Delays in cancer treatments can be the difference between life and death, and chief executive officer of Helping Our Patients Everywhere (HOPE), Elizabeth Paucar Harris, has called on healthcare professionals to act swiftly and compassionately when supporting patients facing a cancer diagnosis.
Speaking on Saturday at a Cancer Support Services lecture held at the Courtney Blackman Grand Salle, Central Bank of Barbados, Harris emphasised the urgent need for better communication between doctors and support networks, particularly in situations where patients cannot afford to wait months for appointments.
“Doctors, if you look at the things that are going to come, let’s talk to the doctors because we know them all. We’ve been working with them for so many years,” Harris said. “Sometimes the patient can’t wait four months for an appointment. They don’t have four months. So it’s just a matter of us getting involved and saying, ‘Doc, can you please just have them call me?’” HOPE, a global patient navigation agency that supports individuals diagnosed with cancer, is known for its virtual case management and expedited access to care in the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, and beyond. Harris noted that the organisation’s process is designed to be seamless and empathetic, ensuring patients can focus on their healing and recovery.
“The patient is already going through enough,” she said. “Our goal is for them to focus on their recovery, on their healing. That’s why we try to make this process as easy as possible.”
Harris also clarified that HOPE is not a foundation, but rather a patient navigation service that offers both pro bono and privately paid support. She explained that patients referred through Cancer Support Services in Barbados often receive assistance at no cost because of a formal partnership.
“A lot of people think we’re a foundation,” she said. “But we do have private clients as well. Anyone coming through Cancer Support Services won’t get a bill – that’s part of our giveback to the community.”
Harris highlighted the barriers faced by cancer patients, especially those seeking treatment abroad. Many, she said, arrive
in cities like Miami or Toronto expecting to receive immediate care, only to discover long wait times, high costs, and a lack of personalised guidance.
“I’ve had patients spend weeks in hotels or Airbnbs waiting, thinking they could just walk into a hospital. That’s not how it works,” she said. “That’s why people contact us – to avoid delays, costs, and unnecessary stress.”
HOPE’s process involves reviewing medical cases virtually and providing expert opinions – often free of charge – within a week. Patients are then given options, whether for immediate care, second opinions, or referrals to more cost-effective facilities, including those in Colombia and Mexico.
Harris recounted a recent case in which a patient believed her insurance policy would cover care in North America, only to discover that the policy had a US$500 000 cap – far short of the amount required.
“She didn’t know it was limited insurance,” Harris said. “They asked her for another half a million dollars as a deposit. She couldn’t do that. Within 30 minutes, we found her an excellent facility in Colombia – no deposit required, and her insurance would go a long way there.”
Throughout her talk, Harris stressed that HOPE is a resource hub that considers cultural, emotional, and financial factors – elements often overlooked in conventional healthcare systems.
“Many times, patients just need peace of mind,” she said. “Even if they don’t leave home, they can get an expert opinion from the comfort of their couch. That’s powerful.”
Harris also praised the upcoming lecture segment on “Food as Medicine,” adding that HOPE embraces a holistic approach to care, including nutrition, ethics, and emotional support. (CLM)
