August 11, 2010
Richard C. Frank, MD’s new book, Fighting Cancer with Knowledge and Hope: A Guide for Patients, Families, and Health Care Providers, is a must-read for anyone affected by cancer. A portion of proceeds from sales of the book will be donated to CancerCare, ensuring that we are able to continue providing free, professional support services to people all across the country.
Fighting Cancer inspires patients to feel in control at a time when they may feel powerless. The many topics the book discusses include:
• What cancer is and how it spreads
• How to reconcile emotional needs alongside medical treatment
• Why particular treatment strategies are chosen and how they work
• How patients can visualize treatments at work in the body and why this is helpful
You can order a copy of the book here, or through Amazon.com.
We also encourage you to visit Dr. Frank’s Fighting Cancer blog.
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Caregiving, Coping with Cancer, Mind-Body-Spirit, Support CancerCare | Tagged: cancer patients, caregivers, coping, psychological impact of cancer | 
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Posted by Kyle Hornyak
July 23, 2010
A recent article in Cure Magazine highlights how some people with metastatic cancer have benefited by “hitchhiking,” meaning when one treatment stops working, they can move on to the next.
When Suzanne Lindley was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and informed she had six months to live, she and her family moved to the country, where she’d always dreamed of living. Twelve years later, Suzanne leads an amazingly active life, traveling all around the country as a colorectal cancer advocate.
She credits her current quality of life to hitchhiking treatments, as well as to her CancerCare social worker Keith Lyons, who provided her with essential support and motivation through individual counseling and a support group. “[Keith] said I could see cancer as a death sentence or I could celebrate the fact that I was very much alive and experience now,” Suzanne recalls.
The complete article is available here.
CancerCare offers online, telephone and face-to-face support groups that connect you with people who are in a similar situation. All support groups are free and led by professional oncology social workers who are experienced with cancer-related issues and concerns.
Leave a Comment » | Clinical Trials, Coping with Cancer, Learn More About Your Diagnosis, Mind-Body-Spirit | Tagged: cancer information, cancer research, chemotherapy, Clinical Trials, colorectal cancer, coping | Permalink
Posted by Kyle Hornyak
April 30, 2010
CancerCare encourages young adults affected by cancer to participate in First Descents, a fantastic organization that allows young adults to participate in whitewater kayaking and other adventure sports in a safe, fun and supportive environment. The nonprofit organization, founded in 2000, is committed to connecting the young adult cancer population and providing support, encouragement and empowerment.
Week-long programs are offered in Utah, Colorado, Montana and Washington, free of charge to all participants. It is not required of participants to have any previous rafting or climbing experience, and all equipment is provided by First Descents. Medical providers are always available on-site at each program to ensure a safe experience for each individual.
First Descents Participants Kayaking in Idaho
Those accepted to the program must cover the cost of travel, although limited scholarships covering transportation are available. First Descents is still accepting applications for climbing programs in September; click here to apply. All that is required to apply is a general application form, and a physical exam form filed out by you physician.
“Young adults who have cancer are often underserved by support offerings that address concerns specific to their age,” notes CancerCare Men’s Cancer Project Coordinator Wade Iwata, LMSW. “First Descents is really a unique and worthwhile experience that keeps young adults coming back to the program year after year.”
For more information about First Descents, and to learn how you can become a volunteer or host a fundraiser, please visit the organization’s website.
Learn more about CancerCare’s free, professional support services for young adults affected by cancer.
Leave a Comment » | Mind-Body-Spirit, Young Adults | Tagged: First Descents, Young Adults | Permalink
Posted by Kyle Hornyak
April 9, 2010
Through April, The Cutting Edge Concert Series, presented by Symphony Space in New York City, explores the role that music can play in a patient’s treatment.
On Monday, April 12, CancerCare Director of Education and Training Carolyn Messner will join host Victoria Bond and composers Harold Meltzer, Sebastian Currier, Laurie San Martin, Sean Shepherd, Kristin Kuster, Jeremy Thurlow and Anna Weesner in a discussion about the therapeutic value of music during treatment.
