Supportive Legal Services for People Diagnosed with Cancer in New York
New York City-based corporate attorney Dyan Gershman provides US and non-US companies with legal advice and support in matters such as mergers and acquisitions, technology and intellectual property licensing, and corporate governance. A member of the New York City Bar Association, Dyan Gershman supports the association’s nonprofit arm, the City Bar Fund. This fund helps people in need through initiatives like the City Bar Justice Center.
The City Bar Justice Center has a mission to promote access to justice for New York residents who are facing socioeconomic challenges such as poverty. One of the programs the center runs is the Cancer Advocacy Project, which provides supportive legal services to people diagnosed with cancer as well as cancer survivors.
A cancer diagnosis will take a heavy toll on most people. While seeking treatment, patients have to navigate the complex US healthcare system. Outside of that, they have to prepare for an uncertain future.
The Cancer Advocacy Project exists to lighten their burdens. It matches volunteer attorneys with patients to help them on matters such as preparing life-planning documents. These include a power of attorney and a will. A power of attorney is a legal document that grants a person authority to act on behalf of a patient who is incapacitated, making health and financial decisions on their behalf. A will is a legal document outlining how a person wishes to have their assets distributed upon death.
Besides preparing such documents, the volunteer attorneys also help patients challenge unjust coverage decisions by health insurance companies. Further, for patients who beat cancer but face discrimination when re-entering the workforce or have difficulties paying medical debt, the volunteer attorneys counsel them on their legal rights.
