This past Sunday, the Carole & Ray Neag Cancer Center celebrated its 20th Cancer Survivors’ day, with a day of learning all about A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. The event kicked off with Dr. Susan Tannenbaum, Division Chief of the Hematology and Medical Oncology addressing the many survivors and their families, stating “you are the most important people in the room and we are all here for you.” She then introduced our very own, Dr. Elektra Kaloudis who bravely shared her cancer journey and pushing through the scary times focusing on her young children. Dr. Kaloudis was followed up by Brad Biskup, the Physician Assistant leading the Lifestyle Medicine Program at UConn Health. Brad’s presentation had everyone glued to the monitors soaking in helpful information of healthy changes in diet and exercise. Last but not least, Terry Walters, a local author of the book EAT CLEAN LIVE WELL, enlightened attendees with small everyday modifications to the choices we make to help guide us in the right direction of a healthier lifestyle. Terry had a cooking demonstration to prove that, with a little bit of planning, we can prepare healthy and tasty snacks.
We'd like to thank all of the volunteers who contributed their time over the last few months and the day of the event to ensure a successful survivors day for our patients. They are the following:
Dr. Susan Tannenbaum
Patty Smith
Amber Tillinghast
Wendy Thibodeau and Family
Sophie Masternak
Ellen Shaw
Molly Tsipouras
Marie Ziello
Ashley Aust
Jen Stapell
Maura Bobinski
Julie Dudek
Wanita Thorpe and Family
Kerri Goodwin
Samantha Busam
Big thank you to Dr. Elektra Kaloudis and Brad Biskup for your contribution to the success of survivors day. I’d also like to thank Chef Rich, Melany Dejesus and their staff for a tremendous catering job, and meeting the needs of all attendees.
Last but not least, I’d like to thank all of the departments at UConn Health and Storrs campus, local businesses and individuals who generously went above and beyond with donations of baskets, gift cards and services to raffle off to our survivors. Many of you have expressed that you do this not only for our survivors but for your own healing of a loss or a fight against cancer. We hope this process of helping our surivivors brings a smile to your faces.
This year again, we were close with all but six survivors receiving a basket; however they were grateful Terry Walters gave each of them a copy of her book.
Below is an email from a patient:
Thank you for inviting me to the UConn Survivors Brunch. Deb and I attended and especially enjoyed both speakers. It really came at a perfect time for us because we have been talking about getting back into shape and eating better. It was a challenge to get past the breast cancer and then to need prostate surgery this past June. We made it through and took the summer to really do little except stay at the lake, eat, drink, and be merry!
Now we are working on changing our lifestyle and these presentations really helped us with the tools we need to kick-start that process. Taking one step at a time towards healthy foods and getting more active are the two "take aways" we heard.
Thank you again for all you do! Please keep it up and if ever you can think of a way that I can help out, please let me know. UConn Health has been very good to us and we appreciate that!
Norm (Craig) Smith
For more information, contact: Patty Smith at patsmith@uchc.edu