TMCnet News
Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation Launches First Ever Spanish Language Resources to Help Patients Navigate Care, Diagnosis and TreatmentToday, the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation (ALCF) released a Spanish-language version of its patient handbook, "Navigating Lung Cancer, 360 Degrees of Hope," and announced the first Spanish-language Living Room support group on May 12, 2015. "There is a huge void of resources for Spanish speaking people with lung cancer," said Bonnie J. Addario, 10 year lung cancer survivor and founder of the ALCF. "Being diagnosed with cancer is scary enough but not knowing what resources are available to educate yourself makes good health care decision making impossible. By translating educational materials and resources for Spanish-speaking patients, we are creating survivors." According to the Pew (News - Alert) Research Center, nearly half of Latino immigrants prefer to receive health care information in their native language. This preference demonstrates the growing need for language-appropriate outreach materials and education programs. The ALCF's patient handbook is a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive, up-to-date patient resource for lung cancer patients and their families. First released in English in early 2013, the handbook contains the latest advancements in lung cancer care, including new FDA approved drugs, molecular testing, immunotherapy and a special clinical trials report. The resource is now available in Spanish online and in print. "When my aunt was diagnosed with lung cancer, my biggest concern was that she didn't understand English," said Sandy Jauregui, a 31-year-old Stage 4 lung cancer patient. "The availability of education materials and resources for her and others like her is a huge step toward fighting for better survival rates. For me, it means my aunt can access the same educatio, care and support I found through the ALCF community and do so in a language she is familiar with." Coinciding with the handbook's release, the ALCF is also hosting its first Spanish-language "Lung Cancer Living Room" on May 12, 2015 in Hollywood, Florida. The Living Room will include an overview of the importance of multidisciplinary care in lung cancer treatment, including the diagnostic process, precision medicine, radiation therapy and surgery. Speakers include Dr. Luis Raez, medical oncologist for Memorial Cancer Institute and his colleagues: Dr. Ana Botero, radiation oncologist; Dr. Francisco Taraszzi, thoracic surgeon; and Southern California-based lung cancer patient Sandy Jauregui. The Living Room is the nation's premier online lung cancer support group for lung cancer patients and their families, offering expert opinion and advice not found anywhere else. Participants listen to and interact with experts and leaders in the field of lung cancer treatment and research. The Living Room takes place the third Tuesday of every month and is live-streamed online. All past and future episodes will include Spanish subtitles. To access a livestream of the Living Room, visit http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-lung-cancer-living-room-support-group. To learn more about ALCF, visit www.lungcancerfoundation.org and follow its activities on Twitter and Facebook. About the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation The Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation (ALCF) is one of the largest philanthropies (patient-founded, patient-focused, and patient-driven) devoted exclusively to eradicating lung cancer through research, early detection, education, and treatment. The Foundation's goal is to work with a diverse group of physicians, organizations, industry partners, individuals, patients, survivors, and their families to identify solutions and make timely and meaningful change and turn lung cancer into a chronically managed disease by 2023. The ALCF was established on March 1, 2006 as a 501c(3) non-profit organization and has raised more than $20 million for lung cancer research and related programs.
|
