The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
GCSFL focuses on social determinants of health to overcome challenges and improve well-being. Addressing the psychological and emotional aspects of cancer is critical for cancer patients' overall care and management. During GCSFL’s intake, participants begin with a distress screening, referral, and follow-up program to identify specific concerns (psychosocial, practical, physical) and receive a customized plan, to include access to GCSFL programming and facilitated referrals. Individuals screened with elevated levels of distress enroll in support groups and/or individual counseling with follow up.
For many cancer patients, the cost of treatment and medications gradually, or sometimes quickly, pushes them below the poverty threshold and into financial toxicity. Medical financial hardship due to cancer results in material (e.g., filed for bankruptcy), psychological (e.g., worry about paying bills), and behavioral (e.g., delaying or forgoing care due to cost) domains. GCSFL provides no cost services, connections to community resources, and in some instances, direct emergency financial assistance (e.g., rent, groceries) for participants in crisis.
Like many organizations during COVID-19, we transitioned to an online platform. We continue to offer hybrid, fully online, and in-person programs to meet the needs of the community. Technology allows programming to be very accessible, so cancer patients and their families can participate regardless of circumstance. This has been true especially for those who are too sick to drive or in the hospital or sadly under hospice care. We have found that cancer patients continue to navigate online services, often due to being immuno-comprised and sometimes needing flexibility when in treatment.