To respond to the immediate, practical needs of Canadian cancer patients during COVID-19, Save Your Skin Foundation and 11 other Canadian oncology patient support groups have created the COVID-19 Cancer Patient Support Hub.
Initiatives include an online information hub, mental health and wellness resources, and practical support with volunteer assistance.
Click here to visit the COVID-19 Cancer Patient Support Hub
Read the press release here:
Canadian Cancer Patient Groups Rally to Help Cancer Patients Facing COVID-19 Challenges
May 5, Toronto: Responding to the unprecedented challenges posed by COVID-19, leading oncology patient groups are launching today a national patient-led initiative to support the immediate, practical needs of people living with cancer.
The COVID-19 Oncology Support Task Force has launched the COVID-19 Cancer Patient Support Hub under the umbrella of All.Can Canada, a multi-stakeholder group working in oncology. Initiatives will include an online information hub, mental wellness and practical supports, with volunteer assistance. It includes a public campaign to raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by an estimated 2.1 million Canadians currently living with cancer.
“I was in desperate need of help when I learned that I could no longer get from BC to Ontario for my cancer treatment. I turned to Save Your Skin Foundation, a national skin cancer patient organization, to help me cope with this news and to organize alternatives. Patients need the services this Task Force is providing,” explains Tanya, a melanoma patient.
“Kathy Barnard, the President of Save Your Skin Foundation, called me and told me this story. Other stories started to surface from cancer patients about the practical and emotional issues they were experiencing as a result of COVID-19. We knew we had to act,” said Louise Binder, the lead health policy consultant on the Task Force.
“Cancer patients across Canada are anxious and trying to cope during social isolation orders. They are telling us they need support as medical appointments and treatments are cancelled or postponed,” says Christina Sit, Program Manager, Lung Cancer Canada. “We knew this was bigger than any one organization could handle.”
Dr. Michael Smiley, Medical Oncologist and Clinical Researcher at the Cross Cancer Clinic in Edmonton, lauds the community initiative. “This pandemic has added to the stressful situation for cancer patients. Mental wellness supports and practical help is sorely needed and much welcomed,” he said.
“The Quebec Cancer Coalition is glad to participate in this initiative in solidarity with other patient organizations from the rest of Canada, says Eva Villalba, Executive Director, Quebec Cancer Coalition. “Our Coalition will happily contribute the Quebec perspective to the All.Can Task Force on COVID-19 and cancer, and share the work and resources we have developed locally with organisations in other jurisdictions. Together we can make a greater impact!”
A cancer diagnosis is devastating. COVID-19 exacerbates mental health issues, social and physical isolation and difficulty accessing treatments and essential services. Canadians are asked to share information about the site, www.COVID19OncologyResources.ca, with anyone they know living with cancer, caregivers, their families, and anyone else affected by cancer.
Patient groups participating in the Task Force include:
All.Can Canada
Canadian Neuroendocrine Tumour Society
Canadian Psoriasis Network
Canadian Skin Patient Alliance
CML Canada
CONECTed
GIST Sarcoma Life Raft Group
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada
Life Saving Therapies Network
Lymphoma Canada
Lung Cancer Canada
Myeloma Canada
Quebec Cancer Coalition
Save Your Skin Foundation
