Cancer Survivors Invited to Share ’The Power of Hope’ at 19th Annual Patient and Caregiver Conference

Vince Papale knows how important hope is. It served him well when he tried out for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1976 and became the oldest rookie in the history of the NFL. It took on stronger meaning when he was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2002.

Now a five-year survivor, he’ll be sharing his story with participants at Anderson Network’s 19th annual Living Fully With and Beyond Cancer Patient and Caregiver Conference, Sept. 6-8, at the Houston Marriott Westchase.

With the theme, “The Power of Hope,” this annual event, offered by The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, includes a sampling of complementary and integrative modalities; 18 breakout sessions on issues pertinent to cancer patients and caregivers; and two new panels - one for those in active treatment, the other for those dealing with aspects of survivorship.

For the second year, this conference is held in conjunction with the Beth Sanders Moore Young Breast Cancer Survivors’ Program, which will offer a panel of oncologists, nurses and patient advocates to discuss the myriad challenges these young women face.

The traditional medical panel, offering updates on the latest in cancer research, will be led by John Mendelsohn, M.D., president of M. D. Anderson. This year’s topics will include nanotechnology and metastasis.

Closing keynote speaker Julie Silver, M.D., is a young breast cancer survivor, assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and author of several books on healing.

Besides being filled with a wealth of health information, the conference has plenty of fun events: a Thursday night mixer and a Friday evening banquet with comedienne Jeanne Robertson, a former Miss North Carolina.

Thanks to M. D. Anderson, corporate sponsors and individual donors, the cost is $75 per person for the full conference, $50 for Saturday only. This includes all meals, activities and self-parking.

The conference is open to all cancer patients, regardless of where treatment was received, as well as their family and friends.

For more information or to register, call 713-792-2553, toll-free 800-345-6324, or register online. The Anderson Network, a patient-to-patient support organization, is a program of the Department of Volunteer Services at M. D. Anderson.