Celebrating 25 years of supporting cancer patients
As we reflect on our evolution from a regional family foundation to a national nonprofit organization, our spotlight remains on the cancer community we serve.
Our mission was born out of the needs created by health disparities, and we remain committed to improving solutions for all families who need us.
As long as families are forced to choose between their health and their homes due to a cancer diagnosis, we will keep fighting. We hope you’ll join us as we take on the next 25!
The evolution of Family Reach
Our logo got a new look in honor of our anniversary. The goal was a brand refresh that honored our past, recognized our evolution, and communicated our vision for the future.
We chose the new typeface with our mission and core values in mind, reflecting the compassionate, scrappy, courageous, innovative, and collaborative nature of Family Reach.
The clean yet approachable font is a nod to how much more robust our solutions are today compared to when the previous logo was designed, including our expansion to serve young adult and adult cancer patients in addition to pediatric patients.
We were also intentional about changing the two typefaces to one and introducing standard capitalization. This elevated our branding to match Family Reach’s successes and opportunities as a changemaker in the cancer space.
Before
After
Ultimately, this logo refresh goes back to the families we serve. We want them to know we are here for them today and we’re still fighting for a better tomorrow.
Looking back on 25 years
Grab some tissues! Here’s a heartwarming look at the past, including some of the incredible families we’ve served and the generous supporters who embraced our mission along the way.
25 standout moments
As we celebrate this milestone year, there are some pivotal moments that stand out among the rest. They’re the stories, collaborations, and turning points that brought Family Reach to where it is today and will lead to its tomorrow.
The early years
After seeing a problem hiding in plain sight during their own cancer experiences, our founding families — the Colangelos and Morellos — started Family Reach to change the financial reality of cancer.
The growing years
Once CEO Carla Tardif joins the team, Family Reach expands its reach and programs, launches community groups like Reach Athletes, and forms pivotal partnerships with Chef Ming Tsai, the Biden Cancer Moonshot, AbbVie, and more.
The amplifying years
With a comprehensive Financial Treatment Program in place, Family Reach begins amplifying its message through The LiFT Network, ground-breaking digital campaigns, and a continued focus on meeting patients and caregivers when and how they need us most.
CEI Mission
To ensure that any family facing cancer - regardless of their race, ethnicity, or income level - has equitable access to the financial resources that remove barriers to care.
CEI Vision
Give all patients and families the same chance of surviving cancer and its financial side effects.
Achieving cancer equity through financial intervention
The Cancer Equity Initiative (CEI) will evolve with the needs of the most under-resourced and financially vulnerable populations in the cancer community. Our work begins with a focus on engaging, reaching, and serving members of Black and Hispanic cancer communities because of the unique financial barriers they face.
Expected community outcomes
Our Roadmap
Develop organizational capacity and cultural competency
- Solicit feedback on accessibility and inclusivity from community voices within our Family Council, National Strategic Council and patient/caregiver focus groups
- Revise and repackage patient-facing materials to prioritize health literacy, cultural competency, and translation
- Adapt our program delivery model, including our application, financial needs assessment, and outreach strategies
Improve reach and engagement among Black and Hispanic families
- Deliver health literacy and cultural competency trainings to Family Reach staff
- Develop partnerships with Black and Hispanic community organizations
- Lead collaborative financial outreach workshops to increase FTP referrals
- Launch targeted FTP pilots at historically underserved cancer treatment sites” as the second bullet underneath step 2 of our roadmap
Improve the impact of the Financial Treatment Program (FTP)
- Benchmark our existing reach, engagement, and impact
- Conduct patient and caregiver surveys throughout CEI efforts
- Leverage evaluations to inform continued program enhancements and expansions
Racial and ethnic disparities in the financial burden of cancer
Black and Hispanic cancer patients in low-income brackets are more likely to face extreme financial hardship.
Cancer patients are more likely to experience financial hardship if they are low-income, people of color, or less educated1
Hispanic and Black patients are less likely to be insured, leading to later-stage diagnoses and worse treatment outcomes3
Barriers to screenings and treatment like housing and food insecurities are reported most frequently by low-income families2
Hispanic and Black patients are more likely to skip treatment to save money4
“Sometimes not having insurance and the lack of respect and empathy for people’s backgrounds makes things harder for people to receive treatment. Even with a Spanish translator, there are long medical terms or things that are too hard to explain. Things get lost. It takes a toll.”
— Marisela, sister of pediatric cancer patient Estrellita
Collaborating with thought leaders and community voices
As a historically white-led organization, we recognize the critical need to bring in the views of communities who have not previously had a seat at our leadership table. The community voice – from the patient to experts in the space – comes first.
Community Council
Including the voices of patients and caregivers.
National Strategic Council
Innovating with thought leaders to create a more inclusive and equitable Financial Treatment Program.
Community Partners
Helping us reach and serve more patients.
Join the Cancer Equity Initiative
If you’re interested in getting involved with the Cancer Equity Initiative as a partner or collaborator, please fill out this inquiry form and we will be in touch.
References
- Han X, Zhao J, Zheng Z, de Moor JS, Virgo KS, Yabroff KR. Medical Financial Hardship Intensity and Financial Sacrifice Associated with Cancer in the United States. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2020;29(2):308-317. doi:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-19-0460
- Bona K, Blonquist TM, Neuberg DS, Silverman LB, Wolfe J. Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Timing of Relapse and Overall Survival for Children Treated on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute ALL Consortium Protocols (2000–2010). Pediatric Blood & Cancer. 2016;63(6):1012-1018. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/pbc.25928
- Barnett, JC, & Berchick, ER. Current Population Reports, P60-260. Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2016.U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC, 2017
- Lee M, Khan MM. Gender differences in cost-related medication non-adherence among cancer survivors. J Cancer Surviv. 2016;10(2):384-393. doi:10.1007/s11764-015-0484-5
