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| News From The Women's Cancer Resource Center |
July 2008 |
Greetings!
It is with great pleasure that I share with you the exciting news that Women's Cancer Resource Center is training six Latinas to bring  information back to their communities through our Comadres training program. Additional training is also being provided to our bilingual/bicultural pre-med Latina Community Health Navigators. With generous support from the Avon Foundation WCRC is currently holding a six-session training series, entitled Las Comadres Community Health Advocacy Training and CHA Program, which not only solidifies our community education and advocacy work in our current collaborations-it carries with it the promise of building our capacity to participate in outreach and education as part of a larger Community Health Advocacy network in the San Francisco Bay Area and in California.
The training series kick-off began on Thursday June 26th and Friday June 27th, when six WCRC Comadre activists began training with Dr. Carmen Ortiz, Ph.D., Executive Director of Circulo de Vida in San Francisco, the first organization founded in the Bay Area to focus on serving Latinos diagnosed with cancer. Alma Loos, our Bilingual Client Service Manager for the WCI in Contra Costa, also participated in the training and took on a leadership role in helping to translate for some of our guest speakers.
Many thanks to Dr. Carmen Ortiz, Ph.D., Dr. Marynieves Diaz-Mendez, MD of UCSF and Redes en Acción, Dr. Judith Luce, MD, Director of SF General Hospital Oncology and Co-Director of the SF General Breast Clinic/Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCSF, and Marta Borbon-Ehling, RN of Alta Bates Summit for sharing a wealth of knowledge and expertise in training our dedicated Latin@ Community Health Advocates and Survivors, and our bilingual/bicultural pre-med Latin@ Community Health Navigators. Heartfelt thanks/muchisimas gracias to our Survivor CHAs, Raquel Portugal and Ofelia Alaniz for openly sharing their unique journeys, experience and wisdom with the group. It means the world to us all!
Remember to register early for the National Latino Cancer Summit 2008, July 30th, 31st, and August 1st 2008 at the UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center in San Francisco, California! Siempre Adelante,
Joanna
Joanna Cuevas Ingram
Latina Program Coordinator, Alameda County
Women's Cancer Resource Center | |
SISTER TO SISTER RETREAT
 The 5th annual Sister to Sister retreat was held in June at the Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove, California. Ten women enjoyed a 3-night getaway in an atmosphere of learning, sharing and relaxation. Nine support group members and two facilitators are shown in this picture. Each morning after breakfast the group was led through yoga and stretching exercises and each day attended classes on a variety of topics. A session on spirituality provided the opportunity for healing, support and a sense of connectedness to self as well as to others in the group. Saturday night's pajama party was a big hit! Everyone had fun creating facials from organic raw materials, decorating flip-flops and learning to belly dance. As we prepared to leave on Sunday each woman shared what the retreat meant for her and everyone mentioned they are looking forward to next year. One person said, "Make it longer and more frequent." The Sister to Sister retreat began in 2004 after the loss of 5 members of the group. The facilitators would like to invite more women to the retreat and are hoping to find interested sponsors. Please contact Dolores Moorehead at 510.420.7900 x112 for more information on funding this rejuvenating activity. Dolores Moorehead, Client Services Manager |
| IN THE JANRAE COMMUNITY ART GALLERY AT WCRC
The "Aquarelas" watercolor show opens July 25th and the reception will be that day from 7-9 PM. Please join us for art, music and refreshments.
Dynamic watercolor paintings by: Nancy Backstrom, Julie Bernstein, RW Chave, Julie Cohn, Kat Johnson, Alan Leon, Sally Petru, Kimberly Russell, Molly Segal, Pamela Spears, Lewis Suzuki, & Jamie Traecy. |
WORKSHOPS, CLASSES & EVENTS
In addition to on-going groups (Writing for Wellness, Gentle Yoga, T'ai Chi Chih, Yarn Divas, etc.) we offer a variety of other workshops and classes. Send your contact information (postal and email address) to margo@wcrc.org to ensure that you receive a current schedule. You can also check the calendar on our website.
NEW WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
Let's Talk About It!
Creating a Healthy Body
Promoting health in the African American Community begins with eating healthy and developing a yearly screening plan.
