Community Oncology Alliance

Smaller Cancer Clinics Failing

mbarnes — Sun, 13 May 2012 14:10:09 +0000

COA members, Glenn Balasky, executive director at Zangmeister Cancer Center and Ruth Lander, practice administrator at Columbus Oncology & Hematology quoted on cancer clinic financial struggles and closings… read more.

Durbin: Congressional Action Needed to Ease Drug Shortage

mbarnes — Sun, 13 May 2012 14:08:47 +0000

COA member, Donna Kruger, a practice administrator at Illinois Cancer Specialists quoted on drug shortages issue… read more.

Senator Hatch Releases Discussion Draft on Drug Shortages Legislation

mbarnes — Sun, 13 May 2012 14:07:32 +0000

Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) has released his proposed legislation to deal with the drug shortages crisis. To view the article, click here.

COA board member Scott Parker and Susanne Johnson-Berns, GA Chapter President quoted in the Marietta Journal

RGerber — Wed, 09 May 2012 20:25:20 +0000

http://mdjonline.com/view/full_story/16186560/article-The-cruelest-cut–Cancer-practice-says-lower-reimbursement-would-devastate-patient-care?instance=lead_story_left_column

We met a lot of amazing advocates at our recent patient advocacy conference – Brett Wilson, CEO of Walking Miracles was one of them!

mbarnes — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:06:28 +0000

Brett Wilson, CEO of Walking Miracles.org – (West Virginia) attended the seventh annual national Community Oncology Conference, March 30-31 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This marked the second year that patient advocates attended the meeting. The Community Oncology Alliance Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) helped cancer survivors learn to reach out and share their stories to fight to protect cancer care for current and future cancer patients. Patients from across the country gathered to map out a strategy for public, legislative, and media outreach. Brett Wilson was amongst 40 patient advocates from across the nation who gathered to learn and share.The conference was also attended by health care professionals form community settings across the U.S., where four out of five cancer patients are treated ranging from practice based oncologists and oncology nurses to practice administrators.”This conference is the oncology’s most inclusive venue in which physicians; administrators, nurses and other care team members come together with patients to address the many issues challenging oncology. “said Dr. David Eagle President of the Community Oncology Alliance. “The Patient Advocacy Track is an important of our commitment to protecting access to affordable community care. We must all be concerned with the future of cancer care because cancer touches everyone. We are grateful that Brett Wilson took time to attend the meeting and will be speaking out on behalf of cancer patients.”"Four out of five cancer patients in this country are treated in the community setting, as I was, and half of all cancer patients are Medicare patients,” continued Brett Wilson. A dynamic and passionate 2 time childhood cancer survivor, Wilson had Leukemia when he was 2 years old and non Hodgkin’s lymphoma when he was 9 years old. He is now 27 years in remission. “As I examine my life, I am now 39, and I know God is not done with me yet. I have been a cancer survivor for 27 years and I have a unique patient and professional perspective very few people haveOften asked why he feels this way Wilson simply states, “WHY?” I have walked through the minefield of cancer already and I don’t want you and your family to do it alone like mine did . Having had very little resource or help, Wilson and his family had their up and down feelings and emotions that one goes through mentally during his treatment.” My family and I just blindly trusted the system and went through the process, we had no choice. You should not have to do that now. You have a choice and we can help by walking with you helping you advocate for yourself and guiding you every step of the way through your cancer survivorship journey so your voice can be heard on a national level, your state leaders don’t know the cancer issues in your community that is why we all need to be more assertive and help them fix the issue by explaining those barriers to care and expecting them to be removed”. Oftentimes, our communities own cancer doctors struggle to treat their patients. We need to fix the system and protect community cancer care, so that it is available for current and future cancer patients.For additional information on patient advocacy opportunities contact Rose Gerber, Director of Patient Advocacy@ roseg@coacancer.org

Announcing the 2012 Lilly Oncology On Canvas Art Competition

mbarnes — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:31:40 +0000

2012 Lilly Oncology On Canvas: Expressions of a Cancer Journey. Competition is now open.

Click Here To View The Article

DOXIL® C.A.R.E.S. Physician Access Program Update

mbarnes — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:25:13 +0000

JANSSEN, a pharmaceutical company of Johnson and Johnson, provides an update on the supply of the cancer drug Doxil and DOXIL C.A.R.E.S. Physician Access Program Update.

Click Here To View The Article

Diane Witte

mbarnes — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 12:01:46 +0000

Hi, my name is Diane Witte and since 1985 I have been a Cancer Conqueror. Yes, I know the common term is Survivor but I don’t believe I’m that. I fought all 9 and won. I’m not in denial, I know that one of them is going to take me down but until that time I’ll keep fighting, laughing, and enjoying life. I’m extremely protective of my body parts the ones they have taken and the ones they want to take so I try to keep myself in “fighting” shape when another has to go. It’s the German & Yankee Spirit in me not to give up.

My Oncologist Dr. Gould has been my Dr. since 1995 and has helped me with his understanding & knowledge. I have helped him by my attitude. Cancer is a Teacher!!! It educates you, it teaches you who your friends are, changes your attitude, gives you patience to overcome most obstacles and Dr, Gould helps you through the education process.

I am a Happily Divorced Woman of over 40 years and raised 3 educated and highly successful children by myself. Are they my support group??? That question was so hard for me to answer because I live alone, I go to treatments, tests and Dr. visits alone, and that’s the way I prefer it. BUT, if there is a problem, a snap of the finger and they’re all here to help me. Not only can I count on them but also my 7 Grandchildren and 2 Grandsons in law. I’m a very spoiled and loved Woman.

Instead of fear cancer, I highly respect it. My Cancers are so numerous I had to put them in Word to keep track along with the dates and all surgeries involved.

I am very active with the Loving Arms Outreach group and work with them to help other Cancer patients. I also meet with an Ostomy Association group once a month. I consider myself the low “man” on the totem pole with this group so I absorb all of their experiences. I deliver Meals on Wheels once a week for shut ins and have been doing that for about 5 years and I also clean houses. When I have extra time I exercise at my Hospital’s “Health Place”. I enjoy my Cardio workout classes with my many friends.

Diane Witte

Rick Frame, MD/CPAN Medical Chairman and Rose Gerber, COA Director of Patient Advocacy, provide insight into national oncology issues in Value Based Cancer Care.

mbarnes — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:51:32 +0000

Click Here To View The Article

Rick Frame, MD/CPAN Medical Chairman and his patient Brenda Olson share their drug shortages experience in this article.

mbarnes — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:36:15 +0000

Salt Lake Tribune 3-14-12

Community Oncology Alliance

Smaller Cancer Clinics Failing

Durbin: Congressional Action Needed to Ease Drug Shortage

Senator Hatch Releases Discussion Draft on Drug Shortages Legislation

COA board member Scott Parker and Susanne Johnson-Berns, GA Chapter President quoted in the Marietta Journal

We met a lot of amazing advocates at our recent patient advocacy conference – Brett Wilson, CEO of Walking Miracles was one of them!

﻿﻿Announcing the 2012 Lilly Oncology On Canvas Art Competition

DOXIL® C.A.R.E.S. Physician Access Program Update

Diane Witte

Rick Frame, MD/CPAN Medical Chairman and Rose Gerber, COA Director of Patient Advocacy, provide insight into national oncology issues in Value Based Cancer Care.

Rick Frame, MD/CPAN Medical Chairman and his patient Brenda Olson share their drug shortages experience in this article.

Announcing the 2012 Lilly Oncology On Canvas Art Competition