Contact
Jerri Randrup
jrandrup@alamedahealthsystem.org
510-437-4732
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Foundation Furthers Essential Support for Breast Cancer Patients Oakland, Calif. (July 21, 2015) – Alameda Health System (AHS) and the AHS Foundation announced the receipt of a $125,000 grant to assist high-risk patients in need of diagnostic and treatment services for breast cancer. The grant supports two part-time Patient Navigator positions. The awards were presented on July 12, 2015 in San Francisco during closing ceremonies for AVON 39 The Walk to End Breast Cancer.
“This grant continues essential support services provided to patients experiencing breast cancer,” said Holly Garcia, RD, MPH, AHS Medical Home Manager and Manager of the Patient Navigation Program. “These comprehensive ‘wrap-around’ services offered by AHS Patient Navigators break down critical barriers to accessing care and other resources, and help ensure that patients receive and complete cancer treatment. This can be truly life-saving.”
The Patient Navigation Program helps patients with the emotional impact of a breast cancer diagnosis by guiding them through day-to-day concerns such as adhering to medical requirements, making and keeping appointments, and accessing interpreter assistance. Patient Navigators stay in touch with the patient throughout the course of treatment and often assist women who struggle with limited resources, language barriers, and cultural divides. Despite the obstacles, AHS Patient Navigators have steadily increased the numbers of women screened, improving diagnosis rates and treatment completion. Projections indicate that more than 7,000 women will be screened by AHS in 2015, up from 6,000 in 2014, a reflection of the Program’s continuous improvement in its outreach services.
The grant funds will be administered by AHS’ nonprofit fundraising entity, Alameda Health System Foundation. AHS Foundation President Debra Barnes added, “The problems and barriers some women face are as diverse as the patient population served by AHS. This grant and investments like it enable AHS to advance its mission of ‘Caring, Healing, Teaching, Serving All’ regardless of patients’ social or economic status. Breast cancer knows no boundaries, and those affected shouldn’t encounter barriers to access to quality medical care.”
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About the Avon Foundation for Women
The Avon Foundation for Women is the world’s largest corporate-affiliated philanthropy focused on issues that matter most to women. Since its inception in 1955, the Avon Foundation has promoted or aided charitable, scientific, educational, and humanitarian activities, with a special emphasis on activities that improve the lives of women and their families. Through 2014, Avon global philanthropy, led by the Avon Foundation, has donated nearly $1 billion in more than 50 countries for causes most important to women. Today, Avon philanthropy focuses on funding breast cancer research and access to care through the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, and efforts to reduce domestic and gender violence through its Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program. Visit www.avonfoundation.org for more information.
About Alameda Health System (AHS)
Alameda Health System, a major public health care provider headquartered in Oakland, California, is recognized as a world-class patient and family centered system of care with more than 4,500 employees, 1,000 physicians and 480 volunteers. Their facilities include Highland Hospital, a major regional trauma center and teaching hospital; Alameda Hospital, an acute care facility providing emergency, in-patient and outpatient services in Alameda; San Leandro Hospital, which provides emergency and in-patient hospital care services; John George Psychiatric Hospital, an acute and emergency care facility in San Leandro; Fairmont Hospital, an acute rehabilitation hospital and skilled nursing facility, also in San Leandro; and four ambulatory wellness centers in Oakland as well as in Newark and Hayward.
Edited on June 13, 2018.