Press Releases - 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Massachusetts Cancer Nonprofit Continues Saving Lives Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
A continued crisis could affect global cancer patient treatment
Massachusetts Cancer Nonprofit Continues Saving Lives Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
A continued crisis could affect global cancer patient treatment
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS,USA– March 24, 2020 – Cancer Education and Research Institute®, the first and only simplified and multi-language, global cancer nonprofit and winner of the United Nations UNIATF 2019 Award, continues to save cancer patients’ lives amid COVID-19 pandemic.
“Cancer is such a disease that, for some cases and cancer types, it requires quick action in diagnosis and treatment,” said Ayguen Sahin, MSc, PhD, CEO, Founder, and Cancer Lead of Cancer Education and Research Institute, a cancer researcher and former Harvard faculty. “We had an already scheduled biopsy at Mass Eye and Ear last week for our patient before the Coronavirus crisis emerged here in Massachusetts and it was critical for our patient to get this done. In the meantime, the COVID-19 crisis rose rapidly, and I was worried as to what would expect us at the hospital and to be exposed to a potential harm. I was also worried whether I can still be on our patient’s side as per usual through the entire surgery process, which, I know, can be quite intimidating for a cancer patient who is already worried about the situation they live through.”
“Cancer is such a disease that, for some cases and cancer types, it requires quick action in diagnosis and treatment,” said Ayguen Sahin, MSc, PhD, CEO, Founder, and Cancer Lead of Cancer Education and Research Institute, a cancer researcher and former Harvard faculty. “We had an already scheduled biopsy at Mass Eye and Ear last week for our patient before the Coronavirus crisis emerged here in Massachusetts and it was critical for our patient to get this done. In the meantime, the COVID-19 crisis rose rapidly, and I was worried as to what would expect us at the hospital and to be exposed to a potential harm. I was also worried whether I can still be on our patient’s side as per usual through the entire surgery process, which, I know, can be quite intimidating for a cancer patient who is already worried about the situation they live through.”
Cancer Education and Research Institute®’s CEO, Founder, and Cancer Lead, Ayguen Sahin, MSc, PhD is wearing protective mask while cancer patient’s treatment at a Mass hospital amid COVID-19 outbreak.
Cancer Education and Research Institute® has patients from all over the world through its unique CERI Personalized Patient Program™, and acts as a liaison between patients and medical doctors. For non-English speaking patients, along with its multi-language cancer education programs, it provides on-spot translation, while simultaneously simplifying the medical terminology.
“Luckily, this time, our patient was fluent in English, but wasn’t familiar with the U.S. hospital or healthcare system. Due to the Coronavirus outbreak the situation wasn’t too ideal as we couldn’t be with the patient right before and after the surgery as the patient’s immediate representative. It could have been worse if we had a non-English speaking patient in this situation to take care of who would completely trust their life with us.”
Cancer Education and Research Institute®’s patient is grateful for the efforts they selflessly put in. “At a moment where I was losing my hope and determination to get through my problems, Aygün [Ayguen] reached out to me and helped me from ground zero to where I am right now, from insurance to doctors, guiding to explaining, understanding to supporting, she has helped me in many different ways. She was there with me in many steps along the way. I'll be forever grateful for the effort, care and help she puts on me. I could have been lost driving from hospital to hospital looking for answers while all they do hand me a paper with a phone number on it. Thank you,” the patient said.
Cancer Education and Research Institute® accompanies at all time its patient during pre- and post-diagnosis, treatments, including screening and surgeries, and educates their patients thoroughly on their cancer type, cancer stage, all procedures, treatment methods and options, and clinical trials, so that the patient understands the entire process and can make informed decisions.
The success rate of Cancer Education and Research Institute®’s CERI Personalized Patient Program™ is very high. As of today, 80% of its patients are cancer free.
“We have another cancer patient, a 2.5 years old boy in Baku, Azerbaijan, who is in need for a specific cancer immunotherapy treatment, available here in the U.S,” said Dr. Sahin. “We are working on having this little boy to be treated here, but the current travel restrictions and angst due to the Coronavirus pandemic makes this step impossible. The little boy has already a compromised immune system, but its cancer needs to be cured as soon as possible. We are truly worried for the exponential expansion of this pandemic, as more cancer patients could be affected by it,” she continued.
“A strict nation and worldwide lockdown for two weeks would be necessary to efficiently deal with this outbreak and to stop the Coronavirus’ exponential spread.”
