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SIERRA VISTA — A local oncologist’s office is establishing a gas voucher fund to reimburse volunteers who drive cancer patients to and from treatments.
It’s a project Dr. Mark McCarthy’s office is launching because of high fuel costs.
And it’s one more step the cancer treatment center is taking in its effort to find creative funding sources for its patients.
After losing her mother-in-law to cancer, Vicki Barth, an employee in the doctor’s office, saw firsthand how financially stressing cancer treatments can be for patients. She has made it her mission to find funding to help with some of the financial issues patients face as they go through treatment sessions.
 Carolyn Hare, a registered nurse and office manager at Dr. Mark McCarthy’s office, discusses different resources with patient William Townsend as he receives chemotherapy for esophageal cancer. Hare is critical of how the American Cancer Society uses money locally. (Dana Cole-Herald/Review) |
“She was my inspiration,” Barth said of her mother-in-law. “I watched what she went through and knew I wanted to do something to help cancer patients.”
With a master’s degree in social services, Barth works for McCarthy as a patient advocate, seeking funding and other resources for uninsured and underinsured cancer patients who need assistance.
“When people come to us for treatment, we never turn anyone away, regardless of their financial situation,” she said.
Working with about 60 patients at any given time, Barth writes grants, helps patients with paperwork, applies for financial assistance, faxes information and tracks applications. Along with the financial side of the process, she seeks counseling support for patients and addresses such treatment barriers as transportation and child care.
As a patient advocate, Barth was a supporter of one of the American Cancer Society’s fundraisers, Relay for Life.
An inspirational event that honors cancer survivors while commemorating those who have lost their battle to the disease, the Relay is one of Sierra Vista’s most successful fundraisers, taking in $180,000 in 2007 and $145,000 at this year’s event in May.
A little more than 68 percent of money received by the American Cancer Society goes into program expenses, based on information provided by Charity Navigator, an independent entity that evaluates charities in relation to their mission statements. The cancer society’s administrative and fundraising costs account for about 31.4 percent of every dollar.
After what Barth describes as “some frustrating experiences with the American Cancer Society,” specifically its lack of financial support for cancer patients, she stopped supporting the annual Relay and has shifted her focus to other fundraising efforts. Barth would like to see more programs and services that benefit patients directly.
Denis Cournoyer, the district executive director for the American Cancer Society’s Greater Western Division office in Tucson, says the organization does offer support to this area, citing informational pamphlets distributed to local resource centers, a number of support groups and a 24-hour hotline that patients can access.
While working on the committee that organizes the Relay for Life in Sierra Vista, Barth said she was asked to promote the organization’s local resources and programs.
“The more I thought about that, the more it bothered me,” she said. “I was doing a lot of the work that made those services possible in this area, with no help from the American Cancer Society.”
Fran Richey, who has been involved in the local Relay event since 2000, strongly supports the cancer society’s efforts in this area. While she acknowledges money invested in this area may not be readily noticeable, Richey believes the organization gives back to the community through its research efforts and local programs.
“I’m involved in the Relay because cancer is such a global problem,” Richey said. “It’s not just a Sierra Vista problem. We all have friends, relatives and loved who have been impacted by cancer. I have cousins, aunts and uncles who have died from cancer and some are survivors. Because of the American Cancer Society, patients and survivors have access to the benefits and resources that are made available through the cancer society’s programs.”
Reimbursements
This year, Barth, McCarthy and the doctor’s staff decided not to participate in the local Relay for Life as they had in past years, feeling their time and efforts would be better spent by assisting cancer patients directly.
“We found gaping holes in the American Cancer Society’s services,” Barth said. “For example, transportation for our patients has been a terrible issue. We have wonderful volunteers who drive patients to their treatments, but they get no reimbursements for money they spend traveling.”
At times, volunteers have had to travel to remote areas of Cochise County to pick up patients. With climbing gas prices, Barth said the local Road to Recovery program, one of the cancer society-endorsed services in this area, is losing volunteers.
