Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 1, 2020

KH . ORG 17 The Kootenai Health Foundation’s Cancer Patient Support Fund helps provide much- needed essentials for patients undergoing cancer treatment. This includes help with things such as nutritional supplements, food and basic living expenses, prescription and co-pay assistance, and even gas vouchers. All funds stay local and benefit area residents seeking care close to home. The Support Fund was created in 2006 in anticipation of the future needs of cancer patients in our region. The program has grown steadily since its inception—from assisting 77 patients in its first year to now supporting over 250 patients each year. “Programs like these are popular among hospital foundations because many, if not most, cancer patients are unable to work while undergoing treatment,” said Melanie Lambrecht, Kootenai Health Foundation development manager. “This fund helps supplement those essential items. It’s amazing to see how much this program has grown since 2006— it’s an important resource for our community.” Caring for our community If you’d like to learn more about the Kootenai Health Foundation’s Cancer Patient Support Fund, visit KH.org/foundation or call (208) 625-4438 . 4 Steps to Having a Better Mammogram The hardest part of preparing for a mammogram may be picking up the phone and making the appointment. But once you accomplish that task, there are four things you need to do to help ensure the process goes smoothly and you get the most accurate results: 1 If you still menstruate, schedule the mammogram for about a week after your period, when your breasts are less tender. 2 If you’ve had mammograms at another facility, have the records transferred so they can be compared to the new mammogram. 3 Don’t wear talcum powder, deodorant or lotion on your underarms or breasts the day of your mammogram. They can show up as white spots on the image. 4 Be sure to tell the technologist about any breast changes or symptoms you have. Source: American Cancer Society Your Gifts Make a Difference The Cancer Patient Support Fund directly helps patients receiving care at Kootenai Clinic Cancer Services. Here’s how donations are making a difference. 2018 recap Patients supported. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269 Total assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . $83,475 Distributionof funds Nutrition supplements. . . . . . . . . . . $5,379 Utilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12,126 Rent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,038 Groceries, co-pays, gas. . . . . . . . . . $57,180 Pharmacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,492 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $508 Caps for chemopatients Kootenai Clinic Cancer Services partners with the Kootenai Health Foundation to provide caps for female patients experiencing treatment-related hair loss. Caps given from 2016 to 2018. . . . . . . . . 200 2018 expenditure. . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,207 ➜ ➜ ➜ Cancer Screening Tips