Unlike a normal silent auction in which individuals bid on items or services and the highest bid wins the item, the Community Generosity – Straight from the Heart program provides an opportunity for all participants to “win" by making purchases that will directly benefit local cancer patients.
The Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center offers an integrated approach to psychosocial needs before, during and after treatment. This whole-person approach to cancer care addresses the social, psychological, emotional and functional aspects of the journey to improve the quality of life for the patient, family and caregiver. Each of these programs is provided at no cost to patients and is offered through your generous philanthropic support.
100% of your donation goes directly to the following programs and services:
Transportation: One of the biggest issues facing cancer patients is transportation. They often have to drive great distances to get treatment, sometimes 5 times a week for 6-8 weeks. If they are unable to drive they must rely on friends and family. Transportation items include fuel cards, taxi vouchers, and snow removal vouchers.
Hotel Rooms (inclement weather): Facing cancer is difficult enough without having any type of additional stress. The Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center offers our patients local hotel vouchers when patients are already exhausted after treatment and faced with travel, especially in inclement weather. Not having to worry about where to stay or how to pay for lodging allows patients to focus on the most important thing ... getting well.
Grocery Store Gift Cards and Living Expenses: Sometimes patients have changes in their nutritional status due to cancer treatment. Patients may need to buy more expensive foods to supplement their nutritional requirements, or they may not have money to buy food if they are unable to work due to their illness. Also, a donation may help someone afford their medications or pay a utility bill.
Exercise for Energy Program: Specially designed for current and recovering cancer patients, these classes offer guidance, support and useful tools to maintain health and wellness. Classes incorporate strengthening, stretching, breathing, balance, cardio, wellness education, massage and nutrition and cooking demonstrations. All classes are supportive, medically managed and taught by health professionals and are free to all cancer patients.
Wigs and Mastectomy Products: The physical side effects of cancer treatment can be devastating. These are often the most dreaded results of surgery and chemotherapy. You can help a cancer patient faced with hair loss by helping to fund a high quality comfortable wig that is easily maintained and looks natural. For a woman, losing a breast to cancer is distressing and shocking. Mastectomy prostheses and compression garments can help to make coping easier. Mastectomy products include breast forms and specialized bras.
Healing Arts Programs: "Each of us harbors enormous powers of healing within ..." Art is a healing tool that has been used for thousands of years. At times it is difficult, if not impossible, to describe the cancer experience with words alone. Through art-making, such as collage, painting, and fiber arts, we can begin to see the challenges of cancer from a fresh perspective.
Individual Counseling/Therapy: A cancer diagnosis can add stress to anyone's life. The Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center offers free individual therapy with a licensed psychologist specializing in oncology. This service is offered to patients, survivors and caregivers. Therapy can often help reduce depression, anxiety and pain, while simultaneously increasing healthy behaviors such as better nutrition, exercise and sleep.
Weekly Support Group Meetings: Weekly education and support workshops and meetings are offered for cancer patients, their families and friends.
Whole Body Wellness Program: This program offers patients a sense of control over their treatment. Addressing the emotional aspects of cancer treatment is important for psychological and physical wellness. Topics include stress reduction, communication, nutrition, support networks, specific disease treatment, exercise and problem solving.
WeCARE™: The WeCARE!™ Community-based Cancer Peer Navigator program provides special support on an individual basis. This program matches newly diagnosed breast and prostate cancer patients with trained cancer survivors. The WeCARE!™ program is available to any newly diagnosed cancer patient regardless of where the patient receives treatment. Peer navigators are breast cancer or prostate cancer survivors who have been trained to be "coaches" who provide information on disease and treatment options, and to be a resource for patients and family. They are also trained to assist with problem-solving and provide coping strategies. If desired, a peer navigator can accompany patients to doctor's visits or treatments.
Caregiver Navigation: Supporting your loved ones through cancer can be a difficult and confusing experience. An educated and supported caregiver is a powerful force in the fight against cancer. One-on-one coaching with a trained advocate, a former caregiver themselves, provides support, information, resources and compassion. In addition, workshops cover topics such as navigating billing and insurance, proper nutrition and whole body wellness.