WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Cancer Support Community (CSC), an international nonprofit, today announced the launch of the Frankly Speaking About Cancer Clinical Trials program, a landmark cancer education series devoted to building awareness among patients and caregivers about the importance of clinical trials as a viable treatment option.

Less than five percent of patients with cancer enroll in clinical trials, a number that has held steady for the past 30 years despite the fact that more than 20 percent of patients are eligible to participate in a clinical trial. Though they are at the heart of today’s successful cancer treatments, clinical trials are poorly understood by the public, and often viewed as an opportunity for researchers to treat people like test subjects or only as a “last ditch” option.

“When we ask individuals facing a cancer diagnosis about clinical trials, more often than not, we hear myriad reasons why they are not considered or why they were not presented as a possible treatment option. CSC’s Frankly Speaking About Cancer Clinical Trials program aims to proactively change this dialogue so that every patient feels empowered to ask the question: ‘Is a clinical trial right for me?’” said Kim Thiboldeaux, CEO, Cancer Support Community. “This new program is just the first step in our commitment to helping bring together and educate those affected by cancer, as well as the general public, on the issue of clinical trials so that together we can increase and accelerate patient enrollment and ensure that everyone knows their options.”

Beginning in June 2015, CSC formed a national advisory board, conducted nearly 30 interviews with key leaders, a national survey of patients and caregivers with more than 580 respondents, and summarized the findings in a white paper report that informed the development of the program's patient education resources. The Frankly Speaking About Cancer Clinical Trials program now offers a full suite of patient- centric materials and is being rolled out with an initial series of 15 workshops across the country, including today’s workshop held at CSC’s Greater Philadelphia Campus.

“I have spent the last 37 years doing cancer clinical trials and am honored to be a part of the Cancer Support Community’s Frankly Speaking About Cancer Clinical Trials program,” said Gerald L. Messerschmidt, MD, Director, Clinical Research Center, Lankenau Institute for Medical Research. “This program will be a crucial instrument in our work to change patient and caregiver’s perceptions of the value of clinical trials. Cancer treatment innovation will advance more rapidly if we educate patients about clinical trials and improve rates of enrollment.”

In addition to the launch of the Frankly Speaking About Cancer Clinical Trials program, CSC will also host several dozen of the hundreds of summits held around the country on June 29 at 28 of CSC’s affiliates, in conjunction with the Cancer Moonshot Summit held in Washington, DC. The Cancer Moonshot Summit will be the very first time that stakeholders representing all types of cancers will convene under one national charge. Attendees at summits across the nation include leaders representing the entire cancer community – including researchers, doctors, scientists, philanthropists, community oncologists, advocates, patients, and survivors. The goal of the Cancer Moonshot is to double the rate of progress in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care over the next five years and to ultimately end cancer as we know it.

“Nearly 1.7 million people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2016, a staggering number given the advancements that have been made in preventing and treating cancer over the past several years,” Thiboldeaux said. “We all know someone who has been touched by cancer and we cannot wait another 30 years to move the needle — now is the time for progress through education.”

The Frankly Speaking About Cancer Clinical Trials program was developed through the eyes of the patient and offers interactive videos, webinars, an innovative 8-chapter photo narrative, and other materials and resources that can be accessed and found here.

CSC’s work will continue with additional programming coming this summer and fall, in coordination with a diverse group of partnerships with 20 organizations, to continue to better understand the gaps in patient understanding and participation of clinical trials.

Contact:
Aimee Tysarczyk atysarczyk@briancom.com
(484) 385-2909

Megan McMonagle mmcmonagle@briancom.com
(484) 385-2983

WASHINGTON – The Cancer Support Community, an international cancer nonprofit, has endorsed the Psychosocial Standards of Care for Children with Cancer and their families that were published in a 2015 special issue of Pediatric Blood and Cancer. The scientific, evidence-based psychosocial standards define a minimum level of care that all children with cancer and their families should receive. The Standards were developed following rigorous research and academic requirements and processes, and involved over 80 clinicians and researchers from the US, Canada and the Netherlands.

The Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation spearheaded the effort to create and implement Standards of Care to ensure patients and families have access to a minimum level of psychosocial care from the time of diagnosis, through survivorship, or end of life and bereavement care. “Having our child diagnosed with cancer, undergo treatment, and die from this disease, we learned that childhood cancer is not just about the medicine! The psychological impact of childhood cancer is just as real as the physical consequences for patients and their families," said Vicki and Peter Brown, Co-Founders of the Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation and parents of Mattie Brown.

“Social and emotional support are just as important as medical care in the face of a cancer diagnosis. We support these new Psychosocial Standards of Care and share with The Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation the goal of ensuring that children with cancer and their families have access to comprehensive cancer care that includes quality psychosocial support,” said Vicki Kennedy, LCSW, Vice President of Program Development and Delivery at the Cancer Support Community.

