Breast And Gyn Health Project

Results: The Breast and GYN Health Project has provided free cancer resources support services since 1997 (over 20 years), assisting nearly 2,500 clients facing cancer concerns. High quality support services are provided by staff who are nurses, physicians and volunteers, who are nearly all cancer survivors themselves. Although medical services are not provided by BGHP, current information and compassionate support are a hallmark of every contact with our organization.

Target demographics: people facing a breast or gynecologic cancer or cancer concern.

Direct beneficiaries per year: 432 people facing a breast or gynecologic cancer concern, and over 20,000 individuals who received community health education about cancer, women's health, and access to health care services.

Geographic areas served: California North Coast

Programs: Direct Cancer Resource Support Services: In 2016, the Breast and GYN Health Project (BGHP), formerly Humboldt Community Breast Health Project, served 432 individual clients, including 160 of whom were new clients with breast or gynecologic cancer or cancer concerns. All our services are provided free of charge to anyone requesting assistance. We provided information and referral to an additional 60 community members, who did not become clients. 6,677 contacts were made with the 432 clients. Clients participated in our six different support groups, received regular follow-up calls with our staff and warmline volunteers, used the lending library and other decision support activities. BGHP continued to offer its lending library and electronic library with individualized searches by a volunteer information specialist. BGHP estimates we saw approximately 50% of local women diagnosed with these cancers. In 2017, a special emphasis is on support services for young women with cancer, thanks to two local grant funders. These support services include a special support group and focused patient navigation services. Community Education and Outreach Program. The Breast and GYN Health Project (BGHP) staff and volunteers participated in 80 outreach and tabling events. We estimate we reached over 21,000 individuals. The majority of these contacts were through tabling at health fairs and other community gatherings. We conducted a large mailing of educational and informational resources to all the faith-based organizations as well as civici/service clubs we could locate throughout Humboldt County. Staff and volunteers conducted radio interviews. BGHP has been participating in face-to-face orientations with new healthcare providers to our community.BGHP staff and volunteers regularly speak at civic and service organization meetings. 1,500 hard-copy BGHP educational newsletters were distributed in the spring and fall to 65 local medical practices. These newsletters have educational content, volunteer and donor recognition and event promotions. The eel river valley outreach satellite site, co-located at visiting angels, operated three hours per week, staffed by volunteers, provided information and support to local women. Thanks to a grant from the national breast cancer foundation, breast health navigation outreach services continued to try to get hard-to-reach women in for breast cancer screening services and free mammograms. The part-time position is staffed by an experienced oncology nurse. She is working with local health care providers, faith-based organizations and service clubs to help get the word out about breast cancer early detection and assistance to access care. Peer Support Volunteer Program. The Breast and GYN Health Project (BGHP), provides volunteer opportunities for cancer survivors and support people to further their healing through supporting others. Over 200 volunteers assist BGHP annually, reporting about 4,000 volunteer hours. Some volunteers work weekly, such as the e-library information specialist(s), warmliners, data entry and chemokit/medical record binder volunteers. Others volunteer as needed for outreach tabling events, care for the lending library, fundraising activities or to make hats/socks. Volunteers have modeled healthy cancer survivorship throughout the 20 years the organization has been in existence. These volunteers have helped ensure that women facing cancer do not need to face their experience alone.