CANCER SURVIVOR RESOURCES
Being diagnosed with Cancer is a very scary thing. You do not have to do this alone. Here are resources to help you.
MAUI COUNTY CANCER ASSISTANCE
Pacific Cancer Foundation’s Mission is to provide Access, Knowledge and Support to all those affected by cancer in Maui County.
Services:
Patient Navigation
Nutritional Support
Support Groups
Wellness Activities
MANA’OLANA “WAVES OF HOPE” CANCER SUPPORT FUNDING
Waves of Hope is a cancer treatment assistance program to help Maui County residents actively dealing with cancer. Funding maximum is $500, and payments are made directly to health providers.
They fund:
Alternative Cancer Treatments provided by licensed professionals, such as naturopathic medicine and herbal remedies to treat cancer, not often covered by health insurance
Complementary Care provided by licensed professionals, such as acupuncture and massage, to help you feel better
Pacific Cancer Institute is comprised of highly trained experts in the field of radiation oncology and stereotactic radiosurgery who are focused on delivering exceptional patient care with the most advanced, state-of-the-art radiation oncology treatments available.
Breast Cancer Assistance and Resources - Your local resource for all matters around breast health, screening, treatment, research, patient support and advocacy.
Breast Care Helpline - Free service providing patient support - 1-877-465-6636
Treatment Assistance Program - Financial support for those undergoing treatment
Clinical Trial Information Helpline Information about available clinical trials
Hawaii Medicaid managed care program where the State pays health plans to provide coverage of medical and mental health services for low income residents. If you are having trouble paying your medical bills, check this out to see if you can qualify.
The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge program provides a free home away from home for cancer patients and their caregivers. More than just a roof over their heads, it's a nurturing community that helps patients access the care they need. Each Hope Lodge community offers a supportive, homelike environment where guests can share a meal, join in the evening's activities, or unwind in their own private room. Patients staying at a Hope Lodge must be in active cancer treatment, and permanently reside more than 40 miles or one hour away from their cancer treatment center. Each patient must be accompanied by a caregiver.
Papa Ola Lokahi is a 501(c)3 that embodies the holistic approach that brings together mind, body, and spirit in the pursuit of optimum health and well-being for Native Hawaiians.
UVSC helps those fighting cancer live on. We raise money for individuals with cancer by bringing together a community of resources to support them, while also helping fund innovative research for a cure.
UVSC offers help for Lahaina and Kula Wildfire Victims. Form move information email team@uvsc.org or call 808-281-7016
OTHER RESOURCES
Funding for some Chemotherapy Medications (ALIMTA) by Lilly cares foundation. If they find you qualify they can go back 180 days for treatment payments.
MERCKA ACCESS PROGRAM - KEYTRUDA
Medication assistance
Support groups are a good place to connect with other people coping with cancer. Connecting one-on-one with a survivor of the same type of cancer who has faced the same issues you are facing may also help. Many organizations offer “buddy programs” that match you with a survivor of the same type of cancer. Through this relationship, you get personalized support throughout your cancer treatment.
A non-profit to encourage people facing all types of cancer by sending out scarves and stories of hope that have been shared by thousands of courageous survivors. Their Mission also extends to support research. Through connection & collaboration, they are changing patient's cancer experience.
Provides 90-day non-medical cost-of-living expenses to breast cancer patients in active treatment* for breast cancer, so they can focus on healing, raising their families, and returning to the workplace.
Financial Assistance for Cancer Patients
The financial costs associated with cancer are often overwhelming. Even having health insurance doesn’t guarantee you’ll be able to afford treatment. It’s best to start researching your options before a financial crisis develops. This fact sheet lists various sources of financial assistance available to people with cancer. Check with each agency or organization to see if you qualify for help.
Talking to Your Doctor about Treatment
NCCN Guidelines for Patients® NCCN Guidelines for Patients®, translations of the NCCN clinical guidelines, are meant to help patients with cancer talk with their physicians about the best treatment options for their disease.
How to Get Quality Rest During Cancer Treatments
Sleep is an important part of the body's natural healing abilities. studies have found that a person getting enough sleep, wounds can heal almost a day faster than they do in someone who is sleep deprived. This is true for other medical issues as well. In the fight against cancer, you need as many healing capabilities as possible working as well as they can. Sleep makes an important contribution toward this fight.
Managing the Side Effects of Radiation
About 60 percent of patients diagnosed with cancer will receive radiation therapy. Radiation in high doses damages cancer cells by interfering with the cell’s ability to grow and reproduce. However, normal cells of the surrounding tissue can also be affected, leading to side effects. Side effects only occur in the area of the body that is receiving the radiation. The severity depends on your dose of radiation, whether you’re also receiving chemotherapy and the size of the treatment field.
