Home > Media Relations > Mercy News Archive

Media Relations: Mercy News Archive

Dr. Neil B. Rosenshein, Director, The Weinberg Center for Women's Health & Medicine, announces pilot program in tandem with the Red Devils support group and the Baltimore Women's Classic 5K to bring needed services to ovarian cancer patients.

Dr. Neil B. Rosenshein, The Weinberg Center for Women's Health and Medicine, Announces Pilot Program to Assist Ovarian Cancer Patients at Mercy

Neil B. Rosenshein, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., Director of the Weinberg Center for Women’s Health & Medicine at Mercy, and Medical Director of The Gynecologic Oncology Center at Mercy, has announced that a pilot program is being offered to assist ovarian cancer patients being treated at the downtown hospital.

According to Dr. Rosenshein, the program is a collaborative effort between Mercy, The Red Devils – a local non-profit group dedicated to improving the quality of life for Maryland breast cancer patients and their families – and the Baltimore Women’s Classic 5K, Inc. which has provided grant funding for the program.

Through partnerships with service providers, The Red Devils provides free support to referred patients that range from transportation to medical appointments and delivering meals and groceries to housecleaning, therapeutic massages and assistance with prescription drug co-payments.  The group’s proven model will be used to open up these same services to ovarian cancer patients at Mercy at no charge.

This pilot program is now underway, with the study scheduled to conclude March 31st, 2008.

“At Mercy, we treat the whole person, not simply the illness. Cancer patients face a considerable challenge that does not end after surgery and chemotherapy. People dealing with this illness need assistance with the day to day necessities of life—picking up groceries, making meals, caring for the home and so forth. The Red Devils has a tremendous network of services that they have developed to assist those with breast cancer, including patients right here at Mercy’s Hoffberger Breast Center. We are now utilizing this proven system of services to help women fighting ovarian cancer as well,” Dr. Rosenshein said.

“The Baltimore Women’s Classic 5 K has a long and storied history dating back to 1976 and is America’s second oldest women’s race.  The race is intended to celebrate life, fitness and the power that lies inside each woman to take control of her health. All race proceeds support women's causes.  By funding this pilot program, we are supporting an initiative where 100 percent of the monies directly benefit those in need,” said Tom Amatucci, race director.

“Considerable strides have been made in the treatment of ovarian cancer resulting in better life expectancies, thanks to the medical expertise of doctors such as the talented team here at Mercy. While we remain committed to our original mission of providing a support system for breast cancer patients, it made great sense to use our program as a model for ovarian cancer patients, a group long championed by the Baltimore Women’s Classic 5 K, which has made this pilot program possible,” said The Red Devils Executive Director Jan Wilson.

The Red Devils is a Baltimore-based 501 (c) 3 charity founded five years ago by family and friends of two young women – Jessica Cowling and Ginny Schardt – who refused to be defined by breast cancer. The two met during treatment and died just months apart in 2002.  Funds come from individual and corporate donations as well as grants. The group’s biggest fundraiser is the annual Red Devils Heart and Sole Stroll, next slated for Sunday, June 8 at Centennial Park in Columbia, MD. For more information, visit www.the-red-devils.org.

The Baltimore Women’s Classic 5 K is a 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to promoting fitness and healthy living among all women while increasing awareness of women's health issues. The race’s guiding principle is the belief that athletic accomplishments are measured by healthy attitudes and by each woman reaching her own personal goals; not only by the quickest runners and winning race times. The race promotes a healthy spirit in our community where runners, volunteers and race organizers help women of all ages and abilities take strong steps toward a healthier lifestyle. This year’s race is scheduled for Sunday, June 22.  For more information, visit www.baltimorewomensclassic.com.