MTCCC Quarterly Newsletter

Evolution Suggestion Routing forms 17 and 18 were approved. These deleted Objectives: Treatment IV.1 and Quality of Life and Survivorship IV.1 because determining the baseline data on currently available CME for complementary therapies and patient communication does not seem feasible.
Julie Stevens is approved as AD Com Chair.
Positions still open = AD Com manager, Resources and Membership Manager
The Provider Advisory Group held its first meeting in Billings May 6
Web Ex virtual meeting platform is available for MTCCC meetings-Contact Lisa Crowley!
2010-2011 Group Workplans content finalized and approved by Steering Committee
Dr. Tom Purcell was awarded the Bette Bohlinger Award at the May 6 MTCCC Statewide Meeting
The Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan 2011-2016 Update process was off to a good start at the May 6 MTCCC Statewide meeting and continues to be on track
Four Steering Committee members (Barb, Ginny, Terry, and Kristy) attended the CCC Leadership Institute in Los Angeles in June. Useful points will be communicated to the group Chairs
The 2011 Legislative Priorities will be established by the Admin Board and reviewed by the Steering Committee. Group Chairs are to communicate policy issues to the Admin Board
Co-chair candidates are to be identified by the November MTCCC Statewide meeting

Thank you to all who work on cancer control in Montana.
Dr. Barb Lloyd, Co-chair MTCCC

Quality of Life and Surviorship Update

We are excited that our Team is growing and expanding with a sincere interest in developing and updating the Cancer Control Plan for the next 5 years. We have a diverse group that has a passion for the many events that impact our patients and cancer survivors from the point of diagnosis to taking them through survivorship until the end of their lives.

**Spring Meeting: Quality of Life and Survivorship breakout session**

We have struggled as a Team to get energy and focus - and perhaps the "right" team members whose focus is on Survivorship is now formed. We welcome all new members to our Team! Among our active participants are the following new members. Wendy Gwinner, Licensed Clinical Social Worker from Bozeman Deaconess Cancer Center, and one of our featured speakers at our Fall, 2009 MTCCC education seminar on Survivorship, brings forward expertise in working one on one with patients and developing survivorship care plans that are well integrated into their team approach for care. Karyl Blaseg from the Billings Clinic was very helpful at our Spring MTCCC meeting breakout and shared her expertise as we developed goals, objectives and strategies that will take us forward to assure the development of a focused plan. Karyl has been very ambitious on the calls, and we will continue to acknowledge her expertise in outpatient oncology as we work on cancer survivorship. Dona Oliver, another new member to our Team has been very active on our monthly conference calls, and together she and Karyl developed a statement explaining Survivorship Care Plans for our Coalition's Website. Britin Cross of the American Cancer Society is our new Team Manager, and her expertise as a liaison to our strong partner's programs of survivorship will continue to be an asset. We welcome back Becky Franks, of the Cancer Support Community in Bozeman. Becky was our recorder at the Spring MTCCC Meeting for our break-out sessions. Her expertise in the support of Quality of Life measures for cancer patients is respected and valued on our team. We welcome the experience and expertise of Karyl, Dona, and Becky in cancer survivor care planning. Other new members include Krista Meier and Alison Weber, and we thank them for their active participation as we move Quality of Life and Survivorship forward for the next 5 years!

We have many continuing members, and would like to acknowledge a few that have persevered with us along the way as our team has been forming. Of those is the work done by Donna Bosch of Home Options in Kalispell. Donna is excited about the local cancer center accreditation process for Kalispell Regional Hospital and has been actively participating on each month's calls. Last but certainly not least, we thank Lisa O'Brien, LCSW for her leadership of our team. She and Dr. Kaye Norris of the Montana Pain Initiative/ACS have been the solid anchors and think tank for our team. We all would not have "survived" without them!

We are well into Step 4 of the Cancer Control Update Plan, and look forward to our final phase of planning at our November Coalition Meeting in Helena.

Sue Warren - Chair/Cancer Control Plan Update

News From The North County

In May, the Region 9 MT Comprehensive Cancer Control Coordinator served as host to a series of presentations given by Art and Rita McDonald through their contract with the Montana Cancer Control Programs. Fran Hodgson, the director of the Blaine County Health Program, and Linda Ford, the Cancer Control Specialist, arranged the first of five presentations in Malta at the "Little White Church".

The presenters took the group through the basic facts and myths surrounding cancer, including issues of diagnosis, treatment regimens, and survivor care. Time was spent looking at issues related to the importance of early detection in the whole cycle of surviving a cancer diagnosis. Several of the participants were especially interested in aspects of prevention. One attendee even showed off his "cancer prevention" hat he made!

The next day, the crew presented a session at the Indian Health Service Hospital in Fort Belknap. The presenters used a curriculum modified from a Cancer 101 program fostered by a group from the Mayo Clinic called "The Spirit of EAGLES". This material is slanted to Native American cultures and was well received by the participants. The Fort Belknap Tribal Health and the HART, Health Actions Recruitment Team, gifted the presenters with "Spirit Buffalos" crafted by the artist, Tammy Strum. These beautiful gifts were much appreciated.

The next presentation was done at the Senior Center in Chinook. This session was well attended and the presenters were joined by Jay Schuschke, the area Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program (MTUPP) contractor. He presented facts about tobacco use, as well as resources available for dealing with tobacco addiction. Extra time was spent discussing survivorship issues as the group was composed of a number of cancer survivors.

The following morning found the crew in Havre on the Northern Montana University campus, where Mr. Schuschke presented excellent materials on the MTUPP involvement in cancer control in the Havre area.

The final presentation was made in the Lutheran Church Hall on the Rocky Boy Reservation. The primary interest of this group was on the sometimes difficult interaction between Indian Health Services and Contract Health delivery. The crew provided contacts and resources to the group, as well as connections to the regional staff that can help with finding screening resources.

It was a whirlwind trip with five presentations in three days, but the presenters were very impressed with the organization, dedication and commitment on the part of the Region 9 crew. Fran Hodgeson and Linda Ford are to be commended for an outstanding job in helping to bring the issues of cancer control to their local communities.

Rita McDonald, MTCCC Member

Using the Arts and Nature to Support Healing...

Living Art of Montana, a Missoula-based not-for-profit organization, has been active since 1993 and incorporated in 1998. The mission of Living Art is to use the arts and nature to support healing. The organization has served over 3,400 people facing illness and loss. Offering opportunities for expression and connection Living Art programs help people find positive ways to engage the challenges and changes in their lives.

Living Art's primary programs are: (1) "Cancer, Courage, and Creativity" (CCC) is an eight-week workshop offered in the fall and in the spring. CCC is for people who have or have had cancer. (2) "Creativity for Life" (CFL) is offered three Saturdays a month. CFL is for anyone facing illness or loss.

Many Living Art workshop participants carry heavy financial burdens due to their illness. Living Art is committed to making their service programs free of charge and they welcome donations to continue to make that possible.

For more information about Living Art programs: call 406.549.5329 or website www.livingartofmontana.org

Youpa Stein, MA, RDT
Living Art of Montana Director
P.O. Box 17303
Missoula, MT 59808
406-549-5329
ysteinprograms@livingartofmontana.org
www.livingartofmontana.org

Upcoming Events

The MTCCC Fall Statewide Meeting will be held November 4, 2010 from 8-5 in Helena at the Holiday Inn Downtown. The Coalition will be prioritizing CCC Plan strategies for the next year as well as finalizing the CCC Plan update process for 2011-2016. New and current members are encouraged to attend! Additional meeting details will be sent out as the date nears.