Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Hope Cancer Resources a great asset for NWA community
The mission of Hope Cancer Resources is to provide compassionate, professional cancer support and education. Their vision is to provide hope and enhance quality of life by expanding prevention, wellness and comprehensive cancer support services in Northwest Arkansas.
The organization includes a team of licensed oncology social workers, a Spanish interpreter, and certified health education specialists. They also feature a transportation service that takes patients to every cancer treatment and educates patients during and after their treatment. Financial assistance is provided for prescription medications, nutritional supplements, gas cards, as well as everyday living expenses to alleviate some of the financial stress a patient and their family may face.
Believing emotional support is essential for healthy survivorship, they offer couples or family counseling sessions with a licensed mental health professional.
In addition, Hope Cancer Resources impacts the community by providing free cancer screenings and cancer prevention education for public schools, employers and the general public. This education includes smoking cessation, tobacco prevention, promoting healthy lifestyles and other means to reduce the risk of cancer.
The programs of Hope Cancer Resources are funded in part through grants from the Susan G. KomenOzark Affiliate as well as corporate and individual donations. Komen Ozark has been a partner for the programs since 2002, providing $864,000 in assistance for breast cancer patients, including funding for genetic testing for breast cancer patients. The purpose of the grant is to provide genetic testing for those patients deemed to be at an elevated risk for the genetic abnormality that places them at higher than normal risk for breast and ovarian cancer. A positive result for the abnormality gives the patient the information they need to help in their treatment plan.
The Wellness Pilot Program is supported through a capacity building grant from Komen Ozark. The pilot project for 20 breast cancer survivors promotes wellness services that include personal coaching for nutrition, exercise, yoga and light weight training without cost to the survivor. The program is available to any cancer survivor and their caregiver.
Plan on participating in the Race for the Cure but want to run some more? Hope Cancer Resources invites you to the 2017 Heather Ridley-Fleeman Battle for Hope on May 6 at Old Tiger Stadium, 810 Bella Vista Road in Bentonville. The race begins at 7:30 a.m.
Hope Cancer Resources is located at 5835 W. Sunset Ave. in Springdale. Contact by phone at (479) 361-5847 or go to hopecancerresources.org.