Memorial Health Care System has been selected as a candidate for the LIVESTRONG Foundation Community Impact Project, which offers $1.2 million in funding to bring proven cancer support programs to communities across the U.S. finalists will be determined through an online voting campaign at Vote.LIVESTRONG.org.
The campaign runs until 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 28. Sites with the top votes per region will receive financial awards of support to replicate and implement programs that have demonstrated success in improving the lives of people affected by cancer.
Memorial Health Care System is among hundreds of organizations still in contention for the Advanced Certification for Palliative Care award. Palliative Care is medical care provided by physicians, nurses and social workers that specializes in the relief of the pain, symptoms and stress of serious illness.
“If selected, Memorial will use the awarded funds to pursue Advanced Certification in Palliative Care awarded by the Joint Commission,” Christine Dominguez, RN, BSN, OCN, CHPN, Palliative Care coordinator. “Memorial Hospital offers a dedicated palliative care team to meet the needs of those with complex medical diagnosis such as cancer. We provide 24/7 availability for such issues as developing goals of therapy, advanced directives, symptom management, and a holistic approach to the patient and their families. Our program includes a board certified palliative care medical director, certified palliative care RN coordinator, licensed clinical social worker and pastoral support.”
Organizations chosen to implement one of the model programs will receive up to $15,000 to support the implementation. They will also receive a toolkit consisting of facilitator manuals, participant materials and evaluation forms; training and support from the model program’s staff; access to additional tools and resources; and a full report on the historical replication of this program upon completion.
The financial awards provided by the 2012 LIVESTRONG Community Impact Project are currently being implemented at nearly 100 sites including hospitals, cancer centers, universities, and community-based organizations across the nation and will provide support to thousands of people affected by cancer upon completion. The LIVESTRONG Foundation is committed to supporting community organizations in their efforts to help cancer survivors face the challenges and changes that come with cancer and has invested more than $80 million in community-centered organizations.
For more information about the LIVESTRONG Foundation’s Community Impact Project, and to vote, visit Vote.LIVESTRONG.org.