THE THANC FOUNDATION INC

Form 990, Part III, Line 4a Program Service Accomplishments:The THANC Foundation carries out research related to head and neck and thyroid cancer; provides education for both the physicians who treat these patients as well as patients and their caregivers, and also provides patient support materials via online resources. The various programs which the organization focused on in 2023 are TIRO (Thyroid International Recommendations Online), the THANC (Thyroid, Head and Neck Cancer) Guide,and a mentoring and clinical research initiative led by a team of Research Associates under the direction of Medical Advisor Dr. Mark Urken. The research conducted within the various programs of the THANC Foundation is designed to result in studies with statistical significance regarding the effect of cancer therapies so treatments can be tailored to improve clinical outcomes for patients to enhance quality of life. The THANC Foundation has also developed a comprehensive website to help head and neck cancer patients and their caregivers and family members deal with the early stages following the diagnosis of head and neck cancer as well as thyroid cancer. This initial diagnosis period is typically fraught with tremendous anxiety and uncertainty. The website has been continually updated and in 2023 we have continuedto add written and video content on the head and neck and thyroid cancer journey in addition to simplifying and updating the language of the website. The site currently contains many pages of expert written content in laymans terms and is used by over 75,000 unique visitors globally each month. The website also provides suggestions for how to manage the emotional and psychological aspects of a cancer diagnosis and treatment and how to talk to younger family members about these cancers and their treatments. It also contains videos of patients sharing their stories. This gives a keen awareness of the upheaval these diseases have on the family unit and provides much needed support so patients realize they are not alone and that others before them have successfully navigated this difficult journey. The website also includes information for children and teens, with stories and games to reach this younger audience. In 2020 THANC developed TIRO (Thyroid International Recommendations Online) which is a tool designed to compare and contrast trusted clinical practice guidelines in the management of thyroid cancer. Areas of concordance and discordance are highlighted. In areas where discordance exists, educational content is referenced and a weekly education session for all thyroid cancer providers was started during the first week of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and has continued to the present day with over 200 sessions to date. These sessions are recorded,referenced in TIRO and available to educate physicians at a time convenient to them. THANC runs awareness campaigns twice per year in which 30 stories are shared in the 30 days of April (oral/head and neck cancer awareness month) and September (Thyroid cancer awareness month.) These stories are shared on social media and bring new users to the resources THANC has created.Finally, the education portion of THANC's mission serves to participate in the funding of training for one head and neck oncologic and reconstructive head and neck and thyroid cancer surgeon each year. Funds provide educational opportunities for the fellow as well as a travel stipend to present at local, regional and national meetings and covers the administrative costs associated with this fellowship. In addition the fellow helps to mentor the team of research associates employed by the foundation who are instrumental in carrying out the programmatic initiatives THANC accomplishes each year while also providing invaluable education to these recent college graduates prior to their application to and acceptance to medical school.