“They simply can’t afford it, not to mention the wear and tear on their vehicles,” Barth said.
In addition, volunteers are required to have a higher level insurance coverage on their vehicles, another expense that goes without reimbursement.
“Not one dime of the money raised through the Relay for Life stays in the community,” Barth said. “The Relay is a beautiful, moving event and cancer survivors really get a lot out of it. So I was very torn about not participating in it this year.”
Cournoyer agrees the gas reimbursement issue has been problem for the cancer society.
“The society is re-evaluating its policies on gas cards to patients and local volunteers who take patients to their appointments. It is a serious concern for the organization and an area we hope to improve,” he said.
Where the money goes
When asked how or where the organization’s money is spent locally, Cournoyer pointed to two Cancer Resource Centers in Sierra Vista, both stocked with literature and other materials provided by the cancer society. He also referenced a national call center, staffed by paid professionals, accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, the organization’s volunteers must go through special training programs offered by the cancer society.
“Having two Cancer Resource Centers in a rural community like Sierra Vista is unique, as communities that size typically have only one,” Cournoyer said. “Even in Tucson, we have one resource center.”
Barth agrees the educational materials are an excellent resource and credits the society for providing the literature.
“The informational pamphlets we receive from them are certainly useful,” she said.
She also acknowledged the organization’s national call center, as well as a Web site that patients can access for information. Despite those services, Barth is firm in her conviction that the cancer society needs to do more to help patients.
“Given the amount of money this community raises at the Relay every year, I really believe they should be doing more to help our patients financially,” she said. “Even though we’ve been successful in finding money for our patients, it’s getting more and more difficult to find funding sources. I know cancer research is an important part of what the cancer society does, but I think they need to shift gears and put more focus on financial assistance for the patient.”
Tom Schelling, a Bisbee resident who is active with the Mule Mountain Relay for Life, believes in the event and supports the cancer society’s research programs. Schelling, whose mother is a breast cancer survivor, credits the organization’s research and clinical trials for her recovery.
“My mother, who was battling breast cancer, was fortunate to be one of the first patients treated with a new drug 10 years ago,” he said. “Today, she is cancer free and I know that my years of being involved with the Relay for Life have done some good.”
He added that the American Cancer Society provides great educational materials, sponsors programs, advocacy work and support groups, all made possible through funds raised at events such as the Relay.
At a recent breast cancer awareness event, the current Mrs. World, Diane Tucker, stressed the importance of supporting the cancer society’s ongoing research. With breast cancer awareness as her platform, Tucker praised the organization for bringing cancer out into the open through its educational literature and urged residents to support the different events that keep cancer research in the forefront.
When asked how money raised in this area benefits the community, Cournoyer talked about a number of local support groups and programs the cancer society endorses.
But Barth argues the support groups are run by volunteers, with no cost to the cancer society.
McCarthy provides space at his facility for several of the groups’ meetings, while Barth organizes some of the sessions, calls members and secures food donations for participants.
Other than providing printed materials, Barth said the cancer society contributes “very little” to the support groups.
In addition, McCarthy’s office objects to the organization’s policy of asking patients who are attending the support sessions to sign in and provide personal information, which is then submitted to the American Cancer Society.
“They use the information to show what they’re doing for the community,” said Carolyn Hare, who is McCarthy’s office manager and a registered nurse. “Statistically, it makes them look good. But we think the community needs to be aware of what the facts really are when it comes to the money they’re donating to this organization.”
The society’s role with support groups and other local programs, Barth said, is nothing more than a name.
“I’m here day after day trying to find resources for our patients and the American Cancer Society does nothing to help,” she added. “We were promised a patient navigator for Cochise County, someone to help with social services. Tucson was provided a navigator, but we’re still waiting.”
Barth said it has become clear to her that money generated locally on behalf of the cancer society does not make its way to Sierra Vista.
“I completely understand the importance of research, but our patients are real people who are going through cancer treatments now, and they need financial assistance,” she said.
Keeping the funds local
Linda Gomez, a Douglas resident who was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago, shares Barth’s feelings.
Gomez was an avid Relay for Life supporter and participated in the Douglas event every year.
But when seeking financial assistance while going through her treatments, Gomez said she was shocked to learn the society was “absolutely no help.”
“I was being treated in Tucson, and because of that long drive from Douglas, asked about financial help with hotel costs and gas,” she said. “I was turned down by the cancer society in both areas.”
Disillusioned and frustrated with the organization, Gomez did some research and started her own fundraising event, the Douglas Run, Walk for the Cure. The annual event is held Thanksgiving morning. Participants are served a breakfast sponsored by Hickman Family Farms.
“We get tremendous support from the community. Last year we raised $35,000, and every penny of that money, I’m proud to say, stays right here in Douglas for patients who are going through cancer treatments,” she said. “We are very proud of our event, and can show exactly how every penny of that money is spent.”
Gomez said nothing makes her happier than handing cancer patients a $500 check, money they can use for hotels, gas, food or anything they need as they go through treatments in Sierra Vista or Tucson.
How the money is used
As far as hotel expenses are concerned, Cournoyer said the American Cancer Society has an employee who negotiates with different Tucson area hotels to secure rooms at no cost or reduced rates for patients undergoing treatment.
“When people have to come up to Tucson for treatments, we try to make arrangements with hotels to help families who need to stay in Tucson,” he said. “If the hotels have room, they’re willing to help us.”
Since hotels receive no compensation from the cancer society for providing the service, during prime visitor season there are times when rooms are not available.
In addition to the organization’s informational literature, volunteer training programs and research efforts, Cournoyer talked about “an exciting new research opportunity that includes Sierra Vista.”
At the local Relay for Life in May, residents could sign up for Cancer Prevention Study III, a 20-year study where family histories and lifestyles are examined in relation to the incidence of cancer. At this year’s event, 225 people signed up for the study. The communities of Yuma and Safford also are participating in the 20-year research project.
Community outreach is another piece of the cancer society’s work.
“At this year’s Relay for Life in Sierra Vista, more than 400 people signed a pledge card to have a colon cancer screening,” Cournoyer said. “Education and community outreach are a big part of what we do, and this is another example of one of our outreach efforts.”
While the organization’s critics acknowledge the different programs and projects, they argue that local services are run entirely by volunteers, with no financial support from the American Cancer Society. Even at the Relay, the sign-up process for the 20-year study and the colon screening pledges were conducted by local volunteers.
“So where does that money go?” Barth asked. “Here we have this billion-dollar, nonprofit-organization that can’t even come up with money for gas cards. I find that very disturbing.”
Questions have been raised about how the cancer society spends its money relative to its mission statement — “… eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service.”
While looking at the organization’s financial outlay and how it aligns with its mission statement, the amount of money spent on administrative costs also was examined.
For example, in 2007, the nonprofit organization’s chief executive officer, John Seffrin, was paid $616,136.
So, is that excessive, or is it in line with similar nonprofits?
Cournoyer offered the following explanation.
“As the world’s foremost voluntary health organization, the society offers compensation that is competitive with other nonprofit organizations, while reflecting the need to attract talent commensurate with ACS history and contemporary business goals,” he said. “We try to balance this need of attracting executive staff with an unparalleled level of talent and expertise with the careful stewardship of every donor dollar.”
The cancer society has received a low evaluation score from Charity Navigator. Using a four-star rating system, with four being the top rating, the cancer society received an overall score of 48.11, which tallied two stars.
In comparison, Charity Navigator gave Us TOO International (a prostate cancer organization) an overall score of 60.63 and four stars, the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition earned 68.73 and four stars, while the National Cancer Coalition earned 62.15 and four stars.
Charity Navigator bases its overall rating on the following criteria:
• Organizational efficiency, to include program expenses, administrative expenses, fundraising expenses and fundraising efficiency.
• Organizational capacity, to include primary revenue growth, program expenses growth and working capital ration.
