Life with Cancer (LWC), a part of Northern Virginia’s Inova Health System, is the region’s only community-based, nonprofit cancer support and education center, dedicated to helping patients and their loved ones learn about and cope with cancer and its treatments. LWC is one of the most comprehensive programs, offering educational classes and consultations, an annual survivorship conference, support groups, individual and family counseling, and mind-body/wellness programs designed to help those affected by cancer understand and live with its impact. All services are provided by unique teams of certified oncology nurses and licensed clinical social workers and are offered entirely free of charge, thanks to generous contributions by individuals, foundations and corporate donors.

LWC works to support both pediatric and adult patients and family members throughout their entire cancer experience, from the time of the initial diagnosis, during treatment, and once they are home, as well as to provide the most current information related to cancer, its treatments and psychosocial impact. Life with Cancer collaborates with other health care professionals assuring that patients and families receive comprehensive and coordinated services. LWC also educates health care professionals, employers, and community groups about cancer and its impact on the family.

Planting the Seeds of Life with Cancer

Life with Cancer was founded in 1987 at Inova Fairfax Hospital, when Fairfax, VA resident Nando DeFilippo lost his wife to cancer.  DiFilippo and his family, in need of information and support, searched throughout the country for resources to help them understand and cope with their emotions and their changed life. Ultimately, he was disappointed by the lack of available resources. DiFilippo was determined to create an outlet for those dealing with cancer to turn to, with education, support and information to live with a cancer diagnosis, treatment and its affects.

DiFilipo made a donation to the Inova Heath System Foundation to develop an organization within Inova Health System solely devoted to the support of patients and families facing cancer - planting the roots for Life with Cancer. LWC is a separate department within Inova Health System, based at its Dewberry Life with Cancer Family Center and Inova Fairfax Hospital, a community hospital that diagnoses and treats more cancer patients than any other hospital in the Washington Metropolitan area.  These favorable locations allow LWC staff to work closely with highly skilled physicians and allied health care professionals to provide the most beneficial services to cancer patients. In the past 20 years, LWC has grown its staff base, built a team of more than 90 volunteers, and expanded to serve patients and their loved ones locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, in each of Inova Health System’s five hospitals, in its new multipurpose Dewberry Life with Cancer Family Center, regional clinics, as well as on an outpatient/telephone and remote consultation basis.

Life with Cancer began as a one-office organization at Inova Fairfax Hospital, with three staff members, offering one class to a limited patient-base.  Life with Cancer now offers more than 70 classes each month, including support groups, educational classes, fitness and exercise classes, as well as other mind-body/wellness classes, all designed to complement medical treatment.

The Dewberry Family Center

The Dewberry Life with Cancer Family Center, also known as “Carolyn’s House”, opened its doors in February 2009, and is a free-standing resource center for cancer patients and their families. The 16,000-square-foot facility combines the comforts of home with a place for cancer education and support of cancer patients and survivors at no additional cost. It is the only health system affiliated resource center of its kind in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area.

The Family Center features a cancer information center, comfortable classrooms, private and group counseling rooms, children and adult art therapy studios, a large exercise room for classes specifically designed for cancer patients, a teen lounge, a reflection garden with a waterfall, and a large dine-in kitchen for healthy eating cooking demonstrations. Partially funded by the generosity of patients, survivors and community members, the Family Center houses a variety of education and support programs for anyone affected by a cancer diagnosis. The Family Center’s unique design and functionality was recognized by Healthcare Design Magazine as its September 2009 Architectural Showcase.  

Research at Life with Cancer

The Research Committee at Life with Cancer works to evaluate the needs of patients and families at all points along the cancer experience continuum, to monitor the effectiveness of ongoing programs, and to use data from these efforts to develop innovative interventions to improve the lives of cancer patients, survivors and their caregivers. Research activities often involve healthcare professionals including nurses and social workers, as well as survivors, their families and organizations that support cancer survivorship. All research conducted at Life with Cancer is in compliance with policies and procedures of the Inova Health System Institutional Review Board (IRB) including adherence to the requirement stating all staff participating in research at Life with Cancer will have human participant protection certification.

Board of Directors

At the time of Life with Cancer’s inception, founder DiFilippo brought together a number of close family friends to form a core group of supporters who were tasked with raising funds to start LWC in support of families dealing with cancer, forming the Life with Cancer Board of Directors (the Board).  As LWC has developed since 1987, the Board has grown from five to 24 members, comprised of dedicated community leaders who volunteer their time and expertise in an effort to further the mission of the organization. Board members act as a conduit to the community, facilitating connections to corporate partners and providing program volunteers.  Besides engaging in fundraising activities to grow LWC, the Board has become a significant voice in the Northern Virginia community advocating for the emotional and social needs of cancer patients and their loved ones.

Industry Partnerships

Inova Health System has been instrumental in helping LWC develop and prosper through the many excellent resources it has made available.  Inova continues to be very involved in the organization, with two employees on the Board, and through the partnership Life with Cancer has with the medical services personnel provided by Inova’s Cancer Services.   Additionally, all the funds raised by the Board are accounted for by the Inova Health System Foundation, which manages the funds in special accounts that are restricted to the mission of LWC. Life with Cancer also collaborates on programs with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, American Cancer Society, Lymphoma Research Foundation and other cancer advocacy groups. Staff members are active participants in regional and national professional organizations including the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), the Cancer Plan Action Coalition (CPAC), and the National Association of Social Workers, among many others.

Establishing Best-of-Practice Standards, Growth Continues

Life with Cancer continues to grow, expand and standardize best-of-practice cancer education and support on a day-to-day basis. Through national partnerships and generous donations and grants, Life with Cancer currently has a number of projects in the pipeline, expanding its national presence and innovation in an always-evolving industry. LWC will be opening an appearance center, along with a certified oncology massage center to better serve its patrons, and is continuously developing and improving its technological capabilities to best serve its constituents. Life with Cancer’s staff continues to establish its presence through national presentations, research innovation and the ongoing Life with Cancer Speaker’s Bureau. For more information about Life with Cancer’s Speaker’s Bureau and presentations, please visit us at lifewithcancer.org.  

 

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