FEATURE
INSPIRING WAYS PEOPLE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE
IN CANCER CARE F
THE CANCER JOURNEY INVOLVES CHALLENGES WELL BEYOND THE MEDICAL ISSUES. THESE EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL AND LOGISTICAL DIFFICULTIES - FROM TRANSPORTATION STRUGGLES TO COPING WITH THE DIAGNOSIS TO CHILDCARE SUPPORT - CAN OFTEN MAKE PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS FEEL ISOLATED AND HELPLESS, SEARCHING FOR WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
ortunately, many survivors, innovators, and entrepreneurs are striving to support people with cancer as they navigate that journey. Astellas Oncology encourages and celebrates those efforts to tackle everyday challenges in cancer care beyond medicine with its fifth annual C3 “Changing Cancer Care” Prize. This year’s winners developed new approaches to support people impacted by cancer, from the onset of their first symptoms throughout the recovery and healing process. They show that by offering cancer patients and their caregivers hope through support, resources and information, change is possible. Here are the stories of the three winners and their inspiring ideas.
Grand Prize Winner Dr. Omolola Salako, an oncologist from Lagos, Nigeria, will receive a $100,000 grant and resources to advance her winning idea: a groundbreaking web and mobile app to connect Nigerian cancer patients with specialists and hospitals - along with a supportive community of survivors. After her sister died from advanced kidney cancer, Salako was driven to improve the accessibility of care in Nigeria for others touched by cancer. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF WWW.OMOLOLASALAKO.COM.
98
FLUENTIAL MAY / JUNE 2021