Cancer Support Community Arizona Thunderbirds Charities

Thunderbirds Charities Grant Furthers Cancer Support Community Arizona’s Work to Improve Outcomes for Low-income Patients

Cancer patients will have increased access to comprehensive cancer care, including essential psychosocial support, thanks to a $25,000 grant Thunderbirds Charities awarded to Cancer Support Community Arizona (CSCAZ), a Phoenix-based nonprofit that delivers free support services, programming, and resources to cancer patients, their families, and caregivers across the state. The grant supports CSCAZ’s Cancer Resource Navigator, a program created to address cancer disparities and improve health equity.
While cancer is the second leading cause of death for Arizonans as a whole, it is the leading cause of death for Hispanic, American Indian, and Asian residents. This is in large part because barriers to crucial care are devastatingly high for low-income, uninsured, and under-insured patients, most of whom are people of color. As a
result, the outcomes for treatable cancers are often fatal.

“It is not uncommon for an inability to pay or lack of reliable transportation to keep low-income cancer patients from completing life-saving treatment,” said Debbie DiCarlo, Chief Executive Officer of CSCAZ. “This innovative program reduces barriers to accessing comprehensive cancer care that improves physical and mental health outcomes and reduces healthcare inequities.”

CSCAZ’s Cancer Resource Navigator program provides low-income clients with advocacy, resource navigation, and even a Direct Assistance Fund to support crucial expenses beyond a family’s financial means. As part of the program, bilingual, hospital-embedded Cancer Resource Navigators work closely with two Phoenix hospitals most often serving this vulnerable population to ensure low-income patients’ and families’ mental and physical health needs are met in a culturally appropriate manner.

Cancer Support Community Arizona

This grant is part of the Fall 2021 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees.