ACS cuts funds for LE supplies

Found this on my google alert for LE: sure isn't getting the press that Komen got...

And I don't notice that the local group is picking up on LE supplies....

http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/local-groups-stepping-in-after-national-cancer-charity-changes-support-1.1267913

Local groups stepping in after national cancer charity changes support

BY ERIN L. NISSLEY (STAFF WRITER)Published: February 6, 2012

After a national group that helps cancer patients around the country announced it would be scaling back support of certain programs, local organizations have been gearing up to fill the gaps.

In late November, the American Cancer Society sent a letter to local groups informing them that, as of Jan. 1, it would "no longer provide financial assistance for wigs, medications, durable medical equipment, lymphedema supplies or lodging."

Jo-Anne Sessa, ACS regional vice president, said there are no plans to completely cut programs, including those that provide cancer patients with wigs and help out with lodging while they undergo treatment.

She added, though, that ACS is focusing its resources on areas "where we can make the most impact," including providing patients with transportation and mileage reimbursement to and from appointments.

"We've identified access as the biggest issue across the country," Ms. Sessa said. "In this economy, it is more challenging (to raise money) and every organization has to focus their resources."

The changes to ACS programs will mean cancer patients will depend even more on local groups for help, said Northeast Regional Cancer Institute President Robert Durkin. Like many local groups, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute has suffered deep funding cuts - including the loss of about $1 million a year in state funding - that makes it difficult to fulfill the needs of cancer patients in the community, especially when a major resource like ACS makes a decision to cut support for certain programs.

"We're local, so we base our resources on what the needs are in the community," Mr. Durkin said, pointing out that local donations made to ACS do not necessarily stay in the community.

The region is lucky to have resources that can help cancer patients, especially a group like Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, said Dr. Harmar Brereton, a radiation oncologist at Northeast Radiation Oncology Center.

"The psychological profundity of having cancer is a really big deal" and cancer patients need help in a variety of ways, Dr. Brereton said. "It is harder for all groups to raise funds. We need to get the word out that local groups are here taking care of these needs, but they need help to do it."

Connecting cancer patients to resources both local and national is part of the job description for Kathryn Cramer, an oncology social worker at Northeast Radiation Oncology Center.

"We never let anyone do without," she said. "There are programs that can help patients with medication costs. We can go through churches, the Salvation Army and the American Cancer Society."

Delta Medix, which offers treatment for cancer patients, launched a nonprofit foundation on Oct. 1 that will help cancer patients throughout the region, regardless of where they obtain treatment. Delta Medix CEO Margo Opsasnick sees the main focus of the foundation as helping cancer patients with the costs of genetic testing, which can help with treatment plans for breast cancer patients and covering co-pays and treatments not covered by insurance. She also hopes the foundation can focus on helping with smaller needs, like hiring a maid to help with housework.

"Most breast cancer patients have to undergo chemotherapy and radiation," she said. "Wouldn't it be nice for them to come home to a clean house?"

Both Mrs. Opsasnick and Mr. Durkin said ACS's decision to scale back certain programs was strange, especially because it came around the same time the group sent a letter asking a local group to suspend an annual gala fundraiser that generated tens of thousands of dollars for the charity.

Earlier this month, ACS officials told The Times-Tribune they made a decision to do away with Scranton's Ball of Hope after looking at rising costs of the event and the dip in amount of money raised. October's Ball of Hope cost about $28,000 and raised about $70,000, according to Erik McGaughney, the American Cancer Society's income development director for the eastern region of Pennsylvania.

The 2010 Ball of Hope raised $100,000 and cost about $16,000, he said in previous interviews. Much of the funds raised went to support a summer camp in Lebanon County for children with cancer and siblings of children with cancer.

"It is certainly puzzling," Mr. Durkin said.

Mrs. Opsasnick agreed, pointing out that a local group of volunteers organized the Ball of Hope each year.

"That group didn't ask for anything from ACS," she said. "Why would you ever turn down money when you're out there trying to do good things for cancer patients?"

Contact the writer: enissley@timesshamrock.com

Read more: http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/local-groups-stepping-in-after-national-cancer-charity-changes-support-1.1267913#ixzz1lduCX0gx