According to many cancer patients, one of the first side-effects of having cancer is that you go deaf. In a press release from the American Cancer Society, Kaua‘i, what that means is that the amount of reading and results, the
According to many cancer patients, one of the first side-effects of having cancer is that you go deaf.
In a press release from the American Cancer Society, Kaua‘i, what that means is that the amount of reading and results, the number of decisions that need to be made, and doctors, is overwhelming and it’s hard to hear and retain all of the information.
The Young Brothers Community Advisory Board is acting to help alleviate this condition with its latest grant that was presented to the ACS and accepted by its Board President Gordon Yee.
Funds from the grant presented Tuesday afternoon will help newly diagnosed cancer patients stay tuned in with a new organizer box labeled “Personal Health Manager.”
These organizers will be available free on Kaua‘i due to the generosity of the YB CAB grant.
According to the ACS press release, the Personal Health Manager is an easy-to-use toolkit which helps people fighting cancer to become active participants in their own care.
The kit is filled with information about managing daily routines, talking with doctors, coping emotionally, and the many direct patient services and quality-of-life programs offered by the ACS Kaua‘i field office.
Additionally, the kit helps organize diagnosis and treatment information, lab reports, imaging studies, bills and insurance papers. Patients and caregivers are able to log test results, list medications, track progress, and take notes on the divider tabs.
“Managing personal cancer treatment can be like having another part-time job,” said Mary Williamson, director of the ACS Kaua‘i office. “You have to keep organized if you want to make informed decisions, comply with treatment, and increase chances of survival. The Young Brothers gift ensures that every client receives the same bundle of high quality information and connects with our local programs and services.”
Cancer patients will receive the Personal Health Manager when they register with the ACS at its Lihu‘e office located on the campus of St. Michael’s Church next to the Lihu‘e Library.
Additionally, kits will be available on “ACS Days” at the Wilcox Memorial Hospital starting in August.
For more cancer information, call 1-800-227-2345, or visit the Web site at www.cancer.org.
