(September 2009)

Roswellness Connections offers you helpful health tips, while keeping you connected to the latest Roswell Park news and advances. Each issue also features news about the important impact of your generosity to RPCI and its patients. Feedback? Please email Giving@roswellpark.org or call 716-845-1038. Thank you for your continued support through your gifts and participation in fundraisers like The Ride For Roswell, Goin' Bald for Bucks, Team Cure Challenge, Carly's Club activities, The Paint Box Project and more!

Healthfront

Tanning Beds: a Risk Too Hot to Handle
OK, you’ve known that tanning beds weren’t exactly healthy, but now the risks are impossible to ignore. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization, has elevated tanning beds to the highest risk category, classifying the ultraviolet radiation from them as “carcinogenic to humans,” a category that also includes asbestos and benzene. (Previously, tanning beds were in the “probably carcinogenic to humans” category.) The move was prompted by findings published in The Lancet Oncology that concluded that using tanning beds raised the risk for melanoma by 75 percent when tanning bed use began before age 30. The study also linked tanning beds with melanoma of the eye.

Experts at Roswell Park Cancer Institute urge you to stay away from tanning beds and protect your skin with sunscreen. Visit the Roswell Park website to learn more about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.

Intimacy After Prostate Cancer Treatment: What Women Need to Know
Women may not get prostate cancer, but many aspects of their lives—including their sexual activity—can be affected when the disease strikes the men they love. The Western New York chapter of Women Against Prostate Cancer (WAPC) addressed that topic at its first meeting, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009, from 7-8:30 pm at Roswell Park Cancer Institute’s Amherst Center. The program featured a presentation on “Intimacy After Prostate Cancer Treatment,” with Megan Pailler, PhD, Medical Psychologist at Roswell Park. The group's next session will be hold on October 21, featuring a presentation from Carrie Silliman, NP, of Roswell Park's Department of Medicine.  For further details, visit www.ProstatePros.com/WAPC.

WAPC is a national organization dedicated to developing a grassroots network of women volunteers who have been adversely affected by prostate cancer. Supported by Roswell Park, the Western New York chapter will meet on the third Wednesday of every month.

Step Away From the Burger...
Past research has shown a link between high consumption of meat products and increased risk of developing cancers of the stomach and colon. Now vegetarians have scored again: a study in the British Journal of Cancer demonstrates that a vegetarian diet is associated with a 12% lower risk of cancer overall and a 45% lower risk of developing cancers of the blood. Led by Tim Key of Cancer Research UK, the study followed more than 61,000 people—including meat-eaters, fish-eaters, and vegetarians—for more than 12 years.

Roswell Roundup

The Best No-Smoking Plan for Each Country? With New Grant, Researchers are Learning More
With the help of a new $11.5 million grant from the National Cancer Institute, RPCI researchers have begun a five-year study examining the effectiveness of tobacco control policies in countries with varying income levels and cultures. Lead investigators include K. Michael Cummings, PhD, Chair of the Department of Health Behavior, and Richard O'Connor, PhD. 

“This research project will compare the effectiveness of tobacco control policies implemented in 20 different countries around the globe in hopes of identifying those policies and combination of policies that work most effectively to reduce tobacco consumption," said Dr. Cummings. "The goal of the research is to develop a sound scientific evidence base for tobacco control, so that governments can implement the most effective policies to rapidly reduce tobacco use in their country."

Marathon Golfers Make Chip In Challenge 2009 Another Success
Thanks to the efforts of 12 golfers with lots of stamina, the fifth annual Chip in Challenge for Carly's Club on August 31 was a great success, raising over $65,000 for pediatric research and patient care at Roswell Park! Golfers who took the challenge attempted to play 100 holes of consecutive golf in just one day. Participants in the event, hosted at Westwood Country Club in Williamsville, included Carly’s Club member and cancer survivor Sean McLean (pictured at far left), who took the 100-hole challenge for the second year in a row. Congratulations and thanks to all of our Chip In golfers! Since its inception, Chip In has raised more than $400,000 for Carly's Club. Learn more at www.CarlysClub.org.

Nurse Honored for Three Decades of Exceptional Caring
Colleen M. Roof, RN, was presented with the Sandra C. Genco Award for Excellence in Nursing Oncology at a ceremony on Friday, August 28. Colleen was nominated by a patient who was touched by a simple, yet powerful gesture she made during the patient's treatment:  “It was so humbling to think that holding her hand when she was scared or in pain meant so much,” Colleen said in regards to the nomination. “It’s important to remember that the smallest things we do for our patients can mean the world to them.”

"Colleen is an exceptional nurse, but more importantly, she is an exceptional human being," said Barbra Dodds, RN, Nurse Manager, Gynecology Center. "For more then 20 years, Colleen has dedicated herself to the patients of Roswell Park, providing holistic care that encompasses all aspects of the patient, from the physical to the emotional. This award is well-deserved, recognizing the extraordinary nursing of Colleen throughout her career."

Roswell Park Appoints Six New Faculty
Six new faculty members recently joined the team at Roswell Park in the Departments of Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Radiation Medicine and Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

Foluso Olabisi Ademuyiwa, MD, MPH, Hongbin Chen, MD and Hong Liu, MD, PhD have joined the Department of Medicine. Dr. Ademuyiwa comes to RPCI from Indiana University School of Medicine and will see patients in the RPCI Breast Clinic.

