Encompassing Cancer

Have you heard that we're now in Spokane? Our outreach manager, Terri, has been implementing programs and building wonderful new partnerships! One partnership is with the Community Cancer Fund, whose mission is to fundraise for organizations and nonprofits that serve the cancer patient community in the Inland Northwest. Terri shared a conversation with their Executive Director, Jon Neil, who shares how the Community Cancer Fund first got started, what their signature events are, and what they primarily focus on in the cancer arena. They then chat about the inaugural Boulevard Race, coming up on Sun. September 24th and a unique, new event happening on the San Juan Islands!

Additional Resources:

• Cancer Pathways Spokane
• Community Cancer Fund
  • The Boulevard Race

There's no way to listen to this episode and not feel all the emotions! Seattle campers and counselors share what coming to camp means to them, what their favorite activities have been, and how they have been impacted by cancer. From new friendships, to the amazing food, to the different field trips each day – there is no shortage of magic and fun to be had each summer at Camp Sparkle. Plus, tune in to learn how we implement a version of camp year-round through Sparkle Saturday's!

Additional Resources:

• Learn more about Camp Sparkle
• Media Highlights:
  • Seattle nonprofit's summer camp offers kinship for kids touched by cancer (The Seattle Times)
  • Husky basketball players pitch in at summer camp for kids impacted by cancer (King5 News)
  • Group spreads the word about free regional summer camps for kids impacted by cancer (The Spokesman - Review, Spokane)

This episode is a must listen! Lauren is joined by Rachel Becker, who is the Deputy Director for Cancer and Careers - the only non-profit in the United States solely focused on the issues that sit at the intersection of work and cancer. They talk about how to communicate with your supervisor or HR about you (or your loved ones) cancer diagnosis, how to prepare for that conversation, how to pivot away from topics you'd prefer not to discuss, how to build back confidence when returning to work, preparing your resume and interview materials, and so much more! This episode is full of many great tips and resources to check out.

Additional Resources:

• Cancer and Careers
  • Resume Review Service
  • Manager's Toolkit
  • West Coast Conference on Work and Cancer
  • Balancing Work and Caregiving Webinar (Nov. 1)

Whether you're a new listener or have been listening since the beginning, this episode is for you! Lauren tells listeners all about the programs and services we offer at Cancer Pathways and the impact we've had throughout the year so far. We've done a lot of expansion in the past year, so tune in to find out about the many ways you can get more connected and involved.

Our Programs/Services:

• Camp Sparkle
• Community Education
• Cancer Happens
• Cancer Unwrapped
• Support Groups
• Wellness + Community

For this year's Cancer Unwrapped essay writing contest, we received submissions from all 50 states, over 900 high schools, and got a total of 1,112 essays! The winners came from 19 states, with 13 writing about a loved one's diagnosis and 7 writing about their own personal diagnosis. For this episode, Lauren got to share a conversation with one of the winners, Bree. Bree talks about her grief experience, how the five stages of grief are more like 'a tornado', connecting with her mom in her final year, and the solidarity she's found with other children who have lost a parent to cancer. She then reads her essay 'Enter the Tornado' for listeners to hear (minute 13:30). Bree is such an amazing and inspiring person – this episode is a must listen!

Additional Resources:

• Cancer Unwrapped 2023 Winning Essays
• Bryce Fisher Golf Tournament

In this episode, David Raney (Cancer Pathways' Board President) gets the opportunity to share a conversation with Washington State Senator, Lynda Wilson! Senator Wilson serves Washington's 17th Legislative District, which includes eastern Vancouver and other parts of Clark County. She talks about her personal cancer diagnosis, the latest legislative session, bills she's been working on, and why cancer screening and research is so vitally important. Senator Wilson's support has played an instrumental role in helping us to expand our programs throughout Washington state.

Additional Resources:

• Sponsored Legislation:
  • Biomarker testing coverage
  • Breast exam cost sharing
  • Triple negative breast cancer
• Cancer Pathways Upcoming Events
  • Bryce Fisher Golf Tournament
  • Fashion Show and Gala

Every June, we celebrate and honor cancer survivors throughout the month and on National Cancer Survivors Day. For our first ever live episode, Lauren takes you along as she tables/exhibits at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center's Moving Beyond Cancer to Wellness annual survivorship event. She talks to four survivors – Renee, Roberta, Sam, and Annette – about what inspired them to attend, what survivorship means to them, and what their proudest accomplishment is. They also share some inspiration for other patients and survivors!

Additional Resources:

• Organizations/Exhibitors at Event:
  • Ovarian & Breast Cancer Alliance
  • Northwest Sarcoma Foundation
  • Team Survivor Northwest
  • Cancer Lifeline
  • Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
• Cancer Pathways Upcoming Event
  • Bryce Fisher Golf Tournament
  • Reuben's Brews Gratituesday

Hair loss is a common (yet sometimes misunderstood) chemotherapy-related side effect that impacts many people. Cancer Pathways' very own, Amy Wooten, shares her experience with losing her hair from chemotherapy. She talks about the pain associated with it, tips for shopping for wigs, tips for getting your head shaved, how hair can change once it grows back, cold caps, and so much more! We encourage you to check out the resources below:

Additional Resources:

• Chemotherapy and hair loss: What to expect during treatment (Mayo Clinic)
• Hair Loss and Your Cancer Treatment (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)
• Wigs for Cancer Patients (Cancer and Careers)
• Hair Donation and Wigs (Hair We Share)
• Cancer Pathways resources:
  • Bryce Fisher Golf Tournament

With Camp Sparkle on the horizon, we thought it would be the perfect time for an episode all about communicating with children! Lauren is joined by Cancer Pathways' clinical oncology social worker, Michelle Massey, as she shares tips for talking to kids about a cancer diagnosis in the family, what to expect during treatment, expectations for post-treatment, and how to address questions about death/dying. If you have a child who has been impacted by cancer, consider registering them for one of our Camp Sparkle opportunities or checking out one of our support groups below.

Additional Resources:

• Children's Books
  • Chemo Cat by Cathy Nilon
  • Butterfly Kisses and Wishes on Wings by Ellen McVicker
  • Lasting Love by Caroline Wright
• Cancer Pathways Resources
  • Camp Sparkle registration
  • Support Groups

May is Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month! With the beautiful sunny weather upon us, it's a great time to prioritize protecting our skin and brush up on our skin cancer prevention and skin check knowledge. In this episode, Lauren shares information about rates of skin cancer/melanoma, risk factors, skin cancer prevention, and how to do a monthly skin check. She also leaves listeners with a few important resources that we encourage you to check out below:

Additional Resources:

• Skin Cancer Foundation
• Melanoma Research Foundation
• American Academy of Dermatology Free Skin Checks
• Cancer Pathways' Cancer Happens program