TIDINGS OF JOY 

In the spirit of the holiday season, I’d like to wish joy, peace and good heath to all, and a special wish for a healthy New Year to all our friends and loved ones fighting cancer.  May 2009 be a transformative year for us all, in which we find new methods to treat and beat cancer.  

Let’s also look forward to welcoming a new President to lead us forward, to a new course of strength and pride in our country and new solutions to building a better America.

MEMORIAL HOSPITAL LIGHTS UP THE NIGHT

On Oct. 3, 2008 Memorial Hospital celebrated “Reflections of Light,” a fundraising event to benefit the Cancer Center.  Almost 1,000 survivors, friends and family gathered to light luminaria in honor or in memory of loved ones who have been affected by cancer.  The event raised $17,000, which will be used to buy new infusion chairs for the Infusion Center.

MEMORIAL HOSPITAL GOES COLD TURKEY

As of Nov. 20, 2008, Memorial Hospital is going tobacco-free!  The entire campus will implement a no-smoking policy with the message “We care about your health.”  Citing tobacco as the “single most preventable cause of premature death in the US,” the hospital cites this step as part of their “continuous efforts to improve community health and enhance the quality of care” for their patients.  The policy will apply to all areas of the main Pawtucket campus as well as their affiliates, and will be enforced outdoors as well.  Designated smoking areas will be discontinued, and everyone will breathe easier.  To your good health! 

BREAST CANCER LECTURE AT WOMEN & INFANTS

On Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 5:30 PM Dr. Doreen Wiggins, co-director of the Center for Sexuality, Intimacy and Infertility, will present a lecture, “Breast Cancer Survivorship,” at the Breast Health Center.  Call 401-274-1122 x7263 to RSVP.

RI HOSPITAL TO OFFER EVENING OF GASTROINTESTINAL CANCER EDUCATION

Let’s get smart about dealing with cancer!  On Thursday, Nov. 6 at 6:00 PM Rhode Island Hospital’s “Avenues of Healing” program will offer three presentations on gastrointestinal (digestive) cancer:

“Prevention Through Nutrition” by Mary M. Flynn, PhD;         
“The Significance of Screening” by Victor E. Pricolo, MD; and    
“The Latest Treatments” by Howard P. Safran, MD.

“Avenues of Healing” is an ongoing educational program sponsored by the hospital.  It’s free and open to the public.  Refreshments, resource booths and health screenings are offered.  Free parking is available.  For more information visit www.lifespan.org/calendar and click on Upcoming Events, or call 401-444-4800.   

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and pink ribbon events are in full swing throughout the area! 

Saturday, Oct. 11:  Congratulations to the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation for a successful “Flames of Hope: A Celebration of Life at Waterfire” event, featuring lighting of the RI State House in pink and a Torch Parade of cancer survivors and supporters.  For more information about breast cancer contact them at 401-861-HERO or www.gloriagemma.org.

INVITATIONAL AT FOXWOODS A WINNER 

At the 2008 DECOF INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT & GALA held at Foxwoods’ Lake of Isles and MGM Grand on August 24-25, everyone was a winner!  The “Evening at MGM Grand” Gala had a turnout of over 200 guests, who enjoyed an exciting evening of fine dining, dancing to the beat of “Brass Attack” and bidding on amazing trips, memorabilia and bling at the Gala Auctions.  Providence restaurateur Bob Burke of Pot au Feu and Federal Reserve was the guest Auctioneer; Foundation founder Leonard Decof spoke of his passion to help cancer patients have a better treatment experience.  Miriam Hospital President Dr. Kathleen Hittner spoke of the improvements the Decof Foundation has made to the Adele R. Decof Comprehensive Cancer Center at The Miriam Hospital, including funding their first digital mammography machine.

Latest Advances Reported from American Society of Clinical Oncology Conference

Now in Chicago for their annual meeting, the American Society of Clinical Oncology is reporting promising advances in several areas of cancer treatment.  Highlights include: 

STUDIES ADVANCE EMERGING FIELD OF “PERSONALIZED MEDICINE” 

New studies in the field of pharmacogenomics pinpoint molecular characteristics that may explain how patients respond to cancer drugs, and identify new molecular diagnostic tools for cancer. The studies were released today at a press briefing at the 44th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
 

COMING SOON:  National Cancer Survivors Day!

National Cancer Survivors Day is an annual, worldwide Celebration of Life that is held in hundreds of communities throughout the United States, Canada, and other participating countries.    A number of local hospitals have special events scheduled to celebrate cancer survivors and their families, friends and supporters.

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Rep. Thomas Slater, a cancer survivor, and Susan Gemma of the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation will be the featured speakers at the Cancer Survivors Day event hosted by the Adele R. Decof Cancer Center at Roger Williams Medical Center. The free event at the Rhode Island Convention Center is open to all cancer survivors and their loved ones. It includes free parking and lunch, as well as inspirational talks, activities, and therapies.

Thoughts on Ted Kennedy’s Cancer Diagnosis

My thoughts and best wishes go out to Ted Kennedy and family as they deal with this latest setback.  Aside from his personal battle, which will be a difficult one, I see a silver lining in this cloud.  Because I know that Ted will gather the best and the brightest doctors around him, and will seek out the most cutting-edge treatment available to fight his cancer.