DARLINGTON – Hartsville’s Beth Johnson of the American Cancer Society addressed the Darlington County Coordinating Council to give an update on its services in the community on Friday.
“Our primary focus is on cancer patients and caregivers,” Johnson said.
One of the group’s main concerns is transportation for cancer patients to Florence, Columbia or Charleston from rural areas such as Society Hill for treatments lasting 30 days or more. Some patients may ride Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority (PDRTA) but are often too sick to ride the bus back home. Others have scheduling conflicts with the limit bus service in rural areas.
“We know this is a problem for many,” Johnson said. The organization has spent $1,600 in gas cards helping patients last year.
The Road to Recovery program, while new to Darlington County, is not new for the organization and is an avenue for patients to call and ask for assistance getting back and forth to receive cancer treatments.
Other programs include Reach to Recovery, Hope Lodge, Rural Health Grants and Best Chance Network.
Reach to Recovery pairs up newly-diagnosed breast cancer patients with survivors to mentor them.
The Hope Lodge has 13 rooms for patients and caregivers to stay free of charge near MUSC in Charleston during treatment. Churches provide nightly meals, and the restored house has a library and computer room. There are only 14 of these lodges across the country.
“We have so many programs and services, it’s overwhelming sometimes for patients,” Johnson said. “We want to be a clearing house for them.”
People can call (800) ACS-2345 for information or to register for any of the programs. Johnson added the phones lines are 24-7 and staffed by real people with care and concern for the individuals calling.
Johnson added the organization supports increasing the state’s lowest in the nation the cigarette tax since smoking contributes to a number of cancers.
Chair Rep. Jay Lucas said that the increased debate on the cigarette tax suggests that this may be the year it passes.
South Carolina’s tax is 7 cents per pack while the national average is $1.34. A Senate bill would increase the tax by 50 cents, but State Superintendent Jim Rex said that’s not high enough. Rex wants to match the national average and hike the tax $1.27 per pack with half the money going to the school system and half to Medicaid.
Lucas said the fight in the General Assembly is mostly how to spend the money raised by the tax.
Johnson said the American Cancer Society has been trying to get the cigarette tax increased for some time but has to focus on its primary goal of serving patients and filling the voids in the medical community.
The group’s signature annual event, Relay for Life, will be held April 23-24 in Byerly Park.
Info: www.cancer.org or www.darcocc.org
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement