ACS and Philadelphia cancer center lauded for community impact.
The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center – Jefferson Health (SKCC) along with ACS have been selected as a Faces of Philanthropy honoree by the Philadelphia Business Journal. The Faces of Philanthropy honorees were recognized at an event on April 7. Pictured above, at the ceremony, are, left to right, Alex Khariton, SKCC vice president of Cancer Services; Paula Green, vice president of the Philadelphia area; Dr. Andy Chapman, enterprise director of SKCC; and Dr. Matt Huesser, SKCC vice president for Cancer Research Administration.
Each year, the Philadelphia Business Journal recognizes philanthropic partnerships between for-profit and nonprofit organizations in Greater Philadelphia. Honorees are chosen based on their impact on the community during the past year and their overall charitable work across multiple years. The partnership between SKCC and ACS is one of 23 being honored this year.
The long-standing relationship between SKCC and ACS has been able to aid patients across the community, as well as support a shared commitment to accelerating the pace of discovery in cancer research.
“SKCC helps so many patients in our community, and the American Cancer Society is proud to have them as a partner in our shared goal of improving the lives of cancer patients and their families,” said Karen Knudsen, MBA, PhD, chief executive officer. “Both SKCC and ACS put the patient at the center of all we do. From providing lodging for SKCC treatment at our Philadelphia Hope Lodge facility to collaborating on activities like local screening campaigns, SKCC has been dedicated to working with ACS to reduce cancer disparities and enhance lives.”
Through ACS grants, SKCC provides transportation and housing support to patients in need, thus eliminating some of the most common barriers preventing people from receiving timely access to cancer care. ACS patient navigators are also onsite to provide support to patients; in the past several years, ACS navigators helped more than 1,000 newly diagnosed cancer patients at SKCC, approximately 30% of whom were uninsured or on Medicaid.
Additionally, SKCC and ACS both recognize that early-career researchers are at the forefront of scientific discovery. ACS has awarded grants to many early-career investigators at SKCC who are conducting innovative research that will lead to new ways to detect, treat, and prevent cancer. ACS is currently funding five research projects at SKCC totaling $1.8 million.
SKCC also works with ACS to advocate for legislative solutions to improve the lives of cancer patients and their families. Together with ACS CAN, SKCC representatives champion the needs of patients and the community at large and encourage legislators and other government officials to make cancer research a priority, both nationally and locally.
"The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center is grateful for close relationship we have had with the American Cancer Society over the years,” said Andrew Chapman, DO, enterprise director of SKCC and executive vice president of Oncology Services at Jefferson Health. “Together, we are making a difference in the lives of patients throughout the Philadelphia region and beyond by ensuring individuals are able to access the high-quality care that our NCI-designated cancer center offers, as well as by supporting the next generation of scientists and their groundbreaking research.”