American Cancer Society Programs
1-800-227-2345
www.cancer.org
Cancer patients often need help but are afraid to ask or don’t know where to look. Today you will learn about some
of the American Cancer Society’s programs so you can share them in your community. By sharing with family,
friends, and neighbors you are opening a door to help someone with cancer.
Each of the American Cancer Society programs support one of the Society’s top priorities and provides valuable
services to people who need our help. Today you will learn more about each of the programs.
Road To Recovery®
The American Cancer Society Road To Recovery program provides transportation to and from treatment for people
with cancer who do not have a ride or are unable to drive themselves. Volunteers help with the Road To Recovery
program by serving as volunteer drivers or coordinators.
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Drivers donate their time and resources to take patients to and from treatment. They also provide
encouragement and support. Drivers must have a valid driver’s license for the state in which they live. They
must also have a safe, reliable vehicle and proof of automobile insurance. Volunteer drivers must have a good
driving history and be in good health.
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Driver coordinators help schedule the rides. Coordinators can work whenever it’s convenient for them: one
day a week, during the evening, or weekends. As little as four hours a week of your time can make a major
impact on the well-being of people with cancer in your community.
Patients needing a ride must be traveling to an appointment required to begin or complete cancer treatment, or to
an appointment for complementary therapy during cancer treatment. Transportation cannot be provided for followup appointments after treatment has been completed. Patients must be ambulatory, able to walk unassisted to and
from the vehicle, or have an accompanying caregiver to assist. Patients under the age of 18 must be accompanied
by a legally responsible adult such as a parent or caregiver. A 4 business day advance notice is required, not
including the date transportation is needed. All transportation requests or changes to an existing ride schedule
must be made through the Patient Service Center (not the drivers or local coordinators).
In Kansas in 2014, 1080 rides were provided to 179 patients through the Road To Recovery program. Of those
122 were newly diagnosed and 53 were uninsured or under-insured.
Currently we have active Road To Recovery programs in Mitchell County, Shawnee County, Douglas County,
Dickinson County and Sedgwick County. We have drivers in other areas of the state but not enough in any one
area to be a successful program.
To request a ride, volunteer, or get more information, call 1-800-227-2345.
Reach To Recovery®
The American Cancer Society Reach To Recovery program works through carefully selected and trained
volunteers who have fully adjusted to their breast cancer treatment. All volunteers complete an initial training and
participate in ongoing continuing education sessions. Through face-to-face visits, by phone, or by email, Reach To
Recovery volunteers give support for:
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People recently diagnosed with breast cancer
People facing a possible diagnosis of breast cancer
Those considering or who have undergone a lumpectomy or mastectomy
Those considering breast reconstruction
Those who have lymphedema
Those who are undergoing or who have completed treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy
People facing breast cancer recurrence or metastasis (the spread of cancer to another part of the body)
Referrals can be from Health Care providers, the patients, or a caregiver. They should call 1-800-227-2345 for
more information or to request a visit.
In 2014 in Kansas, an estimated 2090 patients were diagnosed with breast cancer. Only 90 of those (4%) were
referred and received a Reach To Recovery service. From those 90, 80 were newly diagnosed and 17 were
uninsured or under-insured.
We can do better than that for our Kansas breast cancer patients. Let your family, friends, neighbors, church
members and everyone you talk with know about the program.
Look Good Feel Better®
The Look Good Feel Better program is a free, national public service program that helps women with cancer
improve their appearance and self-image by teaching them hands-on beauty techniques to manage the
appearance side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
This is a partnership with the Personal Care Products Council Foundation, the American Cancer Society, and the
Professional Beauty Association. It was created in 1989. The Guiding Principles behind the program are, it is nonmedical, it is product-neutral, and it is completely free of charge.
The program is available to female cancer patients in 3 different ways, the patient workshop, one-on-one
consultation, and at-home.
