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| News From The Women's Cancer Resource Center February 2010 |
Greetings!
Please join us for an important Community Dialogue on February 11 to learn about the US Prevention Services Task Force's recent mammography screening recommendations for women who are asymptomatic and who are not at elevated risk of breast cancer.
On November 16, the USPSTF released a recommendation against annual mammograms for women age 40 to 49 and encouraged screening every two years for post-menopausal women.
Our panelists for the evening include Barbara Brenner, Executive Director of Breast Cancer Action; Barbara Clifford, RN, CNM, MPH, Program Manager CDP: EWC Bay Area Region B/Northern California Region from the Every Woman Counts Program; and Dr. Jeffrey A. Tice, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco and internist. Dr. Tice focuses on risk assessment and prevention of breast cancer in his research and clinical work.
Our speakers will address the benefits and risks of screening mammography and clinical breast examinations, how women can discuss their family history and risk factors and make an informed decision with their primary care physician; the impact of the recommendations on communities of color; and the availability of low cost mammography screening in our community.
Refreshments will be provided starting at 5:30 pm. The panel discussion begins at 6:15 pm and ends by 8:00 pm.
Peggy McGuire
Executive Director
Women's Cancer Resource Center |
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Farewell Sarah!
 Odds are that if you ever visited Women's Cancer Resource Center, you have interacted with Sarah Kurhajetz. While her job title is Manager of Planning and Development, Sarah is the type of person who does absolutely everything -- from helping an information and referral caller find just the right resource to making sure our program staff and volunteers are working together to best support our clients. Among her many accomplishments, Sarah secured the grant that enabled the entire Center to be repainted and transformed. For the past five and half years Sarah has been uber-helpful in supporting Swim A Mile participants and coordinating the in-home practical support program.
So, after leading WCRC's efforts to manage data, tirelessly working on grants and other fundraising activities, and so much more, Sarah is leaving WCRC to pursue her dreams. We wish Sarah much joy and success. We'll really miss her and all of her contributions. |
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WCRC Events
We offer a wide variety of events to offer you comfort, community and information. Join us for creativity, feeling good in your body and so much more. For the full description of classes and presenters, please visit WCRC's website. You can see all the events currently scheduled for 2010. All classes and workshops are free of charge and you must register to attend.
Please join us for these important events:
FEBRUARY
 The historical perspective of breast cancer in African American women
with Dr. Phillip Gardiner, UCSF - Social & Behavioral Research
Wednesday 2/10 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Sponsored by: The African American Outreach Group
Register with Dolores by 2/8/10 at 510-601-4040 x112.
 Collage, Love Poetry & Chocolate - Tachina Rudman-Young
Saturday 2/28 1 - 3:30 pm
You'll create a playful collage using poetry, images & found objects.
Feel free to bring your favorite love poem to share. All materials provided.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED - please contact margo@wcrc.org.
 Cooking Club Sea Vegetables
Wednesday 2/17 6 - 8 pm
REGISTRATION REQUIRED - please contact margo@wcrc.org.
 Guided Imagery - Catherine Walters
Tuesday 2/23 6:30 - 8 PM
Relax and breathe allowing your body-mind-heart and spirit to release tension, fatigue, worry, and pain by using the power of your own imagination. In this talk, you'll learn simple tools that facilitate greater relaxation which encourages recovery, better sleep, positive attitude toward life and much more.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED - please contact margo@wcrc.org.
 Speak Now! - Donna Terry
Thursday 2/25 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Telling your cancer story in your own words. Meet with Donna Terry to express your story of survival through personal stories, warm-up talking exercises & fun.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED - please contact margo@wcrc.org.
Sobrevivir Conference
Saturday, Feb. 27th from 9:30 am to 2 pm at the Fruitvale-San Antonio Senior Center.
3301 E 12th St, Suite 201, Oakland
There will be presentations on coloncancer, nutrition, legal issues around cancer, and maintaining emotional health and wellbeing through cancer, as well as free lunch, a raffle, and zumba!
The event is free and in Spanish. Everyone is welcome. Please register by calling Alicia at 510-601-4040 x109.
