Building Support For Black Cancer Patients

05:13

July 23, 2015

Bridgette Hempstead, 54, left, breast cancer survivor and founder of Cierra Sisters, Inc., an African-American breast cancer survivor and support organization, stands with Charity Jokonya, 41, also a breast cancer survivor, in Hempstead's home in Seattle on Thursday, June 25, 2015. (Mike Kane/KUOW)

In a letter published today, 100 of the country's leading cancer doctors criticized the striking increase in the costs of cancer drugs. Some reports say the cost of the drugs increases 12 percent annually.

While being diagnosed with cancer is costly and difficult enough, for African-Americans, the odds of surviving the disease are lower than whites.

One Seattle group is trying to change that by building community support for black cancer patients. Ruby de Luna from Here & Now contributor KUOW reports.

Read more on this story via KUOW

Reporter

Ruby de Luna, features reporter at KUOW in Seattle. She tweets @kuowruby.

This segment aired on July 23, 2015.