Hello Everyone & Welcome to our May 2006 Newsletter

Kicks off the first of Its City-To-City Symposiums

      On April 22nd, 2006, Susie's Cause launched its latest cutting edge program:
The Sharing, Caring, and Surviving Colon Cancer Symposium, in the Foundation's home city of Baltimore, Maryland. The turn out was terrific and the panel informative and heartfelt. Many thanks go out to all of you who participated and contributed to our day.

    Our Symposiums are geared to provide education, support, coping skills, and a venue to share stories for patients, survivors, family members and friends battling Colon or Rectal Cancer. The day's agenda consisted of topics including:

Holistic techniques for coping with Cancer, particularly laughter, to combat the depression, the anxiety, and the challenges of illness.

    Advances in oncology and treatment:
Screening, its stigmas and fears, types of screening, and prevention overall.

    Advances in laparoscopic surgery:
Approaches for ostomy/colostomy care, fears associated with having an ostomy, and ramifications/social anxieties associated with an ostomy.

The psychological challenges of oncology and coping with illness, the necessity for proper psychopharmacology along with Cancer treatment regimen and medicines.

    The Symposium concept was conceived with the assistance from one of Baltimore's leading oncologists and one of our respected board members,
Dr. Rodrigo Ehrlich. He participated in our Symposium panel along with other honored guests such as:

Lois S. Walden, RN, Dr. Howard Berg, Managing Partner of Colon Rectal Surgical Associates, Baltimore, Maryland, Dr. Juan Nogueras, Chairman Division of Surgery Cleveland Clinic, Florida, Sue Currence, BSN, RN Director of Ostomy Services, St. Josephs Medical Center, Towson, Maryland, and Dr. Lynda Mandell Psycho-Oncologist, Oncology Consulting Services, P.C, New York City, New York.

    My family and I have been touched by their support. It was an emotional experience for myself and my family to watch the patients uplifted with the kind of day my sister dreamed of.

    The Symposium circuit would not be possible without the generous contributions from our pharmaceutical partners:

AMGEN

Genetech & Ortho-Biotech, Roche, and Myriad

The Feedback from the first Sharing, Caring, and Surviving Colon Cancer Symposium has been tremendous

MYRIAD: 'You had to be here to understand the power of this event.'

ROCHE: 'This organization has the passion and determination to be the national and international voice of Colorectal Cancer; it was very inspiring to see everyone in action.'

AMGEN: 'I thought the program was a huge success. It starts with your family, what a great group of people...it is easy to see why you and the charity have been so successful. I thought the speakers were phenomenal, a great forum. Most importantly; I think the patients and their families were greatly impacted by your charity paying attention specifically to their needs and having the opportunity to discuss life with the experts.'

    Our next Symposium's are scheduled for Columbia, South Carolina and Puerto Rico where we have just introduced Susie's Cause.

    As always, I thank you for your interest in our Foundation. We are developing chapters and we would like to hear from you. Become a volunteer, start a chapter or support group in your local area, bring Save Our Parents to your local high school or college, help to create a fundraiser, help us make a difference.

    We always welcome your thoughts and encourage you while visiting our site to also visit our Blog and write about your experiences to help others to understand ... They are not alone!! Please encourage others you know to join our Newsletter and visit our site. Thank you.

Please contact me jody@coloncancerfoundation.org, to share your suggestions, inquiries, or to chat with me.

Warmest regards,

Jody