Free Event: Cancer Survivor Celebration

Saturday June 4, 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Indian Summer Golf & Country Club, Olympia
A continental breakfast and lunch will be served.

If you currently have cancer or had it in the past, you and a guest are invited to attend our Cancer Survivor Celebration. This free event will feature a keynote speaker as well as informative sessions about nutrition, legal issues and cancer, emotional ajustment, communicating with providers and more.

To register, call 360.493.7768.

Registration is required and space is limited.
Please RSVP by Friday, May 27.  

Have you just completed active cancer treatment?

I am thrilled to announce the launch of our spring Cancer Transitions Program© funded with the grant we won from LIVESTRONG (Lance Armstrong Foundation). We are one of only three programs awarded funding in Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska and Hawaii!

See attached flier for details and check out the blog entry I wrote about the program when I was in Austin for training last month.

This is a free six-week program (May 4, 11, 18, 25 and June 1 & 8) with a one month booster session July 6.

We will meet from 6-8:30 p.m. on the Providence St. Peter Hospital campus. Dinner will be served.

The program will feature support groups, education and individualized exercise, and address nutrition, medical management and quality of life issues. Participants will receive practical tools and resources to create a personal action plan for survivorship.

Additionally, thanks to a partnership with South Sound YMCA, facilitators trained to work with cancer patients will direct the exercise segment.

Please forward this information to anyone you know who has completed active cancer treatment and is looking for tools and resources to successfully transition to the next phase of survivorship.

For more information, e-mail me at cobwhitten@yahoo.com, or to pre-register for the series, call 360.493.7768. Click here to download a copy of the flier.

You might also like:

• Cancer Transitions: Moving Beyond Treatment (LIVESTRONGBlog)
• Look Good...Feel Better
• Cancer and pain: It's okay to ask for help

Celebrating 1,000 visitors! Free recipe and giveaway!

Can you believe this weather?! The National Weather Service is calling it "a parade of Pacific storms".

It's about this time of year when us Pacific Northwesterners start to get antsy for some (any!) sun. While we can't bring that to you, we can share this great new recipe from Libby, our recently certified Oncology Nutrition Registered Dietician. And ... because we're excited that today we reached 1,000 visitors to our blog we'll be giving away a 17-piece Magic Bullet Express and a $25 gift card to Ralph's Thriftway.

To enter to win, all you have to do is comment on this post and share your favorite tropical fruit. We'll randomly pick the winner next Friday, March 18.

Ingredients

• 1 cup frozen mango chunks
• ½ cup well-cooked carrots
• ½ medium banana
• 1 cup Greek-style yogurt (plain) with active & live cultures
• ½ cup milk or alternative dairy beverage
• 1 tablespoon of honey, blue agave nectar or maple syrup

Mix all ingredients and blend until smooth.

Nutrition information
Makes 2, 8oz servings.
When made with nonfat yogurt and nonfat milk (or other milk) this provides 200 calories, 12 grams protein per serving.
If you need to gain weight, make with whole milk yogurt and whole milk to increase calories to 325 calories, 12 grams protein. Calories and protein can be increased further by adding 3 tablespoons of skim milk powder (90 calories, 9 grams protein).

Blended smoothie can be kept in sealed container for 24 hours. Provides good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, calcium, protein and probiotics.

Someone in your financial corner

A 2009 study by the Association of Oncology Social Work surveyed 169 cancer patients, 131 caregivers and 153 oncology social workers to help make sense of just how financial stress affects a patient's compliance to their treatment plan. Source.

The results were shocking. According to the survey:

• 66% of patients with major financial challenges suffer depression or anxiety
• 29% of patients delay filling their prescription because of financial concerns
• 22% skip their medication doses because they worry about the costs of getting more

At Providence Regional Cancer System we want you to concentrate on your treatment, not how much your care is costing.

Meet John Hylton, just one of the many resources PRCS offers to help you handle your financial issues.

Tip: If the video isn't playing click here to view >>

Are there certain foods I should eat or avoid?

Those newly diagnosed with cancer often ask: "Are there certain foods I should eat or avoid?" Providence Integrative Cancer Care is pleased to offer a class to address the nutritional needs of the person going through cancer treatment.

There can be many nutritional obstacles for a person with cancer, including loss of appetite, nausea and alterations in taste. Some specific topics covered will be:

• how to track your weight
• review of high and low fiber foods
• foods high in protein
• soft foods
• how to read food labels and recipes
• and much more!

This free informational class can provide nutritional tips to get your system through this challenging time.

Family members and caregivers are welcome.

This class will be taught by Libby Mullins, RD, CSO, CD

For the past 10 years, Libby has practiced as a registered dietitian, providing medical nutrition therapy in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. In 2010, she became a Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition through the American Dietetic Association. Since 2006, she has been employed as a clinical dietitian with Providence St. Peter Hospital.

Time: Fourth Wednesday of the month from 3-4:30 p.m.
Location: Providence Regional Cancer System, Lacey office Click here for directions >>
Price: This class is offered at no charge. Family and caregivers welcome!
To register: Call 360.754.3934, ext. 1083 or 1.800.883.8990, ext. 1083