HOPE

laurie.marshall@hopecancerresources.org (Hope Cancer Resources) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:30:00 +0000

As you can see by the change in the look of our blog, we've been experiencing a few changes here in our little corner of the world. Helping Oncology Patients Excel has merged with North Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute and has now become Hope Cancer Resources. We will continue to offer all of the free programs that were previously managed by the individual agencies, including:

Cancer Screenings
Prevention Education
Interpretation Services
Emotional Support
Financial Support
Support Groups
Clinical Trial Access
Educational Materials & Speakers
Transportation Services

The effect this merger will have on our patients, and on the general health and well-being of our friends and neighbors in NW Arkansas, is tremendous. As one agency, we will no longer compete for funding from local grant-making organizations. We will be able to blend our overlapping services and serve a growing number of cancer patients and their caregivers with increased and more focused resources. We are now located in a larger and more centrally-located building. Programs we have had on our "someday" list will now be able to be made a reality. Can you see why we're excited??

A new website is currently in the works, and should be live sometime around the first of the new year. Until then, keep in touch with what's going on here on our blog. It's the season to be thankful, and we at Hope Cancer Resources have a great deal of good things to remember as we contemplate where we are, and where we're headed... and we couldn't do all the good work we do without your help.

Thank YOU, Northwest Arkansas!!

Happening for HOPE at Gullett's Gourmet!

laurie.marshall@hopecancerresources.org (Hope Cancer Resources) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:37:00 +0000

We want to say THANK YOU to all the great people who came out to Gullett's Gourmet in Fayetteville last week to support HOPE!!

Attendees enjoyed a breezy (and only a tiny bit humid) evening on the patio, and the musical stylings of Scott Miller on guitar. His son, Jackson, added some interpretive dance for good measure, but wasn't able to entice anyone to join him.

Mark your calendars now for our next Happening at Eddie Haskell's in Rogers August 27th ~ See you there!
(In case you need more enticement, check out all these happy faces from last week!!)

Happening for HOPE!

laurie.marshall@hopecancerresources.org (Hope Cancer Resources) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:28:00 +0000

What are you doing tonight?

There are a lot of things going on... ballgames, free concerts in parks... but there's also an opportunity for you to have some great food, listen to some good music, AND support HOPE, Inc. and cancer patients in Northwest Arkansas!

Tonight at Gullett's Gourmet in Fayetteville we are thrilled to be hosted for a Happening for HOPE. Scott Miller will be playing some great music for us, Grant Gullett has promised some food specials, and a percentage of the evening's sales will be donated to HOPE to support our patient assistance and clinical trials research programs.

Last year, we were able to assist 1,641 local cancer patients with financial assistance, counseling for them and/or their loved ones, and assist with prescription medication expenses. There is no other agency in Northwest Arkansas that does everything we do.

Help us help others - and remember, when it comes to cancer's effect on the people we love, there is no "them"... only "us".

Oncology Social Workers - healing and giving HOPE

laurie.marshall@hopecancerresources.org (Hope Cancer Resources) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:21:00 +0000

Most of us would assume that the words "You have Cancer." delivered by a medical professional would make us afraid for our health. Physical limitations might follow, which would be fairly easy to predict. Fear of death is a given, and we would probably think of our family, and the burden that we might become on them while we are ill.

But even though you expect the physical and emotional results of the diagnosis, you may not know the stress that dealing with a diagnosis and the resulting treatment brings, can have a very real impact on the ability a patient has to heal, recover, and survive. In fact, patients who receive phycho-social support in the form of counseling and support group activities have a higher rate of survival than those who do not. For that reason, cancer centers all over the U.S. are starting to add a social work component to their treatment plans.

HOPE, Inc. employs three licensed social workers in order to provide assistance to cancer patients in northwest Arkansas. Starting with the initial visit a patient makes to Highland's Oncology Clinic in Fayetteville, a social worker is assigned to assess their needs for financial and emotional assistance, and to keep in touch with that patient to continue access to our services as they make the frightening and sometimes confusing journey through cancer treatment.

Even if a cancer patient is not being treated at the Fayetteville Highland's, they can still receive emotional and financial support from HOPE if they live in Washington, Benton, Carroll or Madison counties. For more information on our services please contact us at 479-571-4673 or visit our website at http://www.hopenwa.org/.

Summer Events for HOPE!

laurie.marshall@hopecancerresources.org (Hope Cancer Resources) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:19:00 +0000

Get out your calendar! We have a great selection of events scheduled this summer to help HOPE get the word out about our programs and services, and to raise a little money to provide the support that is so desperately needed for local cancer patients in northwest Arkansas.

