Cancer Resources

(www.MNCancerResources.org)

Talking Points

Initial Communications Launch · August – September 2006

Who Are You?

Before you engage in a media interview or other type of public discussion on behalf of this Task Force, think about how you want to present yourself. You may get asked questions like:

• What is your role within the Alliance? How long have you been involved?
• What are your main responsibilities or contributions?
• Why do you volunteer or assist in this way?

What It Does

This Web site connects people anywhere in Minnesota with cancer resources in their community. It is the first of its kind in the state. It will be a valuable tool for cancer patients, caregivers and health care and social services providers. Examples include: finding a support group in Duluth, researching transportation assistance services in Willmar or learning where to purchase a low-cost wig in the Twin Cities area.

            Additional background information:

o        According to the Minnesota Department of Health, over 167,000 Minnesotans live with cancer or a history of cancer

o        Other states with similar resource Web sites include Iowa and Colorado.

o        Initially the web portal will be promoted to Minnesota residents and will include resources with zip codes within the state borders. The Alliance is open to broadening the focus to bordering states. That way people who travel in and out of the state will know where to find cancer resources in their community.

o        Definitions: Resource = a tangible service. Information =  educational information or general “content” related to cancer. The Web site provides information including links to reputable and credible sites including the National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society and Mayo Clinic.

o        It does not recommend providers but does provide state health plan contact information and information on government programs for health insurance coverage.

Why It Was Developed

In 2005, the Minnesota Cancer Alliance including the Minnesota Department of Health, American Cancer Society and other key cancer-related organizations conducted a statewide assessment of the needs of cancer patients and survivors. Help finding services close to where one lives ranked very high. The Alliance quickly learned that it was extremely difficult for cancer patients and their support networks to find existing cancer services.  This site helps reduce stress and saves time during the search for resources. In addition, it helps raise awareness of organizations that provide valuable services.         

Additional background information:

o        During the planning process (2004), Alliance representatives conducted 13 community forums around the state in order to determine unmet needs related to cancer. People consistently responded that they needed help finding local resources and services. This same need came up in a separate Survivorship Workgroup and was the focus of a breakout session at the 2003 Cancer Summit.

How It Was Developed

The Minnesota Cancer Alliance is a coalition of health care organizations, community-based groups and volunteers, dedicated to reducing the state’s cancer burden by implementing Cancer Plan Minnesota.  The Plan’s 4 initial priorities include:

• Improving access to locally-available services for cancer patients and their families
• Reducing disparities in cancer screening and treatment
• Increasing colorectal cancer screening
• Expanding clean indoor air policies

Developed in response to the priority of improving access to information for cancer patients and their caregivers, the Alliance formed a task force to develop Minnesota Cancer Resources. It includes volunteers from member organizations and paid Web development staff funded via the Alliance. This “Access to Information Task Force” continues to meet on a regular basis to update the Web site and help disseminate the site to stakeholders across the state.

            Additional background information:

o        Membership is free and is available for any individual or organization interested in helping reduce Minnesota’s cancer burden by helping implement Cancer Plan Minnesota.

o        If you are interested in volunteering on the ATI or any Alliance task force, please call Angie Graf at 800-582-5152.

o        Initial project funds came from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Other funding including in-kind has been generously given to the Alliance by member organizations including Mayo Clinic, the American Cancer Society, several Minnesota health plans and Pfizer.

It Is a Work In Progress

This Web site is a true grassroots project and relies on the public – patients, health care providers, Alliance members, etc. – to help keep it updated and accurate. Currently, there are over 900 resources listed in our database. We encourage users to log on, look for a familiar service and if it’s not available, click on “Suggest a Local Cancer Resource” to add it. Our volunteers monitor the suggestions regularly and will continue to improve the site by adding new resources, updating existing information and listening to comments on “usability.”

Additional background information:

o        Originally the resources were made available through a collection of existing resources from the member organizations of the Alliance. The Alliance will now maintain and update its database while continuing to research additional local resources.

o        The resources are organized into multiple categories including:

§         Cancer Types

§         Care Giver Resources

§         Childhood Cancers

§         Education Resources

§         End of Life Resources

§         Financial Assistance

§         Food and Nutrition

§         Genetic Counseling

§         Hospice and Palliative Care

§         Housing

§         In-Home Services

§         Legal

§         Medical Equipment

§         Medication/Medical Assistance

§         Physical Appearance

§         Smoking Cessation

§         Support Groups and Counseling

§         Symptom Management

§         Transportation

o        In the future, as the Alliance grows, we remain open to adding or changing the focus of this Web site so that it continues to meet the needs of Minnesotans living with cancer.

Real Examples

The following illustrate some real examples of the Web site and show how valuable this tools is to the over 167,000 Minnesotans living with cancer or a history of it.

Please note: the number of resources is subject to change.

Example 1 – Twin Cities Metro – Wig

• Go to the Web site and click on Local Resources at the top of the left navigation bar. Enter a metro zip code in the box – let’s use 55404 and hit “Submit.”
• Results will default to 20 miles radius from the zip entered. Next to each topic or category the number of resources will appear in parenthesis. If you scroll to the end you’ll see there are 272 resources within 20 miles of zip 55404.
• Let’s narrow it to a 5 mile radius (click on the text below the search box that says “5 miles.”). Now I have 99 resources listed within my radius search. (Note that you can expand your search up to 100 miles.)
• I want to find a resource where I can purchase a wig. As you scroll down the categories you’ll see Physical Appearance with a short description. I know this is the right place.
• Click on the category and 13 different listings including a description will appear. They are listed in order by distance and include the city, zip and distance from your original search zip code.
• I will look at Apollo Hair Systems first. I click on the name and on the screen appears a short description, target audience, phone number and other useful information.

o        Example 2 – Greater Minnesota – Transportation Assistance

• Go to the Web site and click on Local Resources at the top of the left navigation bar. Enter a metro zip code in the box – let’s use Crookston and hit “Submit.”
• Results will default to 20 miles radius from the zip entered. Next to each topic or category the number of resources will appear in parenthesis. If you scroll to the end you’ll see there are 9 resources within 20 miles of zip 55404.
• Let’s expand it to a 50 mile radius (click on the text below the search box that says “50 miles.”). Now I have 11 resources listed within my radius search. (Note that you can expand your search up to 100 miles.)
• I want to find a resource where I can get help with rides to and from appointments. As you scroll down the categories you’ll see Transportation with a short description. I know this is the right place.
• Click on the category and 1 listings and its description will appear. The listing includes the distances and city name.
• I will look at Tri-Valley Opportunity Council. I click on the name and on the screen appears a short description, target audience, phone number and other useful information.