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Huffington Post Blogger Honored for Coverage of Lung Cancer

Kyle Hornyak — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:25:47 +0000

The Huffington Post blogger Rob Densen is the recipient of the 2011 Global Lung Cancer Coalition Journalism Award, for raising awareness of lung cancer. Densen was honored for his blog entry, “The Last Refrigerator,” in which he reflects on his wife’s Stage IV lung cancer diagnosis, and the lack of funding for lung cancer research.

Excerpted from “The Last Refrigerator:”

“My wife has Stage IV lung cancer. Given the arc of the disease and the quality of refrigerator design and construction, it is highly probable that this [refrigerator we purchased] will be her last refrigerator. The question is, are we also on our last washing machine, hairdryer or big screen TV?

It is unbelievably painful — but sobering and highly instructive — to look at lung cancer that way. Diagnosed with lung cancer and you’re not talking decades, but kilowatt hours.”

Lung cancer is often referred to as being a “silent killer” due to lack of awareness and patients’ reluctance to discuss their diagnosis. It is the least-funded of all major cancers, even though the mortality rate of people diagnosed with lung cancer is higher than most other cancers, and more men and women die of lung cancer than breast and prostate cancer combined.

Densen is founder and CEO of Tiller, Inc., a consulting firm based in New York City that works with major corporations to develop marketing programs for causes such as lung cancer awareness. Densen has devoted much of his blog coverage to raising awareness for lung cancer, urging more research and patient support.

Learn more about Tiller, Inc. and Rob Densen.

CancerCare is a participating member of The Global Lung Cancer Coalition. Visit the coalition’s website to learn more about early detection, treatment and supportive care.

CancerCare offers free, professional support services for anyone affected by a lung cancer diagnosis, including an upcoming Connect Education Workshop on December 14, “Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Coping with the Loss of Strength.”

To learn more about how we help people affected by lung cancer, visit our lung cancer diagnosis page or www.lungcancer.org.

[Pictured above: Huff Post Blogger and Tiller, Inc. CEO Rob Densen, with Prevent Cancer Foundation Founder and CEO Carolyn "Bo" Aldige in New York City on November 28, 2011]

Meet Our Walkers: Stories From the Lung Cancer Walk for Hope

Kyle Hornyak — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:03:12 +0000

CancerCare held its 9^th Annual Lung Cancer Walk for Hope, at the Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course in Woodbury, New York on Sunday, November 6. Meet some of the extraordinary people who turned out to walk with us and raise funds to support CancerCare‘s free, professional counseling and education services for people affected by lung cancer. Learn more about some of our extraordinary participants–and, make a donation through Dec. 31–who were among the more than 1,100 individuals and 70 teams who made our walk such a success this year. Visit the Walk for Hope website.

Meet some of our walkers:

“In June 2010, my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer,” says 15-year-old Amber Veritzan, team captain for Team Marilyn’s Fight. “This diagnosis has changed our lives forever. My mother has been blessed with a great support system of family, friends, and co-workers to help her through her journey. I have decided to walk for CancerCare to raise awareness and funds for the cause and for those who do not have the support system that my mother has.”

Team DeLo captain Cathy Buoniello shares the store of her aunt’s diagnosis: “On June 22, 2010 Aunt Pat sat in her doctor’s office and listened to him give her the worst news she could ever imagine. He told her that she had Stage 4 lung cancer and all she could think was….’how could that be?’ Cancer can hit anyone at any time. I am hoping to make a difference and help those who are affected by [cancer].”

Team DeLo

Madelyn Stein will be out to honor the memory of her aunt, Marcia Pearl, as captain of Team Marcia.

“She started going to CancerCare lung cancer support group meetings during her chemo treatments,” says Stein. “The group helped her on lots of different levels. She spoke often and highly of the organization and of many individuals in the group who helped her get through her ordeal. It was a great comfort to her and she wanted to give back. We hope that if you can’t walk with us, then maybe you can give back to CancerCare, the organization that gave so much to my Aunt Marcia.”

