The ECHO Cancer Foundation
The ECHO Cancer Foundation is a unique, non-profit organization dedicated to providing support services, guidance, and education to cancer patients and their caregivers. Our goal is to address each patient’s individual needs so that no one lacks care or comfort while living with cancer.
Starting over 20 years ago, the Foundation has continued to grow in our ability to support patients and caregivers. While initially led and operated by volunteers, we now have an Executive Director and an involved Board of Directors that meets quarterly. The Foundation is funded by generous corporate, business, and individual donations.
Rock to Rides
We are committed to helping patients overcome challenges associated with care. If you face issues with your transportation to/from medical visits, our Rock to Rides program can help. Transportation is available for medical visits directly related to your ECHO care. This includes office visits, infusions, and radiology services at the hospital. Requests need to be made 36 hours in advance.
To schedule a ride, please contact our front desk by phone or send a message via the patient portal. A member of the team will contact you to schedule the ride. Click here for more details.
Holistic Health
The ECHO Cancer Foundation supports the costs for patients receiving integrative medicine care such as massage, reiki, and acupuncture. The program is currently funded by a generous grant from After the Storm. Dozens of patients have benefited through our partnerships with Healing Therapies Thur Sharing and Norwich Holistic Health Center
Beacon of Hope
The Foundation provides generous financial support to help patients cover the costs of rent, utilities, nutritional drinks, gas, school supplies, holiday meals, and groceries. We also provide assistance throughout the year with holiday food baskets, back to school supplies, and a food and supply pantry.
Recent Accomplishments
This year, we continue to reach new levels of excellence. During the 2023/24 fiscal year, here were some of our proudest accomplishments.
- We covered $32,609 of costs to support transportation for patients to their essential oncology care appointments. This helped 99 patients with over 1,413 rides.
- Over $10,356 of costs were covered for patients receiving integrative medicine care. 50 patients were supported with over 216 holistic health visits.
- We provided $17,679 in financial support to help patients cover the costs of rent, utilities, nutritional drinks, gas, school supplies, holiday meals, and groceries.
- Our Annual Gala raised almost $60,000 to support the Foundation in 2024.
Grateful to Our Volunteers
Volunteers play a key role is the ECHO Cancer Foundation. Our carefully vetted volunteers have faced cancer themselves or with a family member. Our volunteers are frequently onsite to help you find your way through your cancer diagnosis and treatment. We are here every morning in the infusion center to:
- Help patients and families understand what to expect
- Provide helpful hints on dealing with side effects
- Offer suggestions regarding meals and nutrition
- Communicate with your nursing team to ensure that patients get the counseling or support they need
- Encourage patients and illustrate that there is a light at the end of the tunnel