-.
The Art of Living
L IF E B E YO N D C ANCE R
Keynote Speakers
Opening Keynote: 8:45AM
A Funny Thing Happened on My Way to Chemotherapy
In this sometimes moving, sometimes laugh-out-loud adventure through one man’s experience with multiple relapses, Dr. Dan Shapiro invites us to consider how we approach our medical teams, how we interact with other patients and our guiding priorities.
Dan Shapiro, PhD – Garner James Kline Professor of Humanities in Medicine and the Chair of the Department of Humanities at Penn State College of Medicine
Lunch Keynote: 12:30 PM
Living Well After Cancer
Many people experience significant physical and emotional challenges after completing treatment for cancer. Common themes and suggested strategies will be addressed to craft a considered and joyful life.
Hester Hill Schnipper, LICSW, BCD, OSW-C – Chief of Oncology Social Work at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and adjunct Professor at Simmons College of Social Work
Workshops I: 9:45AM – 11:00AM
A Fitness Plan for Cancer Survivors
Research reveals that regular exercise can reduce the risk of cancer and extend your life. A regular exercise program can help you recover your energy, endurance, strength and flexibility after cancer treatments. This simple program will help you learn about the components of fitness: Strength, Cardiovascular, Flexibility and Balance training. These are all necessary to design a simple take home program that is safe, effective, fun and give you a higher quality of life.
Josie Gardiner – Zumba Education Specialist Optimizing Brain Health and Cgnitive Functioning
This talk will focus on the current state of research on optimizing brain functioning in health and illness and ways to potentially minimize cognitive changes during and after cancer treatment.
Couples Surviving Cancer (and after) Together: A Seriously Funny Look at Couples
Between ages 20 and 25, Dan Shapiro, a clinical health psychologist was treated for cancer (advanced Hodgkin’s Disease). During that period, he married a nurse practitioner. Some years later, his wife developed breast cancer and required chemotherapy, surgeries, and radiation. As a result, he experienced both sides of the cancer bed. After serving as a therapist for couples facing cancer, he interviewed 40 couples from around the country about their experiences when one of them had cancer and later wrote a book, And in health, which was featured in the New York Times in May of 2013 and won a National Book Award from the Independent Book Sellers of America (gold medal) in May of 2014. This sometimes funny, sometimes serious talk explores the myriad of issues facing couples after a cancer diagnosis. Much of the talk will also be relevant for caregivers.
Dan Shapiro, PhD – Garner James Kline Professor of Humanities in Medicine and the Chair of the Department of Humanities at Penn State College of Medicine
Life After Cancer: Mind/Body Self-Care Skills to Maximize Your Health
To survivors of cancer, health is not simply the absence of illness. Survivors face all sorts of physical, psychological, social behavioral and spiritual challenges. It can be difficult to maintain optimism and resiliency. In this workshop, you will practice numerous mind/body self-care techniques that will enable you to live more fully and take a more active role in maximizing your health. Included are relaxation techniques, mindfulness, cognitive restructuring, resiliency and gratitude. You will also understand the link between stress and health and recognize your stress warning signs.
Ann Webster, PhD – Massachusetts General Hospital
The Cost of Cancer: Exploring the Financial Concerns of Diagnosis for Survivors and Caregivers
This seminar will discuss the financial ramifications of cancer and address common concerns of survivors and caregivers. The topics covered will be employment discrimination, continuing care, disability, insurability, credit and debt.
Curt Balch – Survivor and Financial Planner
Staying Connected During and After Cancer Treatment
Cancer can make you feel like you’re living on a planet all on your own. While friends and family members love you and want to support you, they often don’t know what to say or do, which can leave you feeling disconnected and disappointed. Join us with a panel and open discussion about the challenges of maintain relationships and learn some new strategies for staying connected, reconnecting or deciding to disconnect during and after cancer treatment.
Tara Shuman
Linda Maerov, LICSW and
Workshops II: 11:15AM – 12:30PM
Food vs. Pills: Supplements, Vitamins, Minerals and Herbs for Cancer Patients and Survivors
Learn all about popular vitamins and supplements to discover which may be healthy choices and those that could potentially e harmful. Find out all the latest research on nutrients from foods vs. nutrients from pills and powders to discover the best way you can support a healthy immune system.
Stacy Kennedy, MPH, RD, CSO, LON – Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Russell Kennedy, PsyD, MA – Wellness Guides
Survivorship: Where Do We Go from Here?
This workshop will address your treatment summary, survivorship and wellness plan.
Jody Pelusi, PhD - Arizona Oncology/Sedona-US Oncology
iCanSir! – The 8 Words That Saved My Life and Will Certainly Change Yours!