Check these out:

What: Homemade for HOPE
When: June 26, 2009 7am – 4:30pm
Where: Highland’s Oncology Group
3232 Northhills Drive, Fayetteville, 72703
Homemade baked goods for sale to benefit the patient assistance and clinical trials programs at HOPE, Inc. (Helping Oncology Patients Excel)
Need more information, or wish to donate? Call HOPE, Inc. at 479-571-4673

What: Happening for HOPE
When: July 23, 2009 5:30pm – 9:30pm
Where: Gullett’s Gourmet
326 N. West Avenue, Fayetteville, 72703
Live music, food specials, and great atmosphere – 10% of sales for the evening to benefit the patient assistance and clinical trials programs at HOPE, Inc. (Helping Oncology Patients Excel) Need more information? Call HOPE, Inc. at 479-571-4673

What: Hardbacks for HOPE (and Paperbacks too!)
When: July 24, 2009 7am – 4:30pm
Where: Highland’s Oncology Group
3232 Northhills Drive, Fayetteville, 72703
Pre-owned and gently used books for sale to benefit the patient assistance and clinical trials programs at HOPE, Inc. (Helping Oncology Patients Excel)
Need more information, or wish to donate? Call HOPE, Inc. at 479-571-4673

What: Rummage Sale for HOPE
When: August 7-8, 2009 8am – 4:30pm
Where: Highland’s Oncology Group
3232 Northhills Drive, Fayetteville, 72703
Tons of great items! Furniture, kitchen items, clothing, toys… all sales benefit the patient assistance and clinical trials programs at HOPE, Inc. (Helping Oncology Patients Excel) Need more information, or wish to donate? Call HOPE, Inc. at 479-571-4673

What: Happening for HOPE
When: August 27, 2009 6pm – 9pm
Where: Eddie Haskell’s
3300 Market Street, Suite 100, Rogers, AR 72758
Bring your friends and family out to enjoy a bite and a sip and help local cancer patients at the same time. 10% of sales will be donated to HOPE, Inc. for this Thursday night event at Eddie Haskell’s. Need more information? Call HOPE, Inc. at 479-571-4673.

As you can see, there is something planned for EVERYONE. We hope to see you there, and there, and there, and there... well, you get the idea.

Economic Impact (Part Two)

laurie.marshall@hopecancerresources.org (Hope Cancer Resources) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:22:00 +0000

Raise your hand if you've heard the term "clinical trials". Okay, now keep your hand up if you aren't really sure what they are or what the purpose of them is. There are a lot of hands still in the air!

There is a lot of talk in journals and on websites that keep up with cancer research that mentions clinical trials. When a patient is starting to head down the road of treatment, it's one of the options that could be presented by their oncologist... but what does it mean to join a trial? Where are they located? And, most important for some patients - how much will it cost?

Clinical trials are available for virtually every type or stage of cancer diagnosis. To be accepted into a trial means that there is active research being conducted on your specific cancer type, stage of development, or treatment plan. Sometimes they are set up to test a new combination of medications, and other times they are more unique, like the one currently being conducted at UAMS where women's tears are being captured and tested for proteins that may point to the development of breast cancer.

Many patients see trials as a "last resort" option, only to be looked into when traditional treatments don't provide the desired recovery results. But more and more cancer clinics are putting together staff who can do the research and management that is necessary to develop and manage top-notch clinical trials program on a local level, providing access from the very beginning of a treatment plan.

At HOPE, Inc. we have a licensed RN on staff who manages twelve clinical trials for the patients referred to us by oncologists at Highland's Oncology Group in Fayetteville and Bentonville. Since these trials are managed and performed here in NW Arkansas, our patients are able to benefit from cutting-edge research and still sleep in their own beds at night.

Not having to travel to a distant medical facility like MD Anderson in Houston or the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota is not only emotionally beneficial for our patients, but it takes a potentially HUGE burden off of their budget. Recently, we calculated the estimated cost of participating in a clinical trial at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas and came up with the following:

Mileage Expenses: $.585 (IRS rate) x 400 miles = $234 x min. of 25 trips = $5,850

Lodging/Meals for a three day stay: $136 (IRS Per Diem Rate) x 75 (3 days per trip) = $10,200

3 days lost wages (24 total hours) = 431.76 x 25 trips = $10,794
(based on average household median income for Arkansas: $37,420 = $17.99 per hour)

Total Annual Expense Per Patient: $26,844

Remember, this is only calculating the costs for a trial conducted three hours away, and doesn't even include the cost to a caregiver for their time off work, food, and lodging on the trip. Then there are the regular medications and treatments and doctors' visits required to maintain the standard of care...

