A Fun Coastal Jersey Parrot Head Fundraiser

This afternoon, Nick and I drove down to Doolan's in Spring Lake, NJ for the Coastal Jersey Parrot Head "Colors of Cancer " Feeding Frenzy. My friend and fellow survivor Pam is Secretary of this Club. In addition to being Jimmy Buffet fans the Parrot Heads support non-profit organizations in their community. Today's event was benefiting the Cancer Institute of NJ (CINJ). Last year the Parrot Heads raised $7,500 for CINJ.

What a fun event! We sat a Pam's table with my friends and fellow survivors from CINJ's gynecological cancer support group. One of my doctors and our social worker joined us. They had a DJ plus a wonderful band, Jimmy and the Parrots, a face painter and good food. There was a silent auction & a live auction. Nick and I were won the framed Giants autographed poster.

A cartoon in the program read"Cancer took my ovaries and chemo took my hair but I'm alive that's all that counts, I'm bald and I don't care!"
How true!

Thanks Pam and all the Parrot Heads for your support of the researchers of CINJ.

Livestrong

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

Save the Dates- Ovarian Cancer Awareness Walks in NJ

Kaleidoscope of Hope Foundation will be holding 3 walkathons to raise funds for research and awareness of ovarian cancer.

September 12,2009
Morristown- Loantaka Brook Reservation

September 20
Lyndhurst - Richard De Korte Park

September 26
Avon-by-the-Sea - Boardwalk


Northern NJ NOCC and West Orange will be hosting the Mayor' 5 K Walk to Break the Silence in memory of Lisa Neibart. It will be held on October 18, 2009 at the West Orange Town Hall.

So mark your calendar and as more info and registration materials are available I will give an update.

LiveStrong
Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

Somerset Patriot Baseball Team hosting an Evening for Ovarian Cancer Awareness

The Northern NJ Chapter of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition and the Somerset Patriots Baseball Team invites you to an evening for Ovarian Cancer Awareness.

Somerset Patriots vs York Revolution
August 1, 2009
TD Bank Ball Park
1 Patriots Park , Bridgewater ,NJ 08807
Gates Open @ 6:05pm for pre-game activities
Game Time 7:05pm
Tickets $7.00 ( Regular price $9.00) includes a 10% merchandise coupon for the Patriots Gift Shop

For Tickets and Information please call:

908-755-6276 or 908-754-2371

Please come out,enjoy an evening of baseball and help raise awareness of Ovarian Cancer.


Livestrong

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!

CINJ's Cancer Survivor Day

Today was National Cancer Survivors Day. CINJ had a fun celebration at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Brunswick. The celebration was named "Welcome Aboard our SurvivorSHIP".
The "cruise director" Eddie kept people on their toes by announcing the different activities- hand massages, make-up tips, line dancing, and stress relief activities. In the atrium, sharing tables for the Center for Cancer Survivorship at CINJ, the Life program, the CINJ library, the Bridge program ,and the Social Work department provided excellent information. There were cookbooks by the CINJ nurses and special greeting cards for sale. The cards were designed by my friend Sandy( see the website below).

We entered the ball room and by each place setting was a very soft plastic CINJ ship ( see photo above.) I was asked to start off the program by calling a game of Bingo- a very traditional cruise game. Dr Robert DiPaola welcomed the group and Eric Perakslis, Chair of the Survivors Advisory Board discussed the new center. Guest speaker , Conor Cunneen talked about the importance of "gab"- goals, attitude and behavior - on our cancer journey.

Nick and I sat with the women of my gynecological cancer support group, their husbands/ partners and Julie a friend and social worker who facilitates our group. Our support group began in May of 2007. We have laughed together, cheered each other on, offered each other advice and cried together when one of our own - Sharon lost her battle with this disease. There was a photographer taking photos of survivors and their families holding a " Celebration of Life" life preserver. Our group could not pass up the opportunity to get a photo together. When we picked up the photos at the end of the event we laughed to see us pictured on a beach with palm trees in the background. Very Neat!

By the way, I decided to go to the event without a scarf, hat or wig. The hair is growing in. :o)

Livestrong
Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!

TWC-CNJ Launches Cancer Transitions - Moving Beyond Treatment " program at Survivors Day Celebration

Last night Nick and I spent time at the Bridgewater Manor ( the location of my daughter Theresa's wedding reception last year.) . It was the site of the Wellness Community of Central NJ's Survivor's Day Celebration and marked the Launch of the "Cancer Transitions - Moving Beyond Treatment" program.

"Cancer Transitions" is a free 2 1/2 hour , six-week program designed to help cancer survivors make the transition from active treatment to post-treatment care. The Wellness Community has worked closely with the Lance Armstrong Foundation for the last 3 years to create, pilot and implement this program. Sanofi-aventis US will be providing funding for the program throughout the United States. It just so happens that sanofi-aventis is located just down the road (Route 202-206) from the Wellness Community of Central NJ. We all got a taste of the program through a short introduction by four speakers.

The night also included a keynote speech by Audrey Vitolins who spoke on "Celebrating the Beat of Significance"; Mark Wood and the "Healing Power of Drums"( I love drumming) and the awarding of the Spirit of Courage Award to Deborah Rochon and Spirit of Caring Award to Florence Kelly. A number of other community groups such as NOCC, ACS, Cancer Hope Network, etc. provided information during the registration period. The night concluded with the distribution of Red roses to survivors and yellow roses to caregivers.

I have participated in Wellness Community- Central NJ gynecological cancer networking group for over 2 years now. I've also attended a number of other workshops and classes. Walking in the door of that small white building in Plukemin is like going in to your best friend's home. You always feel welcome and comfortable enough to share your joys, your concerns and your pains. Thank you to Eunice, Ellen, Karen, Patty and all your volunteers for giving us a place to do just that.

Livestrong

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!

I Am Quoted in the Home News

Last week, I was interviewed for the article "Cancer Institute Researchers Examine Needs of Cancer Survivors" in the Home News and Tribune. Dr Hudson is doing great work at CINJ. The recently established Center for Cancer Survivorship at the Cancer Institute of NJ provides clinical( adult and pediatric) , educational ,research and advocacy programs that address the unique experiences of a cancer survivor. I will write next week about this Sunday's Survivor's Day program and future activities of CCS at CINJ.

A special Thank You to Jeff Weber for bringing survivors issues to light.

LiveSTRONG

Dee
Everyday is a Blessing!

ASCO Meeting Abstracts

I've been really busy but wanted to share the ASCO ( American society of Clinical Oncologists) website with the abstracts for the 2009 conference in Orlando , Florida. There are a few interesting articles on CA-125, Avastin and results of other clinical trials.

Click on this page and then scroll down to the Ovarian Cancer link on the bottom left.

Livestrong

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!