Home

About NMCCA

Participant Login

Participant List

Patient Services & Information

Information for Trial Sponsors

Annual Report

Calendar of Events

Fundraisers/Donate to NMCCA

What's New

Newsletters

Contact Us

Clinical Trials List

Press Releases

Board of Directors

Updated 5-04-2010

Coming Soon!

New Mexico 2010 ASCO Highlights

Click here to register

5th Annual HERO Recognition Breakfast, March 11, 2010

Special thanks to Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation and Wells Fargo for their overall support of our HERO education programs.

2010 Clinical Trial Awareness Month

Governor Bill Richardson declared March 2010 as “Cancer Clinical Trial Awareness Month.”  During this month NMCCA provided the community with information about cancer clinical trials.  Less than 5% of adult cancer patients participate on clinical trials nationally so it is important for the public to know and understand the importance of the cancer research that is done through clinical trials.  NMCCA will continue throughout the year to heighten the awareness of cancer clinical trials.

Local Coffee Shops Support Cancer Research

During the months of October and November 2009, area coffee shops will be using special NMCCA “Research Cures Cancer” coffee sleeves to increase public awareness of cancer clinical trials.  NMCCA  provides local access to the most up-to-date cancer research for New Mexico cancer patients through cancer clinical trials.

Thanks to the sponsorship of NMCCA’s participants, The Cancer Center at Presbyterian, CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Medical Center, Hematology-Oncology Associates, Lovelace, Memorial Medical Center,

New Mexico Cancer Care Associates, New Mexico Department of Health, Radiation Oncology Associates, P.A., and UNM Cancer Center, and the enthusiasm of the following coffee shops 62, 400 coffee sleeves will be distributed in New Mexico.

Show your support by patronizing these businesses.

2009 Regular Session

Senate Bill 42

CANCER CLINICAL TRIAL INSURANCE COVERAGE

Sponsor: Dede Feldman

Governor Bill Richardson signed SB42 Cancer Clinical Trial Insurance Coverage into law on Tuesday, April 7.  This is great news for cancer patients in New Mexico.  This new law means the coverage of routine care while on a cancer clinical trial is a permanent law; we were able to remove the sunset.  The new law also expands the coverage of routine care costs to all phases of research and to primary prevention trials.

Thank you for the support and calls you made during this legislative session to help pass this important legislation.  Thank you again for your continued support.

HERO Recognition Breakfast

Honoring Cancer Patients on Research Studies
April 3, 2009

A HERO Recognition Breakfast honoring cancer patients participating on research studies was held April 3, 2009.    HERO is an acronym for “Helping to Enhance Research in Oncology (SM) and NMCCA believes any person who participates in a research study shows courage by volunteering for a new experimental treatment that may offer hope and possibly a cure to future generations.  These people truly are heroes.

The 2009 HERO Recognition Breakfast was held at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center, Albuquerque.  The HERO Recognition Breakfast was a small but public way of recognizing and thanking cancer patients and their families for participating on a research study.  The breakfast also provided an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of clinical trials to cancer research and advancing treatments; and the important role the human subjects play.  Dr. Cheryl Willman, Director of the University of New Mexico Cancer Center and Senator Dede Feldman, author of Senate Bill 42, presented an update from the 2009 New Mexico legislation to expand the current Clinical Trials Insurance Coverage Bill, Senate Bill 42.  The keynote speaker was nationally known speaker and humorist, Dave Caperton.  In his program ‘Healing Humor,’ Mr. Caperton taught  both the patients and healthcare providers ways to use the healing power of compassionate humor and laughter to lower stress and to live every moment with purposeful joy.

Check out our 2009 Breakfast Photo Gallery!

Check out our Individuals Gallery!

New Mexico Cancer Care Alliance would like to thank our sponsors for their support of the 2009 HERO Recognition Breakfast.

Super HERO Sponsor

Genentech, Inc.

Gold Sponsor

University of New Mexico Cancer Center

 Silver Sponsor

Hematology Oncology Associates

Memorial Medical Hospital-Las Cruces

Presbyterian Healthcare Services

Bronze Sponsor

Central New Mexico Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Lovelace Women’s Hospital

Radiation Oncology Associates

Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., LTD

Back to Top

Clinical Trials Awareness Month

February 2009

New Mexico Cancer Care Alliance is sponsoring Clinical Trial Awareness Month during the month of February.  Only 3 percent of adult cancer patients in the United States participate in clinical trials.  This is far fewer than the number needed to answer the most pressing cancer questions. Some of the barriers for the general public to participate in a clinical trial include:

• Lack of awareness of clinical trials.
• Lack of access to trials.
• Fear, distrust, or suspicions of research
• Practical or personal obstacles.
• Insurance or cost problems.
• Unwillingness to go against personal physician’s wishes.

