Donate Today to Support the JCC's Cancer Care Programs

With almost 100 participants at every event, Broadway’s Best for Breast Cancer is a virtual theater for the entire community in the Cancer Care space. By sponsoring this essential program, you will be enabling virtual programming to be seen by those impacted by cancer and their families. The season provides essential knowledge for those living with cancer, and provides access to the highest level of knowledge from doctors, experts in the field, and others impacted by cancer. Sponsoring this program will allow the sponsor’s name to be circulated to more than 90,000 contacts in the JCC’s email list, as well as targeted Cancer Care contact lists. Sponsors receive prime recognition placement on social media and the Cancer Care YouTube channel.

When faced with a cancer diagnosis, patients can experience a wide range of emotions – everything from fear to anger, loneliness to panic, and anxiety to depression. Advances in cancer treatments and early detection mean that half of the people now diagnosed with cancer can expect to survive at least 10 years, thus redefining many cancers as long-term conditions. The Annual Cancer Spa Day for Women living with Breast and Ovarian Cancer at the JCC serves those impacted by cancer with a variety of programs. It is a day of pampering and mutual support that brings over 80 women together to relax and rejuvenate outside of hospitals and doctors’ offices. As we continue to live in unprecedented times, our hope is to convene this important day both online and in-person.

The JCC is beloved and known for their engaging intellectual programs that span topics and learning opportunities that have a wide reach. Our hope is to replicate the 3-part lecture series model successfully implemented in our other Centers of Excellence and bring it to the Cancer Care program. Topics could include: genetics, cancer and Judaism, environmental effects on cancer patients, and more. We envision using the feedback we receive from Broadway Best attendees to explore more deeply the topics that participants are interested in with high-level professionals and medical experts in the field.

One thing we have learned above all in the past year is that those living with cancer want to connect with one another. We would like to establish social opportunities where cancer patients can come to the JCC for various social programs that would both connect them with one another, as well as provide a safe space where they can ask questions of medical professionals in a comfortable environment with a low-barrier to entry. these constituents already trust and know the JCC, and would feel comfortable coming to one of these programs. Programs could include pool days, luncheons, dances, performances, a talent showcase, and more.

Due to COVID, there are many women who have been afraid to get tested, and we know that it is likely that more women are going to be diagnosed with cancer as they return to their screening routines. Our hope is to do outreach around Cancer Care awareness to other medical institutions and within the JCC and the JCC Harlem community with the goal of increasing awareness of Cancer Care and At-Risk programming at the JCC. We hope to explore the possibility of developing a Personal Survivorship and Care Plan kit (this would require additional funding), and develop informational programming for outreach on our Cancer Care YouTube channel.

The JCC provides more than 10 classes a week for Cancer Care patients. These classes fall within our four pillars of health: Move, Restore, Nourish, and Connect. Classes include subjects such as Reiki, nutrition, tai-chi for sleep, cooking healthy meals, boosting immunity, bone health, positive psychology, Nia, meditation, and more. Each class includes a special meal and a presentation by a prominent keynote speaker. Sponsoring one of these classes will enable us to continue to offer these opportunities free of charge and maximize participation.