Boehringer Ingelheim has launched an online 'caring community' to help the carers of cancer patients coordinate offers of help from friends and family.

The German pharma company has teamed up with US charity Cancer Care to produce MyCancerCircle.net, an online tool that aims to provide caregivers with a simple, effective answer to the question “What can we do to help?”.

Kevin Lokay, Boehringer's business unit head of oncology, said: “Boehringer Ingelheim recognises that caregivers provide enormous support for their loved ones with cancer, and they too need to be supported.

“This service demonstrates Boehringer Ingelheim's goal to help support people facing cancer as well as those who care for them every day."

My Cancer Circle video (if video doesn't work, watch it on YouTube)

A free, private, customisable tool, My Cancer Circle will encourage message and photo sharing among community members, while providing access to Cancer Care's resources such as counseling services, support groups and educational workshops.

Cancer Care's CEO Helen Miller said: “We are excited to collaborate with Boehringer Ingelheim on My Cancer Circle to provide much needed support for people facing a cancer diagnosis and their families.”

Such support could take the form of managing offers of assistance with daily tasks such as cooking meals, driving to medical appointments or helping with household chores.

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