Now you can see what one of our patients meant when she recently told us that her first thought upon receiving her diagnosis of colon cancer was "I can't afford to have cancer."

Help us provide hope for people in Northwest Arkansas living with cancer.
Donate today.

Economic Impact (Part One)

laurie.marshall@hopecancerresources.org (Hope Cancer Resources) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:24:00 +0000

There was an article published in the Northwest Arkansas Times in January of this year that explored the impact of local non-profit organizations on our community's financial outlook. The article focused primarily on how the highlighted agencies contribute to the area's financial stability through payment of salaries and bringing ancillary monies to the community.

HOPE, Inc. doesn't employ dozens of people, nor does it host programs that will attract hundreds of spectators who will feed their families at local restaurants, but as an organization that provides direct financial assistance, we can state without a doubt that our fiscal viability is vital to our community especially in the midst of our country's current economic downturn. Just as we are working harder to secure donations at levels equal to those of past years, the cancer patients we serve need us more than ever before.

Last year we created a report that outlined the amount of value our assistance programs offer to our community, and the numbers were impressive. We found that for fiscal year 2007-2008, the monthly financial impact our programs had on cancer patients living or being treated in northwest Arkansas was $39,720.00.

The total financial impact for the entire fiscal year was $476,640.00.

That is money spent to keep people in their homes, make sure they are able to get to their radiation appointments to maintain the treatment plan set up by their physician, and to help them focus on healing and recovery rather than whether or not they can afford to buy their chemotherapy prescription AND put food on the table for their family.

Travel expenses for those needing treatment out of town are also provided on a case-by-case basis. Notes from patients like this are what it's all about for us:

I want to take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude for your organization's financial assistance for our son. Your donation of $600 helped us afford to live in an apartment near CARTI in Little Rock. The apartment has been a infinite blessing in the midst of such a painful time for our son. The radiation and chemo treatments that he receives each weekday are very hard on his body. It is comforting to come "home" to our apartment each day and relax in a quiet and peaceful setting. May God richly bless your individual and corporate lives.

You can make a difference in the life of a local cancer patient. Find out more about HOPE, Inc. and donate online at www.hopenwa.org. We are all affected, and we can all share HOPE.

Next time: The cost benefit of providing LOCAL clinical trials to cancer patients.

Cancer Support Groups

laurie.marshall@hopecancerresources.org (Hope Cancer Resources) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:48:00 +0000

Cancer patients and their caregivers can feel isolated and helpless when it comes to finding people to talk to who understand what they're going through. Neighbors and friends tell them they are there if they need them, but many times the patient or their loved ones just don't want to "burden" their friends with their frustrations and fears.

If you are nodding your head right now in agreement, you may be interested to know about the following support groups that HOPE facilitates for cancer patients in NW Arkansas:

Coping and Conversation is held every Wednesday at noon at the Cancer Support Home in Fayetteville and is a partnership between the Cancer Support Home and HOPE, Inc. It's for patients and caregivers dealing with any cancer diagnosis. Call for more information: (479) 521-8024

Lung Cancer Support Group is held the third Thursday of each month at 5:00 p.m. at the Highlands Oncology Group offices in Fayetteville. This group is a partnership between Highlands Oncology and HOPE, Inc. For more information: (479) 571-4673

Young Adults Cancer Support Group (YACS) is held the first Thursday of each month at the Cancer Support Home in Bentonville and is a partnership between the Cancer Support Home and HOPE, Inc. For more information: (479) 271-2257

Children's Lives Include Moments of Bravery (CLIMB) is a group for children who have a parent, grandparent or loved one with cancer. It meets once a week for six weeks and these six week sessions are scheduled twice a year. This group is coordinated as a partnership between NARTI, the Cancer Support Home and HOPE, Inc. For information on when the next session will open for registration, call (479) 571-4673.

Cancer: There Are No Others; Only Us

laurie.marshall@hopecancerresources.org (Hope Cancer Resources) — Wed, 27 May 2009 21:10:00 +0000

We all thought that Cancer was something that happened to "Other People". But now too many of us know that's not the case. We work with cancer patients in northwest Arkansas every day. We hear the stories of our patients, and we build our programs around them.

Post your experiences, challenges, and successes in the comments below. The more we are made aware of the needs of the people we serve, the better our assistance will be. Because it's NOT "Other People"... it's all of us.

