Cancer Support VI (CSVI) provides financial assistance and support services to cancer patients in the US Virgin Islands. It was founded in 2005 and has since distributed over $940,000 in grants to help with medical costs, travel, lodging, and hospice care for uninsured cancer patients. CSVI works closely with local healthcare organizations and has partnerships with the American Cancer Society. Through case studies, the document outlines how CSVI has helped patients afford cancer diagnosis and treatment.

1. April 22, 2015 Dinner and a Cause
Cancer Support VI
Sponsored By

2. Mission
 To provide support, education, information
and financial assistance to people living with
cancer, their families and friends.
 CSVI provides lectures by healthcare
professionals for the newly diagnosed,
cancer survivors and caregivers.
 CSVI is free of charge and open to anyone
affected by cancer.

3. Cancer Support VI
 Founded by International Capital &
Management Company 2005.
 Initiated support group just prior to
opening of Charlotte Kimelman Cancer
Institute (CKCI).

4. VI Cancer Patient Fund
 Set up fund in 2006
 Provide funds for uninsured and needy VI cancer
patients on all three islands
 Covers initial diagnostic tests and medical treatment
 Covers hotel accommodations while patients receive
treatment
 Covers hospice care
 Assistance with bills, rent and medical equipment
 There is a $1,500 cap per patient per year
 Fund is set up with Community Foundation of the VI,
a 501 (c) 3 non profit

5. American Cancer Society
 In 2013 CSVI joined forces with ACS
 In 2013 & 2014 we received a $50,000 ACS
Grant to be used for Medical, Hotel or
Hospice needs for VI Cancer patients on all
three islands
 This grant allowed us to give an additional
$1500 in support to VI cancer patients or
$3.000 total
 The 2015 grant is being finalized

6. CSVI Fund Disbursement 2006-15
$26,512.50
$40,943.70
$60,664.40
$93,092.53
$97,242.61
$95,095.59
$130,579.00
$164,519.00
$148,441.57
$35,607.70
$0.00
$20,000.00
$40,000.00
$60,000.00
$80,000.00
$100,000.00
$120,000.00
$140,000.00
$160,000.00
$180,000.00
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
CSVI Fund 2006-2015

7. CSVI & ACS Fund Payout by Type
Hotel,
$393,467.75
Hospice,
$83,955.78
Medical,
$253,893.25
Air Travel,
$90,014.65
Other,
$120,446.71
CSVI Payout
CSVI Breakdown
Hotel
Hospice
Medical
Air Travel
Other

8. Breakdown of payouts:
 Hotel accommodations: 42%
 Hospice Care 09%
 Assistance with Medical Care 27%
 Airfare 09%
 Other 13%

9. Fund Grants to Date
 Received & approved 1022 applications for
assistance
 Provided grants totaling $941,778
 Grants are 50% funded by ICMC; balance is
from annual fundraising event & ACS Grant
 We have a current CFVI Fund balance of
$264,000
 Make every effort to turn no cancer patient away

10. Organizations We Work With
 American Cancer Society
 Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute
 Continuum Care, Inc. & La Paz (Home Hospice)
 Community Foundation of the VI
 VI Department of Health & Human Services
Medical Assistance Program (MAP)
 Us Too Men’s Prostate Cancer Support Group
 Local Physicians
 Individual cancer patients via CSVI

11. Collaborating to
Support Cancer Patients
 The main goal of CSVI was to develop close
working relationships with the Charlotte Kimelman
Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, VI Dept.
of Human Services, Us Too (prostate cancer patient
support) and the USVI medical community in order
to assist local cancer patients.
 CSVI provides much needed help to newly
diagnosed patients (in addition to financial support)
by helping them navigate through the various
organizations available to assist them.

12. VI Department of Human Services
Breast & Cervical Cancer Program
Please help us get the word out about this
Medicaid program.
To qualify, the applicant must be:
 A U.S. citizen/resident of the U.S.V.I.
 Diagnosed with either breast or cervical
cancer at a CDC-funded site (in P.R.- they
pay for patient to go get diagnosed)
 Uninsured
 Less than 65 years of age

13. Case Study: Thyroid Cancer
 A 53 year old woman contacted CSVI.
She needed thyroid surgery and had no
insurance.
 We worked with Dr. Odlum who agreed
to do the surgery for $1500; Dr. Freytes
agreed to do the anesthesia for $1500 as
well.

14. Case Study: Kidney Cancer
 A local woman had suspected kidney cancer.
 CSVI paid for her and a companion to travel
to Florida for diagnosis.
 We made her travel arrangements and
covered costs for her air, hotel and ground
transportation.
 We also paid for her hotel accommodations
when she had to return to Florida for surgery.

15. Case Study:
Late Stage Cancer Patients
 Recently we had three late stage cancer
patients with treatable cancers who did not
seek treatment because they were uninsured.
 By the time they saw a doctor they were
terminal and sent to hospice, where we
provided financial assistance.
 These patients were unable to get any
coverage for treatment which may have saved
their lives. We want to change that.

16. Working with Local Physicians
 Many local physicians will accept our reduced
payment for uninsured patients to begin
treatment.
 Dr. Hughes (Radiation Oncologist) rarely
sends an invoice
 Dr. Odlum offers discounts for uninsured
patients
 St. Thomas Radiology provides discounts for
uninsured patients

17. Our Work in the Community
 Our web site www.cancersupportvi.com is
sponsored by ICMC
 You can like us on Facebook
 We continue to refine and grow the scope of
services we provide to the VI community of
people living with cancer and their caregivers.
 Work with the new VI Government
administration to help reinstitute the Cancer
Care Program

18. www.cancersupportvi.com

19. THANK YOU
for your support and
generous donation today