The development of the Psychosocial Standards of Care is a major step forward in addressing the needs of children with cancer and their families. The integration of psychosocial care along with disease-directed treatment improves the quality of life across the cancer trajectory. Depression and other psychosocial concerns can affect adherence to treatment regimens and decrease coping abilities. Therefore, making psychosocial care as essential component of standard treatment maximizes positive treatment outcomes.

Now that the Psychosocial Standards of Care for Children with Cancer and Their Families have been published, The Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation and the team of pediatric oncology experts will work to encourage the rapid adoption of the Standards in clinical sites throughout the country. Learn more at www.mattiemiracle.com.

About The Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation

Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation, a 501(c)3 public charity, is dedicated to increasing childhood cancer awareness, education, advocacy, research and psychosocial support services to children, their families, and health care personnel. Children with cancer and their families must be supported throughout the cancer treatment journey, from date of diagnosis through treatment, survivorship, end of life and bereavement, and we must ensure access to quality psychosocial and mental health care are always provided, so that children and their families can cope with cancer and lead as happy and as productive lives as possible.

WASHINGTON – (Oct. 24, 2016) – The Cancer Support Community, an international nonprofit, was awarded last week the Annual Achievement Award of the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) for outstanding contributions nationally to cancer care and to patients with cancer. The award was presented before an audience of approximately 600 attendees at the National Oncology Conference, held October 19-21 in St. Louis, Missouri.

The ACCC’s Annual Achievement Award is presented to individuals or groups whose work in cancer care has significantly contributed to the oncology patient. Past honorees include esteemed cancer advocates and foundation leaders, as well as U.S. presidents and senators, such as President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush, and Sen. Ted Kennedy.

“We are honored to accept the Annual Achievement Award and are grateful for ACCC’s recognition of our important work. We share in ACCC’s vision to achieve quality, comprehensive cancer care for all,” said Kim Thiboldeaux, CEO of the Cancer Support Community.

The Cancer Support Community was awarded for its commitment to cancer patients and their caregivers through a multitude of services, including its in-person support programs, telephone helpline and educational resources, all provided free of charge to patients. ACCC also recognized the Cancer Support Community’s work in psychosocial, caregiver and survivorship research through the organization’s Research and Training Institute, as well as its efforts in public policy and advocacy through its Cancer Policy Institute.

The Association of Community Cancer Centers is an advocacy and education organization with more than 23,000 affiliated cancer care professionals from over 2,500 hospitals and practices nationwide. ACCC provides a national forum for addressing issues that affect community cancer programs, as well as resources for the entire oncology care team.

DEERFIELD, Ill., March 04, 2019 - Walgreens today announced the launch of Feel More Like You™, a first-of-its-kind pharmacy, health and beauty service available at no cost to help people living with cancer manage the medical and physical changes associated with cancer treatment. Walgreens created the Feel More Like You service to meet the increasing needs of people impacted by cancer to learn, understand and manage the side effects of treatment from experts who can provide informed and meaningful guidance and care. The national launch at more than 3,000 Walgreens stores follows a successful 100-store pilot program that began in spring 2018.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here.

“Cancer treatment impacts many aspects of patients’ lives, from side effects such as nausea and fatigue to distinct changes in physical appearance, often impacting their self-esteem and confidence,” said Rina Shah, PharmD, vice president of pharmacy operations and specialty at Walgreens. “Through support from Walgreens expert pharmacists and our specially-trained beauty consultants, the Feel More Like You service has the power to positively affect millions of Americans whose lives are impacted by cancer every day.”

Feel More Like You was developed in collaboration with Look Good, Feel Better Foundation, the leading cancer support organization focusing attention on the appearance and beauty needs of cancer patients, and Cancer Support Community, the largest professionally led, nonprofit network of cancer support worldwide.

More than 12,000 Walgreens pharmacists have received special training to recommend over-the-counter products to help manage treatment side effects such as skin rash, increased fatigue, mouth sores and dry mouth. This specialized pharmacy expertise becomes even more powerful when offered with the more than 3,000 Walgreens beauty consultants trained to manage the physical changes associated with treatment such as the loss of eyebrows and eyelashes and dry hair, dry skin and discolorations, sunlight sensitivities and changes to nails and cuticles.

“We are pleased to work with Walgreens on this important initiative to bring further and needed support to cancer patients directly at their local pharmacies,” said Louanne Roark, executive director of the Look Good Feel Better Foundation. “Our organization pioneered training techniques to help cancer patients manage the visible side effects of treatment, so the opportunity to train thousands of Walgreens beauty consultants was something we were eager to support.”

