International News: Support of Ukrainian Cancer Patients

Submitted by Scarlott K Mueller, MPH, RN, FAAN, ISNCC Board Member

As the world watches the challenges and suffering of the people of Ukraine, I want to share how the American Cancer Society, along with the American Society of Clinical Oncologists and the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center-Jefferson Health, are partnering to assist the Ukrainian cancer patients and their families. With over 179,000 newly diagnosed cancer patients in Ukraine, displacement from their homes and lack of medical resources may lead to significant disruption in care and treatment and may negatively impact their cancer survival. This collaborative healthcare group is making available valuable cancer information in languages that include English, Ukrainian, Polish, and Russian and can be accessed at www.cancer.net/ukraine.

In addition, these partners are supporting the American Cancer Society Clinician Volunteer Corps comprised of oncologists and oncology nurses. These volunteer resource individuals will be available to answer inquiries from Ukrainian patients and families through connection with the American Cancer Society’s National Cancer Information Center at +1-800-227-2345 and can be reached  24 hours a day. Oncology nurses and physicians who are interested in participating in this humanitarian effort should complete a volunteer form online at www.cancer.org/ukrainevolunteer. Members of the American Society of Clinical Oncologists should use the website international@asco.org.

The American Cancer Society and these partners stand in solidarity to support Ukrainian cancer patients and their families. As global oncology nurses, our support can also have influence.