The SIMMS/MANN-UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology Receives Grant to Support Psychosocial Care For Cancer Patients, Families and Healthcare Workers Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
August 17, 2020 (Los Angeles) – The Simms/Mann-UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology has received a generous $50,000 grant from Los Angeles-based PHASE ONE Foundation, to support psychosocial care for cancer patients, their families as well as frontline healthcare workers, to boost resources during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was announced today. In addition to supporting UCLA Simms/Mann, the grant also inspired matching support from the community for UCLA Health’s COVID-19 Patient Care and Healthcare Provider Protection Fund.
Providing psychosocial care to patients diagnosed with cancer and their families, The Simms/Mann–UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology continues to provide care during this time, usually free of charge, to patients and families dealing with the emotional, psychological and physical burdens of cancer and its treatment. Additionally, in response to these unparalleled times, the Center is providing individual and group support for frontline COVID-19 staff in the hospitals, by establishing virtual (Zoom) support groups and other empowering programs that have been well-received by patients and their families. The care currently being provided is more intensive and demanding than usual, as patients with a new cancer diagnosis often experience heightened anxiety due to COVID-19 concerns, as do ongoing patients, making the support the Center provides to the frontline care team even more impactful and critical.
"The PHASE ONE grant greatly enhances the work of the Center and extends its care to all those who have been touched by this pandemic – not just our patients with cancer and their loved ones, but also the frontline workers who are stepping in to provide emotional and spiritual support to those in greatest need. The grant allows the Center to bring this vital and sustaining circle of care to all in our healthcare community,” stated Kauser Ahmed, PhD, Director of the Simms/Mann – UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology.
“PHASE ONE has supported cancer research for the past two decades, emphasizing funding innovative clinical trials. However, we also realize the importance of providing distinct resources through community grants. The devastating reality of COVID-19 magnified the importance of supporting hospital programs, and we are thrilled to provide this grant to the Simms/Mann-UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology, particularly during this time of extreme psychological stressors. Our grant will not only provide support for patients and their families, but also for those who have shown unbelievable professional commitment as well as for those who continue to selflessly volunteer to assist those in need,” said Edward A. Woods, PHASE ONE Board Member.
Psychosocial treatment at UCLA Simms/Mann Center, which is part of the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA Health and the Division of Hematology/Oncology in the David Geffen School of Medicine, involves a wide range of individual, family and group therapy in addition to psychiatric care. These services include educational programs in nutrition, spiritual care, qi gong and meditation; and workshops such as healing through art and preparing for surgery. The center’s mission is to empower patients and families with support that enhances their overall well-being as they go through the many challenges of a cancer diagnosis.