Join the American Cancer Society and the Women's Cancer Resource Center for an informative discussion and ways to move into a healthier lifestyle.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
6:00 - 8:00 pm at WCRC
For more information and to register,
please call Dolores at 510.420.7900 x112
Cooking Club
3rd Wednesdays 6-8 pm
July 16 - Cooking with fermented soy products (tempeh, miso, natto, & tofu)
August 20 - Cooking with Asian vegetables & fruits
With Sandy Der, Chef and Certified Nutrition Consultant
Register with margo@wcrc.org or call 510-601-4040 x111.
Nutrition Series - Thursdays in July
"Miracle" Fruits - Açai, goji berries, mangosteen, noni, pomegranate & more
Thursday July 17, 6:30 - 8 PM
Healing Mushrooms & Fungus (Shiitake, maitake, reishi & kombucha)
Thursday July 24, 6:30 - 8 PM
Everything you wanted to know about soy products
Thursday July 31, 6:30 - 8 PM With Sandy Der
Chef and Certified Nutrition Consultant
Register with margo@wcrc.org or call 510-601-4040 x111.
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FUNDRAISING - Supporting WCRC's Work
6th Annual Bike Against the Odds
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Lakeside Park, Oakland, Calif.
The Event
Join the Breast Cancer Fund for our 6th annual Bike Against the Odds, a ride for breast cancer prevention. Bike Against the Odds is a fully supported fundraising ride. Multiple route options give everyone an opportunity to create their perfect ride experience. This fun and energizing ride starts at Lake Merritt, winds through historic downtown Oakland, travels up into the towering redwoods and finally affords panoramic views of San Francisco Bay from the ridgelines of the East Bay hills. There is plenty of great food at the frequent rest stops and there is mechanical and medical assistance. Celebrations start at Lake Merritt after the rides. You can enjoy fine organic food, wonderful company, fun entertainment, an expo of educational materials and product samples, and a relaxing massage at the festival. Proceeds from Bike Against the Odds benefit the Breast Cancer Fund and three East Bay cancer service organizations:
SUPPORT STROKES
Support Strokes kayaking event will be held on Saturday, August 23, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. You can register for Support Strokes online and also make a donation at the same time. All registration and donation information is on their website.
This Paddle and Race Fundraiser has 3 courses from which participants can choose. A 15.5 mile course - a challenge for more experienced paddlers; an 8 mile course - perfect for the intermediate paddler, and a 2 mile course - a celebration effort for breast cancer survivors, and very appropriate for new kayakers. This is a fun, fun event!! The Paddle and Race starts at Jack London Square, 409 Water Street, Oakland (at the foot of Broadway). They provide discounted kayak classes and boat rentals to all registered participants. Reservations for classes and boats are required. The registration fee is $20 and includes a T-shirt, a great lunch provided by Scott's Seafood Restaurant and prizes. YOGAPALOOZA! is an afternoon yoga retreat in Golden Gate Park celebrating yoga for a healthier life and stronger body. Sponsored by Yoga Bear. Treat yourself and help those in need- 100% of the proceeds benefit local cancer non-profits! Each hour is dedicated to a different type of yoga and will benefit a different non-profit organization. In addition, we will have give-aways all day and a silent auction. We hope to see you there! July 27th, 2008 1:00 Hatha Yoga Benefits: Women's Cancer Resource Center Instructor: TBD http://www.yogapalooza08.org/ One Class- $10 advanced, $15 at the door Full Day- $30 advanced, $50 at the door *Free for cancer patients/survivors (with RSVP) WCRC: friendofwcrc
Through the organization Cause to Run (C2R), non-profit organizations form fundraising teams. Anyone who registers for any of the five San Francisco Marathon (TM) events (a full marathon, two half-marathons, a 5K or a progressive marathon) can join one of the Cause to Run teams and fundraise for that specific cause! There is no cost to participate and no minimum fundraising requirements.
If you plan to participate in any of the 5 San Francisco Marathon (TM) events, please consider fundraising on behalf of the Women's Cancer Resource Center (WCRC).
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| VOLUNTEER
Come to our Volunteer and Intern Orientation
Wednesday, August 6, 6 to 7:30 pm
Where: WCRC office, 5741 Telegraph Ave. (at the corner of 58th St. in North Oakland.)
