Ridley-Tree Cancer Center

Patient Navigation Program

“It was overwhelming,” she said. “There’s testing, surgery, treatment, paperwork, insurance questions — and it just keeps coming.”

From the very beginning, one service made a tremendous difference: patient navigation, funded by the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara.

“My navigator reached out immediately and broke each stage down into manageable steps, providing structure and reassurance, and helping me understand what to expect along the way.”

For Angela, a single mother with family out of state, that guidance was invaluable — and it opened doors to additional resources. Her navigator connected her with counseling services, a nutritionist, and even a one-time financial grant that helped bridge the gap while she was on disability. “They made me aware of so many resources I wouldn’t have found on my own,” she said.

Perhaps most importantly, the help allowed Angela to focus on her own mental health and being present for her son. “The support I received there changed my whole experience for the better,” she said.

That coordinated care is made possible by Cancer Foundation grants that help ensure that no patient has to navigate a cancer diagnosis alone.

“A cancer diagnosis is something you can never prepare yourself for. But the services I received at Ridley-Tree Cancer Center helped me navigate the impact of the diagnosis. I felt like an active participant in my care and I can’t say enough about how grateful I am.”