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Ulman Cancer Fund For Young Adults Announcement
 
February 29, 2012

 

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The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults Announces Opening of an Adolescent and Young Adult Patient Navigation Program at The Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center 

 

Partnership with Maryland's Largest Cancer Center Allows Organization to Help Greater Number of Patients

 

 

Baltimore, Maryland - February 29, 2012 - The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults (UCF) announced today the opening of a new Adolescent and Young Adult Patient Navigation Program at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. UCF Patient Navigation services assist young adults with cancer in making informed decisions about their treatment options by offering individual and group support, and connecting them to financial, psychosocial, practical, and educational resources.

 

"By combining our expertise, we can make a real difference in the lives of adolescents and their families at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center, as well as assist young adults navigate the daunting landscape of a cancer diagnosis. We will be able to offer a unique level of service to these patients in their fight against cancer. This will only enhance our efforts to ensure that the special needs of younger cancer patients are addressed."

 

Overseeing the program is Patient Navigator Alexandra Gubin, MSW, LGSW. Gubin comes to the program with a Masters of Science in Social Work from Columbia University. She also has an extensive background in clinical social work with young adult cancer patients moderating online support communities, conducting intake assessments, creating educational materials, and producing cancer related Internet radio programs.

 

"We're very excited about working with the Ulman Cancer Foundation on this important aspect of cancer care. Young adults have unique needs that are separate from kids with cancer and also different from adults who are in their thirties, forties and older. With Ms. Gubin on board providing clinical social work services, patient navigation, and innovative programs for this population, we're able to more fully integrate all our patients' needs," says Donald Small, M.D, Ph.D., director, Division of Pediatric Oncology, at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel CancerCenter.

Kimmel Cancer Center Director William G. Nelson, M.D., Ph.D., added, "The Ulman Patient Navigator Program is an essential component to our commitment to survivorship issues. Young adults going through treatment are looking forward to the day when cancer no longer dominates their lives and we help them get there in the most positive way possible."

 

With the launch of the Patient Navigation Program at Kimmel, UCF now runs four such programs at major cancer centers in the Baltimore/Washington Metropolitan area. UCF has offered free patient navigation services out of its offices since the organization was established in 1997.

 

The program will be largely financed by fundraising efforts of 4K for Cancer, a non-profit organization that was recently acquired by UCF. 4K for Cancer coordinates teams of college students to cycle across the country while raising money and awareness for the fight against cancer. Founded in 2001 at Johns Hopkins University, 4K for Cancer became a part of UCF to enhance its ability to activate more college students in the young adult cancer fight.

 

About Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults

The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults (UCF), founded in 1997, is the national leader in providing specialized support for young adults affected by cancer. With nearly 70,000 young adults diagnosed every year, our organization helps young people fight the disease and navigate treatment by providing access to information, support groups, and other specialized programs. UCF Patient Navigation Programs have set a national standard and can be accessed remotely or through onsite Patient Navigators at a growing number of hospitals in the Mid-Atlantic region. UCF is a founding member of the LIVESTRONG Young Adult Alliance and a national pioneer in developing innovative approaches in cancer support. UCF enhances lives by supporting, educating and connecting young adults, and their loved ones, affected by cancer. For more information, please visit,  www.ulmancancerfund.org.

 

About Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center

Since its opening in 1973, our Cancer Center has led the world in deciphering the mechanisms of cancer and new ways to treat it.  The strength of our research and treatment programs was recognized early on by the National Cancer Institute, becoming one of the first to earn comprehensive cancer center status and recognition as a "Center of Excellence."

 

One of only 40 cancer centers in the country designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center has active programs in clinical research, laboratory research, education, community outreach, and prevention and control. For more information, please visit, www.hopkinskimmelcancercenter.org.

 

Media Contact

Rachel Wiederhold

rachel@ulmanfund.org 

Office: 410-964-0202 ext 107 

 

 

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