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.
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Coping with Cancer, Mind-Body-Spirit, Survivorship, Young Adults | Tagged: brain cancer, cancer information, cancer survivors, coping | 
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Posted by Kyle Hornyak
November 23, 2009
A new online resource from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) answers some important questions about seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu for cancer patients and survivors.
While cancer patients and survivors may not be at any greater risk for infection with either 2009 H1N1 flu or seasonal flu, the CDC cautions that cancer patients and survivors are at higher risk for hospitalization and potentially life-threatening complications from all types of flu.
The CDC recommends that people who have cancer or a history of cancer should receive a seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 flu shot (not the nasal spray vaccine). The seasonal flu vaccine alone is not expected to protect against 2009 H1N1 flu. Household members and caregivers of cancer patients and survivors also should be vaccinated against both types of flu.
Find out more at www.cdc.gov/cancer/flu
Leave a Comment » | Caregiving, Coping with Cancer, Survivorship | Tagged: cancer information, cancer patients, cancer survivors, caregivers | Permalink
Posted by Jeanie M. Barnett
November 18, 2009
How can I be “strong” and supportive with my spouse while continuing to cope with my own reactions to his diagnosis?…What if my child asks: “Is Mommy going to die?”…What is a healthcare proxy and living will?…How can we protect our family financially while being faced with expensive treatments for cancer?
Get answers to these and other questions in 100 Questions & Answers About Caring for Family or Friends with Cancer (2nd Ed., 2009). The book offers practical guidance for caregivers, family members and friends on how to deal with common concerns arising from a cancer diagnosis.
Co-authored by Richard T. Hara, Ph.D., MSSW, CancerCare’s director of online services, and Susannah L. Rose, MS, MSSW, the book is available from Barnes & Noble, which will donate a portion of the book sale to CancerCare when you link from our website and purchase it online.
Leave a Comment » | Caregiving, Coping with Cancer, Support CancerCare, Survivorship | 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
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Posted by jzahora
September 16, 2009
A new online program helps adult post-treatment survivors find ways to manage stress, fatigue, difficult emotions, and after-effects of cancer treatment. The program, called “Thriving and Surviving” is being conducted by the Stanford University School of Medicine in conjunction with the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii.
Participants in the program stand to benefit not just themselves, but also future cancer survivors, as the program is being evaluated for its effectiveness in teaching skills needed for day-to-day management of life after cancer.
Cancer survivors anywhere in the United States, with any level of computer experience, can sign up for this study at the Thriving and Surviving website.
Leave a Comment » | Survivorship | Tagged: cancer survivors, coping, psychological impact of cancer, research, stress | Permalink
Posted by Monica Cavazos Mendez
September 11, 2009
Teens and young adults diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma are living longer lives, according to a recent analysis of data from the National Cancer Institute that shows improvements in 5- and 10-year survival rates. This is welcome news. Yet, many young people living with cancer continue to face issues that are different from older people, such as whether or when to go back to school, pursue a career, start a relationship or have children.
These are among the concerns the oncology social workers in our Young Adult Program at CancerCare address on a daily basis. Our professional staff provides free counseling, support groups, education, financial assistance and workshops especially tailored to the issues young adults with cancer face.
You can help support our services for young adults. If you live in or are visiting the New York City area in September or October, please join us at these special events:
September 30 – October 1 
Visual Diaries: A Snapshot of the Young Adult Cancer Experience, an exhibit and artists’ reception featuring personal, “day in the life” photographs compiled by young adults living with cancer; at the West Chelsea Arts Building in Manhattan. In partnership with The Creative Center.
October 19th
Dream On, an evening of live-band karaoke where you can show off your pipes and belt one out for a cause; at The Red Lion, Manhattan.
Purchase your tickets today! Need more information? Email Julie Larson, LCSW, Director of CancerCare’s Young Adult Program.
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Posted by jzahora
August 5, 2009
When you’re facing a serious illness like cancer, finding out more information about your diagnosis can be confusing and frustrating –especially if you’re looking for it on the Internet. The web is full of medical information — the challenge is determining which sources you can rely on for accurate, current and trustworthy information, and which ones are out of date, not relevant or just plain wrong.
Cut through the confusion by going to http://www.cancer.net. The official website of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the world’s foremost organization of cancer physicians, cancer.net provides easy-to-understand, up-to-date, reliable cancer information, reviewed and approved by oncology experts.
The site provides comprehensive information about diagnoses by cancer type, treatments, survivorship issues, policy and advocacy, and much more. CancerCare Executive Director Diane Blum, MSW serves as editor-in-chief of cancer.net; watch the new video on the cancer.net homepage in which she and several of the nation’s top oncologists talk about this important resource, relied on by patients and health care providers alike.
Leave a Comment » | Coping with Cancer, Learn More About Your Diagnosis, Survivorship | Tagged: ASCO, cancer information, cancer research | Permalink
Posted by Jeanie M. Barnett
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
July 28, 2009
In a recent study highlighted in Cancer Survivors at High Risk for Psychosocial Distress, cancer survivors were more likely to experience severe psychological distress than people who were never diagnosed with cancer. In order for patients to receive the best quality of care, health care providers must be aware of the likelihood of emotional distress and connect patients with necessary support services. This was also highlighted in an Institute of Medicine report, Cancer Care for the Whole Patient: Meeting Psychosocial Health Needs.
The mission of CancerCare is to provide the support that is necessary in addition to the medical treatment, and this includes individual counseling, support groups, financial assistance, and educational materials and workshops. To learn more about these services, call 800-813-HOPE (4673) to speak with an oncology social worker.
Leave a Comment » | Coping with Cancer, Survivorship | Tagged: cancer survivors, counseling, depression, psychological impact of cancer | Permalink
Posted by jzahora