The event, held at Symphony Space’s Leonard Nimoy Thalia theater (Broadway at 95th St.) begins at 6:30 p.m. with the panel discussion, followed by the concert at 7:30 p.m.
“As a recent breast cancer survivor, I learned from a fellow patient the benefit of having music played when undergoing radiation treatments,” says Messner. “I requested my favorite classical music to be played. It was transformative for me, the time went quickly and the music enabled me to tolerate the treatments.”
“Many people find music to be a fabulous distraction from what is happening around them during treatment,” adds Messner, noting that most treatment centers offer patients the option of listening to music during treatment. “Patients can certainly find it soothing and relaxing, and some even prefer to dial the volume as loud as it can go in order to feel energized. Having the ability to select what they listen to and how loud they listen to it brings a sense of control, and really can completely change a person’s mood.”
Tickets are $20 ($18 for Symphony Space members); students and seniors, $15. Purchase tickets online at www.symphonyspace.org.
Leave a Comment » | Coping with Cancer, Mind-Body-Spirit, Support CancerCare | Tagged: cancer patients, cancer treatment, coping, New York City | Permalink
Posted by Kyle Hornyak
April 5, 2010
Be a Survivor—Lung Cancer Treatment Guide is an optimistic, encouraging treatment guide that details the lung cancer experience from diagnosis to recovery.
The guidebook was written by Vladimir Lange, M.D. to empower patients to seek a cure, rather than to accept defeat. “New treatments, new drugs, and earlier diagnosis make survival much more likely than it was just a few years ago,” he notes.
CancerCare Lung Cancer Program Coordinator Win Boerkel calls Be a Survivor “one of the best lung cancer patient guides I’ve seen in my 13 years of working with lung cancer patients.”
In 2009, CancerCare collaborated with leading patient advocacy groups to launch The Lung Cancer Clinical Trial Call to Action campaign, designed to help patients and their families navigate the complicated landscape of researching and identifying clinical trials. Patients can call 1-800-698-0931 to be matched with a Clinical Trial Specialist who will guide them through the entire process.
The CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation offers up to $10,000 per year in co-payment assistance for lung cancer patients in their families.
To order the guide, call 1-888-LANGE-88 (888-526-4388), or print out and fax back the order form.
Learn more about our free services for lung cancer patients and visit our sister website, www.lungcancer.org.
Leave a Comment » | Clinical Trials, Coping with Cancer, Learn More About Your Diagnosis, Mind-Body-Spirit | Tagged: cancer information, cancer patients, cancer survivors, Clinical Trials, coping, financial resources, lung cancer | Permalink
Posted by Kyle Hornyak
March 4, 2010
March is both Kidney Cancer Awareness Month and National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
The CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation provides up to $10,000 per year in co-payment assistance to eligible individuals facing renal cell carcinoma or colorectal cancer.
CancerCare has also responded to the needs of people facing kidney cancer by hosting Connect Education Workshops that offer information about research and treatment in kidney cancer and offering informative kidney cancer publications in our ever-expanding online reading room.
To learn about treatment updates for colorectal cancer, listen to our most recent Connect Education Workshop, Emerging Treatments for Colorectal Cancer: What’s New? Other Connect Education Workshops have explored colorectal cancer topics such as improved treatment options through clinical trials and updates on genetic testing for recurrence.
Additionally, this month’s Ask CancerCare column gives you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about coping with colorectal cancer.
For more resources on these cancers, visit the diagnoses pages on our website.
Leave a Comment » | Coping with Cancer, Financial Assistance, Learn More About Your Diagnosis, Mind-Body-Spirit, Support CancerCare | Tagged: cancer information, colorectal cancer, copayment assistance, coping, financial resources, kidney cancer | Permalink
Posted by Kyle Hornyak
March 3, 2010
Our friend Johnny Cathcart stopped by our offices last week to share his story with us. Johnny, a two-time brain cancer survivor, details his story in the touching and hilarious Hotpants: A Memoir.