2009 Heather Ridley-Fleeman Battle for HOPE

laurie.marshall@hopecancerresources.org (Hope Cancer Resources) — Tue, 26 May 2009 19:22:00 +0000

Another Battle for HOPE, another weekend of crazy spring weather! Last year our runners, walkers and volunteers braved freezing temperatures to show their support for HOPE and the need for education and awareness of colon cancer prevention methods, this year it was pouring rain.

After a last-minute flurry of registrations, Outdoor Cap won the prize for Largest Team with 41 participants, narrowly beating out Team Frito Flash with 38. As the largest team, Outdoor Cap will receive a cookout at their office compliments of Signature Bank of Bentonville.

Geraldine Mansch won the Top Fundraiser prize, and her Team Hodge Podge will celebrate raising the most money with free passes to bowl at Fast Lane Entertainment in Rogers.

Please take a look at all the generous sponsors for this year's event that made it all possible.

Even with the lousy economy and the nasty weather we raised just over $33,000.00 to be used locally to support HOPE's patient assistance programs. We offer financial and emotional assistance to people living or being treated for cancer in Northwest Arkansas. More information can be found at our website.

Thanks to all of our volunteers for doing such a GREAT job in the rain! And special thanks to our event steering committee - without them, this event would never happen:

Kris Addington

Trent Addington

Tiffany Baird

Missy Brewer

Tara Goates

Laurie Marshall

Shawn Mayfield

Mandy Silberstein

Rick Bostian

Kim Tisdale

Mark your calendars - next year's date is May 1, 2010!!

Colon Cancer - deadly, but preventable!

laurie.marshall@hopecancerresources.org (Hope Cancer Resources) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:32:00 +0000

Most physicians will recommend you begin getting regular colonoscopy's when you're around 50 years old. But don't let that fool you into believing that you are not at risk for colon cancer before that age... just ask some of the people who have posed for the annual Colondar put together by The Colon Club. They all faced a colon cancer diagnosis before they turned 50.

Know the symptoms, don't be afraid to discuss your concerns with your doctor if you recognize them in your own body, and get screened!

Signs and symptoms of colon cancer include:

A change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool for more than a couple of weeks;

Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool;

Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain;

Abdominal pain with a bowel movement;

A feeling that your bowel doesn't empty completely;

Weakness or fatigue;

Unexplained weight loss.

Join us on May 2nd to help raise awareness of the need for early detection of this nasty disease. We'll be running and walking, getting free massages from Blue Cliff College, eating snacks from Frito Lay and Little Debbie, and listening to some great music provided by Clear Channel. All events will be held at or around the old Tiger Stadium site in Bentonville, and more information can be found at the event website.

5th Annual Heather Ridley-Fleeman Battle for HOPE

laurie.marshall@hopecancerresources.org (Hope Cancer Resources) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:51:00 +0000

This week may have a prediction of rain, but we are gearing up for a break in the weather on Saturday so that we can share a morning of cancer education, activity, and awards with you in Bentonville!

What: Heather Ridley Fleeman Battle for HOPE

When: Saturday May 2 - 8:00 a.m.

Where: old Tiger Stadium site in Bentonville (corner of Bella Vista Dr. and Tiger Blvd.)

Why: Raising awareness for the need for early detection and prevention of colon cancer - the 2nd deadliest cancer in the United States.

The Battle for HOPE is so packed with activities for everyone in the family it will be impossible not to have a great time. The main events are a 10k and 5k run, but we also have a 5k walk, a 1-mile Family Fun Walk, several Kids' Races, and a 50-yard dash presented by Fresh Express.

In addition to the runs and walks, there will be massage therapists on site to soothe your muscles, snacks to replenish your body, and some bouncy, air-filled things for kids to jump around on.

You can register online at http://www.heathersraceforhope.com/ or in person at Fleet Feet Sports in Fayetteville through Thursday - then we'll be at the old Tiger Stadium site in Bentonville at 6:30 a.m. on the morning of the race to register all you last-minute folks.

This event benefits HOPE, Inc. to provide financial and emotional assistance and access to clinical trials to cancer patients living or being treated in NW Arkansas. All money raised stays here in our communities, and helps our friends, neighbors and loved ones who are battling cancer. For more info on HOPE, check out our website! http://www.hopenwa.org/

C.L.I.M.B. Group Starting Soon!

laurie.marshall@hopecancerresources.org (Hope Cancer Resources) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:14:00 +0000

CLIMB® (Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery) is a family support group that helps children cope with and share their feelings about a parent or loved one with cancer. While the kids hang out with a social worker who helps them work through their questions and emotional issues through crafts and activities, the parents meet with another social worker to ask their own questions about talking to their kids about their diagnosis.

