May 26, 2020 | By Atrium Health Foundation | In Foundation News
Thanks to generous support from Bristol Myers Squibb, Rodgers Builders and J.E. Dunn Construction, Levine Cancer Institute has created a program to provide emergency feeding for low-income and medically fragile cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cancer patients may be immunocompromised due to their treatment and unable to obtain food for themselves or their families because of exposure risks associated with COVID-19. Many cancer patients risk malnourishment during their course of treatment if they are unable to access healthy, balanced and appetizing food.
“One of the things we know, of course for cancer patients, is that food is medicine,” said Mellisa Wheeler, Administrative Director of Disparities and Outreach for Levine Cancer Institute. “We said we’ve got to do something pretty quickly here. Our patients can’t go long without good, nutritious food. Their treatment really takes a toll on their immune system and strength.”
In collaboration with clinicians, social workers, and navigators, the Emergency Patient Feeding Program identifies cancer patients who will benefit from food deliveries. In partnership with a dietician, our LCI team then assembles the delivery, ensuring the contents are optimally balanced to conform with specialized dietary needs of cancer patients undergoing treatment. Deliveries also include recipes and cooking tips. The program has been immensely popular and has been enrolling new patients daily.
Contact us if you would like to learn more or support this vital program.