ORLANDO, Fla. – GuideWell Innovation is proud to collaborate with the American Cancer Society in an effort to improve cancer survivorship through a unique immersion program—GuideWell introduces Greater than Cancer: The Other Side, powered by the American Cancer Society.
Approximately 40 percent of Americans will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime, according to the National Cancer Institute. Their survivorship journey begins the moment they receive their diagnosis, and it is a journey filled with complexities, obstacles and conflict. The goal of Greater than Cancer is to tackle four critical areas that cause many of those challenges and explore potential opportunities to improve the experience for patients. Those four areas include:
- The patient and caregiver experience
- The provider and health professional experience
- The cost of cancer
- Winning the psychological war
“The challenges cancer survivors face too often distract from what is most important—winning their battle against the disease. As a company focused on advancing the transformation of the health industry through rapid acceleration of health innovation, GuideWell Innovation wants to address some of these key challenges collaboratively to find solutions that improve the experience of cancer survivorship,” said Renee Finley, head of GuideWell Innovation.
“There was no better partner to team with for this program than the American Cancer Society, which has advocated for and supported cancer patients for more than 100 years,” Finley added.
“Thanks to advances in detection and treatment, 15.5 million cancer survivors are alive in America today. This fact is a cause for celebration but it also raises a slew of questions and opens the door to a new frontier of research,” says Dr. Richard Wender, chief cancer control officer for the American Cancer Society. “The American Cancer Society is committed to assisting cancer survivors from the point of diagnosis onward, regardless of the cancer trajectory, which is why Greater than Cancer is so important to us. We’re excited to get to work with GuideWell so that we can identify and tackle the unique challenges facing anyone and everyone diagnosed with cancer.”
Greater than Cancer begins with a two-day event, August 25-26, at the GuideWell UST Global Innovation Center in Orlando’s Lake Nona Medical City. It will bring together patients, thought leaders from clinical and regulatory affairs, payers, providers, researchers and innovators who will first explore, question and debate the complexities of battling cancer to identify the issues underlying the overall experience. Next, they will explore potential opportunities that may provide solutions to create better outcomes for cancer patients.
Following the two days of in-person interactive activities, a six-month digital conversation will continue on multiple platforms to clarify issues and identify new opportunities from the exchange of information and ideas among participants.
“We are bringing together in a new way industry leaders from varied disciplines involved in a cancer patients’ journey. The end-focus is to find an opportunity to implement real-world solutions that will actually improve people’s lives,” said Chris Hillier, chief scientific officer for GuideWell Innovation.
Some of the key influencers confirmed to participate in Greater than Cancer: The Other Side include:
- Pat Geraghty, chairman and CEO of GuideWell and Florida Blue
- Dr. Richard Wender, chief cancer control officer, American Cancer Society
- Patty Rogers, CEO and founder of Rallyhood
- Deborah Mayer, University of North Carolina professor and advance practice oncology nurse
- Dr. David Whitehouse, chief medical officer for UST Global
About GuideWell Innovation
GuideWell Innovation, a subsidiary of GuideWell Mutual Holding Corporation, is focused on advancing the transformation of the health industry through rapid acceleration of health innovation. Headquartered in Orlando, Fla.’s Lake Nona Medical City, the GuideWell UST Global Innovation Center facility is anchored by the GuideWell Innovation CoRE™ (Collaborative Resource Ecosystem), designed to become the global epicenter of health excellence, where thought leaders address current issues, evaluate emerging trends and develop next-generation health solutions to radically transform the industry and the consumer experience for better health. For more information, visit guidewellinnovation.com.
About GuideWell
GuideWell Mutual Holding Corporation (GuideWell) is a not-for-profit mutual holding company and the parent to a family of forward-thinking companies focused on transforming health care. The GuideWell organization includes the leading health insurance company in Florida, a number of health care delivery businesses, a consumer engagement company, and a provider of administrative services to state and federal health care programs. For more information, visit guidewell.com.
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About the Author
Christie DeNave
Christie Hyde DeNave is a Senior Media Relations Consultant for GuideWell, devoted to serving Central Florida, Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida. She has worked around the globe with local, national and international media for nearly 20 years representing organizations such as the U.S. Olympic Committee, NASCAR, AAA and the State of Florida. In her free time, you’ll spot Christie cheering on the Clemson Tigers and serving on the Clemson University Alumni Council.
