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American Cancer Society offers information & resources
To help any of the 62,000 Illinois residents expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year, the American Cancer Society, Illinois Division, launched in 2003 an unprecedented program designed to fill a critical void in health care and social services by acting as a "full service" navigator to anyone touched by cancer.
The ACS Patient Navigation Services delivers professional and compassionate assistance to cancer patients, families, and caregivers, from the moment of diagnosis onward, with the goal of reducing cancer deaths and improving quality of life. Patient Navigation Services provides access to:
• 24/7 Information Lifeline
• Telephone consultation with cancer information specialists
• Cancer-related pamphlets, brochures and online resource library
• Access to clinical trials
• Tools to help with treatment
Emotional support
The American Cancer Society Patient Navigation Services offer emotional support and guidance to patients and caregivers through in-person and online support programs, as well as online cancer education classes on topics from "Managing Cancer-Related Fatigue" to "Relieving Cancer Pain." A variety of peer support programs, which match newly diagnosed patients with trained volunteer cancer survivors for one-on-one support, are available in local communities across the state of Illinois.
Day-to-day help
Through the American Cancer Society Patient Navigation Services, cancer patients, families and caregivers can obtain help with financial and insurance questions, access prescription assistance and receive help with lodging and transportation to treatment. The American Cancer Society also provides free wigs, hats and temporary prostheses for cancer patients, as well as access to myriad other resources and services.
The Society's Illinois Division has more than 120,000 volunteers fighting cancer in the state. For the most up-to-date cancer-related information or to access ACS Patient Navigation Services, visit www.cancer.org, or call the ACS 24-hour hotline at (800) 227-2345.
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