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The Visiting Nurse Service of New York is pleased to support the Sema Heller Cancer Quality of Life Initiative. In this effort, VNSNY, along with the American Cancer Society, helps promote positive and emotionally supportive services to assist patients tackling the many challenges of cancer treatment and recovery.
Background
In memory and honor of Sema Heller, wife of Sam Heller, VNSNY Vice President of Finance, VNSNY established the Sema Heller Fund in 2004 and began a monetary donation campaign. These funds are currently used to provide services that support uplifting experiences for women going through the rigorous challenges of cancer treatment. These challenges include the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, such as hair loss, as well as significant skin and nail changes—effects that can be emotionally draining and hinder the psychological fortitude needed to cope with cancer.
The VNSNY & ACS Partnership
One of the many programs offered by the American Cancer Society (ACS) is providing free wigs so that women with cancer can continue to live their lives as comfortably as possible and face the disease with confidence. The program, which is available in ACS regional offices, can be difficult for home-bound patients to access. For this reason, VNSNY teamed up with ACS to offer our at-home expertise and maximize the reach for this service. VNSNY developed a formal volunteer-based program that provides patients with a wig fitting, a free wig, and information on the many other services offered by the American Cancer Society.
Sema Heller Fund Benefits
Cancer affects more than just the body, so services that go beyond traditional medical care are needed. The Sema Heller Fund supplements our medically-based offerings by helping patients address the emotional side effects of the disease. The patients we have served, along with the volunteers and nurses who help to implement it, continually acknowledge the benefits of this service and express their appreciation for the opportunity to improve a difficult situation.
Donations
To contribute to the Sema Heller Fund, please send your donation* to:
Visiting Nurse Service of New York
Development Office
107 East 70th Street, New York, NY 10021
*Please indicate that your gift is for the Sema Heller Fund.
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