Glimmer of Hope Foundation Advances Support for AHN Patients with Late-Stage and Metastatic Breast Cancer

PITTSBURGH— Local breast cancer advocacy organization Glimmer of Hope is providing additional funding to support breast cancer patients receiving treatment at the Glimmer of Hope Metastatic Breast Center (GOH MBC) at the AHN Cancer Institute.

Located within the state-of-the-art AHN Cancer Institute at Allegheny General Hospital (AGH), the Metastatic Breast Cancer Center offers care that revolves entirely around women with late-stage breast cancer, prioritizing their time and their unique needs. The GOH MBC is able to offer integrative medicine services to every patient to help minimize side effects from cancer treatments and other life stressors.

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 150,000 breast cancer survivors are living with metastatic disease, three-fourths of whom were originally diagnosed with stage I-III.  Many patients living with metastatic breast cancer exhaust all available standard treatments during the course of their disease rendering them without access to further treatment options.

Recognizing that this population of patients face stress and the complexity of multiple appointments (often at different locations) while trying to live a quality life, the center at AHN provides patients with  access to comprehensive, centralized and innovative breast cancer care and treatment techniques including support groups, massage therapy, cancer genetics, quality-of-life care and access to clinical trial options.

Through its unique partnership with Johns-Hopkins Cancer Institute (JHCI), AHN is also able to utilize the expertise of breast cancer physicians within The Johns-Hopkins Breast Cancer Program to effectively increase the volume of clinical trials available to this growing population.

 “We are a nationally recognized breast cancer center with sophisticated treatments, clinical trials, and a dedicated team of expert oncologists,” said Allie Quick, Chief Philanthropy Officer at AHN. “The valued support we have received from Glimmer of Hope Foundation allows us to continue to centralize the care of the metastatic breast cancer patient and increase their overall quality of life.”

“Glimmer of Hope is delighted to partner with AHN to help metastatic breast cancer patients navigate the complex world of their comprehensive cancer care while maintaining the other roles which they play in their daily life,” said Glimmer of Hope founder Diana Napper.  “We hope to combine care into a single appointment, allowing coordination of care which can otherwise be complicated, time consuming, and expensive for these patients close to our hearts.”

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