Essence Magazine Shares Breast Cancer Coping Tips for African-American Women

Kyle Hornyak — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:14:31 +0000

A new article in Essence magazine, “The Black Woman’s Guide to Breast Cancer,” offers tips on breast cancer prevention and screening, as well as on coping with a breast cancer diagnosis.

CancerCare Director of Education and Training Carolyn Messner, DSW is quoted in the article. She shares practical ways to support a friend who has been diagnosed, such as arranging a gift basket with some favorite pampering products.

The article appears in the October 2011 issue of Essence, on newsstands now.

CancerCare’s fact sheet, “What You Need to Know about Breast Cancer: A Guide for Newly Diagnosed African American Women,” offers more tips on coping with breast cancer. Read the fact sheet.

Learn more about CancerCare’s free services for women affected by breast cancer.

CancerCare to Honor Leading Cancer Experts at Annual Tribute

Kyle Hornyak — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:31:31 +0000

Dr. Noopur Raje, MD, director of Mass General’s Center for Multiple Myeloma, will be presented with CancerCare‘s Physician of the Year award during our annual “Tribute to Our Friends” ceremony, on October 27 at our national office in New York City.

Dr. Raje, who is also an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, has been a presenter in numerous Connect Education Workshops focused on multiple myeloma. CancerCare‘s educational workshops are one-hour live discussions with leading oncologists across the country that can be listened to over the telephone or online.

Dr. Noopur Raje, MD

Listen to Dr. Raje’s recent presentation on “Coping with the Stress of Caregiving When Your Loved One Has Multiple Myeloma.”

CancerCare will also honor Guadalupe R. Palos, DrPH with our Interdisciplinary Award. Dr. Palos’ career in oncology has included roles as a health educator, clinician in cancer prevention and detection, and researcher in symptom research.

Dr. Guadalupe R. Palos, DrPH

Listen to Dr. Palos present on “Understanding the Important Role of Adherence in the Medical Management of Cancer.”

View all of CancerCare’s upcoming Connect Education Workshops.

CancerCare will also honor the Dan Ferrante Memorial Fund Committee with the Special Fund of the Year Award. The committee was created in memory of Dan Ferrante, who died from lung cancer in 2005, with the goal of raising funds to support people facing cancer. To date, the Dan Ferrante Memorial Fund Committee has raised more than $100,000 in support of CancerCare’s free services for anyone affected by cancer.

Breast Cancer Focus of Free Connect Workshops

Kyle Hornyak — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 20:50:56 +0000

Leading experts in breast cancer treatment will answer your questions this month during three Connect Education Workshops:

“Caring for Your Bones When You Have Breast Cancer” on Friday, October 7
“Progress in the Treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer” on Thursday, October 13
“Current Perspectives on Early Stage Breast Cancer” on Friday, October 28

Listen in live by telephone or online. These workshops will also be available as podcasts.

Like all of CancerCare’s services, our Connect Education Workshops are completely free of charge — no phone charges apply. However, pre-registration is required.

Learn more about our free, professional support services for people coping with breast cancer.

Coping with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Kyle Hornyak — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 20:49:32 +0000

A new article in this month’s issue of Coping with Cancer magazine explores ways to cope with the challenges of a chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) diagnosis.

The article’s content is excerpted from CancerCare’s recently updated, three-part CML fact sheet series. The series explores topics such as:

Read the article.

World-renowned experts in treating CML recently answered listeners’ questions during CancerCare’s free Connect Education Workshop, “Living with CML: Current Perspectives on Survivorship.” Listen to a podcast of the workshop.

Learn more about CancerCare’s free, professional support services for people affected by leukemia.

Bone Health Resources for People Affected by Cancer

Kyle Hornyak — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 15:13:25 +0000

Cancer can affect bone health in many ways. Some cancers such as multiple myeloma begin in the bones, weakening them. Other cancers can metastasize (spread) to the bones. Some cancer treatments can affect bone health as well.

Visit our bone health resource page, www.bonehealthandcancer.org, to learn about how to care for your bones when you have cancer.

