ALCASE
The Alliance for
Lung Cancer Advocacy, Support, and Education Support Groups touts itself as “the only national non-profit organization devoted solely to support and advocacy for all those living with or at risk for lung cancer.” Based out of Washington D.C., the organization has been highly rated by a number of charity grading websites, and has begun creating state chapters across the country.
Among the goals of the ALCASE are to increase the general awareness of all types of lung cancer, including
asbestos cancer and malignant mesothelioma, by creating grassroots awareness campaigns and releasing national and state report cards on an annual basis to show how initiatives to end lung cancer are progressing. The organization also is working to elevate lung cancer to a national public health priority and work towards establishing a federal research funding plan to learn more about all types of the disease.
In addition to its public work to spread awareness for mesothelioma and other types of lung cancer, the ALCASE also works to provide the most up-to-date information about all types of lung cancer through a toll free information line, as well as offer a number online support groups for patients and their families.
The organization also hosts a peer-to-peer phone program called the Phone Buddy Program that pairs up lung cancer survivors (or their caregivers/family members) so they can discuss the situations they are going through that have been prompted by the disease.
Additionally, the ALCASE’s new LungLoveLink program is an online support community for those living with different types of lung cancer, such as malignant mesothelioma. The community allows for patients to connect online with personal profiles and share their experiences with the disease while providing support for others in discussion groups.
The organization also has created Stories of Hope, where survivors can post their stories, a Tributes page, and CaringBridge Web Pages, a service that allows patients to remain in contact with others while undergoing treatment.
In addition to receiving the proper types of support and care while undergoing treatment for malignant mesothelioma, patients and their families may wish to pursue legal action against companies that may have been responsible for their
asbestos exposure. If you have questions about
asbestos laws and want to know what your rights are, contact a
mesothelioma attorney to learn if a lawsuit and settlement could be a possibility.