As a pharmacy-led health and well-being company, Walgreens understands how the power of empathy can positively influence a patient’s treatment and recovery. The pharmacists and beauty consultants that are part of the Feel More Like You service have completed empathy training from Cancer Support Community to enhance the level of emotional support they can provide during interactions with individuals with cancer.

“During our 37-year history, we’ve made it our mission to create and support programs that meet the needs of people impacted by cancer. We deliver these services at 196 locations, online, and through a helpline,” said Kim Thiboldeaux, CEO of the Cancer Support Community. “With the launch of Feel More Like You, people impacted by cancer will have additional in-person, patient-focused resources at a time when many are looking for personalized oncology information and emotional support.”

Walgreens continues to build its leadership in health care by taking a comprehensive approach toward supporting cancer programs, including working with organizations that advance research, expand prevention programs and assist people living with cancer. Feel More Like You further demonstrates Walgreens mission to champion the health and well-being of communities across America and builds on Walgreens partnerships and commitments to raise millions of dollars each year for organizations such as Susan G. Komen®, Stupid Cancer and LLS (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society).

For those who have been affected by cancer or know someone who has, Walgreens encourages them to become part of the Feel More Like You conversation by visiting www.walgreens.com/FeelMoreLikeYou. Additional resources are available such as beauty tutorials and other digital content, including the national television commercial featuring Walgreens patients showing how they Battle Beautifully.

About Walgreens

Walgreens (walgreens.com), one of the nation's largest drugstore chains, is included in the Retail Pharmacy USA Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBA), the first global pharmacy-led, health and well-being enterprise. Approximately 8 million customers interact with Walgreens in stores and online each day, using the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice. As of August 31, 2018, Walgreens operates 9,560 drugstores with a presence in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with its omnichannel business, Walgreens.com. Approximately 400 Walgreens stores offer Healthcare Clinic or other provider retail clinic services.

About Look Good Feel Better

For three decades, Look Good Feel Better® has been dedicated to helping people with cancer cope with the appearance side effects of their treatment. Since 1989, the program has empowered 2 million women globally to reclaim the sense of control, confidence and self-esteem that are so central to well-being. For more information, visit lookgoodfeelbetter.org. Look Good Feel Better is offered through a collaborative effort of the Look Good Feel Better Foundation, the charitable arm of the Personal Care Products Council, the trade group representing the cosmetics and beauty industry; and the Professional Beauty Association, the largest organization of salon professionals with members representing salons/spas, distributors, manufacturers and beauty professionals. For more information, visit the website at www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org. Look Good Feel Better is a registered trademark of the Look Good Feel Better Foundation.

NEW YORK – (Apr. 20, 2017) – The Cancer Support Community will honor Vice President Joe Biden and the former Cancer Moonshot team this evening with the Founders Award for Vision for their tireless efforts to galvanize action and improve the future for those affected by cancer.

In his final State of the Union address, President Obama tasked Vice President Biden with leading the Cancer Moonshot, a new national effort to end cancer as we know it. The goal of the Cancer Moonshot is to dramatically accelerate progress toward cures – to make a decade's worth of advances in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care in just five years. Beyond a Task Force of dedicated federal agencies and sub-agencies, Vice President Biden assembled a team of passionate individuals to execute the mission of the Cancer Moonshot. Without the visionary leadership of Vice President Biden and the dedicated Cancer Moonshot staff, the partnerships, collaborations, and pledges responding to the Vice President’s call to action may never have occurred.

"Cancer touches us all in some way and at some point. Everywhere I go, people share their stories of heartbreak and hope. And every day, I’m reminded that our work to end cancer as we know it is bigger than just a single person. It carries the hopes and dreams of millions of people who are praying that we succeed, praying for hope, praying for time—not someday, but now," Vice President Biden said.

“We are thrilled to recognize the critical work of Vice President Biden and the Cancer Moonshot Team along with the extraordinary contributions of all of our honorees,” remarked CEO of Cancer Support Community, Kim Thiboldeaux. “This distinguished group personifies the true meaning and vital necessity of support for people living with cancer, and their families and friends.”

Hosted by Jack Ford, CBS News Legal Analyst, the Spring Celebration celebrates the accomplishments of heroes in the cancer community while raising vital funds to advance CSC’s mission—to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community.

This year’s gala takes on special significance, as it is the first in a series of events nationwide celebrating the Cancer Support Community’s 35th anniversary. It features the themes of Hope, Renewal, Growth, Compassion, and Harmony.

In addition to Vice President Biden and the Cancer Moonshot Team, CSC will proudly present the following awards to this year’s honorees:

Baseball legend Ken Griffey, Sr.

Founders Award for Spirit

Novartis

Acceptance by Bill Hinshaw, Executive Vice President, US Oncology

Founders Award for Innovation

ESPN reporter Holly Rowe

Founders Award for Empowerment

Film and TV stars and producers Alysia Reiner and David Alan Basche

Founders Award for Support