In this Cancer Matters podcast
Dr Bill Nelson, Director of the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, talks with Beth Blakey and Samantha Schrager from the Cancer Hope Network about their mission providing mentorship to cancer patients, the families of patients and caregivers, and a new partnership with Johns Hopkins. Cancer Hope Network is a peer mentorship program that provides one-on-one support for adults impacted by cancer. They connect cancer patients and caregivers with mentors who have been through similar experiences. These mentors offer guidance and understanding to those currently navigating cancer treatment, ensuring that no one goes through the journey alone.
Cancer Hope Network has grown from a local initiative to a national network of around 500 trained mentors. These mentors are volunteers who have completed treatment or have served as caregivers. They represent a wide range of cancer types and life experiences, allowing for personalized matches between mentors and those seeking support. Earlier this Summer, the Cancer Hope Network and the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center launched a new partnership, called the M.A.P.S. program (Mentorship and Peer Support for Patients and Caregivers). This initiative is designed to recruit mentors from within the Johns Hopkins community to provide support to newly diagnosed patients and their families.
