Sioux Empire United Way - Agency Success Stories

Navigating Cancer
Agency: American Cancer Society Program: Patient Navigator Program Service: Provides a personal resource to assist cancer patients in finding resources, information, and providing support. The program provides a link to all services available as well as financial and emotional support. Need: It is expected that more than 4,000 new cases of cancer will be reported in South Dakota this year. Impact: Cancer patients receive the assistance they need to fight the disease and find the support needed to make their journey less frightening. How to contact the Navigator Program? Call 1-800-ACS-2345 anytime 24/7.	Cancer. It’s a word that can shake even the strongest person. Cancer. The diagnosis can be devastating, but help can be found. “Most times when people are diagnosed the first thing they think is I’m going to die,” explained Kelly Mandel, a Patient Navigator for the American Cancer Society in Sioux Falls. “But cancer doesn’t mean death. That’s why I’m here; to help people see their options, find support, and navigate their way through the system.” A navigator is available to all Sioux Empire residents by simply contacting their free hotline. The navigator can connect cancer patients to a variety of resources, support groups, programs, physicians, and offer the support individuals need during a difficult time. “When I was first diagnosed with cancer I was confused. I had such a hard time dealing with the disease and even finding the right doctor became overwhelming,” said Jeanie. “The Navigator program gave me somewhere to turn for help and even more important, someone to listen and to understand.” Thanks to money from Sioux Empire United Way, the American Cancer Society is able to provide assistance and support to thousands of cancer patients and their families in the Sioux Empire when they need it most. Navigators provide people like Jeanie a shoulder to lean on while fighting their battle against cancer, “I know there is someone there to help me with even the smallest thing and that’s important. Thank you, I’m so thankful just for someone who listened.”
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