CLIMB is a six-week program that meets on Tuesday nights from 5:30-7:00 beginning April 7th. Registration is required. Please call (479)571-4673 to register. Limited space available, so call early!

HOPE loves Highland's Oncology Group!!

laurie.marshall@hopecancerresources.org (Hope Cancer Resources) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:42:00 +0000

We recently conducted an employee campaign with our friends at Highland's Oncology Group, and are thrilled to report that our efforts surpassed our goal! The generous staff there have pledged to give over $21,000 in the coming year to HOPE!! Wow!

Thank you Highland's staff ~ for supporting us every day in the clinics, and for supporting us through 2009 with your wonderful donations!!!

Because of your gifts, we will be able to help hundreds more patients this year!

This wonderful outpouring of support from the Highland's staff underscores the need for more
collaborative work in the field of cancer care. HOPE was created by a group of Highland's physicians and former patients in 2001, and we partner with them to provide a range of services aimed at helping their patients successfully complete their treatments and focus on recovery. The research and the work done by dedicated medical personnel don't have the desired effect if the patients can't afford their prescriptions or fill up their gas tank to get to appointments, or if they are so overwhelmed with fear and depression that they can't follow the treatment plan.

Not only do we provide emergency financial assistance for patients who, as one of our patients put it, "can't afford to have cancer", but we also offer emotional support for those who are struggling to balance family, finances, work, and their diagnosis. Cancer can be overwhelming in the best of situations, but add one more challenge to the mix and, for many, it becomes an obstacle that seems unsurmountable.

Special thanks also goes out to the businesses that donated

prizes we drew for at the end of the week:

Something Urban

The Copper Pig

Be a Spirit Jumper!

laurie.marshall@hopecancerresources.org (Hope Cancer Resources) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:28:00 +0000

It's hard to believe that it's already February! The holidays have passed and the new year is well under way. Every day our social workers are meeting with new patients at Highlands Oncology Group. Last year they met with 3 of every 4 patients who received treatment at Highland's. We're so pleased to have made those important connections and our goal is to beat that number this year.

When Jessica, Christy and Miki meet with those new patients they usually find that they have many questions or concerns stemming from their cancer diagnosis. Many of them have a great support system standing by to help them cope with their emotional and financial needs as they make the journey down the road to recovery, but very often they do not. Even if they are fairly comfortable with the treatments they are receiving or their financial situation, though, it's likely they struggle with internal fears and bouts of depression that are natural for anyone in their situation.

We recently found a great non-clinical grassroots program that addresses these feelings of depression and you can get involved to help! When Meaghan was diagnosed in 2007 with end-stage cancer she was given a 20% chance of survival. But not only has she survived, but she also just completed law school!! Meaghan and her friend Stacy (who is currently battling melanoma) have created a wonderful blog, and associated service, called Spirit Jump. The mission of these two wonderful ladies is to connect caring people to people who need some emotional support. They accept submissions of names of people dealing with a cancer diagnosis and add them to their list, then they match them with folks who have contacted them to say "who can I help?".

Meaghan's personal story (you can read it here on her blog) describes how the little notes and gifts she received almost every day during her lengthy hospital stays kept her spirits up, and were a constant - and crucial - reminder that she was being prayed for and was loved... and it made a huge difference in her attitude. She wants to give that same inspiration and encouragement to others who are going through the same process. It's not always easy to remain optimistic when a patient is dealing with dozens of pills, tests, scans, nausea, anxiety... and the smallest gesture can have a huge impact.

Check out their site, and consider joining this wonderful effort. It only takes a few moments to send a card, and the emotional benefit for a cancer patient would be tremendous.

'Tis the Season

laurie.marshall@hopecancerresources.org (Hope Cancer Resources) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:12:00 +0000

We have our holiday tree up in the HOPE office, and ornaments handmade by the members of our staff are hanging on it. It's a daily reminder of the holiday season we're in... challenging this year for a lot of us, but even tougher for many people in Northwest Arkansas who are undergoing cancer treatments.

But as requests to HOPE for assistance may be increasing due to higher heating bills and other budgetary challenges surrounding the holidays, we have also been on the receiving end of some wonderful gifts from local organizations and individuals who support the work we do in Northwest Arkansas. The more we receive, the more we can provide to those who need it... we're thrilled to share a little information about some wonderful recent gifts:

$5,000.00 was donated from the proceeds of the 18th annual Rocktoberfest put on by the Rockcrawlers 4x4 Club of NWA the first weekend of November. 200 trucks and jeeps and other off-roading vehicles participated in various competitions over the weekend. There were als0 lots of activities for kids, and some great raffles... Many thanks to Ken Phasey, Jeff Sullivan, Craig Hill, and all the members of the club for their support!!!

