Palliative Care has passed in West Virginia

During the 2018 legislative session, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteers in West Virginia helped law makers understand the importance of palliative care in West Virginia.  The goal of palliative care is to improve quality of life for both the patient and their family. It is provided by a team of doctors, nurses and other specialists who work with the patient’s primary care physician and other physicians providing disease treatment to deliver an extra layer of support.  It is appropriate at any age and at any stage of serious illness and can be provided along with curative treatment to help patients get well faster and easier.  

Some West Virginians have already received palliative care and were able to speak firsthand on what it has done for their treatment plan.  “During my second bout with ovarian cancer, I received a service called palliative care. It wasn’t end-of-life care, because I’ve got a lot left to do in this world before I go anywhere, “said George Blough, a cancer survivor and an ACS CAN Volunteer.

The West Virginia ambassadors collected petitions from constituents to be delivered on the topic, sent countless emails, and even met with their lawmakers in person on the topic of palliative care.  Through their tireless work, the legislation was passed to create a better tomorrow for West Virginia cancer patients.