A survey of almost 6,000 people with cancer showed that 85 percent of people with cancer were either unaware or unsure that participation in clinical trials was an option, though 75 percent of these people said they would have been willing to enroll had they known it was possible.  Of those who were aware of the clinical trial option, most declined to participate because they believed common myths about clinical trials.  They either thought that:

• The medical treatment they would receive in a clinical trial would be less effective than standard care.
• They might get a placebo
• They would be treated like a “guinea pig”
• Their insurance company would not cover the cost.

People who participated in a clinical trial said they were treated with dignity and respect and that the quality of care they received was “excellent’ or “good” and 86 percent said that their treatment while on a clinical trial was covered by insurance.

During Clinical Trials Awareness Month, NMCCA plans to address these issues by visiting our participating sites to share more information about clinical trials.  We will focus on raising the public’s awareness and educating them about cancer clinical trials, what they are and are not, the possible benefits of participation, the mechanisms in place for patient safety,  the availability of trials in New Mexico, the insurance coverage law in the state, encouraging people to take an active role in their health care options, and recognizing cancer clinical trial participants.

“The Basic Workbook.”  National Cancer Institute.  September 2002.  http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/resources/basicworkbook

Back to Top

2008 Annual New Mexico Pink Shawl Project

May 17, 2008

Albuquerque International Balloon Museum

Cornmeal Ceremony Representing Healing Powers

The New Mexico Cancer Care Alliance combined efforts with People Living Through Cancer, New Mexico Department of Health Cervical and Breast Program, United Native Council, andthe University of New Mexico Cancer Center to sponsor the Second Annual New Mexico Native Women’s Pink Shawl Project.  The Pink Shawl Project included educational programs, health fair, luncheon and Powwow.

Attendees at the Public Education Seminar listened to Nellie Sanoval, BS, MS, on “Breast Cancer: Honor Yourself,” and Monique Giago on “Winyan Ta Oinajin Topa” – (Four Stages of a Woman’s Life): A Traditional Lakota Healing Model.  The Professional Medical Seminar speakers were Gayle

Pink Shawl Blessing

Dine’Chacon, MD, speaking about “Patient Interactions in Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention and Screening,” Emily Haozous, RN, speaking on “Cancer Pain in Southwest American Indians,” and Josephine Waconda, RN, on “The Nuance of Native American Traditional Behavior to Western Medicine.”  

Zuni Boyz Drum Group

There were over 20 educational booths providing attendees with a wide-range of breast health information and resources. 

The luncheon brought Native Americans and non-Natives together to learn about the history and significance of the Pink Shawl.   A

“Traditional Blessing of Shawls” honored the Breast Cancer Survivors, empowering them with the strength to continue their battle and to educate their communities on the significance of prevention. 

The Pink Shawl Gourd Dance and Powwow included 10 drum groups for the Intertribal dances.

Young Dancers at the Pink Shawl Powwow	Dancer at the Pink Shawl Powwow	Carla Sakiestewa (left) and Linette Edaakie (right)

The 2008 Annual New Mexico Pink Shawl Project fulfilled its mission by bringing breast health information to Native Americans in a safe and culturally-relevant manner. 

Special Thanks to the Following Sponsors and Participants

Back to Top

NMCCA Third "Annual"
HERO Recognition Breakfast

Click here to view the "Could You be a Hero?" video

On February 15, 2008, New Mexico Cancer Care Alliance recognized patients who participated on oncology research studies as HEROs.   HERO is an acronym for “Helping to Enhance Research in Oncology (SM) and NMCCA believes any person who participates in a research study shows courage by volunteering for a new experimental treatment that may offer hope and possibly a cure to future generations.  These people truly are heroes. 

The 2008 HERO Recognition Breakfast was held at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center, Albuquerque and included 150 participants and family members who received complimentary tickets, medical professionals and community supporters. The keynote speaker was Dr. Kenneth Kaushansky, M.D. from the University of California, San Diego.  Additional speakers were Dr. Alfredo Vigil, M.D. Secretary of New Mexico Department of Health, Andrea Hawkins, representing Congresswomen Heather Wilson, and Danny Milo, representing Senator Jeff Bingaman.  The invocation was given by Deacon Steve Franker from Prince of Peace Catholic Community.  A group blessing of cancer patients was given by Mr. Kenneth Begay a traditional medicine healer. 
 
NMCCA is dedicated to providing access to the most up-to-date clinical research studies in cancer treatment for New Mexico cancer patients and physicians. 

2008 HEROs

Back to Top

Helping to Enhance Research in Oncology

NMCCA's HERO program educates the community, raises awareness about the role of clinical trials in cancer care and addresses health disparities in New Mexico by working to remove barriers to participation in the trials offered by our partners.

Click here to view the "Could You be a Hero?" video

Back to Top