You’ve survived….now what? Are you ready to LIVE each day embracing the promise of your most desired and prized potential? Are you ready to seize the moment and renew, recharge and reinvigorate your efforts to dream big and live BIG? In this program, you will differentiate the things you have to do, the things you want to do, and the things you were born to do in a post-cancer mindset. Everything you accomplish from here on will depend on two things: 1) How you see your situation now and 2) How you act in response to it. Attendees will learn the “secrets” to living life without fear after cancer. You WILL be changed by your time with this single father, popular author, and energetic speaker! (Reminder: Survival begins at diagnosis and includes caregiving, too!)
George Kansas – Author and Survivor The Caregiver’s Journey
This workshop will focus on the day-to-day realities of being a caregiver for someone who has been diagnosed with cancer. It may be a spouse, partner, sibling, adult-child, parent of friend who has been diagnosed and the role of caregiver is new and unfamiliar. Learn about what this world of caregiving is all about and how to navigate it. Explore what the challenges are and how you might better understand and cope with them. There will be an opportunity for questions and discussion.
Tim Cummings, MSW, LECSW – Program Director, Cancer Support Community - Massachusetts South Shore and
Cynthia Medeiros, MSW, LICSW – Atlantic Counseling
How Do You Get Back In To The Job Market After Your Cancer Diagnosis?
You will learn how to develop a job search campaign, interviewing and networking techniques, job search tactics and trends, in addition to resume and cover letter writing.
Family Building After Cancer
Thinking about building a family after cancer can be daunting, especially when you may have to choose a nontraditional path. Panelists, each of whom have made different decisions about building their families, will share their stories and you’ll have a chance to discuss your questions, fears, concerns as well as hopes in a safe space. The goal is to leave felling more informed, supported and empowered as you explore and take next steps.
Samantha Watson, Survivor and executive Director of The SAMFund
Workshops III: 2:15PM – 3:30Pm
Survivorship: Where Do We Go from Here?
This workshop will address your treatment summary, survivorship and wellness plan.
Jody Pelusi, PhD - Arizona Oncology/Sedona-US Oncology
Eat Well Everyday: Simple Ways to Maintain a Healthy Weight During and After Cancer Treatment to Promote Survivorship
Learn simple, everyday strategies to eat a healthy diet and manage your weight with wellness. Gain insight into how and why we crave certain foods and how to change eating habits toward healthy choices in a customized way that works for you.
Stacy Kennedy, MPH, RD, CSO, LON – Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Russell Kennedy, PsyD, MA – Wellness Guides
Journaling Towards Wellness
Nothing can arouse stronger feelings in any of us than being told “You have cancer.” There is considerable research suggesting that journaling 3-4 times a week for up to six weeks about things that bother you can actually improve our immune system and reduce your stress. Bring your journal and your favorite pen and join us in learning a variety of ways to jumpstart your writing rather than just looking at a blank page. You will find you have more to write than you ever imagined. You might even walk away feeling a bit lighter, clearer and happier!
Claire Willis, LOICSW – Facing Cancer Together Speak Up! - Your Story Matters!
If you’re like many patients, survivors and caregivers you’ve experienced profound changes during and even well after your cancer experience, AND you want to share your story so that it may make the difference in the lives of others! The idea of it may inspire and frighten you at the same time. In this program you’ll joyfully learn how to share your story with confidence and impact and serve the people your story is meant to help!
Caregivers: In Their Own Words
A panel of caregivers will present what the experience of caring for someone diagnosed with cancer has been like for them. While everyone’s situation is unique there are many
commonalities and hearing the stories of others who have traveled or are traveling this road can be useful in a number of ways. The panel will be comprised of a male and female spouse or partner, a sibling, an adult-child caring for a diagnosed parent and/or a parent caring for an adult-child with cancer. This will be an interactive presentation with time for discussion and questions.
Tim Cummings, MSW, LECSW – Program Director, Cancer Support Community - Massachusetts South Shore and
Cynthia Medeiros, MSW, LICSW – Atlantic Counseling
Taking Control Again: Managing the Emotional Impact of Cancer
A diagnosis of cancer unleashes a cascade of emotions that ebb and flow long after treatment ends. The end of treatment can mark a new beginning in our attitude towards life, ourselves and those around us. At times our new sense of the world brings joy and inspires us, and at times it saddens us and fills us with fear. Managing the ups and downs of the emotional aftermath of cancer is an important skill in the quest for well-being.
In this workshop we will review the “normal” emotional consequences of a cancer experience. We will then explore the many tools available both within ourselves and in the community that can not only help in the management of this new collage of emotions, but can help harness them in the service of living a fuller, more authentic life.
Hester Hill Schnipper, LICSW, BCD, OSW-C – Chief of Oncology Social Work at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and adjunct Professor at Simmons College of Social Work