$1,000.00 came to us by way of the Replenishment Team at Wal-Mart (Dept. 8022). We were so pleased to visit with them and hear one of their team member's personal story of HOPE's impact on her mother-in-law's life.

$500.00 was donated by friends and co-workers of a great guy named Graham who works at the Fayetteville Senior Center. He agreed to shave his beard and cut off his LOOOONG hair all for HOPE's benefit. He asked for $250.00 to take it off, but actually got $500.00! Thanks Graham!

We are so grateful for all the support we receive from our community. Thank you, Northwest Arkansas, for helping us help our friends and neighbors who are struggling with a cancer diagnosis.

Happy Holidays!

laurie.marshall@hopecancerresources.org (Hope Cancer Resources) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 21:15:00 +0000

What an exciting time of year! The cooler weather that has shown up in Northwest Arkansas reminds us that the holidays are upon us.

In 2008 we at HOPE have so much to be thankful for. The wonderful support from our community has allowed us to grow our programs this year to serve more people than ever before. In the last year we have touched the lives of 1,160 local cancer patients and their families, providing one or more of these important services:

clinical trial access
prescription assitance
utility and housing assistance
counseling services
support agency referrals
gas cards

In the coming year it is projected that approximately 1800 people in Northwest Arkansas will be diagnosed with cancer. We have added to our staff and programs to meet the coming needs for support that that number will bring.

Miki King is our newest Social Worker, giving our Patient Services staff the ability to be at the clinic and immediately available every day of the week.

Laurie Marshall joined us as our Development Coordinator to manage our fundraising programs and events and to help increase our visibility in the community.

We are excited about a new program that we have taken on called Been There. It's a peer-to-peer program that matches local cancer survivors with newly diagnosed patients and will add a very important component to the patient services our social workers already provide. It was being managed by a wonderful group of volunteers, and we are looking forward to watching it grow as we add some administrative support.

The economy has been tight for all of us, but the news is full of stories that bring hope for the mood of our country. More and more people are turning to their neighbors this season to offer support to those who need support, and to give hope to those who need it most.

We hope you will support HOPE this holiday season and honor or remember a special friend or loved one with a gift that will help someone in Northwest Arkansas who is battling cancer.

May 2009 be a year of joy and good health for you and yours.

Happy Holidays!

A Change of Seasons

laurie.marshall@hopecancerresources.org (Hope Cancer Resources) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:35:00 +0000

It seems that for many people a change of seasons gives pause; makes us think critically about the past few months and look hopefully to the future. We look around us and make plans to change things that haven't been working for us. We find ways to improve our circumstances... whether it be our employment situation, or just the way our laundry room is organized. It's a change - a chance to shed one situation and start fresh. Funny how this happens just due to a change in temperature, isn't it?

This cultural phenomena is mirrored in the way that we react to the news of having cancer. All of a sudden, what was stressful or challenging before is no longer looming as large. Or perhaps those situations are still affecting our lives, but we see them through a different filter. The filter called Cancer changes our perspective in many ways, large and small.

At HOPE, we meet with people every day who have just started seeing through that filter. They still have challenges - and they may be facing new ones - but with our help they find resources and meet people who have been where they are and can help anticipate some of the things that are on their horizon as they go through their treatments.

One of the things we have had on our plate over the last few months was our 5th Annual Bill Fleeman Gentlemen of Distinction Fashion Show. It was held October 10 in Rogers, and we were all thrilled to see the evening arrive and the attendees enjoying themselves. We had almost 450 there that evening, and $65,000.00 was raised to benefit HOPE throughout the next year. Big thanks goes out to our presenting sponsors, Harps and Price Cutter, and all the models who risked their reputation to strut down the runway for us:

Blake Evans, Scott Crossett, Derek Gibson, Art Morris, Patrick Woodruff, Chris Haimbach, Tony Hui, Gerald Jordan, J. Max Van Hoose, Roger Gildehaus, Scott Hancock, and James Keenan were all fantastic!

Thanks too, to Sidney P. Davis, Jr., the recipient of our Bill Fleeman Gentleman of Distinction award that evening. Sid and his lovely wife, Rita, have been supporters of HOPE for many years, and recently donated to the new cancer care facility being built at UAMS in Little Rock. They are wonderful supporters of our mission, and that of cancer care throughout the state.

We hope you are looking forward to a lovely holiday season with your friends and family. Please remember us as you consider your gifts this year - a donation to HOPE provides assistance to those in our community who may be finding it hard to enjoy the holidays. We appreciate your support.

