MCCG Asks For Community Support as It Seeks Grant for Palliative Care Program

MCCG Asks For Community Support as It Seeks Grant for Palliative Care Program

Your Votes Could Help Hospital Earn Distinctive Certification 

MACON, GA (Wednesday, March 7, 2012) – Central and south Georgia residents are encouraged to visit www.VoteMacon.org beginning today and through Friday, March 23, and take just 30 seconds to vote for The Medical Center of Central Georgia's Center for Palliative Care. The center, with the support of the Middle Georgia Taskforce for Quality Palliative Care, is seeking to become one of 20 palliative care providers in eight regions nationwide to be granted $10,000 from the LIVESTRONG 2012 Community Impact Project, which could help it receive advanced certification, the first of its kind in the state.

MCCG's Center for Palliative Care has served since 2004 thousands of patients and their families dealing with the pain, symptoms and stress of serious illness. Ultimately, MCCG needs the highest number of votes in the Southeast region to receive the grant, which will defray costs associated with applying for the Joint Commission's Advanced Certification Program for Palliative Care.

The kickoff event for the Middle Georgia LIVESTRONG Community Impact Project campaign will be held at the Macon State College Student Life Center Amphitheater today between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Community members are encouraged to participate in the event, learn more about the campaign and how to become a campaign volunteer.

A vote from a member of the community represents buy-in, awareness, and support; has the potential to bring needed financial and professional resources to their community; and enhances the sustainability of the palliative care program at MCCG. LIVESTRONG's Community Impact Project granting philosophy endorses an online voting approach, which shows broad community support and engagement, rather than merit-based grant applications.

Palliative care is a special partnership between the patient, family, and medical specialists and caregivers. MCCG's Center for Palliative Care understands the importance of this partnership as well as the quality of life issues, comfort care and symptom management required to be a high-quality palliative care provider.

Should MCCG receive the grant, it will be provided with technical assistance and hands-on mentoring from faculty of the national palliative care body – the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC). The CAPC provides health care professionals with the tools, training and technical assistance necessary to start and sustain successful palliative care teams in hospitals and other health care settings. Joint Commission certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality. 

LIVESTRONG's Community Impact Project designated the Joint Commission's Advanced Certification Program for Palliative Care as a model program for replication. The project annually replicates evidence-based programs that support people affected by cancer within one city, state or region of the United States.

The Middle Georgia Taskforce for Quality Palliative Care includes academic, health care, community, business and government partners.

For more information about LIVESTRONG's Community Impact Projects, visit http://www.livestrong.org/What-We-Do/Our-Actions/Programs-Partnerships/Community-Engagement.