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The Patient Workshop - Volunteer beauty professionals lead small groups, usually about 3 to 10 women,
through practical, hands-on experience. Women learn about makeup, skin care, nail care, and ways to deal
with hair loss, such as with wigs, turbans, and scarves. Each woman attending the patient workshop gets a
free makeup kit to use during and after the group workshop. The kits have an approximate value of about
$250.
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For patients who are unable to go to a group workshop, a free, one-time individual salon consultation with a
volunteer cosmetologist might be available in their area. These trained beauty experts help each patient
manage her skin, nail, and hair needs and also help her find ways to feel better about how she looks during
treatment.
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At Home Materials – these are available for patients who can’t access the program in person. The patient
would receive a 30 minute DVD, Look Good Feel Better At Home Guide to Confidence and Beauty. A stepby-step LGFB patient guide. An evaluation form.
NO makeup kit is provided for one on one sessions or for the at home program.
The program is available in Spanish, for Teens, and for Men (but not in all areas).
All cosmetology volunteers who are part of the program have completed a four-hour certification class to become a
Look Good Feel Better volunteer. Look Good Feel Better is free, non-medical, and salon- and product-neutral. No
medical advice is shared.
In Kansas in 2014 we provided Look Good Feel Better services to 341 female cancer patients of which 315 were
newly diagnosed and 48 were uninsured or under-insured.
We have on-site group workshops in Garden City, Hays, Hutchinson, Wichita, Salina, Topeka, Pittsburg,
Coffeyville, and Lawrence.
This program is available no matter where the patient lives thanks to the one on one and self-help video. In 2014 a
new video, “Guide to Personal Style”, which features Stacy London was added to share some tips on dressing with
ports and body issues.
To find a workshop near you call 1-800-227-2345.
Hotel Partners Program
The American Cancer Society partners with local hotels across the country to provide rooms for cancer patients
who are not able to travel back and forth from home to the hospital while receiving treatment. Some cancer patients
may not have someone to stay with in the area, and/or it is a financial hardship for them to pay for a hotel stay.
Having a place to stay near the cancer treatment facility could be the difference between someone getting
treatment or not.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible to receive lodging through the Hotel Partners Program, you must:
• Be traveling for a cancer-related medical appointment.
• Be in need of lodging near your treatment center.
• Have a permanent residence.
• Be able to care for your personal needs or travel with a companion who can assist you.
Caregivers are encouraged to accompany patients. The number of people accompanying the patient must not
exceed the number of sleeping spaces in the available room.
Children younger than 18 years old must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
PROGRAM DETAILS
There is a 2 Friday prior to the stay, advance notice requirement.
1. The program is available Sunday through Thursday nights. Exceptions for other nights may be made if there is a
medical necessity and there is space available at a participating hotel.
2. Rooms are complimentary when and if available. Additional hotel-related charges (meals, phone calls, parking)
are the personal responsibility of each guest. A credit card is required at check-in.
3. Requests for smoking rooms are not accepted.
4. Requests for hotels allowing pets are accepted and depend on hotel availability.
5. Hotels participating in the program are commercial establishments and use standard cleaning procedures. No
medical assistance or special sterilizing procedures will be provided.
6. Check-in and checkout times are designated by the hotel.
7. Patients or Health Care Systems are not to contact the hotels directly but must reach out to the Patient Service
Center at 1-800-227-2345.
In 2014 in Kansas the American Cancer Society assisted 721 patients with lodging (Hope Lodge and Hotel Partner
Program (formerly Guest Room Program), providing approximately 1310 nights to help them be able to receive
their treatments. 252 were newly diagnosed and 74 were uninsured or under-insured.
We currently have hotel partners in Topeka, Wichita, Pittsburg, Manhattan, Salina, and Emporia.
To request lodging during cancer treatment or for more information please call 1-800-227-2345.
Free Wigs, Hats, Turbans, and Scarves
The American Cancer Society office at 1315 SW Arrowhead Road in Topeka and the office at 330 S Main St, Ste
100 in Wichita have an assortment of new wigs, hats, turbans and scarves available for cancer patients who are
undergoing treatment and are in need. They are complimentary to the patient. Patients may visit the offices
between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and see what is available. Colors and styles are provided as available
and not ordered.
