Company to Provide Funding and Support for 50 New American Cancer Society Patient Navigator Program Sites Throughout the U.S. Over the Next Five Years
Atlanta, GA /Wilmington, DE. February 14, 2007 AstraZeneca and the American Cancer Society today announced a strategic collaboration to significantly extend the reach of the Societys innovative Patient Navigator Program an initiative to assist individual cancer patients in negotiating the health care system. With major support from AstraZeneca, the American Cancer Society will accelerate development of at least 50 new Patient Navigator Program sites over the next five years in communities throughout the United States. The first three sites to launch are Seattle Cancer Care Alliance in Seattle, Washington; Helen F. Graham Cancer Center at Christiana Care in Wilmington, Delaware; and, John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County in Chicago, Illinois. The American Cancer Society Patient Navigator Program provides individualized personal guidance for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers to help them navigate the cancer experience. The Societys initiative places an emphasis on assisting the medically underserved. As part of its ongoing organizational commitment to patient health, AstraZeneca has pledged USD$10 million to help fund the Societys Patient Navigator Program operations, as well the time of its local employees and other resources to support the program.
A cancer diagnosis can be the most overwhelming experience a person may ever face, and we know that diagnosis is just the beginning of a challenging journey to successfully fight this disease, said Richard C. Wender, M.D., national volunteer president of the American Cancer Society. While there are many uncertainties associated with cancer, the Patient Navigator Program can relieve some of these anxieties by providing personalized support and education for the needs of each patient and their families.
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Contact: Kirsten Evraire
Kirsten.Evraire@astrazeneca.com
215-219-0368
Edelman Public Relations
14-Feb-2007