Lurie Family Fund for the Neuro-Inclusive Oncology Care and Empowerment Program

The Neuro-Inclusive Oncology Care and Empowerment Program was developed to help Dana-Farber’s physicians and other providers treat cancer in people who have intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD). Patients with IDD and their families/caregivers have reported experiencing delays in their care and often have poorer health outcomes as compared to “neurotypical” patients. Through increased education and advocacy, the goal of this program is to address these inequities and improve cancer care for all patients with disabilities.

The team is made up of experienced, licensed social workers and other professionals from Dana-Farber’s Adult Social Work Program. Psychosocial oncology focuses on helping patients cope with emotional stress throughout all phases of cancer treatment. This unique psychosocial oncology program provides specialized care to adults with IDD, offers neuro-inclusive training to staff and providers, and promotes system improvements to make treatment as accessible as possible.

Support to launch this program was provided by the C.J.L. Charitable Foundation.