Apr 13, 2016
UPCOMING PATIENT SUMMIT PONDERS THE ANSWER TO CANCER
Event is set for Saturday, April 23 at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel near Lloyd Center in Portland. All patients, families and caregivers are invited for free. Registration is at www.answer2cancer.org.
(Portland, Ore.) – Cancer is a team sport. That pretty much sums up what recent survivor Dianne Danowski Smith, 50, of Beaverton has learned.
“I was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer in the Fall of 2013,” she says. “It is said that no one ever sees cancer coming. I was a healthy half marathoner, at my target weight and without any family heredity of cancer. I possess not one of the indicators for not just colorectal cancer, but any kind of cancer. My diagnosis launched an odyssey unlike anything I could have ever imagined.”
The odyssey turned into a creative approach to help cancer patients never feel alone. ‘Answer2Cancer’ is a free, fun patient education event, planned by cancer patients for cancer patients, families and caregivers, scheduled for Sat., April 23 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for free.
“Patients will get first-hand help from oncologists, nurses and patient helpers and can hear about topics related to cancer, including pain and symptom management, grief/loss, survivorship, clinical trials, immuno-therapy, and tips and tools to help support them,” said Compass Oncology Medical Director and palliative care oncologist, Angela Kalisiak, M.D. Compass Oncology is the presenting sponsor.
While Portland, and all of Oregon, are the hotbeds for cutting-edge cancer research, Answer2Cancer has been created to help patients and their caregivers/ helpers overcome the challenges of treatments and learn helpful, healthful survivor strategies. “Patients and their families are welcome to come and be a part of the community for patients with all types of cancer,” notes Danowski Smith.
Also joining the day is Suleika Jouaud, Emmy-award winning New York Times Well columnist, cancer ninja and health advocate, who will share her 100-day journey and her story about hope and help.
“Attendees can empower and engage. Laugh and learn, and eat lunch,” adds Danowski-Smith. Other sponsors include Janssen Oncology/Johnson & Johnson, Project Access NOW, The Oregonian/ www.oregonlive.com, Nurse Practitioners of Oregon, Genentech, American Cancer Society, Bristol Myers Squibb, One in Four Chronic Care Collaborative, Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oregon, Skanska USA Building, Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America, Pfizer Inc., AbbVie, Lilly, Komen Oregon, Familias En Accion and AstraZeneca.
FRIEND/FOLLOW:
- @answer2cancerOR
- www.facebook.com/answer2cancerOR