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Cancer Hope Networkas well as Atlantic Health Systemis making progress on a previously announced collaboration to provide peer mentor volunteers to cancer patients and caregivers across Atlantic Health System.
Beginning in September, trained peer mentors who have received treatment at Atlantic Health System will provide on-site mentoring for patients and caregivers at all five Atlantic Health System oncology sites: Chilton Medical Center, Hackettstown Medical Center, Morristown Medical Center, Newton Medical Center and Overlook Medical Center.
Initially focused on the breast cancer community, the program has now been expanded to include all cancer patients and is a path of hope that patients can access at any point in their treatment journey.
The program also provides a platform for cancer survivors to give back to the community by volunteering as peer mentors. Currently, 22 trained peer mentors from across the Atlantic Health community are available, and Cancer Hope Network and Atlantic Health continue to expand the program by recruiting, onboarding and training new volunteers. These peer mentors are available at each oncology location in the Atlantic Health system to share information, talk about their experiences and help engage patients and caregivers in the program. In addition to the mentors trained by Atlantic Health System, Cancer Hope Network has approximately 500 peer mentors across the country.
“A cancer diagnosis not only impacts our physical health, it can also take a huge toll on our mental, emotional and social well-being,” said Beth Blakey, Executive Director and COO of the Cancer Hope Network. “Our partnership with Atlantic Health System allows us to reach cancer patients and their loved ones, addressing the psychosocial aspects of their experience and helping them navigate it with others who have been through the same journey. We are thrilled that this program is progressing to the stage of providing on-site volunteers at all Atlantic Health System oncology departments, helping to realize our vision that no one should face cancer alone.”
Based in Chester, the Cancer Hope Network provides personalised supportive connections for patients and carers relating to their diagnosis and treatment, as well as their psychological, emotional, social, cultural and spiritual needs, personal lifestyle choices and other personal circumstances.
“At Atlantic Health System, we are committed to helping our patients every step of the way through their cancer treatment,” said Lydia Nadeau, Executive Director of Cancer Care at Atlantic Health System. “We focus not only on medical care, but also on a bigger goal: providing patients with the psychological and emotional support they need. Cancer Hope Network has been a leader in this approach to care for decades, and we are proud to fully implement it this September.”
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