Happy Hour 4 HOPE big success!

laurie.marshall@hopecancerresources.org (Hope Cancer Resources) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:11:00 +0000

On September 5 we kicked off a new fundraising venture, called Happy Hour 4 HOPE at Jose's Southwestern Grille in Springdale, Arkansas. Our friends, FOS Project, played to a packed patio for almost five hours! (photos coming soon!!) They are a great band - be sure to check their website for upcoming concert dates.

We saw many old friends, and made some new ones. Folks from HOPE spoke about the programs we make available to cancer patients living or being treated in Northwest Arkansas, and donations from the evening totaled over $2,200!

We want to thank all those who came out to see us and hear FOS Project play. Thanks also goes to Jose's for their help in putting the event together and their donation of $200.00. But most of all, thank you to everyone who gave a little or a lot to support the important work that HOPE does to support cancer patients as they navigate what is likely the most difficult time in their lives. Your support helps us do what we do!

Don't forget to mark your calendar for the upcoming Bill Fleeman Gentlemen of Distinction Fashion Show presented by Harps and Price Cutter on October 10. An award will be presented to Sidney P. Davis, Jr. for his commitment to support cancer care in Northwest Arkansas and beyond, and twelve local gentlemen will be modeling the latest fashions from SOHO Clothiers. The evening will also include a delicious dinner, an exciting live auction, and inspiring patient stories. Ticket and table information can be obtained by calling us at 479.571.4673. See you there!

Why we do what we do

laurie.marshall@hopecancerresources.org (Hope Cancer Resources) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:34:00 +0000

All non-profit organizations have a "mission statement". It helps explain their existence and gives the staff and volunteers a sense of purpose in their work. HOPE's mission is unique in that we provide hands-on psychosocial and financial assistance directly to patients in need. Last year, we touched the lives of 73% of the patients estimated to have been diagnosed with cancer in northwest Arkansas. Very often, this mission comes home to us in a very sobering way, not only fueling our determination to reach as many patients as possible, but also reminding us that life and family and security is precious. And for some, fleeting.

On June 9th, 2008 Jessica and our summer intern, Hannah, were told by the nurses at Highlands Oncology Clinic that a walk-in patient was waiting to see a doctor and would probably need assistance. They also informed them that the patient, “Ashley” aged 33 years old, would not need our help long-term because her cancer was everywhere and she would probably not live another month.

When Jessica and Hannah went to meet Ashley in the waiting room, she was leaning against the front desk counter in pain, unable to sit in a chair. Ashley and her step-grandmother slowly followed them back to the consultation room where she continued to stand in pain with tears in her eyes. The distress tool, a survey she had filled out in the waiting room, indicated Ashley was highly stressed and in need of financial and emotional services, but the most striking aspect of the form was one word Ashley had scribbled - “Terrified.”

As our staff visited with Ashley to discern her needs and try to give her a sense of comfort and hope, she talked about not wanting to die and shared her desire to go back to school. It was heartbreaking to hear her story through her tears as they knew her situation was dire. It was soon revealed that Ashley had a 14 year old son who did not know she was sick. He was at a summer camp and would be there until the 28th of June. This caused some concern because our staff knew it was possible Ashley would not be alive by the time her son came home.

As she spoke to Jessica and Hannah, Ashley indicated that she and her son were the only support each other had. The step-grandmother was willing to take them in and take Ashley to her doctor appointments, but Ashley did not have any money or other assets and had been denied disability and unemployment. She was in the midst of a Medicaid spend down so she did not have anything to contribute to the extra costs that the grandmother was taking on.

When Ashley exited her appointment with the doctor that same day, Hannah was outside the exam room with a fuel card, literature to help Ashley prepare to tell her son of her diagnosis, a cancer care application to help her receive extra funds, and adult diapers for her hemorrhaging. Ashley was comforted by the immediate help and a familiar face in the oncology clinic.

To date, we have helped Ashley with $425.00 in gasoline, $270.00 in prescription assistance, and obtaining other resources for her. Ashley and her son are doing well. HOPE, Inc. is continuing to help her as she enters her last week of treatment.

This is why we do what we do.

HOPE's mission inspires corporate support!

laurie.marshall@hopecancerresources.org (Hope Cancer Resources) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:40:00 +0000

As we move through the summer and juggle staff vacation requests, we are reminded all too often that cancer never takes a vacation. For that reason we must keep our focus as clear now as we do any other time of the year.

We are excited to report, as we kick off our new fiscal year, that two generous companies have stepped forward to help us with that focus by giving donations to HOPE!