To donate to Cancer Education and Research Institute® visit: canceredinstitute.org/donate
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About CERI Personalized Patient Program™:
Through the CERI Personalized Patient Program™ (canceredinstitute.org/patient-program), Cancer Education and Research Institute® acts as a liaison between cancer patients and medical professionals. It bridges the gap between cancer specialists and cancer patients, and provides patients and their families personalized, simplified education in local language about the cancer type being dealt with, including targeted treatment and latest research. It further identifies, and guides patients toward clinical trials and top specialists in their disease. This allows timely and efficient treatment.
About Cancer Education and Research Institute®:
Cancer Education and Research Institute® (canceredinstitute.org), is an award-winning, independent, Boston-based, 501(c)(3) global non-profit organization. Its mission is to 1) make cancer and cancer research understandable for everyone; 2) bridge the gap between cancer professionals and cancer patients; 3) provide cancer research scholarships for promising high school students worldwide, career guidance, and mentorship; and 4) conduct in-house innovative cancer research and directly translate it to the public. Cancer Education and Research Institute® is the United Nations, UNIATF Award 2019 recipient.
“Luckily, this time, our patient was fluent in English, but wasn’t familiar with the U.S. hospital or healthcare system. Due to the Coronavirus outbreak the situation wasn’t too ideal as we couldn’t be with the patient right before and after the surgery as the patient’s immediate representative. It could have been worse if we had a non-English speaking patient in this situation to take care of who would completely trust their life with us.”
Cancer Education and Research Institute®’s patient is grateful for the efforts they selflessly put in. “At a moment where I was losing my hope and determination to get through my problems, Aygün [Ayguen] reached out to me and helped me from ground zero to where I am right now, from insurance to doctors, guiding to explaining, understanding to supporting, she has helped me in many different ways. She was there with me in many steps along the way. I'll be forever grateful for the effort, care and help she puts on me. I could have been lost driving from hospital to hospital looking for answers while all they do hand me a paper with a phone number on it. Thank you,” the patient said.
Cancer Education and Research Institute® accompanies at all time its patient during pre- and post-diagnosis, treatments, including screening and surgeries, and educates their patients thoroughly on their cancer type, cancer stage, all procedures, treatment methods and options, and clinical trials, so that the patient understands the entire process and can make informed decisions.
The success rate of Cancer Education and Research Institute®’s CERI Personalized Patient Program™ is very high. As of today, 80% of its patients are cancer free.
“We have another cancer patient, a 2.5 years old boy in Baku, Azerbaijan, who is in need for a specific cancer immunotherapy treatment, available here in the U.S,” said Dr. Sahin. “We are working on having this little boy to be treated here, but the current travel restrictions and angst due to the Coronavirus pandemic makes this step impossible. The little boy has already a compromised immune system, but its cancer needs to be cured as soon as possible. We are truly worried for the exponential expansion of this pandemic, as more cancer patients could be affected by it,” she continued.
“A strict nation and worldwide lockdown for two weeks would be necessary to efficiently deal with this outbreak and to stop the Coronavirus’ exponential spread.”
To donate to Cancer Education and Research Institute® visit: canceredinstitute.org/donate
-###-
About CERI Personalized Patient Program™:
Through the CERI Personalized Patient Program™ (canceredinstitute.org/patient-program), Cancer Education and Research Institute® acts as a liaison between cancer patients and medical professionals. It bridges the gap between cancer specialists and cancer patients, and provides patients and their families personalized, simplified education in local language about the cancer type being dealt with, including targeted treatment and latest research. It further identifies, and guides patients toward clinical trials and top specialists in their disease. This allows timely and efficient treatment.
About Cancer Education and Research Institute®:
Cancer Education and Research Institute® (canceredinstitute.org), is an award-winning, independent, Boston-based, 501(c)(3) global non-profit organization. Its mission is to 1) make cancer and cancer research understandable for everyone; 2) bridge the gap between cancer professionals and cancer patients; 3) provide cancer research scholarships for promising high school students worldwide, career guidance, and mentorship; and 4) conduct in-house innovative cancer research and directly translate it to the public. Cancer Education and Research Institute® is the United Nations, UNIATF Award 2019 recipient.
Media Inquiries
Reporters may contact Ayguen Sahin, M.Sc., Ph.D. for more information, or to schedule interviews.
Contact
Reporters may contact Ayguen Sahin, M.Sc., Ph.D. for more information, or to schedule interviews.
Contact
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Media Resources
2018 Annual Reports and Media Kit
Cancer Education and Research Institute (CERI)®'s Annual Reports and Media Kit include our 5-year progress and achievements, fact sheets and demographics, information about our programs, and sponsorship opportunities.
To read our Annual Reports and Media Kit click here.
To read our Annual Reports and Media Kit click here.
