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Us TOO International is pleased that you are considering either starting a new Us TOO Chapter or affiliating your already existing group with Us TOO. Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education & Support Network is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization establish in 1990 by prostate cancer survivors to serve fellow survivors and their families. Us TOO is dedicated to communicating timely and reliable information enabling informed choices regarding detection and treatment of prostate cancer. In addition to providing education and support programs, Us TOO is an active advocate for patients. We are committed to making sure patients have access to the programs, medications, treatments, and health care professionals they need for the best possible outcomes.
Receiving the news that you or a loved one has prostate cancer is traumatizing. Life is suddenly out of control and fear takes hold. Often, feelings of helplessness, guilt, isolation and anger emerge. No one needs to face prostate cancer alone. Us TOO provides the forum for sharing, caring and learning through its many programs and services designed for both men with cancer and their loved ones.
In addition to providing education and support programs, Us TOO is an active advocate for patients. We are committed to making sure patients have access to the programs, medications, treatments and health care professionals they need for the best possible outcomes.
- Us TOO is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization providing information, peer support and educational meetings to assist men with prostate cancer and their spouses / partners in making decisions about their treatment with confidence and support.
- Us TOO was started by prostate cancer survivors in 1990 and continues to be governed by prostate cancer survivors for prostate cancer patients and survivors and their spouses / partners and family.
- Us TOO chapter meetings are free and open to newly diagnosed patients, patients currently in their treatment regimen, survivors, family members, friends and healthcare professionals interested in prostate disease.
- Us TOO strives to enhance the quality of life for all those affected by prostate cancer.
- Us TOO’s primary objective is to give participants a forum where they may compare experiences and discuss matters of interest relating to prostate cancer.
- Us TOO advocates for improved treatment options; increased funding for screening, diagnosis, treatment and research; and enhanced understanding and information of prostate cancer’s impact on the lives of men, their spouses/partners and their families.
Us TOO has over 320 Support Group Chapters Worldwide. Us TOO chapter support groups function as independent chapters, forming a network under the parent group, Us TOO International, Inc. Each chapter holds regular meetings for men living with prostate cancer and their families. The meetings provide unbiased information from experts in areas related to prostate cancer. Topics may include: surgery, radiation, medications, nutrition, and psychology. Us TOO group meetings are free and open to all men, family, friends, and health professionals interested in prostate cancer / disease.
Any man diagnosed with prostate cancer, or a member of such a man’s family or significant other, or any person involved in or interested in support or treatment of any such patients, or research directed toward prevention, detection, treatment or management of such diseases or conditions may join as an individual member of the chapter.
- Us TOO maintains the John Moenck Memorial Resource Center, a library of materials related to prostate cancer (including books, periodicals, audio/video tapes, and other educational materials). Materials are available for loan to chapter leaders, patients and spouses alike.
- Us TOO provides each chapter with monthly HotSheet newsletters to distribute at meetings, and publishes other publications and compendiums.
- Us TOO maintains a comprehensive website and free prostate cancer news e-mail services.
- Us TOO produces a Chapter Leader Newsletter which allows chapter leaders to communicate and share ideas.
- Us TOO has Regional Directors across the country and UK whose responsibility is to initiate formation of new groups as well as coordinate outreach to all existing support group chapters in his/her area to provide ongoing guidance and support.
- Chapters may use the Us TOO logo on their chapter promotional materials and newsletters.
- Us TOO will promote all chapters on their website providing chapter location, contact person name and number as well as email or web addresses, if applicable.
- There is no cost to register your group with the Us TOO network.
Chapter Program Manager – Us TOO staff dedicated to providing support for chapters. Your staff person is
Terri Gibbons. Terri can be reached at the headquarters office or via email at
terri@ustoo.org.
Board of Directors – Us TOO’s Board of Directors are fully committed to supporting chapters. The board recognizes that the chapters are the heart and sole of the organization.
Us TOO Chapter Committee – this board appointed committee’s purpose is to help identify resources to assist chapters.
Web site – The Us TOO Website has downloadable chapter resources for your use, such as a chapter poster and helpful handouts for chapter leaders.
Chapter Leader Newsletter – includes two sections titled
Leader Hints and Chapter Leader Topics: both sections are written with the clear objective of providing immediately usable examples of how chapter leaders can improve their meetings.
- Each year complete the Chapter Information Form sent by Headquarters (see attached). This form provides us with information that will help Us TOO better serve all chapters, and is the registration form we require annually to remain an active Us TOO chapter.
In order to become a new registered chapter, you must first complete and submit the Chapter Information Form.
- Each chapter must submit the chapter’s participant mailing list to Headquarters once a year. Us TOO mailing lists will not be provided to any organization for sales or solicitation purposes.
- Have more than one person help organize and run the chapter. We recommend chapters have steering committees that consist of a chapter leader, chapter officers and a chapter advocacy contact.
When registering a new Us TOO Chapter, the person who intends to serve as the chapter leader should complete a volunteer application and participate in a phone or face to face interview with a regional director.
- Never give medical advice.
- Respect the confidentiality of those who attend a meeting.
- All financial activities of a chapter must be reported to Headquarters.
- Chapters must submit to headquarters one copy of each newsletter, meeting announcement, flyer, etc. that is distributed to the group’s membership, the media or general public.
- Once a new chapter is approved, the chapter leader will be sent a box of starter supplies including an Us TOO Chapter Manual to help with the initiation and continued management of your new Us TOO Chapter.
If you have any questions regarding the standards or guidelines for starting/registering a new Us TOO Chapter, please feel free to contact the regional director for your area or contact
Terri Gibbons at the Us TOO International office. When your group is ready to move forward, please send your volunteer application and chapter information form to the Us TOO offices. Forms can be faxed to 630 795 1602 or mailed to 5003 Fairview Ave., Downers Grove, IL 60515. We look forward to working with your group!
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