New Site Offers New Hope in Illinois
The Web site, www.IllinoisCancerHelp.org, offers cancer patients treatment resources, information, and services. The American Cancer Society’s forecast for 2009 is that about 170 people on any given day in Illinois, will be diagnosed with cancer. They’re expecting the new site will help assist 27,000 people. That’s almost a 20% increase over last year.
People shouldn’t have to choose between paying their bills or getting treatment for cancer. The American Cancer Society in Illinois is hoping that this new site will keep more people from having to make that kind of choice.
The site will provide information to assist people in better understanding their diagnosis, emotional support from cancer care specialists and cancer survivors, and practical day-to-day assistance to remove the barriers that may stand between the patient and their cancer treatment plan.
The services being offered include transportation assistance to treatments, discounted lodging at hotels for patients who need to travel to receive care, insurance coverage assistance, resource matching and referrals, and cosmetic help such as a free wig or headwear for patients who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy.
To find out more about the available resources and assistance options, patients can simply request a call or personal e-mail from a cancer care specialist.
Doctors and other health care professionals can also use the Web site to refer their patients to the Society’s Patient Navigation Services program or to locate relevant clinical trials.
Cancer patients also can order a free Personal Health Manager Kit at www.illinoiscancerhelp.org. The kit is an easy-to-use tool designed to help patients organize and keep track of diagnosis and treatment information, appointments, medication, test results, insurance, bills and various other logistical and practical details associated with fighting cancer.
The American Cancer Society will continue to offer cancer information and access to support groups via its call center at (800) 227-2345.