Genesis Cancer Center Medical Oncologist Dr. Fred Divers has started a new chapter in the Community Oncology Alliance Patient Advocacy Network, a national organization that advocates for patients on Capitol Hill and provides local education.
"Some patients really want to speak out and as their red badge of courage they want to help others in any way that they can," Divers said. "Other patients are more private, but the CPAN chapters are a way to keep the patients engaged, provide patients with important education, but also act as a conduit so their voices can be heard in D.C. if, in fact, they're concerned about limited access to care."
Although CPAN is coordinated nationally, he said the new chapter launching is a local endeavor for Arkansas.
"Community Oncology Alliance is really sort of the voice for cancer patients in the community," Divers said. "There are obviously other organizations out there that support cancer patients, from American Cancer Society and the Association of Community Cancer Center. ... But COA's really become the voice of community oncology."
He said community oncology has strived to provide high quality of care for patients, meet every standard, be there medically, but also be there from an advocacy standpoint.
"COA developed the CPAN chapters, which are patient advocacy networks, throughout the country to advocate for patient rights and to maintain the quality of community oncology and access to care that the community oncology network provides," Divers said.
"So that's really what CPAN's about," he said. "It's an advocacy network that keeps patients informed and engaged, and, yes, we do communicate through email and phone and written letters, but also in-person on Capitol Hill when needs arise. Over the years there have been various issues that have concerned cancer patients, so COA and the CPAN chapters have fought for patients' rights in those situations."
He said any time they see any health care policy that negatively impacts a patient's access to care, they speak out about it.
"We typically engage the patients in that process and assist them in contacting their legislators and voicing their concerns," Divers said. "And we do fund a trip to Washington, D.C., annually and bring patients from all over the country and they have Hill Day and they can all meet with their respective legislators to voice concerns and discuss the status of cancer care."
To get involved in the local chapter of CPAN, visit https://genesiscancercenter.com, or call 501-624-7700.