The Charles Lafitte Foundation, a philanthropic organization run by Jeffrey and Suzanne Citron of Brielle, N.J., recently donated $500,000 to the American Cancer Society’s Eastern Division Pain Initiative. The Pain Initiative is an educational campaign committed to the promotion of chronic pain relief as an integral part of comprehensive patient care.
“Pain is the most common and feared symptom of cancer,” said Don Distasio, CEO, American Cancer Society, Eastern Division. “The Charles Lafitte Foundation’s commitment to the Pain Initiative will help us to realize a measurable improvement in the quality of life for cancer patients and their families.”
The grant from The Charles Lafitte Foundation will be used specifically to fund educational programs directed at a broad range of health professionals in advanced principles and practices of pain management and the delivery of sophisticated and effective pain treatment intervention to assure that adequate pain relief is an integral part of the patient’s right to comprehensive healthcare. The pledge will be paid out at $100,000 per year for five years, beginning in 2002.
“The Charles Lafitte Foundation is dedicated to helping individuals lead improved lives,” said Jeffrey Citron, co-founder and board member, Charles Lafitte Foundation. “We are gratified that we can assist the Pain Initiative’s effort to reduce the suffering endured by cancer patients and we hope that the program continues to thrive and expand.”
Over 8 million Americans have a history of cancer and 1 million people are diagnosed with the disease each year. One in three cancer patients undergoing active treatment and more than 70 percent of patients with advanced disease experience pain, yet less than one-half receive adequate pain treatment.
Effective cancer pain relief is hindered by many factors including inadequate training of health care professionals, unfounded fears of drug addiction and side effects, restrictive controlled substance regulations, and the low priority given to cancer pain treatment in the health care system.
The American Cancer Society has long advocated for more knowledge and better attitudes about chronic pain relief among patients, health care professionals and the general public. The Eastern Division Pain Initiative was founded in 1992 as a voluntary, grassroots team of health care providers and consumers working to change practice, dispel myths, address fears and challenge regulatory restrictions on effective pain control.
For more information on the American Cancer Society’s Eastern Division Pain Initiative, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
The American Cancer Society is the nationwide 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. For more information about the American Cancer Society, call (800) ACS-2345 or visit its web site at www.cancer.org.
The Charles Lafitte Foundation is a private philanthropic organization founded by Suzanne and Jeffrey Citron. A multifaceted, multi-purposed organization comprised of four distinct project areas, CLF strives to affect innovative change in the areas of education, children’s advocacy, medical research and the arts. Contributions range from single donations to on-going project funding and volunteer work. Grant proposals may be submitted via the organization’s web site, www.charleslafitte.org. Preference is given to proposals and programs that foster significant change for many individuals.
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For more information, contact:
Tara Peters
American Cancer Society
732.398.9884
tara.peters@cancer.org
Ruder Finn
212.715.1694
woodsa@ruderfinn.com