Transportation: AC Transit 1 and 1R buses. There is also plenty of parking if you are driving.
Find out about Women's Cancer Resource Center, what volunteers and interns do, and basic information about cancer.
To sign up for an orientation, e-mail or call Sarah, sarah@wcrc.org, 510-601-4040 x105.
Are you Interested in Facilitating a Support Group?
The Alternative/Complementary Support Group needs a facilitator or two! We are looking for someone who has had cancer and used Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) or a CAM practitioner who has treated cancer patients or patients with chronic or acute illness. For more information please contact Dolores at 510.420.7900 x 112. |
IN LOVING MEMORY OF KATHRYN CROSBY
"I would like to honor the life of Kathryn Crosby who was a member of one of the support groups here at WCRC.
 Kathryn was one of the most interesting persons I have ever met. She was bright tenacious and lively. She delighted in life and always had a hug and words of wisdom for all. She assiduously researched her cancer and sought treatments with an energy that astounded me. If energy and work could have cured cancer Kathryn would still be with us.
Kathryn challenged and delighted me. She gave me lessons in giving. She was, in the middle of her illness, at the swim a mile, offering bodywork to swimmers. She gave endlessly to other members of the support group.
She will be missed and it was an honor to know her."
- Darlene deManincor
Kathryn participated in WCRC support groups, the cooking club, watercolor and other art groups and often dropped by to do her "computing." Kathryn was a talented bodyworker and artist. She died of metastatic melanoma last month. A memorial is being planned - please contact margo@wcrc.org if you would like information about that. |
ENVIRONMENTAL ALERTS
"Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry"
Free Safe Cosmetics Seminar
Join the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and Breast Cancer Fund at the San Francisco Library for this free seminar and special event for moms, teens, tweens and everyone who uses personal care products. You don't want to miss this. . . .
WHO: MC'd by Alexa at Movin' 99.7, featuring Stacy Malkan, author of "Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry," Sarah Janssen, MD, PhD, MPH, science fellow, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Jessica Assaf, Teens for Safe Cosmetics.
WHEN: Saturday, July 19, 12-2 p.m. Arrive early for chance to win free non-toxic manicures and green makeovers!
WHERE: San Francisco Library, Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin Street, conveniently located right across the street from Civic Center BART.
Update on spraying for the light brown apple moth:
On behalf of Bay Area Stop the Spray groups, we celebrate and thank all the individuals, public officials, doctors, scientists, and more than 30 local governments and 80 organizations who spoke out to stop aerial spraying of pesticides over our cities for the light brown apple moth (LBAM). The state's abrupt decision to halt the urban spray is a clear testament to the power of an informed movement of citizens.
Unfortunately, the state still intends to aerially spray forested and other areas (perhaps Mt. Tam and East Bay parks?) for LBAM and to use ground spray and other dangerous pesticides (including permethrin, a carcinogen, toxic to bees) in our neighborhoods.
The state has filed court documents indicating an intent to proceed without environmental review. We have asked for written clarification of what treatments are planned, and we continue to work to reclassify the moth to stop this unsafe, unnecessary, and ineffective program.
We hope Bay Area citizens will continue to oppose this whole program and support the transformation of agriculture from dependence on mono-cropping and toxic chemicals to a reliance on the wisdom of nature via organic, bio-diverse farming, so we may all enjoy a healthy, pesticide-free food supply.
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BEYOND WCRC
Cancer as a Turning Point, From Surviving to Thriving (TM), a FREE two-day event for anyone touched by cancer - patients, survivors, their friends and family, support persons, and healthcare providers - September 13 & 14, 2008 at Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento. Pre-registration is recommended. Continuing Education is available for a cost for RN, MFT, and LCSW. www.healingjourneys.org. |
| SOY -- GOOD FOR WHOM?
By Sandy Der
What do you THINK about soy?
And, what do you KNOW about soy?
What you THINK about soy very likely has more to do with your perception about soy than your fact- based knowledge about soy. And that perception of course is fed by soft-core and hard-core advertising from one of the world's largest industries as well as various corporations with a profit motive in that industry.
Yes, soybeans and soy products are big industry, real big industry. . .
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