Our free resources on these pages include Connect Education Workshops such as “New Advances in Bone Health for People Living with Cancer” and “Caring for Your Bones When You Have Breast Cancer”, as well as publications such as “Caring for Your Bones When You Have Cancer”.

CancerCare Launches New and Improved cancercare.org

Kyle Hornyak — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 23:24:02 +0000

Today marks the launch of CancerCare’s new, completely redesigned and easily navigable website, www.cancercare.org.

The new website features enhancements such as:

Tags that allow for easier browsing of CancerCare resources and services.
Easier navigation. A sitemap at the bottom of every page provides a one-click destination to wherever the user wants to go.
A new Patients and Survivors page, where you can search for CancerCare resources by diagnosis, age, location, and whether you are currently in treatment or are a post-treatment survivor. Search results are tailored to your particular situation.
Our free publications are now available online as fast, easy-to-search web pages, accessible to everyone, no special software required.
A new support groups section that allows you to browse all of the support groups we currently offer–face-to-face, over the telephone, and online. See how and where they’re offered, and what is available for your specific situation.

Please visit www.cancercare.org to explore the site’s new design and features. And let us know what you think. Drop us a line with your comments and suggestions at website@cancercare.org.

CancerCare Social Workers Share Expertise on Coping with Cancer at AOSW’s Annual Conference

Kyle Hornyak — Fri, 13 May 2011 16:34:38 +0000

Several of CancerCare’s professional oncology social workers shared their clinical expertise with social workers from around the country during last weekend’s Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW) Annual Conference in St. Louis, MO, May 4-6.

Erin Columbus, LMSW spoke about effectively moderating support groups in an online environment.

Nicole DiMartino, MSW offered solutions for managing and coping with the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis in adolescents.

Richard R. Dickens, LCSW-R spoke about the cancer experience in older adults, and how relaxation and mind/body techniques can help people cope with the emotional and physical challenges of cancer and treatment side effects.

Carolyn Messner, DSW presented on global health issues and how to improve the sharing of knowledge and expertise with colleagues at home and abroad.

Kristy Case, LMSW presented on the importance of post-treatment care for breast cancer survivors.

“For many people, the emotional impact and stress of a cancer diagnosis doesn’t end once they’ve finished with their treatment,” noted Case. “It’s important for patients and their families to work with their health care team before their treatment ends to ensure that their emotional and practical needs are addressed and to create a smoother transition into post-treatment.”

CancerCare CEO Helen H. Miller, LCSW wrote about the importance of post-treatment care in a recent issue of Oncology Nurse Advisor magazine. Read the article.

Upcoming CancerCare Connect^® Education Workshops will address issues for patients and caregivers following the end of treatment, as part of its 9th Annual Series on Cancer Survivorship, featuring cancer experts from around the country in a live one-hour conference that can be listened to over the telephone or via live stream from CancerCare‘s website.

The next workshop, Stress Management for Caregivers: Taking Care of Yourself Physically and Emotionally, will take place Tuesday, June 14. Pre-registration for these free workshops is required. To register, and to learn more, visit www.cancercare.org/connect.

CancerCare offers specialized services for post-treatment survivors and their loved ones, including support groups, counseling, and free publications. Learn more.

NY Academy of Sciences to Host Free Seminar for Breast Cancer Patients in NYC, May 14

Kyle Hornyak — Tue, 10 May 2011 15:51:45 +0000

Coinciding with Women’s Health Awarenesss Week (May 8-14), The New York Academy of Sciences will hold a free educational event on Saturday, May 14 in New York City for people affected by breast cancer and their loved ones.

The half-day event, from 9:00 am – 12:30 pm ET at the New York Academy of Sciences in lower Manhattan, will include interactive panel discussions where leading experts in the treatment of breast cancer will answer the audience’s questions. Also featured are keynote speakers, oncologist Dr. Francis P. Arena, MD and art historian Tanya Manuali Bastianich, co-authors of Reflections of the Breast: Breast Cancer in Art through the Ages (2010, Ibooks, Inc.). Learn more and register.

Learn more about CancerCare‘s specialized, free services for women, caregivers, and family members affected by breast cancer and gynecological cancers.