Join Us for our September Move4Her Fitness and Celebration Event | Get Your Early Bird Pricing By This Friday
Have you registered to join us virtually or in person in Washington, D.C. on September 23, 2023?
Hosted by and benefiting the Foundation for Women’s Cancer (FWC), the Move4Her Fitness and Celebration Event welcomes gynecologic cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, advocates, supporters and organizations to celebrate our fundraising successes to date and inspire continued efforts throughout the year as Move4Her becomes an ongoing movement.
This unique experience will feature:
- local fitness professionals leading us through five different movements for five minutes each for the five gynecologic cancers
- people across the country moving together, including guests joining us virtually via livestream and video
- information on how your movement and donations have impacted gynecologic cancer research, education and awareness
- inspiring patient stories
- special guests
Register for Move4Her below to take advantage of the early registration discount!
|
|
Move4Her Participants Engaged in Inspiring Fundraising Activities
From a car show in King George, Virginia to a barre fitness class in Plainview, New York, Move4Her participants are gearing up for more Move4Her fundraising events in late August and throughout September. We are sending an encouraging high five to all!
Follow along with Move4Her participant fundraising efforts under the "Find an Event Near You" tab of the Move4Her website. There, you will also be able to see past fundraiser photos like the one provided below.
Special thanks to all Move4Her participants that have held events thus far in 2023. The FWC appreciates you!
|
|
September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month (GCAM)
In September, FWC will acknowledge Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month (GCAM) as an opportunity to draw increased attention to the five gynecologic cancers and offer vital information on symptoms, risk factors, prevention strategies, and more. Each year, we work to bring awareness to all gynecologic cancers - cervical, ovarian, uterine/endometrial, vaginal, and vulvar - with a goal of reaching and educating more and more people every year!
Take action!
-
Spread awareness about gynecologic cancer via social media using the hashtags #GynecologicCancerAwarenessMonth or #GCAM
-
Print and share educational materials, or link to our resources via your personal, organizational or institutional website
-
Share your story with the FWC or write about your experiences with gynecologic cancer in a letter to the editor in a local publication
-
Participate in Move4Her by registering and moving for five minutes everyday in honor of the five gyn cancers
Visit foundationforwomenscancer.org for more information specific to gynecologic cancer risk factors, symptoms, treatment, prevention, clinical trials, survivor stories, and more.
|
|
FWC Research Grants and Awards Applications and Nominations Now Open |
|
Supporting gynecologic cancer research continues to be a tenet of the FWC. To date, more than $10 million has been awarded through 254 grants and awards, including research grants, training grants, research prizes and career development awards. The 2023-2024 research grants and award cycle features two new opportunities:
Wendy R. Brewster MD, PhD Young Investigator Award
Established by Dr. Brewster and her family and friends, the FWC is honored to present the first recipient of this award to a young investigator demonstrating commitment in the field of gynecologic oncology with a focus in cervical or endometrial cancer research at the 2024 SGO Annual Meeting on Women's Cancer in San Diego.
The Laughlin Family Foundation Research Grant for High Grade Uterine Cancer
Recognizing that recurrence rates are higher and treatment options are more limited in aggressive subtypes of uterine cancer, The Laughlin Family Foundation grant supports projects focusing on high-grade subtypes of uterine cancer (uterine serous cancer, clear cell, carcinosarcoma, poorly differentiated, and/or grade 3 endometrioid). Any area of research that would be expected to increase cure rates or prolong life is eligible, including new therapies, novel imaging, clinical trial adjuvant studies, molecular characterization, understating pathogenesis, etc. The Foundation gratefully acknowledges the Laughlin family for their support of this grant.
These opportunities, alongside several other FWC research grant and award opportunities, are open through September 8. Review the full list of opportunities, including specific award and grant criteria, and consider applying or sharing the application with those you know.
|
|
Society of Gynecologic Oncology Patient Advocates Lead Education and Co-Author Resources |
|
#Gyncsm Chat: How Do We #MovetheMessage? | September 13
Join the #Gyncsm chat on Wednesday, September 13 at 7:00 p.m. Central as participants discuss key awareness messages for each of the five gynecologic cancers in a presentation called "How Do We #MoveTheMessage?" The FWC will participate in this virtual chat, led by community co-founders and chat co-moderators Dee Sparacio (SGO Patient Advocate) and Christina Lizaso. The following topics will be discussed:
- Gynecologic cancers overview
- Cervical cancer
- Endometrial cancer/uterine cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Vaginal, vulvar, and other rare gynecologic cancers
Join the conversation, learn more about gynecologic cancers, and help spread awareness during Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month (GCAM).
