The American Cancer Society has launched a new customizable program to provide non-clinical navigation support to patients and caregivers.
ACS CARES is a program that provides access to resources, education, and support to the community. The multi-channel program involves a mobile app and trained volunteers who offer personalized assistance.
The program aims to provide “broader access to individualized resources to mitigate barriers to care, deliver high-quality, reliable information, and offer emotional support during the cancer journey,” per the American Cancer Society’s press release.
With over 1.9 million people expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year, having access to accurate information and support is essential for both cancer patients and caregivers.
The ACS CARES mobile app is free and offers fast and pertinent access to trained volunteers who have undergone cancer themselves. These volunteers share their experiences related to cancer diagnosis, location, military status, race, and ethnicity. Additionally, the mobile app offers cancer-related information that updates as the patient ages and when new information becomes available.
For those not digitally inclined, patients and caregivers can utilize the program in oncology clinics where ACS CARES volunteers are placed to give non-clinical, in-person support.
“No one should have to experience their cancer journey alone. This year, more than 139,000 Texans will be diagnosed with cancer, and ACS CARES will be with them every step of their journey,” Jeff Fehlis, executive vice president for the American Cancer Society, South Region, told The Dallas Express.
“The patient navigation program aims to provide personalized cancer-related information and resources to those individuals and their loved ones. It will help address issues many patients face, such as getting to treatment by connecting them with critical transportation and lodging assistance programs across North Texas. ACS CARES aims to ensure no one is alone on their cancer journey. We’re available to offer answers day or night, 356 days a year,” Jeff Fehlis added.
The Deloitte Health Equity Institute has pledged $1 million to support the new program for a period of two years. The funds will be utilized to expedite the nationwide rollout of the ACS CARES app, enhance volunteer recruitment, broaden multicultural engagement, and potentially attract more partners to contribute to the initiative’s objectives.
“Cancer affects many of us, including our own professionals and families,” said Dr. Jay Bhatt, managing director of the Deloitte Health Equity Institute and Center for Health Solutions, per the press release. “Patients and families face challenges when it comes to prevention and treatment, and navigating those challenges is critical for better health outcomes, all while working to eliminate the health inequities that exist. We are pleased to collaborate with ACS in bringing an innovative, tech-enabled approach to the patient experience, blending relevant content, staff-assisted navigation, and virtual/in-person support. ACS’s personalized approach, leveraging community relationships, allows us to together drive impact on a national scale.”
For over a century, the American Cancer Society has been at the forefront of the battle against cancer. To learn more about its mission and efforts in advocacy, research, and patient support, please visit cancer.org or call the 24/7 helpline at 1-800-227-2345.
