Leaders in northwest Georgia’s healthcare community saw a disconnect between medical care and cancer patients’ needs, so founded Cancer Navigators (CN) in 2006 to bridge the gap. CN’s mission is to provide patients and family members with guidance and counseling, so they gain a better understanding of diagnosis and treatment options while also connecting them with free resources and services.

CN service navigators assess each patient’s needs, and a personalized plan is created. Patients provide proof of income and medical records, and the navigator conducts an evaluation to determine qualifying services; all of which are free. CN remains committed to providing the following services:

·       Support from licensed social workers to help patients understand and navigate complex insurance, healthcare, and financial support programs (e.g., completing applications for Medicare, Medicaid, Disability, and SSI and researching patient grants based on cancer diagnosis and employment history).

·       Counseling, with a licensed clinical social worker employed by CN, to patients who oncologists have referred to CN specifically for counseling and who could not otherwise afford counseling. Patients are referred if they are feeling nervous or depressed, need to talk to someone, have limited family support, or are reacting emotionally in a way they can’t understand. Many patients suffer from anxiety, untreated bi-polar disorder, and/or have suffered traumatic experiences prior to their cancer diagnosis.

·       Referrals to food pantries and oncology nutrition counseling for uninsured patients.

·       Distribution of liquid nutrition to patients undergoing treatment and struggling to eat.

·       Provision of gas cards or bus vouchers to assist patients with transportation to and from treatments.

·       Distribution of ostomy supplies, adult diapers, wipes, wigs, caps, hats, pillows, and blankets.

·       Coordination of stress management and patient/caregiver support groups and retreats.

 The CN office is located inside the Tony E. Warren Cancer Center and convenient for patients to visit before or after appointments; however, CN serves patients traveling outside of Rome, Georgia for treatment.