BAG IT
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Mission Statement
Bag It Cancer equips cancer patients with comprehensive, easy-to-understand information and resources to navigate their diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, enhancing their ability to advocate for themselves and improve their quality of life. Founded in 2003 by breast cancer survivor Sherri Romanoski, who personally faced the overwhelming and confusing experience of a cancer diagnosis, Bag It Cancer was created to fight the fear and uncertainty that comes with such life-altering news. With the support of fellow survivors and oncologists, Sherri put together a bag of resources that includes a 3-ring binder and 4 publications. These publications cover topics from diet, and nutrition to physical activity and psychosocial aspects of a cancer diagnosis. Bag It Cancer provides an organized binder and essential booklets in a simple, reusable bag designed for ease of travel to doctors’ appointments, lab tests, and treatments. This binder helps patients keep track of critical information—family medical history, insurance details, medications, treatment calendars, and lab results—all in one place. Bag It empowers patients to stay organized and communicate more effectively with their healthcare team. As Mary from Illinois shared, “the binder helped organize labs and doctor teams. This Bag gives hope - help and awareness and taught me that no question is stupid." Additionally, Bag It Cancer connects patients with reliable resources, helping them understand their treatment path and survivorship plan. In an era of misinformation, Bag It directs patients to trusted organizations like the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), and the American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO). The publications offer information on clinical trials, fertility concerns, and genetic testing, alongside a glossary of complex medical terms such as "adjuvant therapy," "in situ," and "neutropenia." More informed people create more empowered people. Empowered people in turn help create a better health system for patients and providers. Patricia from Pennsylvania shares, “the Bag It Bag gave me pointers on how to do things and explained things that I did not know. The information provided encouraged me to be a better advocate for myself”. Research underscores the need for Bag It Cancer's work. A systematic review of cancer patients revealed that 69% of lung cancer patients and 81% of colorectal cancer patients had an inaccurate understanding of their treatment options and likelihood of remission. A survey by Veterans Affairs showed that less than half of the veterans they serve possess the health literacy skills needed to navigate their diagnosis. Meanwhile, 22% of rural and 28% of tribal communities in America lack access to basic health education or telehealth services. Bag It Cancer is committed to changing these alarming statistics. Our mission is to ensure that every cancer patient fully understands their diagnosis, treatment options, and feels empowered to advocate for themselves at every appointment. For two decades, Bag It Cancer has guided over 100,000 cancer patients in all 50 states. With healthcare providers distributing our resources in 5 states, we aim to achieve a 40% growth target in 2024. As you consider how to partner with Bag It Cancer, let the words of our patients remind you of the impact we make, and the lives we continue to change. “It was very helpful being able to log all my past & present Dr. appointments and all medications (OTC & prescriptions) in one place. I found it very helpful to have everything in one place and have a list of questions for my doctor.” – Cancer Survivor in Indiana “The Bag It Bag helps me feel more organized. Having a community helps me feel better able to cope with my diagnosis. The information helps me feel better prepared for appointments.” – Cancer Survivor in Idaho “Love what I received. Very unique and so helpful in organizing my data. I am someone who likes to write everything down so this is perfect for me. Thank you so much! It reminded me to do certain things since I have bad chemo brain when it comes to short term memory.” – Barbara in Massachusetts
About This Cause
1 person every 15 seconds will be diagnosed with cancer this year. That is over 2 million people in the U.S. "My own cancer diagnosis came in the Fall. In the midst of the confusion and fear of the “new world” of testing, obscure vocabulary and pivotal decisions, came my “Bag It” package. It was a relief--at last; somewhere I could input data, keep track of the process and feel a tiny bit of control over what was happening (a most welcome illusion, at that point!)" -Jill (MI) | Our Mission | Bag It Cancer empowers cancer patients with comprehensive, easy to understand information and resources to navigate their diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. Our services enhance a patient’s ability to navigate for themselves and improve their quality of life before and after treatment. Founded in 2003 by breast cancer survivor Sherri Romanoski, who personally faced the overwhelming experience of a cancer diagnosis, Bag It Cancer was created to fight the fear and uncertainty that comes with this life-altering news. | The Problem | Cancer is overwhelming and often misunderstood. A systematic review revealed that 69% of lung cancer patients and 81% of colorectal cancer patients did not accurately understand their treatment options or likelihood of remission. With the average American reading at a 7th or 8th grade level, most medical information is written well beyond their comprehension, at a 10th