Blue Walcer, MPH, CARE Director (Middle Row, 3rd from Left) with her Tuesday night group.
This article was originally published in the Spring 2007 issue of the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation News.
etting a cancer diagnosis is tough enough. But if you can’t
understand the system or know what are resources designed to help you, a
cancer diagnosis can mean pain far beyond what anyone should have to
endure. Through the Cancer Awareness Resources and Education (CARE)
program, patients can combat not only their cancer, but the feelings of
isolation and fear that go with it.
The program began in 2002 after a needs assessment showed just how little patients understood about what was happening to them. Blue Walcer, CARE’s director, went with a group of trained multilingual volunteers to SFGHMC’s oncology unit and talked to patients in waiting rooms.
"We found people waiting for chemotherapy, having no idea what was in store for them," says Walcer. "We’d ask them, ‘Who’s your oncologist?’ And some wouldn’t know what an oncologist was.
"In developing the CARE program, we took the approach that education is a critical extension of patient care," she continues. "So many patients feel uncomfortable in a medical setting where they often don’t speak the language or understand what is happening. We’ve made sure to create a warm, welcoming environment for them."
CARE offers classes in English, Spanish and Cantonese. The program includes relaxation and goal-setting exercises, plus guest speakers who address a wide range of topics such as nutrition, complementary medicine, stress reduction, symptom management and more. By providing comprehensive cancer-related education and self-care skills, the program enhances patients’ understanding of their disease and helps them gain a sense of control over their lives.
In addition to classes, CARE takes patients on educational excursions, such as guided nutrition tours to learn about herbs, supplements and healthy eating. Walcer adds that the program features speakers who present information in interactive and engaging ways.
"We look at our patients’ strengths and assets and develop the program to build on those capacities," says Walcer.
Through the bilingual (English/Spanish) Araceli Theater Project, patients perform theater pieces for their providers, medical students and the greater community, telling their stories in creative ways. Araceli gives patients an outlet to express themselves and engage in a vibrant community, which further promotes their own health and well-being.
"It’s a great vehicle for patients to express themselves, and for others to learn," says Walcer.
Participants in the CARE program come from over 20 different countries. Groups are offered in English, Spanish and Chinese. The patients are reflective of the SFGHMC patient population, often coming from lower-income neighborhoods where violence reigns.
"One week, we had three unrelated patients who had lost people in their lives to drive-by shootings. Living in poverty, there’s just so much trauma. It’s been very educational for me to see how much people have to endure. And it’s encouraging to see how much comfort and support they can get from each other," says Walcer.
"CARE is a form of complementary medicine. It complements what’s happening in the hospital by feeding the soul as well as healing the body."
