Questions & Answers
1. WHAT IS THE CANCER ASSISTANCE FUND?
The "Cancer Assistance Fund" has been designed to provide a helping hand when all other avenues of funding have been explored and/or exhausted for Cumberland County residents fighting cancer. Donations may help to fund transportation for treatment, food & nutritional assistance, and other areas as identified by the Cancer Navigator as being required to maintain the health of the cancer patient.
2. WHAT IS A "CANCER NAVIGATOR"?
Cancer Navigators work closely with family doctors, cancer specialists as well as community cancer services to coordinate optimal care. They are one of the first points of contact for patients who are diagnosed with cancer and they enhance the community's capacity to support people with cancer and their caregivers. They are able to provide cancer-related expertise to patients and health professions in the local community and improve patient access to the supports that are available within the community.
3. WHO ADMINISTERS THE FUND?
The Cumberland Health Care Foundation is responsible for the collection & receipting of all donations to the fund. The Foundation then provides access to the fund via the Cancer Navigator program of the Cumberland Health Authority. Cancer patients deal directly with the Cancer Navigator in regards to funds access.
4. HOW DO YOU ACCESS THE "CANCER NAVIGATOR" IN CUMBERLAND?
The patient can either be referred by the family doctor involved or they can also contact the Cancer Navigator directly (no referral required) at the following telephone numbers: (902) 667-6424 or toll-free 1-866-524-1234. The CHA Cancer Navigator deals primarily with residents of Cumberland but is able to assist with locating the appropriate resources in other geographic areas.
5. WHO DECIDES ON WHO & WHAT CAN BE FUNDED?
The situational assessment is done through the Cancer Navigator who will inquire about such items as income level and other situational factors when it is determined that a patient requires assistance. As the Cancer Navigator deals primarily with Cumberland County residents, the fund is restricted to those patients seeking assistance and guidance from the Cancer Navigator.
The Navigator may be able to assist Cumberland County cancer patients with simple costs (eg gas card, food vouchers, etc) during initial visits if required. The Navigator however only accesses the Cancer Assistance Fund when all other routes of funding have been explored and/or exhausted.
Please note that the Cancer Navigator does not manage or have access to a petty cash on site. Financial assistance, when required, is coordinated by the Cancer Navigator upon approval from the Review Committee. Assistance levels are based upon the availability of financial resources within the fund and the overall demand of cancer patients being served through the Cancer Navigator program.
6. WHAT IF THE CANCER PATIENT REQUIRES ONGOING ASSISTANCE?
Ongoing assistance will be presented on a case-by-case basis by the Cancer Navigator to an impartial Review Committee. The Review Committee is responsible for assessing what funds are currently available, the number of other requests outstanding, and determining the level of assistance that can be offered. The patient identity remains confidential and is not disclosed to the Review Committee as part of this process.
7. HOW DO I KNOW IF MY DONATION IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE?
Patient identities are not revealed to the Cumberland Health Care Foundation. However statistical information such as age range, gender, cancer type, assistance type, and frequency will be provided so long as it does not violate privacy laws provincially or federally. This statistical information is utilized to inform donors of how their donation is helping cancer patients locally. If provided and disclosed by the patient, personal stories may be provided through the Cumberland Health Care Foundation's website, newsletter, or other donor communication vehicles.
8. HOW CAN I DONATE TO HELP?
Donations can be made in several ways.
If you wish to make a donation using a credit card (VISA, Mastercard or Amex) – please call (902) 667-5400 extension 6210 or visit the www.chcfoundation.website and select the "donate now" button.
If you are making a donation by cheque or money order, please make it payable to:
the Cumberland Health Care Foundation
(please note that it is for the "Cancer Assistance Fund" as this restricts the donation solely for this purpose).
The donation can be mailed to: CHCF, 19428 Hwy 2 RR6, Amherst NS B4H 1N6 or dropped off at the Cumberland Health Care Foundation offices located just inside the Main Entrance of the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre.
In Memorials or Tribute donations to the fund are also appreciated and can be made by simply noting donations should be made to the Cumberland Health Care Foundation for the Cancer Assistance Fund.