For events beyond February please visit WCRC's website. |
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Free Therapy Program Active Again
WCRC has reinstated the Free Therapy Program after an almost ten-year hiatus. Begun by Kitsy Schoen in the early 90s, the program serves low income and under-insured women.
In 2009, the Free Therapy Program provide 12 free sessions of individual therapy to over 30 women. More than 15 licensed clinicians generously offered pro bono sessions which were structured on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis.
Following their last session, clinicians and the clients decide together whether to continue their work and under what financial arrangements. We are pleased to collaborate with the Women's Therapy Center and make referrals there as needed.
Connie Holmes, EdD, directs the program, interviews prospective clients and makes referrals to participating psychotherapists. Connie has 23 years of experience working with people with cancer. She also serves as a consultant to clinicians.
Licensed psychotherapists interested in participating in this vital program may contact Connie Holmes at 510.898.0548. |
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Support WCRC
Monday Hearts for Madalene
 Page Hodel's new book is out and available online and in local bookstores. A portion of the proceeds of the sale of every book will go directly to the Women's Cancer Resource Center in Oakland, California, in Madalene's name.
Book Party for Page Hodel's Monday Hearts for Madalene
Saturday 3/27 7 - 9 pm
Come celebrate Page and her new book with food, art, stories and more.
Oakland artist Page Hodel showed the love of her life, Madalene Rodriguez, her devotion in a creative way: Early every Monday morning, Page created a heart for Madalene and left it for her to discover near her front door. Tragically, Madalene died of ovarian cancer less than a year after she and Page met. Page continues to express her love by making a new heart every Monday.
Page's book is full photographs of 100 Monday hearts for Madalene, fashioned from a magical array of materials: acorns and asparagus; berries, buttons, and bungee cord; cardboard, clothespins, corks, and candy corn.
Page Hodel, a San Francisco Bay native, is an internationally-renowned DJ and nightclub promoter.
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Volunteer
Come to our Volunteer Training
We will be holding a Volunteer Training March 20, 2010, 9 - 4:30 here at the Center. If you are interested in joining this wonderful community of support, please contact Sarah at sarah@wcrc.org or 510/601-4040 x 105 for more information about our upcoming training.
We have redesigned our volunteer training program to feature the exceptional community partners who have stepped forward to share their knowledge and expertise.
All current and prospective volunteers will participate in this new program to build and strengthen skills in:
- Emotional self-care
- Communication and listening skills
- The biology of cancer
- Cultural competence
- Critical thinking
- Community resources
- Confidentiality and boundaries
- Universal health and safety precautions
- Program-specific curricula
To sign up for the training, e-mail or call Sarah, sarah@wcrc.org, 510.601.4040 x105. |
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Politics of Cancer / Environmental Justice
Some valuable links from Dr. Devra Lee Davis' website (author and epidemiologist and the director of the Center for Environmental Oncology of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute)
Silent Spring Institute
Silent Sprint Institute is a partnership of scientists, physicians, public health advocates and community activists united around the common goal of identifying and changing the links between the environment and women's health.
Women's Health and the Environment
The Collaborative on Health and the Environment (CHE) produced this website using the materials and wisdom of many individuals and organizations. CHE is a diverse partnership of individuals and organizations working collectively to advance knowledge and effective action to address growing concerns about the links between human health and environmental factors.
The Green Guide provides information on a wide variety of environmental and health topics and makes them personally relevant. The 100th issue of The Green Guide is absolutely fabulous starting with the cover story "Our Reproductive Health: What are the Risks" by Lori Bongiorno, and the story's sidebar: 10 Ways to Reduce Health Risks. There's also a wonderful review of 10 pioneering women in the environmental health field and a really down to earth(literally) piece about eco-renovating a basement. This special issue will contain a bar code (hooray), meaning single issues now can be sold through retail stores.
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Love the Heart You're With
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Join Us on Facebook, Twitter, and Change.org!
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Our Mission
To empower women with cancer to be active and informed consumers and survivors; to provide community for women with cancer and their supporters; to educate the general community about cancer; and to be actively involved in the struggle for a life-affirming, cancer-free society.
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