Cancer Support Community (CSC) convenes its 3rd Annual Utilization Management Summit this Tuesday, November 16, at 1 p.m. ET.

This year’s Summit focuses on health equity, and features a keynote address from Dr. Karen Winkfield, Executive Director of the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance, and recent appointee to the White House’s National Cancer Advisory Board.

The Summit is the cornerstone event of the CSC’s Forum on Utilization Management, which was formed in 2019 to focus on the impact of utilization management practices, such as prior authorization, clinical pathways, and step therapy, on patient access and affordability to care. Bringing together more than 100 health care professionals, patient advocate organizations, and various stakeholders in the utilization management space, this year’s Summit will examine how utilization management practices can increase health disparities.

“The Utilization Management Summit is a part of CSC’s ongoing commitment to examining the healthcare system from every angle to identify factors that contribute to and widen existing health disparities,” said Phylicia L. Woods, Executive Director of the Cancer Support Community’s Cancer Policy Institute.

Dr. Danielle Carnival, Senior Advisor to the Director at the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, will also offer brief remarks at the Summit, which marks her first public engagement since being appointed to this post by President Biden.

Following remarks from Drs. Winkfield and Carnival, Eucharia Borden, Senior Director of Health Equity at CSC, will moderate a panel discussion with healthcare leaders:

• Adrienne Simmons, PharmD, MS, BCPS, AAHIVP, National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable, a program of HEP
• Gary Puckrein, PhD, National Minority Quality Forum
• Krista Nelson, LCSW, OSW-C, BCD, FAOSW, Association of Community Cancer Centers
• Surya Singh, MD, Singh Healthcare Advisors, LLC

About the Cancer Support Community

As the largest professionally led nonprofit network of cancer support worldwide, the Cancer Support Community (CSC), including its Gilda’s Club affiliates, is dedicated to ensuring that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community. CSC achieves its mission through three areas: direct service delivery, research, and advocacy. The organization’s Institute for Excellence in Psychosocial Care includes an international network of affiliates that offer the highest quality social and emotional support for people impacted by cancer, as well as a community of support available online and over the phone. The Research and Training Institute conducts cutting-edge psychosocial, behavioral, and survivorship research. CSC furthers its focus on patient advocacy through its Cancer Policy Institute, informing public policy in Washington, D.C. and across the nation. For more information, please call the toll-free Cancer Support Helpline at 888-793- 9355.

The biotechnology pioneer is recognized for supporting health-equity measures and other patient-focused resources

Washington, D.C. — The Cancer Support Community (CSC) has announced groundbreaking biotechnology company Genentech, a member of The Roche Group, as the recipient of the 2021 Founders Award for Innovation. Genentech CEO Alexander Hardy accepted the award on October 28 at CSC’s virtual celebration.

Genentech’s long-time support has enabled CSC to serve hundreds of thousands of people living with cancer. Over the last 18 months, the company has worked hand in hand with the organization to develop new ways to reach even more patients and provide vital resources and services while facing the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges.

“Addressing health inequity is central to Genentech’s mission to bring innovative medicines to people facing serious diseases,” said Genentech CEO, Alexander Hardy. “We’re committed to improving care delivery and access for historically marginalized patients and we’re so pleased to help advance the excellent work of the Cancer Support Community and Gilda’s Club affiliates in providing critical support and resources to patients throughout the country.”

In a testament to the company’s commitment to making a difference, it has supported many of the organization’s most ambitious initiatives including the establishment of a cancer care center on the Navajo Nation, the first center of its kind on an American Indian Reservation, as well as a new Cancer Support Community service center in Washington, D.C., which is home to some of the most alarming examples of health inequity in our country.

“Like us, leaders at Genentech believe innovation requires a deep commitment to equity and inclusion,” said CSC President Elizabeth Franklin. “To meaningfully dismantle inequitable systems we must collaborate to improve access to cancer care for all people and address a range of systemic challenges including racism. We are recognizing Genentech’s support of our efforts to address these inequities in our health care system.”

The Founders Award for Innovation was presented at CSC’s Annual Celebration, which was held virtually on October 28 at 8 P.M. ET. In addition to Genentech, the celebration also honored patient advocate and award-winning journalist Craig Melvin and featured appearances by Tony-nominee and star of Netflix’s Emily in Paris Ashley Park and Jack Ford, Emmy and Peabody award-winning journalist and Host of MetroFocus (PBS).

Watch the recorded event

About the Cancer Support Community

As the largest professionally led nonprofit network of cancer support worldwide, the Cancer Support Community (CSC), including its Gilda’s Club affiliates, is dedicated to ensuring that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community. CSC achieves its mission through three areas: direct service delivery, research, and advocacy. The organization’s Institute for Excellence in Psychosocial Care includes an international network of affiliates that offer the highest quality social and emotional support for people impacted by cancer, as well as a community of support available online and over the phone. The Research and Training Institute conducts cutting-edge psychosocial, behavioral, and survivorship research. CSC furthers its focus on patient advocacy through its Cancer Policy Institute, informing public policy in Washington, D.C. and across the nation. For more information, please call the toll-free Cancer Support Helpline at 888-793-9355.

