The funds raised from this event underwrite the Supportive and Wellness Services at the Mass General Cancer Center at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital. Proceeds from this event are critical to the hospital’s ability to provide these important services to patients and their families.

The Seacoast Cancer 5K has raised over $2 million to benefit patients of the Mass General Cancer Center (MGCC) at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital (WDH). The cancer center offers comprehensive services including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, biological therapy, radiation therapy, and access to research, clinical trials, and genetic testing and counseling. Our program is one of 25% of this country’s cancer programs accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.

The MGCC is home to a compassionate team of experienced cancer experts from WDH and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), including board-certified medical and radiation oncologists, nurses, radiation therapists, social workers, nutritionists, physical and occupational therapists, and an expert palliative care team, who collaboratively provide the area’s premier cancer services.

Our clinical affiliation with MGH brings an added expertise and connection for specialized care such as
gynecologic oncology and genetic testing. This affiliation also strengthens our access to exciting new breakthroughs in clinical trials and cancer research by supporting our clinical trials liaison at MGH.

Continue reading to learn about the many ways that the Seacoast Cancer 5K continues to make a difference in the lives of our patients and their families at the Mass General Cancer Center at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital.

Survivorship & Wellness Program

The Survivorship & Wellness Program at the Mass General Cancer Center, supports both the patients and programmatic needs, but also the staff. These needs include acupuncture and massage, visits with a nutritionist, and even exercise classes to boost energy and strength. This program also underwrites the cost of key services not covered by insurance such as education for treatment, nutrition counseling, prevention strategies, and patient navigation. It also supports basic needs for those who cannot afford transportation, gas cards, groceries, or other necessities during treatment. The vision for this program is to provide patients with an array of services that address the medical realities of cancer, such as potential for late-effects, job loss, and financial burden, as well as educational and wellness projects to help patients and those closest to them thrive. “Survivor” is no longer a term used to describe someone who has undergone cancer treatment, but instead represents a story unique to every cancer patient. With the help of a specialized Nurse Navigator position, patients are guided through the healthcare system from diagnosis through survivorship. Thanks to funding from the Wentworth-Douglass Foundation, the future of this program has been guaranteed for several years to come.

Travlyn for Jaclyn

Since its inception, Travlyn for Jaclyn has shaped lasting memories for Seacoast Cancer Center patients and their families. This fund was generously created by the Simchik Family after losing Jaclyn, their adventure-loving wife and mother, to cancer. In the spirit of Jaclyn’s two great loves, travel and family, the Travlyn for Jaclyn Fund provides meaningful outings for cancer patients and their families, at what is often a time of great need for respite and time shared with those they care about most. These experiences come in many forms – some a journey, a new adventure, or maybe even revisiting a special place – but all are designed to foster happy memories for everyone involved. This program brings considerable joy and satisfaction to the team at the Mass General Cancer Center and has empowered staff to continue to engage in conversation with their patients.

Virtual Technology Conference Room

In 2018, through a generous gift from the Seacoast Cancer 5K, the Virtual Technology Conference Room was created. This room is equipped with a projector, a wall-mounted display, lighting controls, multiple power sources, cameras, microphones, and hidden speakers. In today’s world of high-tech health care, this room allows our providers to perform multidisciplinary conferencing, telehealth consultations for second opinions, provide remote counseling and cancer risk assessments, as well as continuing education opportunities. Thanks to the Seacoast Cancer 5K, caregivers now have a space to advance the integration of cancer care with other services, promote meaningful discussion, and stay on the cutting edge of innovation while providing the highest level of care to their patients.

Patient Assistance Program

The cost of healthcare, especially cancer care, continues to rise. With that, insurance companies are moving more financial responsibility to patients, an increasing concern among cancer patients. To combat this, the Mass General Cancer implemented a Patient Assistance Program. An upgrade to the software in 2019 has helped the cancer center financial counselor expand the number of patients receiving financial assistance during their cancer treatment.

LIFE (Lifestyle Interventions for Everyone) Program

The LIFE (Lifestyle Interventions for Everyone) Program at the Mass General Cancer Center is a unique opportunity for adults to come together in a classroom setting and learn how to mitigate their risk of cancer or cancer recurrence. This course showcases Wentworth-Douglass staff as instructors in their areas of expertise. In addition, offering LIFE to patients, caregivers, and to the community at large helps identify Wentworth-Douglass Hospital as a leader in wellness education.

Lung Cancer Screening Program

Wentworth-Douglass Hospital’s Lung Cancer Screening Program offers the latest low-dose computed tomography (CT) technology. In fact, studies have shown that annual low-dose CT scans lower the risk of death by 20% for people who are high risk, including smokers. The screening itself is quick and painless, and the radiation exposure is similar to that of a mammogram or chest X-ray. Each patient’s chest scan is reviewed by a board-certified radiologist with expertise in chest imaging. This program simplifies the process for our patients and providers, and ensures appropriate follow-through is coordinated.

Sonosite Ultrasound Machine

Providing the safest, evidence driven, and comfortable means of treatment is always a driving force of the Mass General Cancer Center team. When one has chemotherapy as a treatment regimen, there are many ways of delivering those medications. Some are administered orally, yet most require administration by way of a vein. Difficulty locating and accessing veins due to age, past chemotherapy, or dehydration is not uncommon and our goal is always to provide the safest and most comfortable means of treatment. Sonosite is a portable ultrasound for vascular access, allowing us to more accurately visualize the integrity of the vein and ensure that the best access is chosen. This assists our team in efficiently and effectively accessing a vein and creating a plan to manage the delivery of chemotherapy in the safest way possible. The survivorship advantage of using ultrasound is vein preservation during the years following treatment. Advancements like this helps our caregivers stay on the cutting edge of innovation with up-to-date equipment and tools needed to provide the highest level of care to patients.