Meet our patient panel

The patient panel is a new addition to this year's 2nd annual Cancer Survivor Celebration. Five cancer survivors will share their experience, and have a group discussion about important patient topics including challenges and strategies for coping.

Meet our patient panel:


Sherrie Boutwell, Olympia
Breast Cancer, completed chemotherapy on April 18, 2012
Favorite Quote: “Storms make trees take deeper roots,” anonymous.

 
Jim Kiefert, Olympia
Prostate Cancer, dealing with this disease for 22-and-a-half years.
Favorite quote: “I may have cancer, but cancer does not have me,” anonymous.

 
 David Baughan, Olympia
Colon Cancer, diagnosed in 2008 and currently receiving chemotherapy for a recurrence.
Favorite quote: "This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. Our own brain, our own heart, is our temple. The philosophy is kindness," the Dali Lama.


 
Sue Holman, Olympia
Ovarian cancer, diagnosed July 2010 and completed treatment February 2011.
Favorite quote: “With a new day comes new strength and new thoughts," Eleanor Roosevelt.

Richard Vanderbosch, Shelton (originally from California)
Lung Cancer, diagnosed July 2011 and currently in maintenance phase.
Favorite quote: “Don’t burn any daylight,” John Wayne.

Professor, researcher, 26-year cancer survivor

Dr. Brad Zebrack is Associate Professor at the University of Michigan, School of Social Work, where he teaches and conducts research on cancer survivorship and quality of life. His professional interest in cancer research comes from personal experience.

Brad is a 26-year survivor of Hodgkin’s disease, diagnosed in 1985 at the age of 25. He will share his story as part of the keynote presentation, “Cancer Survivorship and Quality of Life: Shaken, Stirred, Movin’ On,” at Providence Regional Cancer System’s 2^nd annual Survivor Celebration.

He is especially interested in the impact of cancer on teens and young adults, and his research has been funded over the past thirteen years by the National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, Lymphoma Research Foundation, Lance Armstrong Foundation, and HopeLab, Inc.

We are very fortunate and excited to have Brad join us on June 2! Won’t you come, too? Register>>

2nd Annual Cancer Survivor Celebration

Join us! If you currently have cancer or had it in the past, you and a guest are invited to attend our second annual cancer survivor celebration. This free event will feature a keynote speaker plus informative presentations about wellness, survivorship and more. Breakfast and lunch included.

2^nd annual Cancer Survivor Celebration
June 2, 2012, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Heritage Room, 604 Water Street, Olympia
Register>>

Keynote Speaker: Cancer Survivorship and Quality FOR Life: Shaken, Stirred, Movin’ On! - Brad Zebrack, PhD, MSW, MPH

Presentations and speakers

• What’s New in Diagnosis and Treatment - medical oncologist Jim Lechner, MD; radiation oncologist Jim Raymond, MD; pathologist Rich Whitten, MD
• Natural Therapies for Post-Chemo and Radiation Symptoms - Chad Aschtgen, ND, FABNO
• Family conversations about legal concerns - Jonathan Sprouffske, JD
• Living Well with Cancer – palliative care physician Gregg Vandekieft, MD; psycho-oncologist Cobie Whitten, PhD
• New! Patient Panel 

New support group for people with cancer

A diagnosis of cancer is life-transforming. It can make you feel frightened and isolated. Enhancing Life through the Cancer Journey is a new support group for people with all types of cancer.

“This support group will be a safe place to talk about those feelings that may be difficult to discuss with family and friends,” says Cobie Whitten, PhD, psycho-oncologist and a facilitator of the support group. “Sharing your journey with other cancer patients at a meaningful level has been proven to decrease anxiety and depression while maximizing quality of life.”

Beginning this summer, the group will meet twice each month on Thursdays, 6-8:30 p.m. in the lobby of Providence Regional Cancer System located at 4525 Third Ave. SE, Suite 200 in Lacey.

Space is limited and registration is required. To register or for more information, contact Cobie Whitten, PhD, at 360.789.7576 or cobwhitten@yahoo.com.

Providence Experts Featured: Palliative Care and Wellness

Providence’s own Gregg Vandekieft, MD and Cobie Whitten, PhD have presented “An Unlikely Union - Palliative Care and Wellness at the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine annual conference in Denver last week.

This discussion about chronic illness care and cancer survivorship will also be featured at the upcoming Providence Cancer Survivor Celebration on June 2 in Olympia, stay tuned for details. If you'd like to be e-mailed when the invitations are done please send your information to provcancer(at)providence.org. 

To read the blog in it's entirety, click here >>