Bringing Rehabilitative Care to Cancer Survivors in Maryland

The reality of today is that most people experience cancer in some form during their lifetime, whether it be directly or through loved ones. For survivors, the road to recovery often involves harsh medical treatments that have debilitating side effects. Oncology Rehab’s Survivorship, Training, and Rehab (STAR) Program addresses this issue by providing cancer centers with the tools needed to develop and deliver high quality rehabilitation to cancer survivors.

The STAR Program Certification supplies individual clinicians and facilities with tools and systematic programs that deliver excellent rehabilitative care. Arundel Physical Therapy and Fitness seeks to bring this program to Anne Arundel County, Maryland, which has one of the highest cancer rates in the state. Arundel Physical Therapy intends to send two of its physical therapists through the STAR certification program so these therapists can start the first Oncology Rehab Program in the community.

Bud Ward has watched his mother undergo countless surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation to treat her state 4 metastatic breast cancer. Kara, another physical therapist for Arundel, is a recovering breast cancer patient. Both therapists have experienced and are aware of the acutely debilitating side effects of treatments, such as severe weakness, impaired balance, decreased bone density, and intense fatigue. Their personal experiences also fuel their knowledge and passion for the training they intend to undertake.

Arundel’s $4,000 tipping point goal will cover the costs of certifying both therapists for the STAR Oncology Rehab Program. The additional $1,000 Arundel needs to reach its total funding goal will fund patient education and marketing materials, such as pamphlets for doctors and survival guides for patients. If cancer rehabilitation is an important issue to you, please consider supporting this campaign by making a pledge and then spreading the word to help make a difference in improving the health and quality of life of cancer survivors in Anne Arundel County.

Asibi Danjuma

I am a 23-year-old Londoner currently in law school. I have a BA in Politics and International Relations and an LLB in law. I have worked as a Student Facilitator for the British Red Cross, taught at local schools in Berkshire and have done a lot of pro bono legal research for Amnesty International and the Arizona Capital Trials Project. When I finish law school, I hope to start saving the world by working in developmental research and perhaps move to Paris to eat macaroons, dabble in photography and write stories. I’m also an avid reader, white wine drinker and world traveler.