Jazz Pharmaceuticals has launched Nothing Small About It, an online community offering support, educational materials and other resources for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients, families, and caregivers. Developed with contribution from CancerCare, GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer, Lung Cancer Foundation of America, and LUNGevity Foundation, the group Is designed to provide user-friendly content centered around patients and their stories, empowering those diagnosed with the disease to arm themselves with information and participate in their care as well as research.
Abizer Gaslightwala, vice president and head of US hematology and oncology at Jazz Pharmaceuticals, said Nothing Small About iI is intended to “humanize” the experiences SCLC patients face at the various stages of diagnosis and elevate awareness of the disease.
“Our research found that people living with small cell lung cancer and their caregivers tend to feel lost within the broader lung cancer community, and they often experience feelings of stigma, fear, and hopelessness due to the devastating nature of the disease,” he said. “This insight led us to collaborate with leading cancer organizations to create a resource that accounts for the full emotional needs of those living with SCLC and their loved ones."
In addition to informing patients and caregivers about how to manage SCLC at the different stages of diagnosis, it also seeks to forge connections to resources and other patients. According to Jazz, it can deliver more personalized support, and inspire patients (and their physicians and families) to assume a more active role in their health.
“As rapid and exciting advances come forward for treating small cell lung cancer, we will work with our partners to put forth substantial resources towards the goal of helping to ensure patients and their caregivers are identified and engaged in a consistent and meaningful way," said Laurie Fenton Ambrose (president, CEO, and co-founder of GO2 Foundation. “The various types of support and services will be tailored to best meet people where they are, and Nothing Small About It is an excellent example of a collaborative initiative that can help stakeholders meet our common goal of supporting the SCLC community.”
Visitors to the Nothing Small About It site are welcomed with “More Than 10 Minutes,” a video sharing how other patients have dealt with challenges along the way, from diagnosis, progression, and beyond. Next, viewers can engage in an interactive experience that takes them along their journey to find support and recourses.
“The most helpful thing for me when I was diagnosed with SCLC 14 years ago was doing research and looking to connect with advocacy groups so I could educate myself about my diagnosis," said Montessa Lee, an SCLC advocate and program participant. “I want other people going through small cell lung cancer to know that your life is not stopping here, and while you might have to go through a journey that may be rugged from time to time, you can get through it with the right support.”
Content on the program site is tailored to the needs of patients, and to caregivers. Visitors can explore how to build a support network, questions to ask when selecting treatment, suggestions for maintaining wellness, and other topics.