CGHS Selected as Candidate for LIVESTRONG Foundation Community Impact Project

CGHS Selected as Candidate for LIVESTRONG Foundation Community Impact Project

Voting Open, Runs through Thursday, March 28

MACON, GA (Wednesday, March 13, 2013) – Central Georgia Health System (CGHS) has been selected as a candidate for the LIVESTRONG Foundation Community Impact Project, which offers $1.2 million in funding to bring proven cancer support programs to communities across the U.S.

Finalists will be determined through an online voting campaign that runs until 5 p.m. CT on Thursday, March 28. Sites with the top votes per region will receive financial awards of support to replicate and implement programs that have demonstrated success in improving the lives of people affected by cancer.

CGHS is among hundreds of organizations in contention for the award. If selected, CGHS will use the awarded funds to expand the Artist-In-Residence Program that it established through the LIVESTRONG Community Impact Project last year. 

Thanks to the votes of the central Georgia community in 2012, CGHS was awarded a grant from the 2012 LIVESTRONG Community Impact Project for the implementation of the Artists-In-Residence Program at The Medical Center of Central Georgia's Infusion Center. The program helps cancer patients deal with the stress of diagnosis, treatment or recovery through artistic expression. Artist-In-Residence Mary Parks visits The Infusion Center two days a week to instruct patients as they receive chemotherapy. Any patient receiving chemotherapy at the Infusion Center is eligible to participate in the program. Participants in the program agree that the art lessons are therapeutic, and Infusion Center staff have noted that the classes lower patients' blood pressure. 

Now, CGHS requests the community's votes to expand the program to The Wellness Center. The program offers people living with cancer the opportunity to connect with others through the arts which can reduce anxiety, allay fears, combat isolation and boredom and most importantly, helping people who are often viewed as representatives of their disease, rather than the unique individuals they are. Through the 2013 LIVESTRONG Community Impact Project, this program will be replicated in 15 community locations nationwide,

“We are thrilled and honored to once again be selected as a candidate for the LIVESTRONG Foundation's Community Impact Project,” said Sandra Stone, Cancer Well-Fit Coordinator at The Wellness Center. “We share their passion for inspiring and empowering people affected by cancer and look forward to continuing our work together to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families through our Artist-In-Residence Program.”

Organizations chosen to implement the program will receive up to $15,000 to support the implementation. They will also receive a toolkit consisting of facilitator manuals, participant materials and evaluation forms; training and support from the model program's staff; access to additional tools and resources; and a full report on the historical replication of this program upon completion.

The financial awards provided by the 2012 LIVESTRONG Community Impact Project are currently being implemented at nearly 100 sites – including hospitals, cancer centers, universities and community-based organizations across the nation – and will provide support to thousands of people affected by cancer. The LIVESTRONG Foundation is committed to supporting community organizations in their efforts to help cancer survivors face the challenges and changes that come with cancer and has invested more than $80 million in community-centered organizations.