A specific area of interest to the Foundation is providing support services for individuals diagnosed with cancer, their families and caregivers. The Foundation has provided support through organizations located in Illinois, particularly in the Chicago land area. Foundation-supported cancer support centers provide an array of services including psycho-oncology support groups, healthy living programs, referral sources, and educational awareness programs.

Funding has been directed to cancer support centers located in Illinois such as:

• Jennifer S. Fallick Cancer Support Center - Homewood
• Wellness House - Hinsdale
• Wellness Place - Palatine
• Cancer Wellness Center - Northbrook
• Living Well - Geneva
• Cancer Center for Healthy Living - Peoria
• Gilda’s Club - Chicago

The Foundation supports the Cancer Health Alliance of Metropolitan Chicago, a consortium of independent cancer resources centers, which works with health care providers in the community to offer programs and services free of charge to those affected by cancer. Activities include dissemination of information and education, support groups family programs, stress management, and healthy living classes.

The Foundation has funded a program of the American Cancer Society for support of the Patient Navigator System (PNS), designed as the central resource for programs such as Reach to Recovery, Road to Recovery, Prosthesis services, and for building new programs such as crisis intervention, case management and patient tracking services. A patient services representative compiles information on community resources and maintains a database for use in making patient referrals. The representative educates local health care providers, community groups, schools and churches about cancer and especially about the services available through the PNS.