Melvin will receive the 2021 Marin Mazzie Award for Empowerment

Washington, D.C. — The Cancer Support Community (CSC) has announced that award-winning news anchor and patient advocate Craig Melvin will be the recipient of the 2021 Marin Mazzie Award for Empowerment, named in honor of Theater Hall of Fame inductee, three-time Tony nominee, and CSC Champion Marin Mazzie, who passed away of ovarian cancer in 2018.

CSC will recognize Melvin at its annual celebration on Thursday, October 28. The virtual gathering will begin at 8 p.m. ET.

Originally named the Founders Award for Empowerment, in 2018 the award was renamed for the beloved Broadway legend after she passed away from ovarian cancer. Mazzie was a staunch supporter of CSC and actively advanced its mission to support people living with cancer and their loved ones.  Her leadership and advocacy for women’s health issues, in particular ovarian cancer awareness, was honored with a special Tony Award in 2020. The Marin Mazzie Award for Empowerment honors her legacy by recognizing public figures who use their platform to both advocate for and inspire people who are living with cancer. Her husband, Broadway star Jason Danieley, continues to be a champion for CSC and a resolute advocate for cancer patients and caregivers.

“Marin would be impressed with Craig’s advocacy and admire his courage in openly and truthfully sharing his personal experience with cancer,” Danieley said. 

Melvin was selected in recognition of his efforts to advocate for and inspire people who are living with cancer and their loved ones. The NBC News Today host has shown tireless dedication to shining a light on the patient experience since his late brother’s colorectal cancer diagnosis. Melvin has used his platform to encourage screening for this disease and conversation about family health history, especially within the Black community. Melvin will be presented the award by Tony-nominee and star of Netflix’s Emily in Paris, Ashley Park. Park, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia as a teenager, received the inaugural Marin Mazzie Award in 2019. Actress Marcia Cross was the 2020 recipient.

“We are honored to extend the Marin Mazzie Award for Empowerment to Craig Melvin,” said CSC’s president Elizabeth Franklin. “We applaud the work he has done to raise awareness for the prevalence of colorectal cancer diagnoses and the importance of families talking frankly about their health history. He is a strong voice in encouraging men and people of color — who are disproportionately impacted by this disease — to get screened.”

CSC’s 2021 Annual Celebration will be held virtually on October 28 at 8 p.m. ET. The inspiring and uplifting evening will include performances by Aisha Jackson and Sam Gravitte, two of Broadway’s brightest young stars.

About the Cancer Support Community

As the largest professionally led nonprofit network of cancer support worldwide, the Cancer Support Community (CSC), including its Gilda’s Club affiliates, is dedicated to ensuring that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community. CSC achieves its mission through three areas: direct service delivery, research, and advocacy. The organization’s Institute for Excellence in Psychosocial Care includes an international network of affiliates that offer the highest quality social and emotional support for people impacted by cancer, as well as a community of support available online and over the phone. The Research and Training Institute conducts cutting-edge psychosocial, behavioral, and survivorship research. CSC furthers its focus on patient advocacy through its Cancer Policy Institute, informing public policy in Washington, D.C. and across the nation. For more information, please call the toll-free Cancer Support Helpline at 888-793-9355.

Blueprint of Hope’s new affiliation will expand free support and navigation services

Washington, D.C. — The Cancer Support Community (CSC) welcomed its newest affiliate on June 17. Founded as Blueprints of Hope, CSC Southwest Colorado joins the global organization’s 196 locations, including 52 affiliates and health care partners.

“Our decision to affiliate with the Cancer Support Community is based on our sincere desire to reach more people in the rural communities we serve,” said Toni Abbey, founder and executive director of Blueprints of Hope. “We think this is an incredible opportunity. By combining our resources, we are better positioned to connect cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and their families to the resources and support that meet their needs and improve their quality of life.”

The virtual charter ceremony formalizing the new relationship included La Plata County Commissioner Marsha Porter-Norton, CSC’s Interim CEO Ken Scalet, and Vice President of Clinical Services Susan Ash-Lee.

“We are so pleased to formally welcome Blueprints of Hope into our CSC family,” said interim CEO Ken Scalet. “Together with our nationwide network that represents the gold standard in patient support, Toni and her team in Southwest Colorado will show that community is stronger than cancer.”

In 2021, more than 28,000 Colorado residents will be diagnosed with cancer. With this number in mind, support for those impacted by this devastating diagnosis are much needed. Blueprints of Hope serves people living with cancer in Durango, Colorado, and the surrounding area. The organization offers navigation, education, and support for the community in Southwest Colorado, providing crucial services to those impacted by cancer in the rural community. As a member of CSC’s global network, CSC Southwest Colorado will now provide a myriad of new resources to their community, including CSC’s Helpline, the online community MyLifeLine, and award-winning educational materials — all of which are available at no cost to cancer patients and their families and caregivers. Further, the Southwest Colorado community will join in local and national advocacy efforts through CSC’s Cancer Policy Institute and Research and Training Institute.

