The program will be available through CanSupport offices within the next eight weeks
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
Montréal, August 30, 2012 – Last night, leaders in the field of cancer care and research participated in A Conversation with Global Leaders on Cancer Survivorship, where the Cedars Cancer Institute announced it will partner with the Lance Armstrong Foundation to launch the first Cancer Transitions program in Canada at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) through its CanSupport program.
“We are delighted to bring Cancer Transitions to Cedars at the McGill University Health Centre,” said Doug Ulman, president and CEO of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. “Many of us struggle to find a ‘new normal’ after cancer. Cancer Transitions empowers cancer survivors to move forward after treatment and find the balance they need to embrace the future.”
Developed in 2006 as a partnership between the Cancer Support Community and the Lance Armstrong Foundation, Cancer Transitions® supports, educates and empowers people with cancer in the transitional period after treatment, which can be especially challenging for many cancer survivors.
The six-week program incorporates support groups, education, nutrition and physical exercise, and addresses other medical management, psychosocial and quality of life issues. The program will be available through CanSupport offices at the Montreal General and the Royal Victoria hospitals within the next eight weeks.
“Given changing needs in cancer care, research, teaching and survivorship, the Cedars Cancer Institute has been building a variety of programs for a number of years. The LIVESTRONG Cancer Transitions program is a natural extension of this legacy of care and support,” said Gwen Andrews Nacos, director and founder of Cedars CanSupport, which offers free psychosocial, practical, humanitarian and financial assistance to cancer patients and their families. “I encourage our cancer survivors to inquire about the program and let us help you move beyond treatment and improve your quality of life.”
The MUHC Cancer Care Mission is unique in Quebec in that its services span every stage of a person’s life. The province’s cancer accreditation authority ranks its programs consistently at the top in terms of quality of care, groundbreaking research and superior education.
“This partnership between Cedars and the Lance Armstrong Foundation is an eloquent illustration of what collaboration can produce: hope, inspiration, compassion, clinical, academic and administrative excellence, and a better quality of life for our community and people around the world,” stated Normand Rinfret, interim director general and CEO of the MUHC.
“This announcement coincides perfectly with our Redevelopment Project, which is providing us with a golden opportunity to transform the way that we do things, including the opening of the state-of-the-art Cancer Centre at the Glen site in 2015.”
Proceeds from A Conversation with Global Leaders on Cancer Survivorship will benefit the Cedars Cancer Institute’s Best Care for Life Campaign in support of the MUHC, LIVESTRONG®, and the World Cancer Declaration Fund of the UICC. Panelists included: Lance Armstrong, cancer survivor and founder and chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation; HRH Princess Dina Mired of Jordan, director general of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation; Rosalind Goodman, of McGill's Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre; Cary Adams, CEO of the UICC; Dr. Armen Aprikian, chief of the cancer mission of the MUHC; Robert Busilacchi, executive director of the Rossy Cancer Network; and Sarah Cook, pediatric cancer survivor and advocate.
“When I was diagnosed with cancer 15 years ago, the world was just beginning to understand the concept of survivorship,” said Armstrong. “It’s a testament to our progress that we are able to devote more attention and resources to cancer survivors’ quality of life by advancing the field of survivorship.”
“I would like to sincerely thank all those who attended this informative discussion on cancer survivorship for making it possible – our distinguished speakers, our guests, including delegates of the World Cancer Congress and cancer survivors from the MUHC, St. Mary’s Hospital and the Jewish General Hospital who were able to attend thanks to the generosity of our donors, and of course the Lance Armstrong Foundation for partnering with us to bring its esteemed Cancer Transitions program to Canada,” said Jeff Shamie, director general of the Cedars Cancer Institute.
“We look forward to seeing the positive impact this program will have on cancer survivors as it helps them take back control of their lives and move forward in a positive and empowering way. It will be a beneficial resource in addition to the support currently provided through Cedars, which is only possible thanks to the generosity of our donors.”
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For more information contact:
Ian Popple
Communications Coordinator
MUHC Public Affairs and Strategic Planning
Tel: 514 934-1934, 34320
E mail: ian [dot] popple [at] muhc [dot] mcgill [dot] ca
About the Cedars Cancer Institute
The Cedars Cancer Institute is a hospital-based charity whose mission is to provide comprehensive cancer care for all cancer patients – pediatric, adolescent and young adult (AYA), adults and those in palliative care – who are being treated at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC). The Cedars Cancer Institute fulfills this mission by providing much-needed funds to:
Purchase state-of-the-art diagnostic oncology equipment
Improve facilities for the treatment and care of cancer patients. Accomplishments include the creation of the Cedars Breast Clinic at the Royal Victoria Hospital, renovations to Sarah’s Floor – the hematology/oncology division at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, renovations to the Palliative Care Unit at the Montreal General Hospital, and much more
Run the Cedars CanSupport program, which offers free psycho-social, practical and humanitarian assistance to cancer patients and their families, as well as financial assistance through the Wilfrid Howick Humanitarian Endowment Fund
Support cancer research through the Henry R. Shibata Fellowship Award
Provide annual visiting professorships in oncology that bring world-renowned researchers, educators and physicians to the McGill teaching hospitals – the Vivian Saykaly Visiting Professorship in Medical Oncology and the Edward J. Tabah Visiting Professorship in Surgical Oncology
Improve awareness of cancer-related issues through free public lectures and educational programs
About the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and The Best Care for Life Campaign
One of the world’s foremost academic health centres, the MUHC offers exceptional and integrated patient-centric care, research, teaching and technology assessment. Affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine of McGill University, it is highly committed to the continuum of care in its community. The partner hospitals of the MUHC—the Lachine Hospital, the Montreal Chest Institute, the Montreal General Hospital, the Montreal Neurological Hospital, the Royal Victoria Hospital and the Montreal Children's Hospital— value multidisciplinary service throughout the lifespan, innovative technologies and practices, strategic partnerships and leadership in knowledge transfer. The MUHC is currently carrying out a $2.35-billion Redevelopment Project on three sites—the Glen, and the Montreal General and Lachine hospitals—designed to provide healthcare professionals with an effective environment in which to ensure patients and their families benefit from The Best Care for Life. The sites are also anchored in best sustainable-development practices, including LEED® and BOMA BESt guidelines www.muhc.ca muhc.ca/construction
The Best Care for Life Campaign is an unprecedented philanthropic effort aimed at raising the funds needed to complete the McGill University Health Centre’s Redevelopment Project as well as the Capital Development Plan. muhc.ca/cause
About the Lance Armstrong Foundation
The Lance Armstrong Foundation serves people affected by cancer and empowers them to take action against the world's leading cause of death. With its iconic yellow LIVESTRONG wristband, the Foundation became a symbol of hope and inspiration to people affected by cancer throughout the world. Created in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, the Foundation provides free patient navigation services to survivors with financial, emotional and practical challenges that accompany the disease. Known for its powerful brand -- LIVESTRONG -- the Foundation is also a leader in the global movement on behalf of 28 million people living with cancer today. Since its inception in 1997, the Foundation has raised nearly $500 million for the fight against cancer. For more information, visit LIVESTRONG.org.
About UICC
Founded in 1933, the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) is the largest cancer fighting organization of its kind, with nearly 400 member organizations across 120 countries. With its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, UICC's mission is to eliminate cancer as a life-threatening disease for future generations.
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Ways To Give
The Best Care for Life Campaign
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