Maryland-D.C. Society of Clinical Oncology

Online Exclusive - February 11, 2009

In addition to hosting awards dinners for local legislators and educational meetings for practice managers, the Maryland-DC Society of Clinical Oncology (MDCSCO) undertook a successful community outreach program. Pat Troy, Executive Director of MDCSCO, talked with ASCO News & Forum about the program and its future in the latest “Spotlight on State Affiliates.”

MDCSCO President Peter R. Graze, MD, and Miss Maryland at the Anne Arundel Cancer Forum.

AN&F: What was the driving force behind MDCSCO’s desire to develop a community outreach program?
Ms. Troy: Maryland has one of the nation’s highest cancer mortality rates, so there is strong public interest in learning more about the disease. We spotlighted the new and promising developments in prevention, diagnosis and treatment in our Anne Arundel Cancer Forum, called “The Good News About Cancer,” which took place in April 2007. We had an audience of about 100 people, the core group of which had an interest in cancer (whether as a patient with cancer, a family member, or a cancer survivor) and tended to be well-informed, but were not medical specialists. Our speakers took just the right tone—they didn’t talk down to the audience, nor was it all in jargon. We advertised with flyers, a website with online registration, and through the Anne Arundel County Health Department and local hospitals. We wanted to do a prototype program that could be replicated over the state of Maryland and DC. Our next challenge will be to have mechanisms in place for long-term funding. We plan to do a repeat Cancer Forum in Anne Arundel County in fall 2009, then slowly add additional programs.

AN&F: What were the successes and challenges MDCSCO faced during the execution of the event?
Ms. Troy: MDCSCO is definitely stronger as a result of this effort. It made our society more visible among oncologists as well as the cancer community. We were easily able to form partnerships with our local hospitals, as well as organizations focusing on services and support for cancer patients. It was not difficult to find physicians and other speakers who were able to deliver excellent information. Our local health department did everything they could to assist and provided a grant for much of the funding. ASCO contributed $5,000 to the efforts through its State Affiliate Grant Program. While we were successful in getting attendees from the more affluent parts of the county, getting lower income people to come was more of a challenge. We think our venue at a local country club may have been a barrier, though breakfast and lunch were provided free of charge. The biggest challenge, however, was that we were unable to get charitable grants because MDCSCO is a 501[c]6. We are now setting up a 501[c]3 affiliated foundation to help us fund these forums going forward: the Oncology Foundation of Maryland and the District of Columbia.

AN&F: How did you come to the solution of creating a foundation to overcome future funding hurdles?
Ms. Troy: We knew that in this economic climate that there would be no guarantees of funding, and setting up a foundation was also was the best strategy to encourage community involvement and to build credibility. It was also important because our partners are themselves 501[c]3 organizations (including hospitals) and they would like to help us with "in kind" resources. We are of course optimistic that the pharmaceutical industry regulations will work to our advantage, but we also realize that this is constantly changing. Individuals and corporate donations can help grow the foundation as it becomes an integral part of the local communities.

Because I run an association management firm, I knew what was involved in setting up a 501[c]3, and I have been directly involved—either as a principal or a consultant—in the founding of five other 501(c)3 organizations. I also have taught a course periodically at Anne Arundel Community College on "How to Start a Non-profit." It is fairly common in the association world for 501[c]6 organizations to set up foundations to do carry out their educational outreach missions.

AN&F: What is the mission of the Oncology Foundation of Maryland and the District of Columbia?
Ms. Troy: The purpose of this organization is to host educational activities, including cancer forums. The foundation’s goals are to involve hospitals, oncologists, health departments, health care providers and other related organizations, as well as, the general public on topics such as cancer prevention, cancer detection, and cancer treatment, and for other educational and charitable activities related to oncology.

AN&F: What advice would you give to other ASCO State/Regional Affiliates who are considering developing a foundation?
Ms. Troy: Be sure that your Affiliate Board is committed to the project and includes one or more physician advocates who are willing to devote time to the project by attending meetings of the organizational board. Reach out to the community, including individual community leaders who have an interest in health education. Think in terms of demonstrated leadership, as well as, potential connections for financial support. Start with a core committee to work through all the details. Once you have bylaws and a general direction, then bring in others. We are starting with a board of about 20 people so we can hit the ground running. Recognize that this is not a quick process and there is a lot of paperwork to be filled out for the Internal Revenue Service—a good attorney is essential. To cover starting costs (including staff time to set up the foundation, and legal fees) ask the State Affiliate for some start-up funds.

AN&F: What can other state societies learn from MDCSCO’s Community Outreach Program?
Ms. Troy: State societies should recognize that there is a need for “straight” information delivered to the public directly by doctors, without the filter of the media. The mechanism to deliver this information is probably best done collaboratively with health departments, hospitals, and other organizations focused on information sharing.