The CancerHelp patient education software is created by the CancerHelp Institute. Learn more about the Institute's:
History
The CancerHelp Institute, a not-for-profit corporation, was started by Kathryn “Kit” Keefe, a breast cancer patient who was frustrated by the overwhelming task of keeping current with her ever changing cancer information needs. She knew that she could make better decisions about her treatment and support if she had complete and current information.
Kit dreamed of a computer system that was easy-to-use and had all of the information she needed. She put her dream into action and obtained funding and started the CancerHelp Institute in 1991. She consulted with the National Cancer Institute to identify cancer information sources for patients and families. Working closely with cancer patients, and with medical and technical assistance, she directed the design of the CancerHelp software. Kit’s vision was that CancerHelp would be continually expanded, accessible, easy-to-use, and help patients with their treatment decisions and emotional needs. Before Kit passed away, she saw the first CancerHelp touchscreen computer placed at the Kellogg Cancer Care Center in Evanston Hospital, Evanston, Illinois.
CancerHelp touchscreen systems were then placed at 2 additional Illinois sites. In 1994, the Institute was invited to participate in an NCI sponsored study of Physician's Data Query (PDQ) Patient Information File. CancerHelp was studied at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, and the University of Rochester Cancer Center, Rochester, New York. The results were positive and the Rochester results were published in the journal, Cancer Practice, Nov./Dec. 1996. They concluded that CancerHelp "was well received and heavily used" and actually saved staff time.
Through collaboration with the NCI, the CancerHelp Institute developed the “Patient Education Grant” in 1995. As a result, over 270 hospitals, wellness centers and oncology practices subscribe to CancerHelp. The CancerHelp Institute is committed to Kit’s vision and will continue to help patients and families fight cancer with information.
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Affiliations
The CancerHelp Instititue is an official licensee of the National Cancer Institute's Physician Date Query (PDQ) database as well as the Micromedex USP DI® Advice for the Patient.
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Staff
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Celia Muench
Executive Director
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Ed Miller
Director of Technology
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Dennis Collins
Senior Technician
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Mary Collins
Administrative Assistant
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Jean Miller
Graphic Design
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