[Editor's Note: This announcement was originally published on Oct. 7.]
Over 65 cancer patients, their families, and caregivers attended the first-ever American Cancer Society Living With Cancer Conference which was held on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at the American Cancer Society Regional Center, C. Anthony and Jean Whittingham Family Building on 38 Richards Ave in Norwalk.
This year’s medical keynote speaker was Dr. Barbara Ward who started the day off speaking to the attendees about the advances in survivorship and cancer. Dr. Ward is a surgical oncologist specializing in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of breast cancer. She is currently the medical director of the Breast Center at Greenwich Hospital, which she helped establish after serving as medical director of the Yale Breast Center. She was first to introduce the sentinel node biopsy technique to Connecticut.
The special guest keynote speaker, Gina Barreca, followed Dr. Ward’s discussion speaking about the medicinal qualities of laughter during cancer treatment. Barreca is an author and professor of English and Feminist Theory at University of Connecticut Linda Gottlieb, MA, CPT, CCET ended the conference with a discussion on "Exercise is Medicine, What Every Cancer Survivor Should Know."
The Living With Cancer Conference contained a variety of breakout sessions. "The patient and caregivers were empowered to learn about meditation, reflexology, nutrition, pain management, and yoga," explained Gayle Alswanger, Director of Distinguished Giving for the American Cancer Society. Special thanks to the breakout session speakers Sophie Acheson of Westport; Susan Gold of Westport; Karen Stanley and Kathleen Sanders of Stamford Hospital.
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.
