Comfort Care Kits
Help breast-cancer patients through their journeys

Imagine you've just been diagnosed with breast cancer.

You'll have many questions.

You'll see many different healthcare professionals.

And you'll hope there is someone who can help you through the maze of information, appointments and treatment options.

Now, thanks to grants from the Salem Hospital Foundation, women diagnosed with breast cancer have additional resources for information and support-a Comfort Care Kit and a peer navigator program.

According to Lori James-Nielsen, R.N., the hospital's breast-cancer care coordinator, both the Comfort Care Kit and the peer navigator program are invaluable resources.

Comfort Care Kits include a journal, appointment calendar, educational DVD and more.

"As staff, we can offer one level of support, but if newly diagnosed patients want to talk with people who have been in their shoes, we connect them with a peer navigator," says James-Nielsen. "Nationwide, peer navigator programs are being implemented to help improve patients' quality of life and their care experience."

Since all navigators are breast-cancer survivors, they are well equipped to provide support and guidance, as well as to help calm the fears of women recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

And since Salem Hospital has one of the largest full-service cancer programs in the Northwest, with staff seeing more than 300 breast-cancer patients a year, James-Nielsen and the navigators keep busy.

Photo on Right: Judie Foreman (left) and Vet Smith are two of the peer navigators who help guide women recently diagnosed with breast cancer through their journeys.

Another important tool used when meeting with breast-cancer patients is the Comfort Care Kit. Thanks to funding from the Salem Hospital Foundation, women diagnosed with breast cancer receive a free kit that includes a journal, appointment calendar, educational DVD and information, and special gift items such as a manicure set.

"We are so appreciative of the Foundation's support," says James-Nielsen. "With the Foundation grants we've received, we've been able to add a number of enhancements to our program that allow us to go that extra mile for our patients."

If you know someone who has breast cancer and could benefit from talking with James-Nielsen, call 503-561-6718. Or to make a donation for additional Comfort Care Kits, call the Foundation at 503-561-5576.