Anxiety and distress can affect the quality of life of patients with cancer and their families. Patients living with cancer feel many different emotions, including anxiety and distress. Anxiety is fear, dread, and uneasiness caused by stress. Distress is emotional, mental, social, or spiritual suffering. Patients who are distressed may have a range of feelings from vulnerability and sadness to depression, anxiety, panic, and isolation. Patients may have feelings of anxiety and distress while being screened for a cancer, waiting for the results of tests, receiving a cancer diagnosis, being treated for cancer, or worrying that cancer will recur (come back). Anxiety and distress may affect a patient's ability to cope with a cancer diagnosis or treatment.
The Emotional and Psychological Effects of Cancer
Despite advances in cancer care, the disease remains the second-leading cause of death behind only heart disease. Cancer’s association with mortality can wreak havoc on an afflicted person’s psyche, affecting their emotional and psychological well-being, including mood and daily activities, say oncology experts and patients who spoke with Angie’s List.
Tips for Managing Stress During Cancer Treatments
For most people, a diagnosis of cancer is a life-changing event that commonly evokes feelings of shock, fear, anger, sadness, loneliness, and stress. The diagnosis is just the beginning of a challenging journey in which patients and loved ones find themselves in unfamiliar territory. Furthermore, many people who have survived cancer and completed their treatment are afraid their cancer will return, which causes ongoing stress. Every person has slightly different coping mechanisms they develop to deal with the roller coaster of emotions. Typically, people approach problems by actively working on them or by brushing them aside. The first tactic works better and is healthier, even though it may feel overwhelming at times to deal with emotions.
6 Ways You Can Fight Cancer-Related Fatigue
Fatigue is one of the most commonly experienced side effects from cancer treatment. Cancer-related fatigue is different from feeling tired. When you feel tired, you get some sleep and then you awake feeling refreshed and otherwise fine. Symptoms of cancer-related fatigue may persist even when you’re getting enough sleep. Many cancer patients want to know why they feel so tired. A number of factors can cause fatigue. First of all, there is the cancer treatment. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biotherapy and surgery can all contribute to feelings of fatigue. This may be due to side effects of the treatment such as anemia (a lowering of the red blood cells which help carry oxygen throughout the body) or side effects leading to dehydration or decreased nutrition. Medications used to treat side effects also can contribute to cancer-related fatigue.
Eating Well During and After Your Cancer Treatment
Good nutrition is very important for people with cancer. There may be some nutritional changes you can make now that will help you during treatment. Start by eating a healthy diet. This can make you stronger, help you maintain your weight, and help you fight infection. It may even help with the side effects of treatment.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services national institutes of Health National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research pocket guide for dentists
How a Child Understands Cancer
For most parents, few things are as frightening as hearing from the doctor that your child has cancer. Parents are dealing with their own fears and confusion at this time. Yet, they must also face the task of helping their child understand his or her diagnosis. Whether to tell your child that he or she has cancer. Many parents think they can protect their child by not telling him or her about the cancer. But it is important to name your child’s medical condition as “cancer.” Parents should also further describe it since your child will hear this language from others. For example, call it by the type of cancer, such as sarcoma, leukemia, or a brain tumor. Naming a child’s illness as cancer is important. It helps build trust with your child, helps him or her feel included in medical exchanges, and decreases confusion. Also, it prevents your child from learning that he or she has cancer by hearing it from someone else. Your child is also more likely to cooperate with the tests and treatments.
10 ENCOURAGING CANCER QUOTES TO INSPIRE HOPE
1. “You’re a fighter!”
“When I was given a short time to live, I was told by one of my kids, ‘Mom, you’re a fighter! Let’s do this!”’
2. “Never give up hope.”
“A complete stranger overheard a conversation between the pharmacist and myself the day that we received my husband’s diagnosis of an aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma. As I prepared to leave, this gentleman apologized for listening to us, but felt like he needed to share these words: ‘My wife & I were where you are a year ago. Please remember to never give up HOPE!’ We never forgot those words from a complete stranger and are forever thankful.”
3. “You are NOT a statistic.”
“My first oncologist told me: ‘When you read about the statistics/prognosis; remember that you are NOT a statistic, you are YOU and you are unique.’ The prognosis I later read about was not good, so his statement always gave me hope. I have survived over 10 years. The prognosis was 2-3 years. He was right!!”
4. “Think of all the things cancer can’t do.”
“Cancer cannot cripple love. It cannot shatter hope. It cannot corrode faith. It cannot destroy peace. It cannot kill friendship. It cannot suppress memories. It cannot silence courage. It cannot invade the soul. It cannot steal eternal life. It cannot conquer the spirit.”
5. “Cancer is only a chapter in your life, not the whole story.”
6. “Take life moment by moment.”
“Cancer is a marathon – you can’t look at the finish line. You take it moment by moment, sometimes breath by breath, other times step by step. ”“Plan for the worst, hope for the best and live for the moment!”
7. “Cancer may have started the fight, but you will finish it.”
8. “Faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains.”
“If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “move,” and it will move… and nothing will be impossible for you.”
9. “Everything will be OK.”
“You’re about to overcome something you’ve been dealing with. Your mind and heart will soon be at peace again. The weight is being lifted off of you right now. Breathe. Be patient. Everything will be OK.” “I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I know WHO holds tomorrow.”
10. ”I am here for you.”