New office will allow Cancer Support Community representatives to support patients as part of comprehensive services available in one location.
Cancer Support Community San Francisco Bay Area (CSC), a Bay Area-based non-profit devoted to supporting individuals, families, and communities affected by cancer through no- cost comprehensive care and support, announced a new Patient Navigator position at the UCSF-John Muir Health Jean and Ken Hofmann Cancer Center at the Behring Pavilion in Walnut Creek.
UCSF Health and John Muir Health are providing CSC with office space in recognition of organization’s work and the importance of supportive care for patients and families. CSC has welcomed Juliane Lee, MA as their new dedicated Patient Navigator at the facility to ensure everyone has access to CSC’s support programs.
“We are excited about this incredible opportunity to strengthen our collaboration with UCSF Health and John Muir Health at their state-of-the-art facility. The ability to connect with patients and families during their visits to the Hofmann Cancer Center in Walnut Creek provides the comprehensive care and support they need in one place, at one time,” said Caroline Sison, MPH, Director of Educational Programs and Outreach at CSC. “We are deeply grateful to both organizations for not only seeing the importance of the services that CSC provides, but demonstrating their commitment to addressing the supportive needs of cancer patients.”
In 2024 it is projected that just under 5,500 people will be diagnosed with cancer every day and by 2050, this number is anticipated to increase by 49%. CSC recognizes that the impact of a cancer diagnosis extends far beyond medical treatment. A staggering three out of every four cancer survivors experience symptoms of psychological distress as well as financial strain, which impacts health outcomes and overall quality of life. While local health care providers are working to meet the medical needs of the growing number of cancer patients and their family members, CSC’s presence within these medical settings will allow more patients than ever to access the no-cost support they need to better cope with their cancer experience.
“We recognize that community organizations like Cancer Support Community are crucial to the health and well-being of cancer patients and their loved ones,” says Brenda Carlson, Executive Director of Oncology Services at John Muir Health. “We are committed to ensuring that patients seeking access to free, high-quality support programs can do so easily and as early in their cancer diagnosis as possible.”
Within the UCSF-John Muir Health Cancer Center at the Behring Pavilion, multidisciplinary teams of specialists have vast experience treating cancer, including breast, gastrointestinal tract, head and neck, lung, thyroid and prostate, as well as uterine and ovarian cancers, hematologic malignancies and sarcomas. Patients also receive extensive support through nurse navigator and survivorship programs, genetic counseling, nutrition and more, as part of a comprehensive cancer care program.
The collaboration between CSC and the UCSF-John Muir Health Jean and Ken Hofmann Cancer Center exemplifies the strength that emerges when organizations unite to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those impacted by cancer. It is a testament to the shared commitment to providing holistic care and support in addition to the clinical treatment of cancer.