getavisionPROJECT

The getavisionPROJECT mission is to inspire and motivate people living with life-threatening and critical health conditions, their caregivers, family and friends with a passion and purpose for living through use of media, events, programs, projects, and interpersonal interaction, empowering them with tools and resources to help fulfill their hopes and dreams.

The overwhelming impact of a life-threatening or critical health condition weighs heavily on those diagnosed, as well as family members, friends, and caregivers. Cancer survivors, those with HIV/AIDS and others facing critical health challenges face numerous physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and financial issues throughout their diagnosis and treatment and for the remaining years of their lives and benefit from having a deeper vision and purpose for living.

One of the key success factors in living through and with critical health challenges is a mental framework that fuels the will to live and gives momentum to push forward.  There is a need for supplementary services like those of the getavisionPROJECT complimenting public and private health initiatives.  The getavisionPROJECT seeks to take people beyond their own problems and self-interests and focus on others and new challenges.

There is an outstanding need to minimize psychosocial distress for those living with, through, and beyond cancer, HIV/AIDS and other critical health conditions, including:
* Depression
* Hopelessness
* Lack of Purpose
* Desperation
* Negative Self-Image
* Stress of increased focus on one's self and personal problems
* Loss of Friends & Personal Support System
* Physical Isolation
* Financial Crises with mounting medical bills
* Loss of energy and physical stamina
* Disorientation with being disabled
* Saturation of negative media (ie, watching too much negative news coverage and dramatic film and television programs)

Medical professionals clearly know that one's ability to overcome a serious health condition goes well beyond traditional and alternative medicines, nutrition and physical exercise.  One's state of mind and will to live may contribute to 20% or higher 
* Improve Quality of Life
* Decrease Mortality Rate
* Lower Healthcare costs (by elevating a person's disposition)

Cancer survivors, those affected by HIV/AIDS and others will greatly benefit from our collective and ongoing commitment of time, energy, and resources dedicated to preventing secondary diseases and improving quality of life. Given the importance of this health issue, its prevalence, its impact on quality of life, and the resulting costs to survivors and others in their lives, the time for action is now.  Diagnosis of cancer is a threat to a person’s physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and economic well-being. During its various stages, cancer can deprive persons diagnosed with it of their independence and can disrupt the lives of family members and other caregivers.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death among adults in the United States and affects an estimated 1 in 3 individuals, either through their own diagnosis or that of a loved one. Increasing innovations in medical technology have led to earlier diagnoses and improved treatment of most cancers, resulting in more people diagnosed with cancer surviving each year.  Although many public health initiatives address early detection, prevention, and control of cancer, public health is new to the cancer survivorship arena. 

Psychological issues associated with cancer, HIV/AIDS and other critical health conditions diagnosis and treatment includes fear, stress, depression, anger, and anxiety.  However, the effects of a serious diagnosis on an individual are not always negative. It can also provide opportunities for people to find renewed meaning in their lives, build stronger connections with loved ones, and foster a commitment to “give back” to others who go through similar experiences. After cancer diagnosis and/or treatment, survivors can continue to live active, vital lives—but they may live with the uncertainty and the fear that cancer might return. People with cancer and other illnesses may also experience difficulties in coping with pain and disability caused by either their disease or the treatment they are undergoing. Emotional impacts can include feelings of helplessness, lack of self-control, changes to self-esteem and self-image for the survivor, and added stress and anxiety for their caregivers.

Social well-being can be affected by diagnosis and treatment through the physical and psychological impacts discussed above. The physical difficulties of pain and disability may result in a decreased sense of social well-being by limiting the time survivors are able to spend with important people in their lives. Survivors also often experience increased difficulties in school or on the job, in terms of their ability to interact with friends and coworkers, because of the impact diagnosis and treatment can have on their self-image.

Spirituality can take many different forms in the lives of cancer survivors and others with critical health conditions; it can come from organized religion or from personal beliefs and faith. Some survivors struggle with spirituality as part of their cancer experience and say that their faith has been tested.  Others gain support from their faith and allow it to guide them through their experience. Surviving cancer is a complicated journey that takes its toll on the spirit as well as the body.  Some people wrestle with “why me” questions about having a major diagnosis or experience survivors’ guilt because they lived through their diagnosis while others have died. Spiritually, survivors may deal with unresolved grief, reevaluate their lives, reprioritize their goals and ambitions, and redefine “normal” for themselves. These people are often looking for guidance and strength to help them through the spiritual journey. In many cases, their spirituality helps them to understand the meaning of their health-challenging experience and embrace life with a renewed vigor and sense of purpose. They often gain strength through their faith; this strength allows them and their loved ones to answer tough questions and to face each day with love and confidence.

Economic costs incurred by those stricken with cancer, HIV and critical health conditions and their families are another important consideration. Cost implications of these health challenges include inability to access quality care, financial burdens resulting from health care costs, and income loss resulting from work limitations. Often, they have to cope with losing a job because of their employers’ preconceived notions about the impact their health will have on their work capabilities. With job changes, they may be unable to qualify for health insurance and often find it difficult to obtain life insurance after diagnosis. Family members may experience significant financial burdens while serving in the role of caretaker, especially during the end-of-life phase.

Filling a Need
The getavisionPROJECT seeks to fill a need for people facing serious health challenges.  We've found no other program with features and projected outcomes of the getavisionPROJECT, with most programs providing important information and services dealing with isolation and depression, fighting fatigue & frustration, exercise programs, stress management, problem solving, enhancing communication, and helping people to deal with other personal related issues. It is in the country’s best interest to more effectively and systematically provide public health services to cancer survivors and those living with HIV/AIDS, as the financial burden of cancer treatment alone in the USA is estimated to be at least $41 billion annually, and this dollar amount does not reflect the burden of cancer on the survivor in every other realm of life.  Organizations such as the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, APLA and Desert AIDS Project provides medical care and comprehensive support services to people living with HIV/AIDS, including counseling, home health services, legal assistance and assistance with housing, medications, food, re-employment and more. 

getavision.org