News Release

October 30, 2007

Contact: Maureen McGuire, 860-679-4523
e-mail: mmcguire@nso.uchc.edu

Volunteers, UConn Nursing Students Create Resource Guide for Women with Breast Cancer

Information Will be Shared with Patients at UConn Health Center

FARMINGTON, CONN. – Students with the UConn School of Nursing and volunteers with the American Cancer Society and the Navigator Care Program at the University of Connecticut Health Center worked together this year to create a free resource guide for patients with breast cancer at the Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The guide is divided geographically to cover all corners of Connecticut. It contains information about where to obtain medical supplies, wigs, prostheses, physical therapy services, support services and more.

“We are delighted to share this user-friendly guide with our patients,” said Nancy Baccaro, A.P.R.N., A.O.C.N., of the Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center’s breast health program. “We are always looking for tools we can give patients to help promote healing and well being,” she added.

Other resources available to patients at the Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center include personalized health manager kits created by the American Cancer Society, as well as access to the American Cancer Society’s vast cancer resource network. In addition, the Navigator Care Program matches breast cancer patients with trained volunteers who help coordinate transportation, accompany patients to appointments and provide many other support services.

Photo Caption: During breast cancer awareness month, students from the UConn School of Nursing and volunteers with the Navigator Care Program unveiled a new resource guide for patients with breast cancer at the UConn Health Center: http://www.uchc.edu/ocomm/images/images_news/photo_cancercaregroup.jpg.

Seated, from left to right: Lynn Miller of the Navigator Care Program; UConn nursing student Krystin Saglimbene and Ronni Breiter of the Navigator Care Program.
Standing, from left to right: Nancy Baccaro of the Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center; Jennafer Steele, a graduate of the UConn School of Nursing; UConn nursing students Jenna Cooke and Stephanie Shea.

The University of Connecticut Health Center includes the schools of medicine and dental medicine, the UConn Medical Group, University Dentists, and John Dempsey Hospital, a Solucient Top 100 Hospital® 2006. Founded in 1961, the Health Center pursues a mission of providing outstanding health care education in an environment of exemplary patient care, research and public service. To learn more about the UConn Health Center, visit our website at www.uchc.edu.

Note: News professionals are invited to visit the Office of Communications homepage at www.uchc.edu/ocomm/ for archived news releases and other information.