Newswise — NEW YORK (November 20, 2014) – Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care and the NCI-designated Albert Einstein Cancer Center today announced receipt of a $100,000 grant from the Avon Foundation to support the Bronx Oncology Living Daily (B.O.L.D.) Buddy Patient Navigation Program. The program helps underserved breast cancer patients throughout the Bronx and New York City adhere to and complete their breast cancer treatment.
“There are a lot of people going through cancer treatment who are on their own and who are private about their fears and concerns,” said Alyson Moadel-Robblee, Ph.D., director, Psychosocial Oncology Program, Albert Einstein Cancer Center and Montefiore and Associate Professor of Clinical Epidemiology & Population Health and of Clinical Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine. “Once the women in our B.O.L.D. Buddy program begin to meet others with similar experiences, they realize we are all in this together and they become more empowered in their cancer care. We feel extremely fortunate to receive this grant from the Avon Foundation to continue to provide this essential support.”
The B.O.L.D. program, which provides support to patients at Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care, was developed based on the results of a psychosocial needs assessment that found that 53% of 1,012 patients with cancer who were polled had clinically-significant levels of distress, and up to 40% of patients were having challenges adhering to their cancer treatment regimens and medical appointments. The grant will fund the B.O.L.D. Buddy Navigation Program, which features treatment companions, many who are cancer survivors, who act as a supportive presence by attending doctor appointments with patients, keeping patients company during chemotherapy and communicating by phone as needed. B.O.L.D. also includes wellness workshop programs and other clinical and peer support, helping more than 700 patients each year navigate the overwhelming psychological, financial and emotional effects of cancer and its treatment.
“I know from personal experience that the cancer journey isn’t easy – it is very difficult,” said B.O.L.D. Buddy Sonia Chevannes. “Making a phone call or accompanying someone to a doctor’s appointment can make a big difference to a lot of people.”
The grant was presented at The Avon Walk New York, which attracted nearly 3,000 participants from the United States as well as Bermuda, Brazil, Canada and the United Kingdom. Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care was one of 11 New York organizations that received grants to benefit the local community.
Montefiore’s Breast Cancer Program treats approximately 800 patients with a breast cancer diagnosis each year, all whom have access to the B.O.L.D. services. In June, the National Consortium of Breast Centers recognized B.O.L.D as a certified participant in its National Quality Measures for Breast Centers Program. In 2013 it was accredited by the National Accreditation of Breast Centers.
For more information about B.O.L.D., visit http://www.einstein.yu.edu/centers/cancer/support/fundraiser/.
About Montefiore Health System
Montefiore Health System is a premier academic health system and the University Hospital for Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Combining nationally-recognized clinical excellence with a population health perspective that focuses on the comprehensive needs of the communities it serves, Montefiore delivers coordinated, compassionate, science-driven care where, when and how patients need it most. Montefiore consists of six hospitals and an extended care facility with a total of 2,080 beds, a School of Nursing, and state-of-the-art primary and specialty care provided through a network of more than 150 locations across the region, including the largest school health program in the nation and a home health program. The Children's Hospital at Montefiore is consistently named in U.S. News' "America's Best Children's Hospitals." Montefiore's partnership with Einstein advances clinical and translational research to accelerate the pace at which new discoveries become the treatments and therapies that benefit patients. The health system derives its inspiration for excellence from its patients and community, and continues to be on the frontlines of developing innovative approaches to care. For more information please visit www.montefiorehealthsystem.org. Follow us on Twitter; like us on Facebook; view us on YouTube.
About Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva UniversityAlbert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University is one of the nation’s premier centers for research, medical education and clinical investigation. During the 2013-2014 academic year, Einstein is home to 734 M.D. students, 236 Ph.D. students, 106 students in the combined M.D./Ph.D. program, and 353 postdoctoral research fellows. The College of Medicine has more than 2,000 full-time faculty members located on the main campus and at its clinical affiliates. In 2013, Einstein received more than $155 million in awards from the NIH. This includes the funding of major research centers at Einstein in diabetes, cancer, liver disease, and AIDS. Other areas where the College of Medicine is concentrating its efforts include developmental brain research, neuroscience, cardiac disease, and initiatives to reduce and eliminate ethnic and racial health disparities. Its partnership with Montefiore Medical Center, the University Hospital and academic medical center for Einstein, advances clinical and translational research to accelerate the pace at which new discoveries become the treatments and therapies that benefit patients. Through its extensive affiliation network involving Montefiore, Jacobi Medical Center –Einstein’s founding hospital, and five other hospital systems in the Bronx, Manhattan, Long Island and Brooklyn, Einstein runs one of the largest residency and fellowship training programs in the medical and dental professions in the United States. For more information, please visit www.einstein.yu.edu, read our blog, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and view us on YouTube.
About the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer New YorkThe Avon Walk for Breast Cancer New York began on Saturday, October 18 at 6:15 a.m. with an inspirational opening ceremony at Hudson River Park’s Pier 84. Walkers started their journey of 26.2 miles through the New York area, supported by an all-volunteer crew and cheered on by supporters. Participants spent Saturday night at the Walk’s “Wellness Village“ at Randall’s Island, featuring pink two-person tents, hot showers and meals, entertainment and volunteer medical services, as well as leisure activities such as yoga and a spa zone with mini-back and foot massages.
On Sunday, October 19, after completing the Avon Walk’s final 13.1 miles, participants joined family and friends to celebrate their achievement at a closing ceremony at Hudson River Park’s Pier 84.
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