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Hope Coach
"No one is useless in the world, who lightens the burden of anyone else"- Charles Dickens
Hope Coach at the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center offers tangible hope to those experiencing cancer and their families. No one plans on getting sick, much less getting a diagnosis of cancer. Although there are many excellent programs tackling cancer, from research and lobbying efforts to support groups, there are still patients who do not qualify for assistance or whose needs are not met during their treatment.
Hope Coach is a direct link to actual patients with real, tangible needs that sometimes are as dire as their diagnosis. Their needs are as varied and individual as the patients themselves. We hope you will be willing to make a contribution, share an inspiring personal story, or offer your services or personal time to help make a difference.
Patient Story
Michael is a 54 year old male who has past history of chronic myeloid leukemia. He is status post high dose chemotherapy followed by an allogeneic stem cell transplant. He has been free of leukemia for over 4 1/2 years. Unfortunately, post treatment, Michael developed severe graft versus host disease of the skin resulting in multiple open areas to his lower extremities causing severe pain and multiple infections. He has resorted to multiple treatment options to control the graft versus host before resulting to such a drastic and courageous decision of receiving bilateral above the knee amputation. We have reached out to many organizations for assistance to help with the cost of bilateral prosthesis but have received very little in return. It is such a heart wrenching and humbling experience to know that after surviving cancer, you are still fighting for life. He is still fighting to resume a normal and productive life after all he has endured. He has great determination and has so much more to offer to society. Michael walked in our office almost five years ago looking and hoping for help. It is my hope that we will again see him walking into our office for his follow up care.
To view other patient stories click here.
How You Can Make a Difference
In a very direct and personal way, you can make a difference in a cancer patient’s life. Whether you can make a contribution or give some of your time you will be easing the burden for cancer patients at the University of Maryland Cancer Center every day. Please click here to make a contribution online or send your gift (made payable to UMMS Foundation, Inc.) to UMMS Foundation Inc., Hope Coach, 110 South Paca Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.
If you would like to learn more about how you can make a difference in the lives of our patients by giving your time, please contact Anne McNerney, Patient Navigator at amcnerney@umm.edu.
To contribute to the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center please click here.
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