national comprehensive cancer network

When “bagging it” means saving lives.

If you or a loved one has ever been treated for cancer, chances are that the oncologist used guidelines developed by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), a consortium of the nation’s top cancer centers.

In support of that broader mission, we helped NCCN brand and promote a campaign designed to prevent a rare but lethal medical error. Our Just Bag It campaign made clear how to handle the chemotherapy drug vincristine: lethal when administered by spinal injection, but safe when diluted and delivered via a 50ml mini-IV drip bag. NCCN CEO Robert W. Carlson, MD had cared for a patient, Christopher Wibeto, after this mistake was made at another hospital. He watched, distraught, as Christopher’s condition deteriorated and he died. When Dr. Carlson became CEO of NCCN, he vowed to take action to prevent future errors.

what we did

Media relations
Messaging
Campaign communications + branding
Strategic communications
Planning
Web content
Video

Screenshot of article from The Philadelphia Inquirer titled "Cancer network campaigns to prevent deadly chemotherapy error"
Screenshot of article from Healio News titled "NCCN launches 'Just Bag It' campaign to prevent deadly medical error in vincristine administration"
Screenshot of article from Oncology Nursing News titled "NCCN's Just Bag It Campaign Seeks to Eliminate Fatal Vincristine Errors"
Screenshot of article from The Cancer Letter titled "NCCN "Just Bag It!" campaign shoots for 100 new adopters by end of conference"
“It’s really important that we realize that these avoidable medical errors are not just a statistic. What is important about them is that they impact people in a very strong and negative way.”

robert w. carlson, m.d.

CEO, NCCN
From Healio.com: “NCCN launches ‘Just Bag It’ campaign to prevent deadly medical error in vincristine administration”

medical education hits home

To provide professionals with fuller instruction, we created a video demonstration of safe practice, and press materials. We also organized a news conference with an affected family. To extend buy-in and reach, we partnered with the Institute for Safe Medication Practices and NCCN’s member centers.
Speakers sharing their stories at an event for "Just bag it!"
“We are proud and honored to be part of this campaign. If it saves even one life, Christopher’s death will have made a difference.”

debra wibeto

Christopher’s Mother

NCCN met its goal of

institutions

signing onto the safety protocols.

In

the FDA convinced Pfizer to change its labeling to prevent the error.

"Just Bag It!" logo