COA Patient Advocacy Network News Bulletin: February 2021

Advocacy Chats Insightful Conversations on Policy Issues & Cancer Research

Up Next: Dare to Imagine A World Where No One Dies of Cancer February is National Cancer Prevention Month! COA is pleased to welcome Prevent Cancer Foundation founder and CEO Carolyn “Bo” Aldigé to our February Advocacy Chat. Bo will join COA Director of Patient Advocacy and Education Rose Gerber to discuss the Foundation’s progress in cancer research and what people can do to avoid a cancer diagnosis, especially during the pandemic. Carolyn will preview the Foundation’s 50th anniversary theme, Daring to Imagine a World Where No One Dies of Cancer. Click here to RSVP for the Advocacy Chat on February 10th at 12 p.m. ET.

Missed it? Check out our January Advocacy Chat on policy issues impacting patient care.  From PBMs to drug pricing and what’s next for the Biden administration, Ted Okon discusses perspectives from Capitol Hill and how patients might be impacted. Watch Ted predict what’s in store for policies impacting cancer and patient care this year. Watch it today on the @OncologyCOA YouTube channel.

Chapter Spotlight Carolina Blood and Cancer Care Associates Locations in Rock Hill and Lancaster, South Carolina

Built on a solid foundation of relationships with patients and policymakers, Carolina Blood and Cancer Care Associates (CBCCA) is a premier local cancer care provider in South Carolina. CBCCA’s diverse team of doctors, nurses, and pharmacists – many on the frontline of the COVID-19 crisis – believe in the power of healing. They research and utilize innovative therapies and technologies to facilitate the healing process, improving a patient’s quality of life through survivorship and beyond. Navigating the ongoing pandemic with their patients is just one aspect of their commitment and dedication to their community. CBCCA’s annual Celebration of Life event connects patients, survivors, and staff with policy leaders to advance cancer care education and advocacy, and offers hope for those still on their survivorship journey.  CBCCA CEO and COA President Kashyap Patel, MD, says, “Celebration of Life is a platform that allows patients to be the speaker and it allows them to express their emotions, joys, mourning, or grief.” Partnering with CPAN, CBCCA provides patients and their oncologists with resources and a platform to make their voices heard, advocating for better treatment and care options. Learn more about CPAN's Advocacy Army and read CBCCA's full story. Take a look at highlights from the 15th anniversary of this special event featured on this month’s Spotlight on Cancer Care.

Cancer News You Can Use

Now Isn’t the Time to Let Up on Cancer Screening Wall Street Journal 01/20 The Prevent Cancer Foundation’s research shows a significant portion of adults are missing or postponing scheduled cancer screenings, and African Americans and Hispanics are disproportionately affected. And let’s not forget that 20% of parents are missing their children’s scheduled vaccinations to protect against serious diseases—including the HPV vaccine, which can prevent at least six types of cancer. Cancer Patients Dealing with Unique Challenge of Fighting Cancer and COVID-19 Pandemic Spectrum News 01/22 In North Carolina and across the county, cancer patients and their doctors have navigated an unprecedented public health crisis while fighting cancer at the same time. A task that has not been easy. As the pandemic continues to worsen across the state, it is just another tough month for cancer patients. Lessons Learned About COVID and Cancer MedPage Today 01/23 Recognized as the first U.S. "epicenter" of the COVID-19 pandemic, the metropolitan Seattle area provided early leadership in developing strategies to limit the spread of the infection. The SCCA followed suit by implementing protocols to balance the need to maintain essential oncology services against the paramount issue of providing maximum safety for vulnerable patients with cancer, as well as healthcare providers. COVID-19 Surge Leaves Doctors, Nurses Reeling from Burnout The Wall Street Journal 01/25 The longest and most deadly surge of the pandemic may be approaching a plateau nationally, but the rising, months-long flood of new cases and hospitalizations is still cresting in some parts of the U.S. Throughout, the crisis has taxed nurses and doctors to a degree many said they have never experienced. High death tolls and the physical and emotional demands at work have left them exhausted and sometimes feeling hopeless, they said.

Video: Community Oncology 101 What is an Advanced Practice Provider?

In this Cancer Policy Minute, Marsha Devita, RN, explains the role of an Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Learn about why this role is so important for cancer care in this edition of Community Oncology 101.

Resources for Advocates & Chapters

Are you looking for an oncology provider or practice for cancer or blood disease treatment during the pandemic? COA is connecting patients with practices so they continue to get the care they need, whenever they need it. Visit the Patient Practice Connector for more!

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