| Show ri q FROM FROM I i ji 1 I it I 1 ONE ICE CELL L L t 1 1 Y YIn In the past year the Utah Ulah Division of ot the American Cancer Society spent 15 percent of its total budget on service and rehabilitation This meant in direct financial assistance going gong to over patients and wheelchairs wheelchair walkers and other equipment provided for approximately patients The total may sound Impressive but to a family with bills in the thousands and offer of is nearly an insult and the equipment available is not always the newest Patients and families facing cancer diagnosis and treatment need above all else support from people outside their immediate household Often this means clergy neighbors extended family and friends But sometimes additional help is people needed who understand the cancer patients patient's normal emotional reactions people who can listen effectively people who can offer practical help ACS VOLUNTEERS working in service and rehabilitation are trained to fill this need People who have had cancer themselves or lived close to it are especially valuable But these people most often do not realize how much others need their help Uintah h Count County Here in Uintah County there are an average of 28 new cancer patients a year Of the who have had cancer Inthe in inthe inthe the past 20 years approximately half hall hallare are still alive These people their families and close friends might be ideal volunteers in service and rehabilitation They know what its it's like to deal with cancer they know what problems arise and they know ways both effective and ineffective to deal with problems Certainly some of these people could help the Uintah Unit form forman an effective Service Committee Here are some of the things possible in Uintah County if such a committee were formed and trained by specialists from the Division office 1 Information and counseling services services services ser ser- vices Including how to cope with specific forms of cancer hoW to to assist financial problems how t to- to medical personnel etc 2 2 Loan and gift services provision of necessary and useful home items for cancer eancer patients such as dressings sickroom supplies and equipment and gifts for the comfort and recreation of the patient 3 Transportation service-bringing service the patient to and from the doctors doctor's office hospital or clinic for diagnosis or treatment including a companion if necessary 4 service Rehabilitation which assists the patient to return to his community occupation and family to function insofar as possible as he did before treatment of his disease The ACS has programs for patients following mastectomy amputation amputation amputation am am- or radical head and neck surgery All of these services require the approval of the attending physician 5 Coordination of existing social services specifically for cancer patients and their families 6 Home-health Home care programs 7 Self-help Self programs for persons with advanced cancer and their families 8 Blood services medications radiation therapy In Today would have been my fathers father's birthday had he survived his cancer The American Cancer Society didn't prevent his death but they made the entire time lime much less painful in many ways I hope some people here in Uintah County will help me do the same for others through an ACS Service Committee Call me at or write to 9 N. N 1150 W. W if youre you're one of those people |
