The Need
Besides the physical and psychological burden that comes with a cancer diagnosis, Albanian children who are fighting cancer and their families are also challenged by financial limitations that make it difficult to afford cancer treatments and other costs associated with chronic hospitalization including transportation costs to the University Medical Center of Tirana “Mother Teresa”, the only hospital in Albania that offers Onco-Hematology services.
Purpose
The purpose of our novel Patient Navigation Program is to provide financial support to the families of Albanian children diagnosed with cancer who seek treatment at the University Medical Center of Tirana “Mother Teresa” in Tirana.
What
The Children for Children ‘Patient Navigation Program’ is a network of volunteers who serve as contact points between our executive board and the families of Albanian children diagnosed with cancer who seek treatment at the University Medical Center of Tirana “Mother Teresa” in Tirana. After a virtual training designed specifically for the needs of the program, each volunteer is responsible for connecting with 1-2 families based on the total number of volunteers, the time that they can dedicate to this project, and the number of families that are interested and enroll in the program. This volunteer reviews the case of the family(ies) that they are in charge of, and then communicates with Aleksia and Vasia Barka, the co-presidents of Children for Children, to collaboratively decide if our non-profit can offer any financial support, and if so, the best means to do so (e.g. by reimbursing medications or specific transportation costs). The volunteer then continues to maintain communication with the family(ies) in order to ensure the family has the necessary support as their child undergoes cancer treatment and navigates the various challenges associated with it.
Please fill out this Google Form if you are interested in joining our Patient Navigation Program. After you have completed the form, you will receive an email with a link that will invite you to complete an online training that will equip you with the necessary skills to become a successful volunteer. Please reach out with any questions you have to our email address: [email protected]
Note: You must be fluent in Albanian to become a volunteer of this program.