Dr. Chen will treat Roswell Park patients diagnosed with lung cancer. He comes to RPCI from the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Liu will treat Roswell Park patients with multiple myeloma and leukemia. Dr. Liu comes to RPCI from the College of Medicine, University of Florida.

The Department of Diagnostic Radiology has appointed James M. Gannon, MD, in the Division of Nuclear Medicine and Thomas J. Laudico, DO, in the Division of Body Imaging. Dr. Laudico comes to RPCI from the Fletcher Allen Health Care, University of Vermont Medical Center, where he served as a Resident in Diagnostic Radiology. Dr. Gannon comes to RPCI from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), where he completed a fellowship in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computed Tomography (CT).

Graham Warren, MD, PhD, will be joining the Department of Radiation Medicine and the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI). Dr. Warren comes to RPCI from the Department of Radiation Medicine, University of Kentucky.

Read more about these appointments in Roswell Park’s Multimedia News Room.

Video Spotlight

Cancer Survivor Offers Advice from the Barber’s Chair
Archie Wood's customers may stop in for just a light trim, but they leave the Village Barber Shop in Allegany, NY, with a free bonus: information that could save their lives. In 2005, after receiving a diagnosis of prostate cancer, Wood underwent a robotic-assisted prostatectomy at RPCI. Grateful to be a survivor, he began urging every man who sat in his barber chair to be screened for prostate cancer with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. Learn the whole story from his interview with Scott Levin of WGRZ-Channel 2 news.

Donor Impact

Helping Children and Parents Face Cancer
Treating the psychological and social aspects of cancer is as important as treating the physical signs and symptoms. Nowhere is this as crucial as with pediatric and teen patients, who are facing all the normal challenges of cancer during a time of many other physical and psycho-social changes. Children with cancer also can typically expect many years of living with the side effects of treatment.

Each year, your donations help to provide valued support through the work of a psychologist who specializes in the needs of pediatric oncology patients and their families.

“Our young patients have to adapt to a range of new situations during treatment, and the disruption of routines that are so important to a child’s sense of safety and security,” explains Brandee Aquilino, PsyD and RPCI’s pediatric associate funded by your support.

Dr. Aquilino says that helping a child adjust to a treatment setting involves making sure everyone in the family has the support they need. “For the children, the use of play therapy, and building trust is essential to decreasing anxiety,” she adds. “Through relaxation exercises, counseling and diversionary activities, we’re able to ease worries and prepare children for their treatments.”

In addition to her work with pediatric patients, Dr. Aquilino also works with young children whose parents have been diagnosed with cancer. She provides counseling and therapy when needed to help parents and their children.

“The needs of parents with cancer continue to grow,” she says. “We are so grateful, on behalf of all the families we serve, for our donors’ continued generosity.”

Read about additional pediatric cancer support offered through Carly’s Club.

Events and Giving Opportunities

All Star Night Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available!
The 19th annual All Star Night, awhite-tie gala in support of Roswell Park Cancer Institute, will be held on Saturday, October 24th, and sponsorship opportunities are still available! Join us at Shea’s Performing Arts Center for a silent auction, cocktails, dinner, fabulous live auction items, and prestigious award presentations to Roswell Park scientists and volunteers. This year's All Star Night, presented by HSBC, will feature special honoree NFL Hall of Famer Mike Haynes, a cancer survivor and advocate. On this special evening, we also will raise funds for the Western New York Robotic Surgical Center at Roswell Park. For more information, call (716) 845-8788 or read more here.

Mark Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month by Supporting Carly’s Club
September is National Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, and Western New Yorkers are doing their part by supporting Carly’s Club and celebrating the lives of our young patients, like Allie, pictured at right. Visit www.CarlysClub.org to learn how you can help by making a gift, hosting an event, volunteering, or more! Every effort has an impact on the lives of Carly’s Club members and their families and supports the breakthrough research of pediatric cancers being conducted at Roswell Park.

Hundreds of runners did their part to support kids with cancer at the 21st annual Lebro’s Fall Classic 5K and Fun Run! Held September 19 in Getzville, NY, Lebro’s brought families from across Western New York together for this fun event in support of Carly’s Club.

You can learn more about the Lebro’s Fall Classic, plus other ways to do your part for pediatric cancer patients during this special month and beyond, at www.CarlysClub.org.

Attention Business Partners!

Get a Head-Start on the Holidays with The Paint Box Project!
The Paint Box Project, Roswell Park’s holiday card and gift program, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this holiday season! Our pediatric patient-artists are so appreciative of the tremendous support that businesses, organizations and all our customers have shown over the past two decades.

This year, we invite our customized holiday card customers to share in honoring all of our patient-artists from over the years by selecting a holiday card from our 20th Anniversary Collection featuring designs created as far back as 1999. Every one of our patient-artists has helped to make this project a success, and we hope that you join us in recognizing all of their beautiful artwork by placing your order with us before November 6*. You’ll also get FREE shipping this year, thanks to Azerty, a division of United Stationers Supply Co. The Paint Box Project is made possible through your continued support and through the support of its Lead Sponsor, Upstate Pharmacy, LTD.

Coming Soon! Browse The Paint Box Project’s online environmentally friendly digital catalog. This year’s digital catalog, which businesses will be receiving in their mailboxes soon, replaces our traditional mailed catalog, ensuring that more dollars will directly benefit cancer research seeking cures.

*Save 10% when you place your customized holiday card order by November 6.