If you are unable to visit one of the offices you may call 1-800-227-2345 and we will see if we can direct you to a
wig bank near you or help by mailing a wig to you.
Personal Health Manager
The Personal Health Manager is an organizational portfolio, for newly diagnosed patients, it contains tailored
information, relevant to type of cancer, that will empower patients to make educated health decisions, and connect
them to local resources and services. Additionally, the portfolio helps patients keep track of critical medical
information provided by their healthcare team.
The tabbed folders provide a tool for patients to organize information, write down questions, track appointments,
record prescription information.
• The tab folders are labeled:
atment
In addition to the folders, the Personal Health Manager is provided to patients and caregivers with a standard set of
information, including a series of documents written at or below the 6th grade reading level. The standard content in
each kit includes:
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Cancer: Getting Started
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Talking with Your Doctor
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Clinical Trials
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Your Lab Tests
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For the Caregiver
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Eating Well During Treatment
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Nausea and Vomiting
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Fatigue
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About Cancer Pain
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Moving on After Treatment
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Radiation Therapy: What It Is, How It Helps
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Chemotherapy: What It Is, How It Helps
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Cancer Site Document or What is Cancer booklet
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Blank calendar
Personal Health Managers may not be available in all areas.
Ask your treatment provider if they offer one or call 1-800-277-2345.
The American Cancer Society National Cancer Information Center
Since January 1997, the American Cancer Society National Cancer Information Center (NCIC) has helped the
Society develop relationships and empower millions of constituents while fostering an atmosphere of hope, trust,
and compassion. NCIC is a highly trusted resource for cancer-related information, programs, and services,
providing education and information on prevention and early detection and guiding patients and caregivers
throughout their cancer experience. In addition, income staff members provide support, training, resources, and
information for Society events and programs and create opportunities for donations and engagement. Services are
provided via phone, online chat, and email in English, Spanish, and more than 200 other languages via a
translation service. NCIC also helps support various Society social media tools.
Key Services:
Cancer Information
We empower patients and their caregivers to participate in decision making, communicate with their
treatment team, and cope with issues that arise throughout their cancer experience.
Patient Resource Support
We provide navigation assistance to patients throughout their cancer experience, including coordinating
patient rides to and from treatment and lodging if they need to travel away from home for treatment. We
also connect patients to local and national resources, including help with managing the appearance-related
side effects of treatment, emotional support, and other resources that help with the wide range of needs of
those affected by cancer.
Clinical Trials Matching Service
We help patients, their families, and health care workers find the most appropriate cancer clinical trial for
the patient’s medical and personal situation. In addition, we identify and help remove barriers that prevent
them from participating in clinical trials.
Oncology Nurse Support
Oncology and pediatric oncology nurses support cancer information specialists by assisting with more
medically complex questions that help empower constituents by providing them with health information for
potentially better patient outcomes.
Health Insurance Assistance
We assist patients with questions about their options and rights if they’re about to lose their insurance or
already have lost their coverage, and share patient stories with the American Cancer Society Cancer
Action Network to help improve advocacy efforts.
Income Support
Income staff members process memorial, honor, general, and matching gift donations and support planned
giving inquiries and a variety of Society initiatives. We provide first-level support for event website and
program needs, including site navigation, troubleshooting, issue resolution, and education.
Event Website Support
A second-level support team helps staff and volunteers, as well as constituents, who are experiencing
event website navigation or technical issues, enabling staff and event volunteers to focus on organizing
and enhancing the constituent experience at Society events.
2014 KEY STATISTICS ABOUT NCIC:
Approximate number of contacts (all areas) – 1 million+
Cancer/General Information – 554,000
Income Support – 176,600
Health Insurance, Clinical Trials, Nurse – 13,500
Emails – 26,000
Chats – 32,000
Assisted in securing:
• Rides – 340,000
• Lodging Nights – 53,000
• Reach To Recovery® Visits – 10,700
• Look Good Feel Better® Sessions – 34,000
Donations Processed at NCIC – $1.8 million+
ABOUT THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY RESEARCH PROGRAM
Since the American Cancer Society research program was established in 1946, it has funded more than $4 billion
in cancer research. With an annual investment of approximately $177.5 million, the Society is the largest private,
not-for-profit source of cancer research funds in the United States.
