Dear AmericanTowns.com,

We are thrilled to share with you that the Women’s Cancer Resource Center (WCRC) was recently awarded a significant grant by Gilead Sciences, Inc. to expand its navigation services for cancer patients receiving care in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. This is the largest grant in WCRC’s 37-year history.

The expanded program, which builds upon existing WCRC services, will help address barriers to care and social determinants of health by increasing patient navigators, cultural competency training, and services combating barriers such as transportation.

“Our community-based navigators work in partnership with patients, their families, and their medical teams to ensure that patients have the knowledge to make informed decisions about their care, and have access to additional resources such as transportation and financial assistance,” said Amy Alanes, Executive Director at WCRC. “We aim to improve outcomes for patients from marginalized populations by breaking down barriers in access to treatment and care, and meeting the unique and individual needs of each person. This transformational grant from Gilead will allow us to continue our efforts to advance equitable cancer care for all.”

WCRC’s Navigation Program provides immediate needs assistance and connections to further care. Navigating the health care system is not an easy task, and harder still when patients do not fit within a “one size fits all” treatment plan. Patient navigation and supportive care systems that address the specific needs of the individual have been proven to be successful ways to address disparities in cancer care.

“This grant allows WCRC to increase its service delivery because we are able to hire two client navigators who will work closely with BIPOC and other marginalized individuals,” explained Dolores Moorehead, Community Engagement Director and Client Support Clinician at WCRC. “The support from the navigators will validate clients' experiences with the medical system, improve understanding of their diagnosis, and increase their access to community resources.”

“Our outcomes show that clients who used our existing navigation program felt more comfortable with self-advocacy,” continued Dolores. “When a client is able to self-advocate, they feel comfortable asking the doctor more questions about the treatment, why is this treatment being used, and to make suggestions such as seeking out clinical trials."

The grant was awarded as part of the newly-created Toward Health Equity Oncology Grant^TM, which awarded $7.6 million in grant funding to 24 U.S.-based, community organizations.

 “Gilead is committed to advancing health equity and supporting these vital patient advocacy organizations working to close gaps in breast cancer care,” said Deborah H. Telman, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and General Counsel, Gilead Sciences. “We look forward to seeing their dynamic, innovative programs come to life.”

 “We are honored to be among this esteemed group of grantees and we thank Gilead for partnering with us as we all work towards health equity,” said Amy.

For more information about the free services WCRC provides to East Bay cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones, please visit www.wcrc.org. For more information about Gilead, please visit the company’s website at www.gilead.com.