The critically-acclaimed memoir traces Johnny’s journey from his unassuming adolescence through the struggle of his life, and ultimately examines the power of optimism, humor and hope. Hotpants: A Memoir is available for purchase through Amazon, and we encourage you to visit Johnny’s website and view his demo reel here.
To learn about the latest in brain tumor research, please register for our upcoming Connect Education Workshop Brain Tumors: Current Treatments and Hope for the Future.
Learn more about CancerCare’s free, professional support services for people with brain cancer and their loved ones.
Leave a Comment » | Coping with Cancer, Mind-Body-Spirit, Survivorship, Young Adults | Tagged: brain cancer, cancer information, cancer survivors, coping | Permalink
Posted by Kyle Hornyak
December 14, 2009
The ancient Japanese tradition of senbazuru promises that a person who folds 1000 origami cranes will be granted a wish, such as long life or recovery from illness.
Boston-based Millennium Pharmaceuticals, owned by the Japanese pharmaceutical, The Takeda Company, recently launched a website honoring the senbazuru tradition, where people facing cancer–patients, caregivers, loved ones–can express their hopes and wishes for the New Year. Each message of hope posted at the site is represented by a bird-shaped paper figurine.
Millennium Pharmaceuticals is a funder of CancerCare’s Door to Door program, which provides financial assistance to cover transportation costs for people undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma.
Leave your wish at 1000 Cranes of Hope.com (the site is free but log-in registration is required). For every wish left at the site, Millennium will make a donation to a healthcare-related charity.
1 Comment | Caregiving, Coping with Cancer, Financial Assistance, Mind-Body-Spirit | Tagged: caregivers, coping, cost of care, Door to Door program, financial resources, multiple myeloma, transportation grants | Permalink
Posted by Jeanie M. Barnett
October 23, 2009
The Young Survival Coalition and the CancerCare Young Adult Program present a special wellness night for young adult cancer survivors between the ages of 20 – 39 years. Dedicate a few hours to focusing on your well-being through yoga, connecting with other survivors, and the creative arts. Walk away from the night with exercises to continue building a healthy mind/body relationship along with the tools you need to envision a life after cancer. Light refreshments will be served!
WHEN:
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
(Yoga begins promptly at 6:00 pm)
Bring your own bath or beach towel
PROGRAM:
Vanessa Watson, RYT
Yoga Instructor, Laughing Lotus
Yoga ~ 6:00-6:45 pm
Julie Larson, LCSW
Program Director, CancerCare Young Adult Program
Reflective Discussion ~ 6:45-7:00 pm
Paisley Stowe
Creativity Counseling, Holistic Wellness & Skin Care Counseling, Licensed Esthetician & Reiki Practitioner
Creative Arts ~ 7:00-8:00 pm
LOCATION:
CancerCare Main Office
275 Seventh Avenue, 22nd Floor
(Between 25th & 26th Streets)
This program is free, but space is limited and reservations are required!
To RSVP:
Melissa Snyder – msnyder@youngsurvival.org or (646) 257-3025
OR
Julie Larson – jlarson@cancercare.org or (212) 712-6173
Leave a Comment » | Coping with Cancer, Mind-Body-Spirit, Survivorship, Young Adults | Permalink
Posted by jzahora
July 31, 2009
People with cancer who have survived at least five years are much more likely to show signs of psychological distress than people who have never been diagnosed, according to new research from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and highlighted in a recent article in MedPageToday. The research found that of those individuals in serious distress, only one-third had sought help from a mental health professional, and nearly one-fifth cited the cost of such services as an obstacle to seeking care.
CancerCare offers free individual counseling and support groups for people with cancer, and all services are provided by professional oncology social workers. These services are available in person, over the phone and online.
Leave a Comment » | Coping with Cancer, Mind-Body-Spirit, Survivorship | Tagged: depression, mental health, psychological impact of cancer, stress | Permalink
Posted by Monica Cavazos Mendez
