Battling cancer is difficult for all patients, but two Queens hospitals are trying to make the daily challenges of living with cancer a little easier.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) will continue is Patient Navigator Program, which pairs patients with a cancer education and support specialist, at Elmhurst Hospital Center and Queens Hospital Center.
The program, which began in 2005, will continue for two more years thanks to $10 million in funding from AstraZeneca.
“Residents served by our network are among the most in need throughout the city, and the renewed funding will ensure our cancer patients the benefit of a fulltime patient navigator who will work at each facility,” said Dr. Ann M. Sullivan, senior vice president of the Queens Health Network, which includes both Queens and Elmhurst Hospital Centers.
“Our patients will find ongoing and wide-ranging support, whether it is in identifying resources for financial assistance, medication needs, insurance questions, transportation concerns – or simply having a hand to hold in their time of need,” Sullivan said.
The ACS connects cancer patients with a patient navigator, who develops one-on-one relationships with them, explains what to expect during treatment, helps patients sort out insurance issues, make sure patients have transportation to and from appointments, connects them with community resources like support groups and offer continuous support. The service is free.
“We are excited to be able to continue our relationship with the American Cancer Society’s Patient Navigator Program,” said Elmhurst Hospital Center executive director Chris Constantino. “ACS Navigators play a vital role in connecting our patients to the programs and services they need most.”
