Rebecca Driscoll has co-founded a nonprofit to benefit those affected by cancer regardless of where they live. The virtual Cancer Help Desk utilizes oncology nurses and PhD scientists to help patients and caregivers explore treatment options, especially those who have been told there are no more options. The Cancer Help Desk serves anyone dealing with a cancer diagnosis who is in need to learn of treatment options that might be best for their unique situation.
“It is extremely rewarding to see the immediate impact and support we can provide to those dealing with this awful disease,” Driscoll, of Murrieta, said. “We are working on collaborating with local advocates in the Riverside County area as it is the fastest growing county in the United States. And with the limited cancer support we see in the valley, we want to amplify our voices and let people know there is help that they can receive.”
Although newly launched, Cancer Help Desk is backed by more than 20 years of oncology experience. Those who take the calls are there to answer cancer patients’ questions and develop a plan of action throughout the cancer journey.
“We promptly evaluate each case and guide each person through every step necessary to get to the solutions needed,” said oncology nurse Deb Christensen, MS, APRN, co-founder and Chief Patient Officer for Cancer Help Desk. She is the first point of contact to support each person who calls in.
Patients receive a free 2.5-hour consultation with an oncology nurse. There are some further services that have a fee but that is only recommended when an individual might need more extensive support such as contacting clinical trial sites on their behalf. These fees are only to cover the teams’ time beyond the 2.5 hours of support given. Driscoll was quick to note that no one is ever turned away for inability to pay and all the care necessary to get the individual to the resources they need will be provided.
The third co-founder of Cancer Help Desk is Shelley Frisbie, who is serving as Chief Financial Officer for the nonprofit, whose mission is to combine compassion, expert knowledge, and evidence-based science to offer personalized education, resources, and treatment choices to anyone dealing with cancer. Acting as a neutral liaison, they bring together people with cancer, oncology providers and researchers to dynamically improve cancer care. And it is done with urgency, respect and transparency. The team’s goal is to reach one million people in three years to build awareness around testing and treatment options.
“Ultimately, if people can get the most appropriate treatment options sooner, through personalized care, we believe that surviving cancer is more of a reality than it was even 10 years ago,” Driscoll said. “However, with all of the confusion around some of the newer treatment options, like targeted therapies, people do not know what to ask for. By spreading the word throughout communities, we can better educate people on how to advocate for themselves by just simply knowing what to ask for.”
The nonprofit came about because Driscoll, who is building the technology platform Swellter, found that many people dealing with cancer need a physical person to speak with outside of the doctor’s office and ones that have training in the field of cancer care.
“I believe the combination of technology and human touch is essential for really helping people get to the best solutions for their unique needs,” she said. “Our goal is to partner with any and all local advocates who are supporting patients and could use our training and expertise to best support the people in their community.”
Driscoll is grateful to have found like-minded individuals who want to help people get to the right medicines and have become part of the Cancer Help Desk team to support them.
“There is no shortage of people who have great knowledge, training and expertise in oncology and who are also willing to volunteer their time,” she said. “They love using their skills to directly help patients in real-time. We are so fortunate to have these people to work with us. Eventually, our goal, through fundraising, is to be able to pay them something for their time and expertise because we want to work with them for years to come.”
For more information, www.cancerhelpdesk.org or 888-454-0804.
