HOPE CANCER CONNECTION: SUPPORTING YOUR JOURNEY WITH HOPE

John Fuller, Affinity Health System/Ministry Health Care, discussed how Hope Cancer Connection of the Fox Valley began as a committee of caring individuals who came together in 2010 with a passion to reach out to those on the cancer journey.  Hope received its 501(c)3 status in the fall of 2012 and their website went live in September 2013.  Hope is a committee of individuals including health care professionals, health and fitness experts, representatives from the American Cancer Society, community volunteers and cancer survivors.  Their mission is to be a clearinghouse for information, resources and benefiting the cancer survivor, co-survivor and anyone whose life is touched by cancer.  Their goals are to provide the infrastructure in which existing and emerging cancer resources can easily be accessed; be a hub connecting survivors, co-survivors, supporters and community volunteers who want to give back to those in need; be a credible resource where local physicians can direct their patients; and help generate new ways to support the cancer survivor and their supporters.  Their medically approved website, connects you to the resources, support and information you need to navigate through your journey.  Brenda Bonn, Director of Hope Cancer Connection, talked about how their goal was to create a user friendly website.  The website provides what local support is available in the Fox Valley regardless where you are on your journey (starting, caregiver, survivor, hospice help, bereavement, local events, spiritual network, in the midst, personal stories and words of hope).  On the website, you will find support groups, exercise programs, nutritional information, survivor to survivor support, tips or tricks, caregiver support, insightful blogs, educational programs and a group network of connections.