CancerCare® Prepares to Provide Vital Support for Cancer Patients Affected by Hurricane Florence

NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- As residents across the southeastern United States face the early impact of Hurricane Florence, CancerCare® prepares to offer emotional and financial support to cancer patients impacted by the storm.

As a leading national nonprofit organization serving people affected by cancer, CancerCare is well aware of the disruption a hurricane can cause to cancer patients and their families. Last year, the organization raised almost $665,000 in direct financial assistance for people with cancer who had been impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Jose and Maria. In 2005, CancerCare promptly addressed the devastation caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita with a comprehensive program of support. As part of our mission to provide help and hope to anyone affected by cancer, these funds helped CancerCare provide life-saving assistance to people struggling with cancer in disaster areas.

CancerCare is actively monitoring the effects of Hurricane Florence and standing ready to help cancer patients offset the financial burden of a cancer diagnosis. Contributions to CancerCare's 2018 Hurricane Preparedness Fund will help provide:

• Financial assistance to people living with cancer in active treatment who have been affected by a hurricane
• Resource referrals to help people coping with cancer address needs resulting from a hurricane's impact
• Emotional support from CancerCare oncology social workers for people coping with cancer, their caregivers and their loved ones
• Educational information to help patients and families manage the emotional and logistical challenges of living with cancer in the aftermath of a hurricane

"We are proud to have acted swiftly as the devastating effects of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Jose and Maria became evident," shares CancerCare CEO Patricia J. Goldsmith, "but it is not enough to simply react in the face of distress. With our Hurricane Preparedness Fund, we will be proactively ready to offer specialized practical and emotional support to those coping with both a cancer diagnosis and the aftereffects of a natural disaster."

For more information on CancerCare's services, patients and health care professionals can call CancerCare's toll-free Hopeline, 800-813-HOPE (4673), staffed Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

About CancerCare^®
Founded in 1944, CancerCare is the leading national organization providing free, professional support services and information to help people manage the emotional, practical and financial challenges of cancer. Our comprehensive services include counseling and support groups over the phone, online and in-person, educational workshops, publications and financial and co-payment assistance. All CancerCare services are provided by oncology social workers and world-leading cancer experts.

To learn more, visit www.cancercare.org or call 800-813-HOPE (4673).

SOURCE CancerCare