Oncology Care in Indian Country

AT ONE WITH EACH OTHER

For the Navajo Nation, community iseverything.

“If one of us is celebrating, we’re all there to celebrate…if one of us is sick, we’re all there to help our family out.”

—Jerrell Singer

Until recently, Navajos diagnosed with cancer had very little help. Or hope.

Although cancer is the second leading cause of death in Indian Country, the Indian Health Service does not provide cancer treatment; it only offers primary care. Which meant patients and their families had to make arduous trips over unpaved roads to medical centers hundreds of miles away. On May 28, 2019, a delegation of leaders, including Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, former Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden, and Lynette Bonar, CEO of Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation, marked a milestone moment: the opening of the first full time cancer care program on native land. It offers comprehensive oncology services and culturally sensitive support and navigation to Navajo and Hopi patients and caregivers.

To date, more than

1,000 patients

have been treated at the

House of Hope.

Funded in part by a gift from the Barbara Bradley Baekgaard Family Foundation to the Cancer Support Community, the cancer program at Tuba City is a collaboration between leaders of the Navajo Nation, CSC, the Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation, and Jeff and Brandy Tom have, two longtime advocates who helped establish the relationships that made this collaboration possible.

Tribal and health leaders visit the House of Hope. From left to right: Kim Thiboldeaux; Lynette Bonar; Joanie Hall, of the Barbara Bradley Baekgaard Family Foundation; Jill Biden, EdD; Phefelia Nez, First Lady of the Navajo Nation; Jonathan Nez; Christopher Curley, Chair of the Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation Board of Directors.

We’re redefining cancer for the Navajo people, showing it is survivable. Where there’s treatment, there’s hope.

Lynette Bonar, CEO, TCRHCC

Cancer does not discriminate. It touches us all, no matter who we are or where we live. The Specialty Care Center and support program in Tuba City is just one of the ways we create greater and more equitable access to cutting-edge care and resources for everyone—especially those in underserved, overlooked, or economically disadvantaged communities.

To support our mission, please contact Kim Thiboldeaux, CEO

kim@cancersupportcommunity.org

Interview with Leadership

Cancer Emergency Fund

Annual Report 2019-2020

CSC Website