The American Cancer Society - Asian Initiatives is a community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service in the Asian communities of New York and New Jersey.

Description and/or History:
Due to language and cultural barriers, many Asian immigrants do not have access to cancer prevention information, screenings, cancer care services and patient support programs. This disparity in health care results in a high cancer related mortality. In response to this need, American Cancer Society, Eastern Division launched the Asian Initiatives office in 2006.

The goals of the American Cancer Society - Asian Initiatives are:

(1) to promote public education on cancer prevention including community forums, radio and television educational programs, and translation of cancer related information into various Asian languages;

(2) to arrange free screening services for breast cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer and hepatitis B;

(3) to provide free smoking cessation counseling and nicotine replacement therapy to help smokers quit;

(4) to provide free services for cancer patients such as patient navigation, individual counseling, support groups, transportation for chemo/radiation therapy, pre or post surgery support, etc., and

(5) to organize volunteer-driven community events, such as “Relay For Life”, and “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” to raise awareness about cancer prevention, early detection and survivorship while raising funds to support our programs and services.

In order to continue providing our free programs and services to the diverse Asian population of New York City, we are seeking volunteers who are fluent in Chinese, Korean, Hindi, Bengali, Urdu, Punjabi, Gujarati, Japanese, or Vietnamese.

Contact people:

Arlene Alegre, Director - Special Events, (718) 886-8890 x22, (email) Arlene Chin, Director - Prevention, Detection & Community Outreach, (718) 886-8890 x15, (email) Jessy Lau, Director - Patient & Family Services, (718) 886-8890 x18, (email)

Address:

41-60 Main Street Suite 307 Flushing, NY 11355 (See a map)

Directions:

Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: 7 train to Main St - Flushing,   Walk distance (in minutes): 5 min