b'20 PaysoncaresHOPE COVID-19 PivotUndergoing cancer treatment duringPatients are so thankful that theyThrough the pandemic, HOPE the COVID-19 pandemic addedare able to connect with other cancerResource Center sta\x1ehas persevered, multiple layers of stress to an alreadysurvivors safely, Druke said. expanding their roles and learning frightening and stressful time forMany medically vulnerable cancernew technology for phone and patients and their familiesforcingpatients feel more isolated, especiallyvideo links to \x1c nd new ways to Payson Center for Cancer Caresbecause of their higher risks fromstay connected with patients and HOPE Resource Center to makeCOVID exposure. So, in addition totheir families.major changes in the way it providesreaching out personally, HOPE sta\x1e But Druke said patients really deserve important support services. have been connecting patients withthe credit.Patients received chemotherapy orcommunity resources such as onlineThey are the ones who are enduring radiation treatments with no familyclasses or other activities. their whole cancer journey, but doing members by their side, supportTransportation has been di\x1dcultit during this time of COVID, which groups they relied on for encourage- for many patients, with high-riskjust requires much more perseverance ment and information from fellowfamily members unable to drive andfrom them, she said.cancer survivors could not be held intransportation programs such as one person and, for many, transportationfrom the American Cancer Society to and from treatment wason hold because of the pandemic. complicated. But HOPE ResourceIn response, HOPE sta\x1econnectsApps for Sleep Center sta\x1emembers gladly expandedpatients to volunteer driver programsand their roles to help patients andin a patients community, whichRelaxationcaregivers during their cancer journey. have a reduced number of drivers, or With extra precautions, patientsprograms such as the Payson Centers continued with treatment,Lend Me a Hand Fund that can help accompanied and comforted by acover the cost of transportation that new extended familyHOPEsfamily or friends might be able social workers, nurse navigatorsto provide.Cancer and dietitian.Support A couple of patients were reallyGroupsanxious with their \x1c rst chemotherapyCancer treatments and I went up to sit with them, said Oncology Social WorkerEducation Nancy Druke. They needed thatand Supportadditional support because the family couldnt be there, so we have beenLearn How to standing in. Family members and caregivers alsoMake Your Own were more anxious because they couldnt attend appointments withCleaning Recipestheir loved ones, so they needed additional support, often provided by phone.That is the good work that we like to do, Druke said. There was just more of it. HOPE also moved its cancer support groups online when COVID safety guidelines ended the valuable in-person sessions.'