Friday, May 31, 2013

Save the Date: Florida Prostate Cancer Health Disparities Symposium

Florida Prostate Cancer Health Disparities Symposium
Developing a Research Agenda for Blacks of African Ancestry

Presented By
University of Florida & Florida A&M University

Symposium Goal
Increase NIH, DOD, and other Federal agencies’ funding targeting prostate cancer disparities in Florida.

Symposium Outcome
Multi-institutional collaborative extramural grants, including U-series, P-series, and R-series grants focused on prostate cancer disparities in Florida.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH, 2013
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA

SCIENTISTS ** SURVIVORS** PROVIDERS ** ADVOCATES
NOMINATIONS FOR MEETING INVITATION

This symposium will assemble 25 Prostate Cancer Disparity Leaders in Florida to develop a research agenda and focused multidisciplinary grants addressing prostate cancer disparities. 
It is by invitation only. Nominations for meeting invitation (including self-nominations) listing accomplishments in the area of prostate cancer disparities should be sent by May 31, 2013 to: spressey@cop.ufl.edu

Symposium Chairs
Folakemi T. Odedina, PhD(UF) & R. Renee Reams, PhD(FAMU)


Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Cyber-Seminar: Cultural Competency and LGBT Health Disparities - Identifying Barriers and Tailoring Strategies

June 18, 2013 2:00PM - 3:00PM EDT

Understanding and improving the health, safety, and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals is a growing public health concern and is a goal for Healthy People 2020.   The June National Cancer Institute (NCI) Research to Reality cyber-seminar will explore several health disparities this population faces across the cancer continuum. Join us as we feature research, programs, and resources designed to assess and address cancer health disparities facing sexual minorities.
Dr. Jose Bauermeister from the University of Michigan will share an overview of the issue and highlight outcomes from the Michigan Smoking and Sexuality study.  This cross-sectional, observational study examined the psychosocial correlates associated with female youth's smoking behaviors in Michigan. The findings are informing the development of a tailored smoking cessation program for this population.
Liz Margolies, Founder and Executive Director of the National LGBT Cancer Network will focus on the LGBT population’s access to patient-centered care.  The session will also highlight a new cultural competency booklet, “LGBT Patient-Centered Outcomes:  Cancer Survivors Teach Us How To Improve Care For All." Ms. Margolies’ will discuss how cultural competency is a key tool for closing the disparities gap in health care and her experiences implementing this training curriculum.  
The final part of the webinar will be dedicated to Q&A and discussion and will offer an opportunity to engage with the presenters, and also to share your own experiences and thoughts.
Register Now

Friday, May 24, 2013

Cancer Survivor Day is June 2, 2013: Proclamation Signed by Rick Scott, Governor

I am proud to announce that I just received the signed copy (by the governor) of the proclamation recognizing June 2, 2013 as Cancer Survivor Day!!  Please see below.

Thank you to the Goal 4 Survivorship Committee for initiating this effort and a huge thank you to ACS for championing this effort and getting the proclamation read by the governor.  A true demonstration of how collaboration and partnership can result in an amazing outcome.   I’m proud of our efforts because as Tara has stated According to the 2009 Florida Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System -a population-based health survey collecting data on individual risk behaviors and preventative health practices related to the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, 12.4 percent (approximately 1.8 million) of adult Floridians reported ever being told by a doctor, nurse, or other health professional that they had cancer.  This figure was a little higher than the proclamation but both underscore the need for honoring Florida’s cancer survivors, families and loved ones.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Webinar: Colorectal Cancer - What’s New and What’s on the Horizon

Wednesday, June 19, 2013
8-9:30pm ET / 7-8:30pm CT / 6-7:30pm MT/ 5-6:30pm PT

Every summer, the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) brings together internationally renowned cancer researchers, doctors and medical professionals to discover and discuss the latest in cancer research and patient care. This webinar will highlight the key colorectal cancer findings from the 2013 meeting and what these advances mean for you.


The webinar is presented by Dr. John Marshall, a global leader in the research and development of drugs for colon and other gastrointestinal cancers. He is Director of the Otto J Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Chief of the Division of Hematology and Oncology at Georgetown University Hospital and Associate Director for Clinical Research for Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Geriatric Symposium for Healthcare Professional - May 22nd


Please find attached a flyer for an upcoming Geriatric Symposium we are having at The Village.  We have partnered with North Florida Regional Medical Center for the 4th Annual Geriatric Symposium for Healthcare Professionals. 

Cost is only $25.00 for 6 CEU’s for Nursing, PT, OT, Pharmacy, LCSW, Respiratory Therapy, NHA and Dieticians.  (CEU’s for PT still pending).   Breakfast and lunch provided.

Space is still available – see flyer for info on how to RSVP!  

Feel free to pass on to others that may be interested.

Free Webinar: Living Beyond Breast Cancer


There will be a free webinar hosted by Living Beyond Breast Cancer on Wednesday May 15th from noon to 1 p.m., called Anxiety and Depression After Breast Cancer, with Dr. Ruth Steinman, Dept. of Psychiatry, U. of Pennsylvania. 

To register, call (610) 645-4567 or sign up at lbbc.org/Events

CEU credits are available for licensed social workers. Webinars are audio accessible by phone or computer.

Cancer Connections May 22nd at Hope Lodge


Plan to join us on Wednesday May 22nd for a presentation by
Dr. John Wingard:    Blood Cancers: What's new in Bone Marrow Transplant.

Dr. Wingard is Deputy Director for Research and the Director of the Bone Marrow Transplant Program at the University of Florida Shands Cancer Center.

We meet at noon in the Hope Lodge conference room. 

Please RSVP no later than Monday May 20th if you would like to be included in the lunch count.  The requested donation is $3;  a spread of healthful
salads and soup is served.   You are also welcome to bring a healthful dish to share, or your own lunch. 

Feel free to share this invitation with anyone having a "cancer connection" who might like to attend.

Barb Thomas

Monday, May 6, 2013

ACS Relay for Life Benefiting Hope Lodge


Attached you will find a flyer announcing the first ACS Relay for Life benefitting our own Hope Lodge! Download Flyer

Follow the easy steps to sign up as a CANCER CONNECTIONS team member!

The Relay will take place on June 25th from 5:30 to 10 p.m. at the Lodge.
It costs only $10 to be a Cancer Connections team member.
No fundraising is required, but your family and friends might wish to support your efforts.  Donations may be made directly to Hope Lodge.  Please contact:

 Lacey Duncan at lacey.duncan@cancer.org or 352-240-5052, for more information.

If you are not able to join the fun, please consider making a direct donation to benefit the Lodge and the wonderful and vital services it provides to so many patients and their caregivers.  Without these services, many cancer patients would not be able to get the best care available.

I would love for you to join the Cancer Connections Relay team! 
Don't forget to recruit your friends and family members!

See you on June 25th!

Barb Thomas
Cancer Connections Relay Team Captain