About ICAN

bulletMission

ICAN's mission is to assist and empower late-stage patients worldwide with cutting-edge information regarding anticancer drugs in clinical trials as well as physician referrals at the patient’s request based on the patient’s reported medical situation. ICAN takes the position that there are key decision points in the battle for life and without the best available information, the cancer patient will not be well-armed for the road ahead. ICAN assists the patient at such critical decision points in an effort to prolong life, taking into account quality of life and pain management issues. The ICAN patient finalizes all treatment choices with his/her medical team. Primacy is placed upon avoiding lost time and easing the transition between a patient’s last set of CT/MRI/PET/CT scans (as well as lab tests) and the entry into either a clinical trial or a more creative treatment regimen.

bulletHow We Meet Patient Needs

Patient Services Brochure Click the icon above
to download our
Patient Services brochure.

ICAN maintains over 200 separate Cancer Patient Advocacy and Clinical Trials Advocacy Programs, ranging from the major solid tumors to the rarest blood cancers. ICAN Program Services include over 50 named Programs in honor or in memory of grateful cancer patients and their families. ICAN's Programs are augmented by the Physicians Advisory Council (specialists in medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, anesthesiology, and interventional radiology) as well as the Scientific Advisory Council which is comprised of leading anticancer drug discoverers. The organization's clinical trials search engine, ICAN-Search™, currently in the second phase of Beta testing, will provide patients, physicians, advocates, and researchers with a pathbreaking empowerment tool to enhance clinical trials information, communication, analysis, and access.

 

bulletWhere Your Money Goes

100% of your generous contributions are earmarked to support our aggressive Cancer Patient Advocacy and Clinical Trials Advocacy Programs as well as ICAN-Search.™

In 2008, 94% of ICAN's functional expenses, time, and resources were allocated to Program Services and the hundreds of separate IFADD (now ICAN) Programs which that entails (details>); 4% was allocated to Management/General; and 2% to Fundraising. ICAN raises additional funds by presenting a major Black Tie Gala - the Jewels of the Sea Ball (to return in 2010) as well as a major golf tournament, Christopher’s Challenge Cadillac Invitational. In addition, ICAN sponsors a series of Salon Concerts, in collaboration with other nonprofit organizations, featuring pianists Caio Pagano,
Ronald Jacobowitz, Anna Chepikova, and Carey Gregory and Soprano Eileen Mager; plans are underway to expand our Salon Concerts to include performing troupes such as Showcase Concerts/OperaTunity (working with Arlyn M. Brewster); and Desert Bells/Bronzeworks (Kay Cook, Artistic Director).

bulletWhy

ICAN fills a niche left by other cancer organizations by providing detailed, creative, and tenacious assistance at every decision point of the cancer patient’s battle. Virtually every patient with whom we have dealt says that he or she has received a unique amount of personalized attention and indispensable customized research from ICAN.

bulletWhen

Since its inception in 1997, IFADD/ICAN has operated 24/7, including holidays, to assist cancer patients.

bulletSpecial National Campaign Fundraising Goal

$25 million to augment Cancer Patient Advocacy Programs, Clinical Trials Advocacy Programs, and ICAN-Search.™

bulletMore About ICAN:

ICAN at a Glance
Mission Overview
History and Philosophy
Accomplishments
Innovative Organization