HARPS and Price Cutter have joined HOPE for the second year-in-a-row as the Presenting Sponsor of our fifth annual Bill Fleeman Gentlemen of Distinction Fashion Show event scheduled for October 10, 2008. Although they usually do not commit to consecutive sponsorships such as this, the work HOPE has done in the community that has affected HARPS and Price Cutter employees was valuable enough to inspire them to join us again this year. We are so grateful for their support and commitment to helping us help oncology patients excel in Northwest Arkansas!

Wal-Mart has fulfilled a grant request and will donate $10,000 to be used to expand our patient assistance program. HOPE’s patient assistance program strives to help local cancer patients with a combination of financial and emotional services aimed at reducing their distress during treatment. Through the services of licensed oncology social workers, patients are evaluated for psychosocial needs and a series of services are provided based on the individual concerns of that patient. Services include: prescription and emergency financial assistance, crisis intervention, resource mobilization, supportive and therapeutic counseling and education for coping, care giving and other mental health concerns.

Next time you are visiting with your friends or associates who work for HARPS, Price-Cutter or Wal-Mart please tell them how much it means to you for them to support HOPE, Inc.

Social Workers in Cancer Care

laurie.marshall@hopecancerresources.org (Hope Cancer Resources) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:47:00 +0000

Did you know HOPE, Inc. is home to the only social workers dedicated specifically to oncology in our region? Pretty cool, right? But what exactly IS an "oncology social worker"? What do they do? How can they help a patient undergoing cancer treatment?

Oncology social workers help persons with cancer and their loved ones in many ways:

They help individuals ~
* Access information to help understand diagnoses and treatments
* Cope with diagnoses and the emotions experienced
* Plan for the logistics of cancer care
* Apply for programs that offer assistance
* Find temporary housing during treatment

We can offer ~
* Counseling for patients and their loved ones
* Assessments of distress and suggestions for coping
* Information about available support groups and educational programs
* Referrals to community resources
* Information about national resources
* Planning and facilitation of support groups

We can teach about ~
* Communicating with treatment team
* Reducing stress and relaxation skills
* Coping with emotions such as sadness, fear, anger and worry
* Talking with children, family, friends or co-workers
* The basics of hospice care
* Living with cancer
* Life as a cancer survivor

At HOPE we do all of this and more for local oncology patients. We are champions for interventions that enhance the quality of life and survivorship of those we work with. We are extremely fortunate that we also have our own patient services programs to directly assist patients with practical and emotional needs.

Our social workers are licensed in the state of Arkansas, which means they have degrees in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, have successfully completed Board approved examinations, and have undergone a criminal background check. They are also members of the professional organization Association of Oncology Social Workers (AOSW). AOSW's 1100+ members embrace the mission "to advance excellence in the psychosocial care of persons with cancer, their families, and caregivers through networking, education, advocacy, research and resource development."

HOPE is a community leader in the psychosocial care of persons with cancer - and our social workers make it happen.

Who needs HOPE?

laurie.marshall@hopecancerresources.org (Hope Cancer Resources) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:03:00 +0000

Studies have been done that measure the relationship between a person's attitude or level of optimism and their success in life. Over and over again they show that the more optimistic a person is, the more often they will find the silver lining in the thunderclouds that are filling their skies.

You can imagine, then, what an attitude of hopeful optimism can do for the many people in our community who are living with cancer. For too many, cancer is not only a serious illness to be fought through and survived, but the diagnosis also carries the very real threat of losing one's job due to the patient's inability to work during their treatments. That job loss can too quickly lead to a fear of losing their home, their car, custody of their children... Suddenly, being sick is almost the least of their worries. The immediate needs take up more of a patient's mental and physical energy and recovery becomes harder to focus on.

HOPE, Inc. was founded in 2001 by physicians and former cancer patients here in Northwest Arkansas. They saw a need for a source of information and assistance that can available to cancer patients while they are undergoing treatment. We work with oncology patients in Benton, Washington, Madison and Carroll counties to provide emotional support, emergency financial assistance, and referrals to other cancer support organizations when it is appropriate.

We also offer access to clinical trials that have not been available to many patients in Northwest Arkansas before now. Our staff includes a Registered Nurse who manages the paperwork and research involved with patients' applications and physicians' administration of the trials, thereby providing peace-of-mind and a reduction of frustration for those who need it most.

We have created this blog to allow us to provide up-to-date information and an online presence in order to reach as many people as possible with the message of HOPE. Come back often, refer your friends, and support us as you feel you can. We are all neighbors, and we can all use a little HOPE.