Christian Hospital Partners with American Cancer Society to Provide a New Resource Free to Cancer Patients

Society's Personal Health Manager is a great organizing tool for patients

[ST. LOUIS, MO] February 16, 2010 - The American Cancer Society and Christian Hospital have joined forces to provide many services to cancer patients in the area: on February 1 the new Personal Health Manager was added to the list.

Personal Health Managers serve as an organization tool for things like appointments and test results. The kit includes pamphlets and brochures provided by both groups, including information on free programs and services available, directional maps to various areas of the hospital, website referrals, and more.

The goal is that every newly diagnosed cancer patient that comes to Christian Hospital will receive a Personal Health Manager, which they believe will be about 600 during 2010.

"The pieces included in the kits were identified by patients and family members as information that would help them," said Sandi Kenkel, Manager of Radiation Oncology at Christian Hospital and Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) liaison.

The groups can thank the PFAC for bringing this new development to light. The service fits right in with their mission to ensure that patients have a voice in their own cancer journey.

"I am really thankful to Christian Hospital for being on board with us, and to the Patient and Family Advisory Council for their support," said LaTrisa Morgan, community manager of health initiatives for the American Cancer Society.

Other services the American Cancer Society provides in conjunction with Christian Hospital include free wigs, transportation assistance, and support programs including Look Good... Feel Better and Reach to Recovery.

Personal Health Managers are available free to cancer patients at Christian Hospital in the Cancer Resource Center, Out-Patient Infusion, Radiation Oncology, and at the 4^th Floor Nursing Unit, as well as many of the doctor's offices.

Funds raised through local Relay For Life events help provide these services for free. "We're thankful to everyone in the community who participated in Relay For Life or otherwise donated to the American Cancer Society," said Morgan. "Christian Hospital did a phenomenal job in 2009, raising $8,000 through their RFL teams."

For more information on the Personal Health Managers or the other services provided, please call LaTrisa Morgan at 314-286-8154 or email latrisa.morgan@cancer.org.