Treating people with cancer requires the coordination of complex care, and adding a clinical trial to the mix can pose more challenges. Many of us are avid supporters of research that yield more effective treatments, and we’re grateful to the patients who volunteer for clinical trials.

Being diagnosed with cancer can be extremely unexpected, especially for young adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s. The unique challenges and struggles of young adults with cancer were recently captured in the upcoming film AFTER EVERYTHING.

CancerCare has partnered with Barbells for Boobs, a nonprofit with a mission to help mobilize and empower propel to take action in breast cancer, to pioneer a breast health support line in New York City. The support line will direct individuals to services and screenings regardless of age, gender, income and insurance status. Those seeking assistance can call the NYC Support Line at 855-BFB-2DAY.

For the third year in a row, CancerCare helped families through our Back-to-School Program. One mother shares: “Jaeden was so happy when he received his new backpack. It’s fashionable and resistant to the weight he will be carrying this school year. Thank you so much-this program has helped med a lot by cutting down on the back-to-school bill!”

Longtime CancerCare supporter and volunteer, Nancy Laracy, was originally diagnosed with fibromyalgia and an autoimmune disease in 1997. In 2001, Nancy’s life changed when her family decided to adopt a rabbit named Bunny Boy. Bunny Boy and Nancy quickly became inseparable and became an important member of the family. “He was a breath of fresh air that came into my life at the right moment,” shared Nancy.

Before being diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Linda Dimuro actively volunteered in her local community, including Valley Hospital. After using CancerCare’s services and taking a year to focus on her recovery, Linda is giving back to her community again by participating in CancerCare’s New Jersey Walk/Run for Hope. Linda says, “CancerCare has done so much for me and this is something I can get involved in that that helps me both mentally and physically.”

On Sunday, July 8th, CancerCare client Joan Remnick hosted an art show in honor of her late husband, Burt Remnick, who passed away this past January of colorectal cancer. The art show was comprised of thirty of Burt’s nature and still-life photographs.

Dr. Michael Wong is professor of medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He also sits on the advisory board of CancerCare’s Patient Values Initiative, a program of work designed to make sure that patients’ values and priorities are incorporated into treatment decision-making. Here he shares his thoughts on how we can ensure patient preferences are built into treatment programs and what care teams can be doing right now to make a difference.

Amy Berman is a senior program officer with The John A. Hartford Foundation, a private philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults, as well as an author, blogger and patient advocate living with Stage IV breast cancer. She is a member of CancerCare’s Patient Values Initiatives advisory board, helping to make sure that patients’ values and priorities are incorporated intro treatment decision-making. Here Amy reveals why she chose palliative care over curative treatments and discusses the challenges to integrating patient preferences into cancer treatment planning.

On the second weekend of June, CancerCare hosted the 10th annual Healing Hearts Family Bereavement Camp, a free retreat for families and children coping with the loss of a loved one to cancer. For this year’s camp, 27 families spent the weekend at the Malibu Dude Ranch in Milford, PA, at an ocean-themed retreat. Families came to the camp from the tri-state area, as well as Virginia, Delaware, North Carolina and Massachusetts.