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Cancer Support Community at Gilda's Club Rochester (2025) Print
2025 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Digital Connections
└ Digital navigation skills
└ Digital navigation skills
Many cancer patients age 50 and over struggled to use digital tools needed for care, from patient portals to video visits, increasing stress during treatment and deepening isolation. Cancer Support Community at Gilda's Club Rochester responded with its Digital Sherpa program, offering hands-on group sessions and one-on-one support focused on practical skills. Participants learned how to use video platforms, navigate patient portals, search for reliable health information and safely use phones, tablets and computers. More than skills were gained. Participants reported feeling more confident managing appointments, communicating with care teams and staying connected with others. One participant said, "Before, I'd sit in doctor's appointments nodding along. Now I come prepared with questions from my patient portal and can actually advocate for what I need," underscoring how digital confidence translated into greater self-advocacy and connection during a difficult period.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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