My Sister’s Keeper Celebrates First National ASCO Abstract Publication for Innovative Waiting Room Watchers Program
- My Sister's Keeper - Cleveland
- 23 hours ago
- 2 min read
My Sister’s Keeper is proud to announce a major milestone in the organization’s continued commitment to removing barriers to care: the publication of its first national abstract through the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), one of the most respected and influential organizations in the clinical and cancer research community.
The published abstract highlights Waiting Room Watchers, an innovative program developed by My Sister’s Keeper through a partnership with Dr. Shearwood McClelland and the NAVAH initiative. The recognition represents not only an important achievement for the organization, but also national acknowledgment of a solution designed to address a real and often overlooked challenge facing patients.
The idea began with a critical question.
Dr. McClelland identified a significant issue affecting cancer care: too many patients miss treatment appointments because of childcare barriers. Families are often forced to make impossible choices — prioritizing treatment while also ensuring their children are cared for.
The challenge posed to My Sister’s Keeper was simple:
What is the solution?
Our answer was Waiting Room Watchers.
Developed to support patients and families navigating cancer care, Waiting Room Watchers was created to help address childcare challenges that can prevent patients from attending appointments and receiving consistent treatment. The program reflects My Sister’s Keeper’s commitment to creating practical, patient-centered solutions that respond directly to community needs.
While healthcare conversations often focus on transportation, insurance access, and financial barriers, childcare challenges can have a profound impact on a patient’s ability to receive care. Waiting Room Watchers was designed to fill that gap and ensure that one more barrier does not stand in the way of treatment.
The publication of this abstract through ASCO marks an exciting moment for My Sister’s Keeper. It is a reflection of innovation, collaboration, and the power of transforming a challenge into action. More importantly, it demonstrates that community-driven solutions can gain national attention and contribute to broader conversations about improving patient care.
This achievement is more than a publication. It is proof that when organizations listen closely, partner intentionally, and respond boldly, meaningful change can happen.
Read the published ASCO abstract here: https://www.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/259852
This is our first national abstract publication — and we’re just getting started.
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