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Addressing Practical Issues of Survivorship

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During our work we hear from many cancer survivors who face daunting legal and practical challenges throughout their cancer journeys. Thankfully, there are several organizations that are working to address the practical issues related to cancer survivorship including several LAF Community Program grantees. These partners can be found across the country, providing support, education and free legal assistance to cancer survivors and their caregivers. They also train health care professionals about many of the legal health issues that cancer survivors deal with on a daily basis. Below are a few of these amazing community partners and links to their organizations:

The Cancer Legal Resource Center (Los Angeles, California) (CLRC) provides information and resources on cancer-related legal issues for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and other coping with cancer. The CLRC is providing free, webinars on legal issues of cancer related to insurance, employment, finances and much more. For more information visit: www.cancerlegalresourcecenter.org

New York Legal Assistance Group (New York City, New York) (NYLAG) is also providing legal support to cancer survivors across New York and will be pulling together a group of other legal health groups to create a national network of cancer legal service providers. This network would serve as a forum for participants to request and share information and best practices. It will assist organizations interested in starting legal programs and has the potential to enrich the national cancer survivorship movement by drawing attention to the unmet legal needs of people with cancer. LegalHealth will work with the Cancer Legal Resource Center to coordinate this effort. For more information visit www.nylag.org

Cancer Services of New Mexico (Albuquerque, New Mexico)-The Legal, Insurance and Paperwork Assistance (LIPA) Program is the only program in New Mexico providing comprehensive assistance with cancer-related legal, insurance and paperwork issues. Major program elements include LIPA Clinics (free individualized consultations for cancer survivors/loved ones) and Cancer Treatment Organizers (free recordkeeping tools that offer survivors a simple system for keeping cancer-related records organized and easily accessible). The program is distinctive because it leverages teams of volunteer attorneys, financial/insurance experts, and health care professionals to provide substantive, in-depth assistance to its clients. All LIPA services are provided at no cost. For more information visit: www.cancerservicesnm.org

Legal Clinic for the Disabled (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) This project addresses the economic and social well being of cancer survivors in the five-county Philadelphia region by helping them understand and overcome legal obstacles. LAF funding provides legal outreach, education, advice and representation to this population. Staff will also provide outreach to health care professionals, social services providers and advocacy groups serving cancer survivors to educate them about legal issues facing cancer survivors, to inform them about the program and to build client referral networks. Information about the Legal Clinic for the Disabled can be found at www.legalclinicforthedisabled.org

LIVESTRONG SurvivorCare provides free, professional practical support regarding insurance issues, financial assistance, debt crisis, and workplace concerns through our partnership with the Patient Advocate Foundation. This practical support, along with emotional counseling and information about clinical trials, can be accessed by contacting LIVESTRONG SurvivorCare at 1-(866) 673-7205 or through our website at www.livestrong.org/survivorcare

  • http://www.Twitter.com/uriel81 Bob Gries

    Very good article. I am retweeting it now.
    Thx
    Bob

  • Colleen Payne-Baggetta

    Hello, My sister was a 3 time Cancer survivor – Hodgkins at the age of 23-24, that was 25 years ago, Breast 42 and colon 45, survived all the cancers, but recently died at age 50. She was a survivor, and lived everyday as if it was her last, even during the painful recovery of many operations. I remember when she got Hodgkins, I was 20 years old with 2 babies, she was 23, we were the only family we had, I took her for chemo, terrible back then, and tried all I could to help her. But one of the worst situations was when she couldn’t pay her electric, and our money was exhausted, there was no place to turn, churches gave minimal. I vowed years ago, that if I can help people just pay their electric bill or put gas in their car to go to the dr., I would do it. I donate money and time, but I want to help people directly, not indirectly. I live in SC, but travel frequently to Northern VA and PA. I would like to help people who are suffering from cancer who have to use all their energy just to survive. Please let me know what I can do. Thank you and Thank you for all you do!