|
|
Managing Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Adults with Cancer
As global rates of cancer occurrence continue to rise, the mental health effects also continue to become more prevalent. This emerging health crisis calls for patient-centered therapies that address psychosocial issues as patients navigate current cancer diagnoses and survivorship. SGO Patient Advocate Kimberly Richardson recently contributed to updated American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) guidelines* that provide evidence-based recommendations for managing symptoms of anxiety and depression in adults with cancer. Recommendations for mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) during active treatment and after treatment include the following:
- Yoga
- Relaxation
- Music therapy
- Reflexology
- Aromatherapy (using inhalation)
Medical professionals are exploring the benefits of these activities and monitoring how to best guide and support patients through their cancer journeys.
|
|
*If you are undergoing cancer treatment or have already completed treatment, please consult your healthcare provider before engaging in the listed activities. |
|
FWC Awarded 2023 Alkermes Inspiration Grant |
|
We are thrilled to be a second-time recipient of the Alkermes Inspiration Grant in 2023 for our Move the Message campaign, designed to motivate high-risk and historically marginalized communities to take preventive action by increasing awareness through dissemination of FWC educational resources. In 2022, we reached over a million individuals through digital resources and engagement, and thousands in-person at events. FWC is taking its message even further to support education and early diagnosis in 2023 through a robust social media campaign and an active calendar of national events.
|
|
Now Available: FWC's Caregiver Education Series
FWC's education series “Compassionate Caregivers: Navigating Cancer's Challenges" is now available! This virtual series of educational sessions for caregivers of cancer patients is a combination of self-study and live webinars accessible by phone or computer. The content of each module is intended to equip caregivers with strategies to de-emotionalize decisions, enhance communication skills, and provide tips and tools to maximize engagement with the gynecologic oncologist and treatment process. Downloadable resources and webinar recordings are also available.
With this series, the FWC hopes caregivers are better able to support loved ones by becoming active participants in the care team, confidently discussing stigmatized elements of gynecologic cancer, gaining skills to balance time and prioritize their own mental health, and more.
|
|
This educational series was made possible by generous grants from AstraZeneca, Eisai, GSK, Merck, Novocure, and Seagen/Genmab. |
|
FWC Volunteers and Staff Participate in #MoveTheMessage Outreach Events |
|
FWC volunteers and staff are on the move!
On August 20, FWC partnered with UChicago Medicine for a Women's Cancer Awareness Night at the WNBA Chicago Sky game in Chicago, IL. Look at all the purple in Wintrust Arena in the photo below! Special thanks to our patients, caregivers, providers and advocates, as well as the over 6,000 people in attendance, that joined us. Please take a moment to read the recap of this exciting event!
The FWC will also be participating as partners at the following events:
Want to get involved in this outreach or other types of outreach by volunteering with us? Send an e-mail to fwcinfo@sgo.org with interests.
|
|
Partner Organization Feature: IGCS-IGCAN Summit |
|
Save the date to join IGCS-IGCAN virtually on September 25 for the Gynecologic Cancer Survivor-Caregiver Advocacy Summit. This annual patient-focused event gathers the community to learn about and discuss topics of importance to gynecologic cancer survivor-patients, their caregivers and family members, and all those dedicated to patient advocacy and activism.
Experts will share the latest updates and findings from clinical trials studying gynecologic oncology and explain how these research studies are helping to improve cancer diagnoses, treatment, care, and outcomes. IGCAN members will also have an opportunity to share and reflect on their personal stories, make powerful connections with others, and ask questions.
|
|
Awareness Campaigns and National Holidays
Recognizing national awareness days, weeks, and months, specifically those that are health-related, is essential to cultivating greater understanding about certain topics, fostering greater diversity, equity and inclusion, and spreading critical information to our SGO and FWC communities. You are invited and highly encouraged to participate with us by engaging in the conversation and sharing available information and resources to your own social networks.
|
|
In the month of September, FWC will be acknowledging the following campaigns and holidays:
- Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month (GCAM)
- National Hispanic Heritage Month
- National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Awareness Month
- National Essential Medicine Shortage Awareness Day | September 8
- World Cancer Research Day | September 24
|
|
We Want to Share Your Story
Your unique experience could help other patients and survivors feel less alone and could spread awareness of the signs and symptoms of gynecologic cancer so others like you can seek diagnosis and treatment early.
Help us #MoveTheMessage by sharing your story. Your words have the power to change someone else's life for the better.
Here are some stories that have already been shared by your peers:
|
|
|
|
Find information about awareness, research and education programs, along with information about gynecologic cancer risk, prevention, early detection and optimal treatment provided by expert gynecologic oncologists and other professionals.
|
|
230 W. Monroe St., Ste. 710 | Chicago, IL 60606
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