According to Charity Navigator’s statistics, the cancer society’s 2006 total revenue was $1,029,525,000. Its program expenses came in at $644,186,000. Administrative expenses were $91,252,000, and fundraising expenses were reported at $205,387,000. The society’s total functional expenses for that year were $940,825,000.
“The American Cancer Society is a huge bureaucracy with lots of layers,” Barth said. “The money raised in Sierra Vista is rolled right into those layers.”
HERALD/REVIEW reporter Dana Cole can be reached at 515-4618 or by e-mail at dana.cole@svherald.com.
PROGRAMS OFFERED LOCALLY
The following information was provided by Denis Cournoyer, the district executive director for the American Cancer Society’s Greater Western Division office out of Tucson.
There are two Cancer Resource Centers in Sierra Vista:
• The Sierra Vista Cancer Center is located at 155 Calle Portal, Suite 700. For information, call 459-1718.
• McCarthy Oncology is located at 4990 E. Mediterranean Drive, Suite D. For information, call Vicki Barth at 417-1163.
Other services available include:
• The American Cancer Society phone line is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Staffed with specially trained professionals, callers can have questions answered and get linked with resources in their communities. Call (800) 227-2345 or go to the Web site at cancer.org.
• Road to Recovery is a program that provides transportation to and from cancer treatment appointments. Now serving patients in Sierra Vista, Huachuca City, Hereford, Tombstone and Bisbee with rides to treatments in Sierra Vista and Tucson. Call Lois Holland at 458-4290 or (866) 500-3272.
• Reach to Recovery is a program that provides trained peer support to women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer. The local coordinator is Joyce Redding. To make a referral to this program, call Redding at 458-4510 or Dolores Laster at 378-2998.
• Look Good Feel Better is a support group that focuses on cancer patients who are coping with skin changes and hair loss. Sessions are held the second Monday of each month from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. at the office of Dr. Mark McCarthy, 4990 E. Mediterranean Drive, Suite D, in Sierra Vista. Pre-registration is requested. Call Vicki Barth at 417-1163.
• The Guest Room and Lodging Program is for patient-related travel to Tucson and Phoenix. Free or reduced-rate rooms are available by calling (800) 227-2345.
• Free wigs are provided in an assortment of colors and styles for persons currently receiving cancer treatment. Call Pat Zybowski, who is a licensed cosmetologist, at 249-4298.
• Free hats and scarves are available for people who are currently receiving cancer treatment at both local Cancer Resource Centers: Sierra Vista Cancer Center, 155 Calle Portal, Suite 700, and at McCarthy Oncology, 4990 E. Mediterranean Drive, Suite D. For information, call (866) 500-3272.
HOW THEY COMPARE
For the purpose of comparison, the following list is from Charity Navigator’s 10 super-sized charities. Listed in the order of their total expenses, the American Cancer Society is the third organization on this particular list of charities.
American Cancer Society
• Total expenses: $940,825,000
• Overall rating: 48.11 and two stars.
• CEO John Seffrin receives a $616,136 annual income.
American Red Cross
• Total expenses: $5,480,992,916.
• Overall rating: 69.40 and four stars.
• President/CEO Gail J. McGovern receives a $565,000 annual income.
AmeriCares
• Total expenses: $861,929,298
• Overall rating: 50.83 and three stars.
• President/CEO Curtis R. Welling receives a $275,000 annual income.
The Nature Conservancy
• Total expenses: $797,337,274
• Overall rating: 65.45 and four stars.
• President/CEO Steven J. McCormick receives a $424,465 annual income.
Volunteers of America
• Total expenses: $804,113,834
• Overall rating: 60.04 and four stars.
• President/CEO Charles W. Gould receives a $301,840 annual income.
World Vision
• Total Expenses: $946, 370,000.
• Overall rating: 61.16 and four stars
• CEO Richard E. Stearns receives a $351,000 annual income.
Source: www.charitynavigator.org/
ON THE NET
• American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org/
• Relay for Life: www.relayforlife.org/
• Charity Navigator: www.charitynavigator.org
ACS Supporter wrote on Jul 31, 2008 12:30 PM: