Collaborative effort provided High Ground for cancer patients this summer

MILWAUKEE — An unprecedented response to the needs of cancer patients touched by the flooding this summer has concluded with a great success record, organizers said Oct. 1.
This summer's severe weather put many obstacles in the way of cancer patients who were trying to access lifesaving care. Cancer patients have unique needs and faced such difficulties as interruption intreatment schedules due to temporary closing of medical facilities or, even worse, discontinued treatment due to losing their home or their means of transportation.
The High Ground for Cancer Patients initiative was formed by the American Cancer Society and the Lance Armstrong Foundation to provide relief to Wisconsinites living in federal disaster areas. It provided assistance to dozens of cancer patients in 11 counties across Wisconsin. But even though the High Ground initiative is ending, cancer-fighting organizations recognize that the unique needs of cancer patients across the state remain.
"We are as dedicated as ever to providing the resources needed to fight the disease,” said Jari Allen, CEO of the American Cancer Society Midwest Division. “Both of our organizations offer free programs and services to ease the cancer burden of patients, their caregivers, and families. Our commitment to eliminating cancer through research, prevention, and early detection and advocacy remains strong.”
Betty Otter-Nickerson, Chief Operating Officer of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, said that both organizations were pleased with the results of the collaboration.
"This collaboration came together in a very short period of time and showed the commitment of our volunteers, donors, and staff members,” she said. "Fighting cancer is difficult enough without facing a natural disaster during treatment, and our goal was to relieve a bit of the burden these individuals faced.”
     —American Cancer Society