ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis Launches The Power of One-to-One Initiative

Support from the Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Control Program
Expands Reach and Service

GLENDALE, Wis.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ABCD:
After Breast Cancer Diagnosis today announced a year-long initiative
– The Power of One-to-One – to significantly increase Statewide access
to free peer support for breast cancer patients, survivors, those living
with breast cancer and their families and friends.

For decades, cancer patients and their loved ones have advocated for
supportive services to complement medical care, from peer support to
practical assistance. Today, supportive services, including peer
support, are recognized by the medical community as an essential part of
easing the burden of the breast cancer journey – from the time of
diagnosis throughout life. The National Cancer Institute along with
accrediting organizations and professional oncology associations now
recommend cancer care providers emphasize both quantity and quality of
life issues.

ABCD is dedicated to assuring that all Wisconsin residents have access
to personalized survivorship support from the moment of diagnosis,
during treatment and every day beyond.

“A variety of studies have confirmed that emotional support
complementing appropriate medical care can increase treatment
compliance, improve survival rates and diminish distress – from coping
with family to work matters,” said ABCD Executive Director, Ginny Finn.

ABCD’s Power of One-to-One Initiative has several components. The first
to formally launch is the “Liaison Project,” which involves advanced
volunteer training for breast cancer survivors who, in collaboration
with ABCD staff, become ABCD survivorship program liaisons to specific
healthcare organizations throughout Wisconsin. Liaisons regularly meet
with cancer care professionals and other community health leaders to
assure easy access for patients and loved ones to ABCD’s Helpline,
resource navigation assistance and one-to-one peer support services.

Liaisons are already active in Southeast Wisconsin and the Project is
expanding throughout the State. A new $25,000 grant from the Wisconsin
Cancer Control Program will support expansion north to the Fox Valley,
Green Bay and Wausau areas, to be followed by a southern Wisconsin
emphasis in the Beloit/Janesville region. The grant will allow ABCD to
assess the effectiveness of the model in each community, customizing the
approach on a region-by-region basis. Additional Wisconsin communities
will be added as the Project grows and funding partners are secured.

ABCD Board member, Program Committee Chair and breast cancer survivor,
Bonnie Anderson said, “Even without studies showing the benefit of peer
support, our founder Melodie Wilson Oldenburg and the breast cancer
patients she recruited to build ABCD, understood that cancer is so much
more than scans, biopsies and treatment. Getting through it requires
support that is reliable and consistent from people who understand
personally what is like to hear the words: you have cancer. With
thousands of breast cancer survivors in Wisconsin and our nation, ABCD
has a lot more work to do.”

The Initiative’s additional components include expansion of
collaborations already underway in southeast Wisconsin, including work
with Hispanic and African American communities, rural areas and sister
breast cancer organizations through ABCD’s work on the Wisconsin Breast
Cancer Task Force.

ABCD encourages support during October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month,
by visiting http://www.abcdbreastcancersupport.org,
by participating in community breast cancer awareness support programs,
such as InterContinental
Milwaukee’s Pink Room Project, and attending upcoming events such as
Date with a Plate (Thursday – April 6, 2017).

About The Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer
Control Program

The Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Control Program serves as the state’s
cancer prevention and control program, promoting screening, risk
reduction and appropriate care for Wisconsinites affected by cancer. The
Wisconsin CCC Program is funded through federal, state and University of
Wisconsin funds and works collaboratively with private organizations to
reduce the burden of cancer. For more information visit: www.wicancer.org

About ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Founded in Milwaukee in 1999, ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis is now
a national leader in providing genuinely personalized information and
one-to-one support for people affected by breast cancer – patients,
families and friends. Committed to the 4,000+ Wisconsin families newly
affected by breast cancer every year, ABCD’s free services are also
available nationally via its Helpline (800.977.4121 or helpline@abcdmentor.org).
For further information visit: www.abcdbreastcancersupport.org

Contacts

ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Judy Mindin
Communications
Director
414.698.3109
judy@abcdmentor.org