The National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS) partners with pediatric oncology treatment centers across the country to sponsor survivorship conferences. These events help educate childhood cancer survivors on life after cancer. Experts in a number of issues facing survivors including medical professionals and their peers provide critical information to thrive throughout survivorship. The conferences provide helpful resources for survivors of all ages, their parents and professionals.
Conference attendees acquire new information on topics such as late effects from cancer and treatment; education and career needs; medical issues; long-term healthcare and healthy living practices.
“Survivorship is a lengthy endeavor which should not be gone through alone,” said Pam Gabris, NCCS Beyond the Cure coordinator. “We are proud to support programming which fortifies the lives of childhood cancer survivors so they truly have the toolkit to not only make their way through survivorship, but live their lives to the fullest. I would encourage survivors of all backgrounds attend a conference as they are guaranteed to walk away with the empowerment to manage the late effects of childhood cancer and advocate for the care they need.”
The NCCS Beyond the Cure program oversees many meaningful offerings for cancer survivors including assistance from the NCCS’ knowledgeable staff, the Beyond the Cure Ambassador Scholarship Program and the popular email thread utilized for survivors to connect with their peers. “We implement so many important programs, and out of all of them, the conferences are really a key component on how we can best assist young survivors.” Gabris shared.
The NCCS gives grants to the host hospitals to help offset the cost of the conferences and supplies. It also provides materials covering many aspects of survivorship for attendees to take home and use as a reference.
There are currently four conferences scheduled for 2018, with more being planned. Check the website for updates. The conferences scheduled to date are as follows
Survivor’s Family Education Night (LITE Night)
Friday, June 22, 2018
5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Rutgers University Inn and Conference Center
178 Ryder Lane
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Contact: Sue Stephens: 732-235-8867 or stephesu@cinj.rutgers.edu
Gold Hero Bash
Saturday, September 8, 2018
Seminar: 4:15-5:30 pm
Party: 5:30-8:00pm
Lutheran Children’s Hospital, South Lobby
7950 W. Jefferson Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46804
Contact Information: Michelle Hoffman, mahoffman@lhn.net
Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters
Cancer Survivor’s Day
Sunday, September 16, 2018
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Bayville Farms Park
Virginia Beach, VA
Contact: Karen Watkins
757-668-9475 or karen.watkins@chkd.org
757-668-9578 or whitney.stock@chkd.org
Survivorship Conference
Friday, October 19, 2018
8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
1800 Lakeside Avenue
Richmond, VA 23228
Sponsored by Children’s Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University
Contact: Dr. Madhu Gowda: 804-828-6455 or madhu.gowda@vcuhealth.org