Antrim County’s Colors of Cancer (formally Five Colors of Cancer) has expanded to meet the needs of our community.

In the fall of 2022, the Colors of Cancer will expand their support areas to include bladder, kidney, liver, and skin cancers in addition to their original mission of supporting cervical, colon, lung, pancreatic, and prostate cancer patients.

Patients are often left feeling confused, unsure, and wondering how they will navigate the following months or years after their diagnosis. It can take a toll not only physically and mentally but also financially. This expansion will help with transportation, food, and home support for uninsured or underinsured individuals facing the costs of cancer treatment. The program is confidential and works alongside with the individual’s provider.

“We don’t want anyone in Antrim County to go underserved with any of these cancers. We are supporting prevention and providing support,” states Dee Lynch, founder of Antrim County High Tea for Breast Cancer Prevention and member of the Colors of Cancer board.

“Our goal is to offer more than just funds. It is about personalized care for the patient,” Lynch continues. “Supporting the needs people are experiencing that are related to the 9 types of cancer – on a patient-by-patient basis.” Other cancer related requests are welcome and are considered on a case-by-case basis.

In 2019, Colors of Cancer was developed out of the Antrim County Hight Tea for Breast Cancer Awareness (ACHTBCP) after seeing growing need for support additional types of cancers. After a successful “Sock Hop” fundraiser, held at the Torch Lake residence of Jan and Mike McCrackin, a separate board was created to address this need.  Funds raised from this event were matched by the Bellaire Family Health Center to provide support for individuals facing cancer diagnosis.

To find out more about the program, contact Coleen Dewey, Community Health Worker at Bellaire Family Health Center, at 231-533-8649 ext 617.

Donations to help those battling the 9 cancers can be sent to the “Colors of Cancer Fund,” at Bellaire Family Health Center.

In a partnership between area Lions Clubs and their District, East Jordan Family Health Center received a donation of $1,200 towards continuous glucose monitors for diabetic patients in need of financial assistance. Partnering together in this donation are the East Jordan and Central Lake Lions Clubs and Lions District 11 E-2. “Thank you to all the Lions who worked together to make this happen; it will provide a significant benefit to people dealing with diabetes in both of our communities this year,” states Di LaBeau of Central Lake Lions and District 11 E-2 Diabetes Chair coordinating the donation.

As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), the East Jordan Family Health Center strives to offer comprehensive care across chronic disease states including diabetes.  The Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers staff two Clinical Pharmacists that work in partnership with our providers to facilitate best medication usage, assist with barriers to care, and provide chronic condition management services. In 2018, the health center’s Clinical Pharmacists launched an initiative to use Continuous Glucose Monitoring to assist in care for patients with diabetes. With this data, the healthcare team is able to evaluate the effectiveness of current medication therapy, provide guidance on medication therapy going forward, and help assess the patient’s nonpharmacologic factors such as their diet and exercise.  

The placement and analysis of a continuous glucose monitor is a covered service for many patients through their insurance; however, the health center estimates about 20 out of 100 of our patients will lack insurance and the cost of the monitor is a barrier to their care.  In this case, the health center offers a Sliding Fee Discount Program to assist patients with payments. The joint donation by the Central Lake, East Jordan and District Lions will provide monitors to patients with need.

“This is an opportunity to continue to service our diabetic patients with technology normally not afforded to them. Providing quality care while eliminating barriers is essential for our community health center and has an impact on our patients’ lives,” states Rachel Krino, Marketing Director for East Jordan Family Health Center.

East Jordan, MI. – The United Health Foundation has committed $2.5 million to the Michigan Primary Care Association (MPCA) to support increased breast cancer screening and genetic testing for high-risk women, men and their families.

The East Jordan Family Health Center, with locations in Bellaire and East Jordan, is proud to announce it is one of five community health centers to receive this award. The goal is to increase patient education and testing rates, and enhance transitions of care through improved technology, community partnerships and data analysis.  Over the next three years, the partnership will support staff training, access to genetic counselors and care managers, and implement referrals and tracking of newly diagnosed patients.

