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Fighting Chance

The East End of Long Island is a unique geographic region composed of dramatic coastlines and vast farmland. However, as beautiful as this rural setting is, it can present unique challenges to those diagnosed with cancer and their familes. For example, the distances one must travel for doctor’s appointments coupled with the limited availabilty of mass transit can often times leave those in need feeling isolated within their own community.

Challenge: Where, in my community, can I go for information and support to help me deal with my cancer?

Solution: Visit the Fighting Chance office in Sag Harbor, where you can obtain a variety of educational resource materials tailored exclusively for cancer patients and their caregivers. We provide educational materials about various types of cancer and how to cope with the disease. We also offer individual counseling and family support. Call our office to make an appointment today.

Opened in 2002, Fighting Chance helps patients, family members, and caregivers find accurate medical information, locate resources, and develop strategies to cope with the impact of cancer.

Services at Fighting Chance

Counseling
A cancer diagnosis challenges people physically, emotionally and socially. At Fighting Chance we are dedicated to providing free professional counseling services for people affected by cancer. We have licensed oncology social workers who are trained to understand the basic biology of cancers, and how diagnosis, treatments and the aftermath impacts the patient as well as the family. Our social workers offer short-term individual, family, and group counseling sessions that enables people to discuss concerns and solve problems in a safe and respectful environment.

Educational Support Group
On the third Tuesday of every month, Fighting Chance offers an educational support group for patients at the Sag Harbor Office. Our social workers encourage supportive discussions on topics such as health concerns, health maintenance, emotional and relationship issues, resource finding and problem solving. Our group gives patients the chance to feel less alone and share feelings that are common to the cancer experience. Please call the Fighting Chance office at (631-725-4646) to register for the next group meeting.

Patient Navigation
Having cancer can present a series of crisies, beginning from the day of diagnosis through treatment and beyond. The patient navigator assists patients, family members and caregivers overcome obstacles one may face throughout their cancer journey. At Fighting Chance, the patient navigator is the first line of contact for patients and caregivers. The patient navigator assists with such issues as providing information on the particulars of a specific disease, locating physicians and medical facilities, troubleshooting transportation and financial issues and addresses concerns about insurance and employment.

Patient Educational Workshops and Lectures
As our understanding of cancer has improved dramatically over the past decade, the patient population insists on becoming more informed and assertive as medical consumers. Through our periodic educational workshops patients will gain state-of-the-art knowledge from expert speakers, feel more in control of their illness, and ultimately feel more empowered as a consumer. Typical workshop subjects include diet and nutrition, enhancing family communication, mind/body medicine, employment concerns, and maximizing health benefits.

Patient Resource Library and Reading Room
In putting together this resource guide, Coping With Cancer on the East End, we researched websites, informational guides and numerous other sources. Through this search, we have acquired a wide selection of pamphlets on the many types of cancers, as well as information on treatment side-effects, and coping tips. If you call our office in Sag Harbor (631-725-4646), our staff can assemble a package of material that relates to your specific cancer and guide you to the most useful websites. Feel free to come in an browse through our selection.

In battling cancer, you have to start somewhere. Fighting Chance is a good place to start!

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