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My Little Black Book of Cancer Resources
Bob Riter
bob@ibca.net
Much of my work involves helping people diagnosed with cancer find resources in our community.
Over the years, I have developed a mental list of local resources that I often
recommend. Many are not well known, but each provides a valuable service:
Kevin Nickerson, Disability Program Navigator at Tompkins Workforce
New York (272-7570 x136). If you cannot work because of illness or injury, Kevin
is the person who can help you with disability insurance, Medicare, and other
programs that might be of assistance and to which you are entitled.
Corporate
Angel Network (866-328-1313). If you need to travel out of the
area for treatment or a second opinion, you may be able to get a free flight
on a corporate airplane through the Corporate Angel Network. Flights are often
available from the Corning/Elmira Airport to New York City.
Small Comforts
Foundation (257-6059) provides small grants (<$250) for items
that improve the quality of life for individuals with chronic illness. Televisions,
shower chairs, blenders, and easy chairs some of the items that could be provided
through this program.
The Palliative Care Program of Hospicare
and Palliative Care Services (272-0212) focuses on improving the quality
of life of people with serious illness by reducing pain and other symptoms caused
by disease or its treatment. It is available to anyone without regard to life
expectancy. People often receive palliative care while undergoing active treatment
for cancer.
Healthy Living Partnership (274-4500) offers free or low-cost
screening for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer for people who would have
difficulty paying for them.
The Prescription Meds Access Program (272-9331) helps uninsured
and underinsured residents of Tompkins County identify potential sources of
low cost medicine. If you are being treated for cancer, medications can be jaw-droppingly
expensive. This program can connect you with assistance programs offered by
many drug manufacturers.
The “Please Try It Room” at the Finger
Lakes Independence Center (272-2433) displays and loans a wide range of
assistive devices including ramps, wheelchairs, and related items.
The TST-BOCES Cosmetology Program (257-1551) provides free,
reconditioned wigs and wig care.
FISH: Friends in Service Helping (866-255-6545) are volunteers
who donate their time to drive the elderly and persons with disabilities to
medical appointments.
The “Get Covered Info Line” (272-9331) provides
information to Tompkins County residents about their health insurance options,
including free and low-cost plans through New York State.
Tompkins
County Office for the Aging (274-5482). When older are diagnosed
with cancer, the support they need may relate as much to aging as to the cancer
itself. The Office for the Aging is a terrific community resource.
From the Ithaca Journal, May 10, 2007
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