grade level or higher. This gap leaves patients not only confused but vulnerable at a time when clarity is critical. The emotional weight of a cancer diagnosis, compounded by complex healthcare systems, further intensifies this confusion. Alarmingly, a survey by Veterans Affairs found that fewer than half of their patients had the health literacy skills necessary to navigate their care. In rural and tribal communities, the challenges are even more pronounced—22% of rural and 28% of tribal populations lack access to basic health education and telehealth services. | Our Program | Bag It Cancer provides a comprehensive, thoughtfully designed toolkit to help cancer patients navigate the overwhelming journey from diagnosis to survivorship. Our program offers patients a neatly organized binder and booklets, all contained in a simple, reusable carry bag. This bag is much more than just a convenience; it is a lifeline, designed to help patients manage the multitude of doctor’s appointments, medications, chemotherapy treatments, and other vital components of their care. At a time when misinformation is rampant, Bag It Cancer is a trusted guide. We direct patients to reliable, vetted organizations, giving them the tools and confidence to advocate for themselves throughout their cancer journey. Our resources clarify medical terms, explain treatment options, and even provide guidance on nutrition, all while being tailored to the specific needs of diverse cancer diagnoses. Available in both English and a Spanish Bicultural Bag, our materials ensure that more patients, regardless of their background, can access this essential support. Additionally, our Bag It Bags are available for purchase on our website, enabling family and friends to offer meaningful assistance by gifting these resources to loved ones in need. | Collaboration | Bag It Cancer is committed to providing relevant information for every cancer patient, recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work for all diagnoses. That’s why we collaborate with leading nonprofits to create specialized resources for specific cancers. Each Cancer-Specific Bag offers in-depth information on crucial topics like diagnosis, testing and treatment options, key medical terms, and support groups. These partnerships expand our impact, ensuring that every patient—regardless of their diagnosis—receives the most reliable support available. Bag It Cancer has collaborated with… GO2 for Lung Cancer to create a lung cancer specific bag. The National Bone Marrow Transplant Link to create a graft-versus host disease specific bag. Living Beyond Breast Cancer to create a metastatic breast cancer specific bag. The CLL Society to create a chronic lymphocytic leukemia specific bag. Zero Prostate Cancer to create an early-stage prostate cancer specific bag. Hope for Stomach Cancer to create a stomach cancer specific bag. SHARE Cancer Support to create a uterine cancer specific bag. |The Cost of Inaction | The consequences of not providing Bag It Cancer's resources are profound. Cancer patients are up to 11 times more likely to die by suicide than their healthy peers, with rural patients at even higher risk. The psychological toll on patients and the multidimensional stress on caregivers is immense. Family caregivers, already burdened by poor communication with healthcare providers, often suffer physical symptoms like chronic fatigue and headaches, diminishing their quality of life and ability to provide care. Without immediate investment in Bag It Cancer’s resources, vulnerable populations will remain unsupported, leading to further emotional and financial costs. | Our Impact | Bag It Cancer has served over 100,000 cancer patients in all 50 states. Our efforts reach far and wide as survey results prove that our resources make a tangible impact on people’s lives. Survey results show that 99% of Bag It Cancer recipients found our trademarked resource, My Companion Guidebook, to be valuable. Additionally, 95% of recipients reported feeling better informed, and 93% said our Bag It Bag helped them cope with their diagnosis. Feedback from distributing providers mirrors this success: 96% report that patients with a Bag It Cancer Bag are more informed and advocate for themselves more frequently. Providers also note that 88% of recipients adhere more closely to their treatment plans, and 87% are more organized in managing their care. | Conclusion | We urge you to take decisive action by supporting Bag It Cancer with a financial contribution. While Bag It Cancer’s program is being distributed by healthcare professionals in five states, we are actively seeking to expand our reach. The stark reality remains: every 15 seconds, another person is diagnosed with cancer. Countless patients are navigating this life-altering journey without the critical resources they desperately need. Your support can change that. For any questions, please reach out to our Executive Director, Mindy, at Mindy@BagItCancer.org. There is no better way to understand the impact of our work than through the voices of the patients we serve. We invite you to take a moment to read the testimonials below and consider supporting our mission. “Thank you for providing this resource and for letting us know we are not alone as we navigate through this journey.” – Karen in New York “Information is power. Having all my information in one place is very helpful. No question feels stupid now.” – Cancer Survivor in Florida “The binder makes it easier to find my test results and to know what to ask my doctor. Feeling organized takes some pressure off. The information included helped me feel like my questions are important.” – Cancer Survivor in New York