People diagnosed with
cancer can find resources in the
community. Here are some contacts Bob
Riter, associate director of the Cancer
Resource Center of the Finger Lakes,
recommended.
* Kevin Nickerson,
disability program navigator at Tompkins
Workforce New York: 272-7570 ext. 136.
If you cannot work because of illness or
injury, Nickerson can with disability
insurance, Medicare and other programs
that might be of assistance.
* Corporate Angel
Network: (866) 328-1313;
www.corpangelnetwork.org.
If you need to travel out of the area
for treatment or a second opinion, you
may be able to get a free flight on a
corporate airplane through the Corporate
Angel Network. Flights are often
available from the Corning/Elmira
Airport to New York City.
* Small Comforts Foundation: 257-6059;
www.smallcomforts.org. The foundation provides small grants for items that
improve the quality of life for
individuals with chronic illness.
Televisions, shower chairs, blenders and
easy chairs are some of the items
provided.
* The Palliative Care
Program of Hospicare and Palliative Care
Services: 272-0212. It focuses on
improving the quality of life of people
with serious illness by reducing pain
and other symptoms caused by disease or
its treatment. It is available to anyone
without regard to life expectancy.
People often receive palliative care
while undergoing active treatment for
cancer.
* Healthy Living
Partnership: 274-4500. The partnership
offers free or low-cost screening for
breast, cervical and colorectal cancer
for people who would have difficulty
paying.
* The Prescription
Meds Access Program: 211 from land lines
or 272-9331, or (877) 211-8667 from all
phones. The program helps uninsured and
underinsured residents of Tompkins
County identify potential sources of
low-cost medicine.
* The “Please Try It
Room” at the Finger Lakes Independence
Center: 272-2433. The center loans a
range of assistive devices including
ramps, wheelchairs and related items.
* The TST-BOCES
Cosmetology Program: 257-1551. The
program provides free, reconditioned
wigs and wig care.
* FISH: Friends in
Service Helping: (866) 255-6545.
Volunteers donate their time to drive
the elderly and persons with
disabilities to medical appointments.
* Tompkins County
Office for the Aging: 274-5482. When
older people are diagnosed with cancer,
the support they need may relate as much
to aging as to the cancer itself.
