SurvivorCare

Inspiration

Our inspiration for SurvivorCare came from a deeply personal experience with a family member who faced not just the physical battle of cancer, but the emotional and psychological toll of survivorship. Even after beating the disease, there was a noticeable lack of accessible, consistent support for those navigating life post-cancer. SurvivorCare was created with the goal of providing an ongoing support system for cancer survivors, helping them track their physical health, mental state, and emotions as they transition into their new normal.

What it does

SurvivorCare is an app designed to assist cancer survivors with tracking their ongoing recovery. The app allows users to monitor their physical and cognitive health metrics over time. By using live data from an apple watch, the app is able to track important metrics such as physical activity and sleep to monitor the user's health over time. As for cognitive health, the app utilizes a memory and attention test. It is often common among survivorship patients to face cognitive decline that affects attention, working memory and reaction time. These tests ensure that the process itself is low-burden. In addition, any changes in cognitive function signals early signs of change which can provide useful context for clinicians while creating a personalized baseline reducing variability. In addition to health tracking, SurvivorCare provides a digital journal feature, where users can jot down their feelings, experiences, and challenges, with entries that are saved and accessible over time. The combination of data-driven tracking and emotional support aims to create a comprehensive tool for healing.

How we built it

The app was built using Swift, focusing on creating an intuitive, user-friendly interface for both tracking physical health and recording personal reflections. The development process included setting up a user authentication system, creating interfaces for data input, and ensuring that journal entries could be saved securely. We also integrated health-tracking features such as steps taken, energy levels, and physical symptoms tracking, using the data from Apple's HealthKit. Despite the tight timeframe, we managed to create a functioning, visually appealing user interface that captures the essence of the app’s mission.

Challenges we ran into

One of the major challenges we encountered was the transition from using React to Swift. Initially, we were planning to build the app with React, but we switched gears mid-project, which added complexity to our workflow. We had to quickly learn the ins and outs of Swift, making it difficult to troubleshoot and implement features efficiently. Additionally, we faced multiple technical challenges related to data decoding and synchronizing the journal entries with the app’s backend. Debugging and ensuring the app ran smoothly, especially under a time crunch, was another significant hurdle.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Despite the many challenges, we’re incredibly proud of what we were able to accomplish in just 24 hours. In that time, we successfully built a working app with a clean, functional user interface. We not only integrated health tracking features but also created a journaling system that saves users’ entries. The combination of a real-world need with technology, executed in such a short time, is something we’re very proud of.

What we learned

Throughout the development process, we learned the importance of adaptability and time management. Switching from React to Swift on the fly taught us the value of being flexible and tackling unfamiliar technologies head-on. We also learned the significance of thorough testing — small bugs can snowball into major setbacks, so debugging is just as important as building features. Moreover, we gained a better understanding of the unique needs of cancer survivors and how technology can be leveraged to support them. We also learned that the next time we build an IOS app, our group should do it on MacBooks.

What's next for SurvivorCare

The next steps for SurvivorCare are focused on refinement and expansion. Our primary goal is to eliminate the remaining bugs and ensure that the app provides a seamless experience for users. In the future, we aim to release the app to a wider audience, integrating more personalized features and additional support options, such as expert advice, peer groups, or professional counseling options. Ultimately, we hope SurvivorCare can become an essential tool for cancer survivors worldwide, helping them track their journey and stay supported long after treatment ends.