Lucille Latham
Coffee County Family Services

Grantee Spotlight

YWCA North Orange County and Cancer and Careers Team Up to
Bring Career Resources to Cancer Survivors on the West Coast

One of the most common questions facing women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer is, how will I be able to continue working and lead a normal life? The YWCA North Orange County has teamed up with Cancer and Careers to bring crucial information about balancing cancer and careers to survivors in Orange County.

The collaboration began in 2006, when Diane Masseth-Jones, YWCA North Orange County Executive Director, researched programs designed for meeting the needs of cancer survivors going back to work. Cancer and Careers was the only organization dedicated to changing the face of cancer in the workplace by providing tools and resources to help women get back on the job following a cancer diagnosis. It was immediately clear that both programs had much to offer one another. Cancer and Careers had access to expert information and resources and was looking for a partner to host the inaugural Balancing Cancer and Careers Seminar, while the YWCA North Orange County had extensive contacts and credibility in the local cancer community as well as an audience of survivors struggling to get back into the workplace. More partners were brought into the project, including St. Joseph Hospital. After two years of planning, the partnership came to fruition in an educational seminar to help survivors of all types of cancer learn how to balance their treatment with their job responsibilities.  The Seminar was made possible with an educational grant from Roche Pharmaceuticals.

On March 11, 2008, the YWCA North Orange County hosted Cancer and Careers’ first west coast event. The seminar included presentations by a panel of experts on the practical, medical and legal challenges surrounding cancer in the workplace. Kate Sweeney, Executive Director of Cancer and Careers gave an overview of issues facing cancer survivors in the workplace and provided links to targeted Cancer and Careers resources. Linda Bosserman, M.D., a noted local oncologist, spoke on the medical aspects of working through breast cancer, including useful suggestions such as how to communicate your concerns to your doctor and how to manage treatment side effects while working.

Dr. Linda Bosserman speaks about how to manage cancer treatment
in conjunction with career responsibilities

Joanna Morales, Esq. of the Cancer Legal Resource Center in Los Angeles spoke on employment rights and the national and local laws that provide worker protections. Finally, two breast cancer survivors shared their personal stories of working through their treatment.

Joanna Morales of the Cancer Legal Resource Center presents on
workers' legal rights at the Cancer and Careers workshop
sponsored by the YWCA North Orange County

The seminar was attended by survivors of all types of cancer, as well as doctors, employers, and family members helping a loved one through their cancer. Many of those in the audience were the multiethnic women diagnosed through the YWCA North Orange County’s Early Breast Cancer Screening and Education Program. Since 1993, the YWCA North Orange County has been working with the Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund to bring quality breast health care to women who might otherwise go undiagnosed or diagnosed at a later and more dangerous stage of their disease. Each year, the program provides access to free mammograms, clinical breast exams, and breast self exam education for over 5,000 of the hardest to reach, low income uninsured multiethnic women in Orange County. We are proud that through partnerships with other cancer agencies such as Cancer and Careers, we are able to offer these women resources to help them through all aspects of their cancer diagnosis and treatment.

YWCA North Orange County Vietnamese Outreach Manager Nancy Hoan Le receives pointers from Dr. Linda Bosserman at the Cancer and Careers Workshop

Due to the outstanding response we received from this year’s seminar, we hope to present the workshop annually at various hospitals throughout Orange County.  Cancer and Careers is also excited about the prospect of bringing these resources to other communities throughout the nation, and they would welcome contacts from other Avon grantees. They can be reached at www.cancerandcareers.com.

Cancer and Careers is dedicated to changing the face of cancer in the workplace.  The program provides a comprehensive website, free publications, and a series of support groups and educational seminars for employees with cancer. Cancer and Careers also offers practical guidance to co-workers and caregivers.  In addition, the Managing Through Cancer Pioneers program helps employers face the challenge of cancer in the workplace. The Avon Foundation and Roche Pharmaceuticals are the founding sponsors of the Cancer and Careers initiative.

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