Scientists supported by the Society have made great contributions. For example, our support has helped:
• Establish the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer.
• Demonstrate the effectiveness of the Pap test in detecting cervical cancer at an early stage, decreasing deaths by
more than 70 percent since 1969.
• Develop cancer-fighting drugs (5-FU) and biologic response modifiers (interferon).
• Dramatically increase the five-year survival rate for childhood leukemia to 84 percent.
• Develop monoclonal antibodies to treat lymphoma and breast cancer.
• Show the importance of estrogen receptors in breast cancer.
• Show the proficiency of the estrogen antagonist, tamoxifen, in preventing breast cancer recurrence and reducing
incidence in high-risk women.
• Prove the safety and effectiveness of mammograms.
• Prove the efficacy of lumpectomy plus radiation compared with mastectomy for some breast cancer.
• Create hormonal therapy for prostate cancer.
• Develop the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening test.
• Define the role of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) in tumor growth.
• Define the structure of DNA, the genetic material.
• Discover cancer-causing genes and tumor suppressor genes.
• Discover breast and colon cancer susceptibility genes.
The success of the American Cancer Society research program is exemplified by the fact that 47 Society-funded
researchers have gone on to win the Nobel Prize.
Research in Kansas:
CURRENT GRANTS AS OF APRIL, 2015
University of Kansas Medical Center
Nikki Cheng, PhD
Jeremy Chien, PhD
$720,000
$787,000
University of Kansas Medical Center Research Institute
Bruce F. Kimler, PhD
$360,000
Kansas State University
$760,000
Bradley Behnke, PhD
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Kansas
4 total grants
$2,627,000
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High Plains Division
83 grants
$50,779,166
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Nationwide
839 grants
$450,226,318
What is the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)?
ACS CAN is the nation’s leading cancer advocacy organization that is working every day to make cancer issues a
national priority.
Many of the most important decisions about cancer are made outside of your doctor’s office. Instead, they are
made by your state legislature, in Congress and in the White House. ACS CAN empowers regular people to be part
of the growing national movement that is fighting back against cancer.
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, is holding lawmakers
accountable for their words and their actions. We demand that our leaders not only talk about fighting cancer but
take real steps toward decreasing the number of people suffering and dying from cancer.
ACS CAN campaigns led by volunteers and staff across the nation have:
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Led to 35 states as well as Washington, DC and Puerto Rico to go smoke-free
Supported a 62-cent increase in the federal cigarette tax, preventing 1.9 million children from becoming
lifelong tobacco users
Helped secure U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulation of tobacco products
Increased federal cancer research funding for the National Institutes of Health
ACS CAN Is Winning the War on Cancer
ACS CAN will defeat cancer by:
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Funding aggressive grassroots, lobbying and media campaigns to make every state smoke-free and to
increase tobacco taxes and funding for cancer research. We advocate for early detection programs such as
mammograms and colon cancer screenings
Educating the public and media directly by supporting sophisticated training programs for volunteers to
strengthen our movement and ensure that our voices are truly heard in the halls of government;
Hosting debates and producing voter guides, candidate forums, and advertising to get every lawmaker and
candidate on the record in support of laws and policies that help people fight cancer and save lives.
These efforts produce policies, laws, and regulations that further the overall mission of both the American Cancer
Society and ACS CAN.
To learn more visit www.acscan.org .
Visit the American Cancer Society website: www.cancer.org
You can learn about cancer, find tips on staying healthy, find support and treatment options, explore research and
learn how you can become involved. Find online cancer support, chat with specialists, and share your journey.
Stay up to date on the latest cancer news, find trending topics in cancer, make a donation, find an event near you
and so much more.
24 hours a day a Cancer Information Specialist is just a phone call away at 1.800.227.2345.