“One of the most crucial things we can do to prevent and treat breast cancer is raise awareness and expand access to health care, cancer screenings and genetic testing,” said Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “This partnership will make an enormous difference for Michiganders everywhere who have a history of cancer in their families. I am grateful to the United Health Foundation for its generous support and partnership with the Michigan Primary Care Association. I will continue to work closely with everyone who wants to protect and expand access to health care in our state.”

 “Genetic testing in combination with genetic counselors and care managers has proven successful in the early detection and prevention of breast cancer,” said Dennis Mouras, chief executive officer, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan – Michigan. “Together with the Michigan Primary Care Association, we can help provide increased access to testing and screening to detect breast cancer earlier for better health outcomes.”

According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 8 women has a chance of developing breast cancer in the United States. Michigan is expected to have more than 8,800 new cases of breast cancer and more than 1,380 deaths from the disease this year.

“Annual screenings and routine preventive care are crucial to finding and diagnosing conditions including breast cancer,” said Dennis Litos, interim chief executive officer, Michigan Primary Care Association. “We thank the United Health Foundation for its generous support in ensuring our community health centers can screen additional patients and save lives across Michigan.”

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many elective procedures were placed on hold, including cancer screenings. A study published recently in “Breast Cancer Research and Treatment” found 44% of respondents said they experienced delays in care, with the leading type of postponement being routine or follow-up clinic appointments.

“Many routine and annual screening appointments have been delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Chief Medical Executive and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Deputy for Health Dr. Joneigh Khaldun. “As we observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, it’s important to remember that while we must take precautions to stay safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s also crucial we seek important medical care and regular screenings that can detect cancer before symptoms appear.”

Source: United Health Foundation Awards MPCA $2.5 Million to Support Breast Cancer Screenings
Michigan Primary Care Association
https://www.mpca.net/news/530736/United-Health-Foundation-Awards-MPCA-2.5-Million-to-Support-Breast-Cancer-Screenings.htm?fbclid=IwAR0ctoBh7nKFR3LdLe3f8Wtz6kOEQZjJZZww0I9BPkozQysyzgocN2Y2BOE

East Jordan, MI. On April 8, 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), awarded more than $1.3 billion to 1,387 health centers as part of a historic U.S. response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

“This new funding secured by President Trump will help our community health centers continue the work they’re doing on the ground against the coronavirus,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “HRSA-funded health centers are already playing a critical role by delivering essential services, serving as community testing and screening sites, and alleviating burdens on our nation’s emergency rooms and hospitals. HHS will continue bringing every resource we have to support heroic healthcare workers across the diverse settings health centers serve, from our cities to our rural towns.”

Only three Health Centers in Northwest Michigan received HRSA CARES grant funding totally $1,891,920. East Jordan Family Health Center is proud to announced they are the recipient of $638,300 of this grant monies. The funding supports health centers’ ability to detect, prevent, diagnose, and treat COVID-19. The awards will also help maintain or increase health center capacity and staff.

The ability to protect our community while maintaining our staff during this time is important to continue providing quality healthcare services during this unpreceded health emergency. The East Jordan Family Health Center is currently developing a telemedicine program to allow access to healthcare both during the State of Michigan “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order and in the future. Rural Patients will be able to access their providers without transportation or accessibility concerns.   

“HRSA-funded health centers are part of the backbone of our nation’s health care system, serving 1 in 12 people nationwide,” said HRSA Administrator Tom Engels. “Increasingly, people are turning to health centers for the first line of defense in combating emergency public health priorities like the novel coronavirus. Health centers will put these resources to immediate use to respond to emerging and evolving local needs and continue to deliver high quality primary health care services to their patients.”

HRSA funds nearly 1,400 health centers that operate in nearly 13,000 locations nationwide. Health centers deliver care to the nation’s most vulnerable individuals and families, including people experiencing homelessness, agricultural workers, residents of public housing, and our nation’s veterans. Led by patient-majority boards, these health centers provide affordable, accessible, and quality primary health care to over 28 million people a year, regardless of their ability to pay.