The arrival of coronavirus and the disease it causes, COVID-19, is a global pandemic that has thrown health, financial and social care issues for patients, families and care partners into sharp focus. Caring for the health of the nation has never been more important.

This is particularly true for more vulnerable people, such as those living with cancer, who might be at greater risk for serious illness if they get infected because of weakened immune systems.

It’s easy for patients, families and care partners to feel overwhelmed, so weighing a global pandemic into the mix can add further stress and anxiety to daily lives. Consequently, it’s not just about being informed about the risks. It’s about reminding people they’re not alone – that we’re all in this together.

Amid the wealth of rapidly changing information, we’ve compiled the following resources for patient advocacy organizations to share with patients and caregivers to help them answer questions, address concerns, and find physical and emotional support. These resources emphasize the physical and mental health support available, while also providing tips on how to eat well and how to manage work and family while social distancing.

General Resources

•    American Cancer Society – Coronavirus, COVID-19, and Cancer Information
•    Cancer Support Community – What Cancer Patients, Survivors and Caregivers Need to Know about the Coronavirus
•    Caregiver Action Network – COVID-19 and Family Caregiving
•    Patient Empowerment Network – PEN-Powered Activity Guide to help with social isolation

The global health community is innovating like never before, with an inevitable rise in telemedicine and digital medicine offering new ways of connecting patients and professionals. And scientists across academia and the biopharmaceutical sector have joined together to test existing and new medicines to treat COVID-19 and develop vaccines to prevent it. In fact, Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) say there are already more than 1,200 clinical trials for potential treatments and vaccines underway in the US and across the world.

We are grateful to everyone within our community and your unwavering commitment to the patients, caregivers and families you serve. We hope you find these resources helpful.