INSPIRING WAYS PEOPLE

INSPIRING WAYS PEOPLE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN CANCER CARE

THE CANCER JOURNEY INVOLVES CHALLENGES WELL BEYOND THE MEDICAL ISSUES. THESE EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL AND LOGISTICAL DIFFICULTIES - FROM TRANSPORTATION STRUGGLES TO COPING WITH THE DIAGNOSIS TO CHILDCARE SUPPORT - CAN OFTEN MAKE PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS FEEL ISOLATED AND HELPLESS, SEARCHING FOR WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Fortunately, many survivors, innovators, and entrepreneurs are striving to support people with cancer as they navigate that journey. Astellas Oncology encourages and celebrates those efforts to tackle everyday challenges in cancer care beyond medicine with its fifth annual C3 “Changing Cancer Care” Prize. This year’s winners developed new approaches to support people impacted by cancer, from the onset of their first symptoms throughout the recovery and healing process. They show that by offering cancer patients and their caregivers hope through support, resources and information, change is possible. Here are the stories of the three winners and their inspiring ideas.

Grand Prize Winner

Dr. Omolola Salako, an oncologist from Lagos, Nigeria, will receive a $100,000 grant and resources to advance her winning idea: a groundbreaking web and mobile app to connect Nigerian cancer patients with specialists and hospitals - along with a supportive community of survivors.

After her sister died from advanced kidney cancer, Salako was driven to improve the accessibility of care in Nigeria for others touched by cancer.

“Cancer is a public health crisis in Nigeria, where the ratio of a clinical oncologist to new cancer patients is extremely low and cancer death rates are high,” said Dr. Salako. “I see this firsthand as an oncologist. The Oncopadi app navigates cancer patients and caregivers from the comfort of their home, to the clinic and back home.”

With those goals in mind, Salako developed Oncopadi, a platform for patients to access information about symptoms and screening, to find doctors, counselors and medical resources, plus to connect with other patients and survivors for support.

“Our mission is to demystify cancer,” said Salako. “Avoidance of care means that many Nigerian cancer patients die. We can save more lives if we detect and treat cancer earlier.”

Thanks to the C3 Prize, Salako will expand her app to reach more patients in Nigeria and other countries, providing free access to a cancer coaching program that educates, engages and improves cancer patients’ experience. Innovation Prize Winners

Each winner will receive a $50,000 grant and resources, along with tools to help them develop and advance their ideas.

Dr. Valeria Arango Vélez from Medellin, Colombia, is a medical doctor - and cancer survivor. She developed a mind-body therapy app called Healing Presents, using scientifically proven mind-body techniques to help people cope with the emotional challenges of the cancer journey. These therapies help patients enhance the relaxation response of the body, to improve their quality of life and support the healing process.

Healing Presents is the first and only app created for each moment of the cancer journey, from diagnosis through recovery, to address specific emotional needs patients have at each stage. The apps address challenges including dealing with pain, insomnia, stress and physical changes during the treatment and healing processes.

“The app uses methods including mindfulness, music therapy, guided breathing and meditation to practice before, during and after treatment under a doctor’s care to help with specific moments of the cancer

journey,” said Vélez. “Using these techniques can help improve patients’ quality of life as well as treatment effectiveness.”

Vélez hopes to expand use of the app to more patients, including low-income patients, and to translate it into Portuguese.

Lisa McKenzie from New Orleans, Louisiana, is the founder of You Night Empowering Events. McKenzie witnessed up close the challenging emotional journey of cancer through two good friends. In response, she developed an organization to help address the emotional challenges of the cancer journey and, in 2020 during the pandemic, she created a virtual storycrafting program to empower those with cancer.

Through McKenzie’s program and Story Crafting course, people are empowered to articulate their life’s journey through key experiences, finding inner strength and remembering they are far more than their cancer diagnosis.

You can watch the full C3 Prize “We Can Change Cancer Care” event, where the three winners pitched their ideas to a panel of expert judges on YouTube. Learn more about the three innovators and sign up for updates at www.C3Prize.com. (BPT) l

PHOTO COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES

Older adults in America are living longer lives and will outnumber people under the age of 18 by nearly 500,000 by 2034, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

However, living longer does not automatically mean living healthier or happier. In fact, nearly 61% of people in America aged 65 and older live with chronic conditions, according to the National Institutes of Health, and a report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine found nearly 1 in 4 older adults are considered to be socially isolated.

Research published in “Health Affairs” indicates that people who advocate for their own care feel more empowered. The age-friendly health systems approach can help older adults take control of their well-being and demand care that helps them maintain independence by making sure their doctors know their needs and preferences; also called “what matters.”

Just as the name implies, age-friendly care prioritizes what matters most to each individual older adult and helps meet goals such as daily walks around the neighborhood or cooking favorite meals. To get started, consider these four essential elements of age-friendly care from The John A. Hartford Foundation to discuss with your doctor:

What Matters. As people age, what matters most to them might change. It is important to share concerns, goals, wishes, needs and experiences with your health care providers. What matters also includes end-of-life care goals and preferences. Medication. Many older adults take multiple medications, which can cause side effects and, in turn, impact daily living. Honest conversations with doctors about medications, their interactions and side effects can ensure treatment plans are optimizing quality of life.

Mentation. Older adults are at higher risk for dementia, depression and delirium, and conversations with medical providers about changes in memory or mood and annual screenings for dementia and depression can lower the risk.

Mobility. Staying active can help older adults maintain health and independence. Talking to health care providers about mobility concerns can identify personalized tips to improve strength, flexibility and balance.

Healthy aging is possible when the patient and care team are on the same page with the same plan in mind. For ideas on how to start these conversations, visit johnahartford.org/ agefriendly. (Family Features)

PREPPING FOR DISASTER AMID COVID-19

With this natural disaster season almost sure to be unlike any Americans have faced before amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s all the more important to take small steps to protect yourself and your family in the event of a natural disaster. Consider these tips from Monica Sanders, disaster response expert, and Clorox. To find more information on how to help keep your family safe before and after a natural disaster at Clorox.com/ disaster-preparedness. (Family Features)