Nebraska Breast Cancer
Control Partnership Network
May 2014 Update
www.bcpartnerships.net
Supporting Patients and Survivors 
doctor_patient.jpg

Patients battling breast cancer or focused on survival after completing treatment shouldn't be forced to bear additional financial or legal burdens. Yet all too often, that is exactly what they encounter in the aftermath of their diagnosis. Recently, Susan G. Komen� Nebraska announced funding that will continue to support several local and statewide programs designed to lessen those burdens. The Breast Cancer Legal Hotline provides legal advice and assistance to Nebraskans for a wide variety of concerns including: collections, Medicare/Medicaid, employment issues, tenant rights, advance directives, power of attorney, simple wills and more. Operated by Legal Aid of Nebraska, the hotline serves both patients and survivors. The state-wide Breast Cancer Assistance Program operated by the Visiting Nurse Association, is designed to help patients currently undergoing treatment. It provides one-on-one support and assistance to help patients connect with supportive resources and meet pressing financial needs so they can focus on what matters most - healing and recovery. Circle of Light is one example of a local organization that addresses financial burdens faced by patients that also received

Komen� Nebraska funds. The organization is associated with Chadron Community Hospital and Health Services. 

 

Six other organizations located across the state received funding this year for programs that focus on the Komen� Nebraska priorities of breast health education, screening, and treatment. These programs will be highlighted in future editions of this newsletter. For a full list of grantees, click here. Our special thanks to all of the wonderful volunteers and staff members who help to make these valuable programs possible. 

Sustaining Successful Breast Cancer Control Programs
soft-pink-flower.jpg Growing resources for breast cancer control and sustaining successful programs is a critical priority for many of the dedicated individuals working together through the Partnership Network. Research to Reality, an NCI online community of practice, offered a cyber-seminar in 2012 on the topic of program sustainability and recently posted an update regarding an online assessment tool that can aid in understanding, evaluating, and planning for program sustainability. For more info, click here
 
During the month of May, several Nebraska communities are promoting local "giving days" when individual donations to charitable organizations may be matched with community foundation funds. Many of our partner organizations are participating to raise awareness of their mission while generating additional resources to support their work. Community giving days are: Hastings: May 1st, Omaha: May 21st, and Lincoln: May 29th
Working Together to Spread the Word
silver-keyboard.jpg
Keeping everyone informed about community resources that can help breast cancer patients and survivors get the support they need is a major challenge and a priority for the Partnership Network. If you work with breast cancer patients or survivors, help us learn the best ways to keep you "in the loop" so you can keep your patients informed. Click here to take a brief online survey that will help us direct resources toward the most efficient ways to communicate with you.
Advisory Committee Meeting May 8th
The Nebraska Breast and Cervical Cancer Advisory Committee will meet May 8th from 10:00-11:30am at the Country Inn and Suites in Lincoln. The meeting is open to the public and will be chaired by Marilyn Kile. To view an agenda and related meeting materials, click here. Afternoon work sessions will focus on the activities of the Every Woman Matters Foundation Fund and educational outreach to promote preventive screening. For more information, contact Lori Vidlak.  
Upcoming Training Opportunities 
May 7th, 12:00-1:00pm CT - Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality webinar: Using Evidence-Based Resources for Rural Health. Click here for more info.
 
May 7th, 12:00-12:30pm and 6:00-6:30pm CT - National Cancer Survivorship Center: Resource Inventory Update and Discussion. Click on one of the time slot links to register. 
 
May 13th, 12:00-1:00pm CTNebraska Cancer Coalition (NC2) webinar: Survivorship Care Plans. To register, click here
To access recordings of past NC2 webinars: 

June 10th, 5:30-7:00pm - Conversations for the Cure with Jackie Hill, Co- Chair of the African American Women and Breast Cancer Task Force and co-founder of My Sister's Keeper, at the Florence Branch Library, 2920 Bondeson Street, Omaha. To register, send an email to Melissa Baron or call at 402.502.2979, ext. 204.

June 24-25th, Nebraska State Minority Health Conference: Linking Cultural Competency and Health Literacy, Kearney, NE. For more information, click here.
Free Resources to Support Your Work  

Women's Health and Mortality Chartbook (2013) is a statistical resource on women's health in each of the states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. The chartbook was developed to provide readers with an easy-to-use collection of current jurisdiction data on critical issues of relevance to women. A total of 28 different health indicators are featured, which highlight some of the key issues related to women's health that are being measured regularly at the state level.

 

FamiliesUSA - African American Health Disparities Compared to Non-Hispanic WhitesThis infographic shows some of the more prevalent health disparities that afflict African Americans in the United States (compared to non-Hispanic whites).

 

Measure of America (2013-2014) - A project of the

Social Science Research Council, provides data to assess well-being and access to opportunity in three critical areas: health, education and earnings. 

  

guide is designed to help public health practitioners advance health equity through community prevention strategies.

 

Nebraska Breast Cancer Control Partnership Network