Cancer Support Community Greater San Gabriel Valley

Cancer Support Community Pasadena (CSCP) aims to provide cancer patients (and their families) with the supportive care/psychosocial programs that are proven to improve their quality of life while facing cancer and, importantly, may enhance patient outcomes.

The Institute of Medicine has long held that it is not possible for individuals to receive high quality cancer care without addressing the psychosocial needs of these individuals.

CSCP offers free evidence-based psychosocial support services to cancer patients, their families and children, caregivers, survivors, and those who have lost someone to cancer. Some programs are offered in person at CSCP's offices and partnering agencies such as hospitals, some via Zoom, and some in a hybrid format (in person and via Zoom in real time through use of 55" video touchscreens).

The whole-person approach that guides CSCP emphasizes the critical role of emotional and educational services to aid those dealing with cancer. Individuals acquire the skills and strength to better manage their cancer journey through a combination of our programs, which include support groups, healthy lifestyle classes, educational workshops, social activities, and one-on-one counseling, in English, Spanish and Armenian.

SUPPORT GROUPS are the heart of CSCP programming and assist in reducing anxiety and fear that cancer brings, while also helping to inspire and provide hope. Members discover that they are not alone and learn from each other. Knowledge, in conjunction with community, is a powerful way to improve the quality of life for all those affected by the disease. We currently provide 15 weekly support groups and one monthly group, all facilitated by licensed mental health professionals or those pending licensure. Some groups serve cancer patients; others, caregivers; and yet others, those who are bereaved. Our groups in Spanish and Armenian serve the whole family.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CLASSES provide positive ways to manage stress and strengthen the immune system of cancer patients/family members (since research shows the importance of the mind-body connection and how stress can adversely impact a person). Instructors are specialists in their field, and most offer their expertise free of charge.

EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS also empower cancer patients. These are presented by leading healthcare professionals, such as oncologists and radiologists, as well as other experts on topics of interest to cancer patients and their families; for example, nutrition experts, insurance and financial professionals who offer the latest information on numerous subjects related to cancer and its impact on individuals and families.

All of CSCP's programs and services are provided without charge. This is important because we know that certain communities bear a greater cancer burden; e.g., the Black community, and many cancer patients endure the "financial toxicity" of cancer care. Even insured cancer patients face high out of pocket expenses and high deductibles.

The events of 2020 and 2021- the pandemic and society’s racial reawakening - powerfully impacted CSCP. First, we witnessed firsthand the importance of virtual programs for our members. As we have safely resumed some in-person programs, virtual programs will remain a critical part of our program delivery. Second, our leadership decided we could better serve people of color facing cancer. We have created new culturally-informed programming and made organizational changes. However, there is more to be done to make a lasting, meaningful impact to ensure that every person – regardless of race or socioeconomic status – has access to our free programs.

1. Increase the numbers of those we serve: produce more high-quality marketing materials to targeted audiences; optimize the use of electronic and social media to raise brand awareness; and reinvigorate our community outreach endeavors through public-speaking engagements and health fairs as California re-opens, particularly in under-resourced areas.

2. Address the Digital Divide: a “Lending Library” of iPads and Wifi hotspots geared to serving our participants who lack good internet access and/or technology to participate virtually. We lend these devices free so that more participants can benefit from CSCP programs.

3. Boost marketing and community outreach efforts to potential members: We will broaden our community outreach efforts to underserved communities; forge beneficial alliances with community-based organizations and healthcare partners to assist with program delivery and/or to reach new audiences; and increase the production of high-quality marketing materials and more efficiently using social and electronic media to raise CSCP’s visibility.

4. Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee continues to advance our diversity efforts through partnership with Black owned businesses, sending ambassadors to Black churches to inform congregants about CSCP's free services, and much more.

5. Our Community Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator, a bilingual/bicultural Latina, in April 2022 has resulted in a boost in the number of LatinX participants whom CSCP serves and extensive outreach in the Black community as well. CSCP's Black Support Circle (support group), launched in April 2021, continues to meet weekly.

CSCP is fiscally strong and has a seasoned, high caliber staff in place to ensure seamless program delivery. We currently employ five full-time administrative staff and 13 part-time clinical staff.

Our operating budget is approximately $1.3 million dollars.

Our 2021 audit of our financials was conducted by Eide Bailly. CSCP ended 2022 and 2021 "in the black". We received a "clean" audit in 2021, with no recommendations for corrections in our accounting methods or office procedures.

CSCP has $1.824-million in its permanent endowment and Board-designated Reserve Fund.

In 2022 CSCP was voted Best Reader Recommended Nonprofit in Pasadena by Pasadena Weekly for the second year in a row.

We lease space on the second floor of the Pasadena Humane building, and our members find our facility warm and inviting. Parking is free. In midsummer 2023 CSCP will move to its new permanent home in the City of Sierra Madre, CA.

Our Board of Directors is strong, with 100% of our Directors contributing annually to CSCP and to the 2022-23 capital campaign that is raising funds for the purchase of, plus owner improvements to and a building maintenance fund for, the building we bought in Sierra Madre in July 2022.

We have invested in equipment to ensure smooth virtual and in-person program delivery going forward.

In 2022 CSCP served the highest number of people impacted by cancer in our 33 years--1,045--through our support groups, healthy lifestyle classes, and educational workshops.

Respondents to CSCP’s March 2022 voluntary participant survey reported the following:

• 89.4% of respondents said their quality of life improved because of their CSCP participation.
• 86.4% said they feel more connected with others dealing with the same issue.
• 88% reported that they are better able to cope with distress (depression, anxiety, anger, pain)
• 85% said they are better able to manage their stress level.
• 83% said they feel more empowered to manage their illness (or their loved one's) successfully.
• 88% said they gained information they felt was useful to manage their treatment (or their loved one's treatment).
• 97% said they would recommend CSCP to others impacted by cancer.