Anne Cheung , Herald Cancer Care Network

Visit Herald Cancer Care Network's website

Contact Anne Cheung

Big Idea

Cancer patients face tremendously daunting tasks in managing and coping with their disease. Chinese-American cancer patients with limited English proficiency suffer additional uncertainty and emotional stress because of a lack of information and support in their native language. In a 2005-2007 survey, 65 percent of working-age Chinese adults and 90 percent of elderly Chinese in New York had English limitations. I would like to help develop a Chinese cancer support group, which will provide information and psychosocial support in Chinese to these patients in New York.

How Winning Will Help

The money will cover:

• Honorariums for Chinese professionals – doctors, pharmacists or social workers – to present on relevant topics, such as information on various types of cancer, treatment options, guidance on seeking health care resources, and guidance on self-care and emotional health. Presentations will be given in Chinese.
• Food and social activities for cancer patients.
• A half-day training session for Chinese volunteer caregivers.

About Anne Cheung

I worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 25 years, involved in developing new cancer treatments. However, in my profession, I was not in a position to use my knowledge to directly benefit my community. After I retired, I volunteered to provide transportation and translation to Chinese cancer patients. I found that patients who cannot speak English are especially disadvantaged. In addition to the challenges they face in managing their disease, they often fail to fully understand the medical options that are available to them and face tremendous psychological burdens.