Sherpa (shûr´pa)
Employed as guides for expeditions. Highly-regarded as experts in their local terrain, as well as having good endurance and resilience in difficult conditions.

Sherpa is not a common organization. We are not a counseling group, support agency, or benefits advocate.

We are guides along the trail - a path we've traveled with others before. We help ask the right questions to help ensure the best care.

Sherpa offers three basic services:

	Sherpa Base Camp -- Use Sherpa as a trusted guidepost along the path. Call or come by our offices to discuss the illness, to better understand the therapy, or to learn more about your options. We'll give you the one-on-one time that doctors can't provide, with the medical knowledge support groups can't offer.
	Sherpa Guided Journey -- The critical moments of the journey are at the medical offices, during those brief encounters with the doctors and other professionals who are mapping out the path you'll take. Sherpa is there - in the office, in front of the professionals, by your side. A full 87% of cancer patients report that communication is unclear and confusing with their doctors. We understand the "foreign language" they speak, and can ask the tough questions
	Sherpa Family Outreach -- Family and friends are an important aspect of the Sherpa program. We recognize the tremendous responsibility and burden of keeping everyone informed along the journey. You want to keep them all in the loop, explain your progress, and respond to their many suggestions and questions. It can be quite a burden. Over 90% of cancer patients report feeling overwhelmed by the challenge of keeping others in the loop. That's why we also provide written updates and answer questions from friends and family You choose who to update, how often, and what they are told; we are there to minimize the energy you expend on this aspect of your journey.