Debbie's Dream Foundation Launches Broward County Community Outreach Initiative to Serve Stomach Cancer Patients, Caregivers and Families

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., July 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer (DDF) launched its Broward County Community Outreach Initiative to raise awareness and provide resources and information about stomach cancer to healthcare professionals, patients, caregivers and families. This initiative is generously sponsored by the Salah Foundation, a private foundation offering grants by invitation only, which supports non-profit organizations in the United States to strengthen families and communities and advances individuals to become productive and responsible citizens. There is a special interest in education, medical research, community development, and self-sufficiency programs aimed at the economically disadvantaged, the young, the elderly and the disabled.

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The DDF Broward County Community Outreach Initiative will lead the way to build collaborative community relationships. DDF will work with community hospital systems, oncologists, physicians, and others through face-to-face meetings and webinars to educate healthcare providers about DDF's free programs and services. Additionally, DDF will work with healthcare systems to directly communicate with patients following their diagnosis and during treatment. Debbie's Dream Foundation currently serves patients and their families through its Patient Resource Education Program (PREP). The services include a comprehensive collection of information about issues relevant to stomach cancer patients including recorded lectures and webinars, live webinars and symposia, an online support community, blog, and a peer-to-peer mentoring program. This Initiative will assist in bringing much-needed education and support systems to the local Broward County community.

Stomach cancer is estimated to be the fourth most common cancer worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer death. Eighty percent of stomach cancer patients are diagnosed at stage IV, and those who are diagnosed with stage IV only have a four percent chance of being alive in five years. Stomach cancer affects a disproportionate number of minorities including African-Americans, Asian and Pacific Islanders, and Hispanic populations. Reported data indicate the increased annual incidence rate of stomach cancer in Broward County compared to other Florida counties. Based on data reported between 2008 and 2012, it is estimated that between 125 and 432 individuals in Broward County are diagnosed with stomach cancer each year.

"As the President and Founder of an organization providing services to an international audience, I am thrilled to be launching a local initiative to help serve our local Broward County community where we are headquartered," said Debbie Zelman. "Our innovative program will lead the way to providing more resources and support, resulting in a more patient-centered, humanistic, and collaborative approach to the treatment of stomach cancer," Zelman continued.

To learn more about the Broward County Community Outreach Initiative, schedule an appointment for your office or institution, or register to receive information and services please contact Dr. Mary-Margaret Killmeyer by email at [email protected] or by phone at 954-475-1200.

About Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer
Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer (DDF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about stomach cancer, advancing funding for research, and providing education and support internationally to patients, families, and caregivers. Debbie's Dream Foundation seeks as its ultimate goal to make the cure for stomach cancer a reality.

DDF was founded in 2009 by Debbie Zelman after she was diagnosed with stage IV incurable stomach cancer in 2008 and given only weeks to live. Zelman immediately began to educate herself about this disease and to seek the best available care. When she responded favorably to her treatment, Debbie founded DDF which now has chapters throughout the United States, Canada, and Germany and a Medical Advisory Board of renowned doctors from across the country and internationally. Eight years later, Debbie is still receiving chemotherapy and is thrilled to be able to watch her three children grow up. To learn more about DDF, please visit us at www.DebbiesDream.org.

Media Contact:
Adriana Bates
Communications Coordinator
Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer
(954) 475-1200
Email

SOURCE Debbie's Dream Foundation

Related Links

http://www.debbiesdream.org