Learn more about CSC Southwest Colorado.

About the Cancer Support Community

As the largest professionally led nonprofit network of cancer support worldwide, the Cancer Support Community (CSC), including its Gilda’s Club affiliates, is dedicated to ensuring that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community. CSC achieves its mission through three areas: direct service delivery, research, and advocacy. The organization’s Institute for Excellence in Psychosocial Care includes an international network of affiliates that offer the highest quality social and emotional support for people impacted by cancer, as well as a community of support available online and over the phone. The Research and Training Institute conducts cutting-edge psychosocial, behavioral, and survivorship research. CSC furthers its focus on patient advocacy through its Cancer Policy Institute, informing public policy in Washington, D.C. and across the nation. For more information, please call the toll-free Cancer Support Helpline at 888-793-9355.

Local bank servicing the Washington, D.C. area sponsors an international day devoted to providing free services to people affected by cancer

Washington, D.C. (June 28, 2021) — The Cancer Support Community (CSC), the world’s largest provider of cancer support with a network that operates at 196 locations in the United States and abroad, is pleased to announce Capital Bank as a national level sponsor for its first-ever Community Gives Day.

On June 28, CSC’s global network, patient advocates, corporate supporters, elected leaders, members of the entertainment industry, and other sectors will unite to collectively support cancer patients. The June 28 date also coincides with the birthday of “Saturday Night Live” star Gilda Radner, whose cancer experience inspired the creation of Gilda’s Club, which merged with The Wellness Community to form the Cancer Support Community in 2009.

“Through their sponsorship, Capital Bank will assist us in having a positive and concrete impact on the lives of cancer patients and their loved ones,” said CSC President Elizabeth Franklin. “As the demand for our services continues to rise, we remain increasingly grateful for our supporters for demonstrating that community is stronger than cancer.”

CSC’s inaugural Community Gives Day comes as the demand for the organization’s free professionally-led services — including emotional assistance, nutrition and healthy lifestyle guidance, education, navigation, digital resources, and more — is at an all-time high.

Capital Bank is a Maryland-based commercial bank that services businesses and consumers in the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. With over two decades of experience, Capital Bank remains one of the area’s trusted financial institutions. Capital Bank’s generous sponsorship will allow CSC to continue to provide top-quality resources and services at no cost to those impacted by this devastating disease.

About the Cancer Support Community

As the largest professionally led nonprofit network of cancer support worldwide, the Cancer Support Community (CSC), including its Gilda’s Club affiliates, is dedicated to ensuring that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community. CSC achieves its mission through three areas: direct service delivery, research, and advocacy. The organization includes an international network of Affiliates that offer the highest quality social and emotional support for people impacted by cancer, as well as a community of support available online and over the phone. The Research and Training Institute conducts cutting-edge psychosocial, behavioral, and survivorship research. CSC furthers its focus on patient advocacy through its Cancer Policy Institute, informing public policy in Washington, D.C. and across the nation. For more information, please call the toll-free Cancer Support Helpline at 888-793-9355.

Inaugural event on June 28 spotlights national network that provides $50 million in free support and navigation services to cancer patients

Washington, D.C. — The Cancer Support Community (CSC), the world’s largest provider of cancer support with a network that operates at 196 locations, is announcing Monday, June 28, CSC as its first-ever Community Gives Day.

The inaugural Community Gives Days comes as the demand for the organization’s free services — including emotional assistance, nutrition and healthy lifestyle guidance, education, navigation, digital resources, and more — is at an all-time high.

“As our nation turns a corner on the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to note this this global health crisis and its associated economic challenges continue to disrupt the lives of people affected by cancer,” said Ken Scalet, interim CEO of the Cancer Support Community. “As the demand for our services continues to increase, we are uniting to have a positive and concrete impact on the lives of cancer patients and their loved ones.”

The June 28 date also coincides with the birthday of Saturday Night Live star Gilda Radner, whose cancer experience inspired the creation of Gilda’s Club. In 2009, Gilda’s Clubs and The Wellness Community merged to form the Cancer Support Community.

In 2021, Community Gives Day enables individuals to support their local CSC or Gilda’s Club affiliate, with all gifts translating into free support and navigation services for people affected by cancer.

Supporters who donate before 8 p.m. EST on the 28th will be invited to a special live virtual block party happening that day featuring a celebrity musical performance. Those who donate after 8 p.m. EST will receive a link to the on-demand replay.

About the Cancer Support Community

As the largest professionally led nonprofit network of cancer support worldwide, the Cancer Support Community (CSC), including its Gilda’s Club affiliates, is dedicated to ensuring that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community. CSC achieves its mission through three areas: direct service delivery, research, and advocacy. The organization includes an international network of Affiliates that offer the highest quality social and emotional support for people impacted by cancer, as well as a community of support available online and over the phone. The Research and Training Institute conducts cutting-edge psychosocial, behavioral, and survivorship research. CSC furthers its focus on patient advocacy through its Cancer Policy Institute, informing public policy in Washington, D.C. and across the nation. For more information, please call the toll-free Cancer Support Helpline at 888-793-9355.