OVCA Survivors Course

groundeffect

This past Saturday I went with two other women from my support group to an OVCA Survivors Course presented by the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation. It was a free, all-day event in Cleveland, and they hold them in different cities throughout the year (they did mention one coming up in Las Vegas). One had been planned in Cleveland in 2008, but was cancelled, so I was pleased to see one promoted for this year.

I learned a lot, and feel that the speakers were wonderful. They all give up their own time without compensation for these presentations, which made me appreciate them all the more.

The topics presented were: Ovarian Cancer: Is Progress Being Made?, Screening and Early Diagnosis, Ovarian Cancer Genetics, Understanding CA 125 Levels, Clinical Trials and Future Treatments, Ovarian Cancer Survivorship: Quality of Life, Completmentary Medicine and Lifestyle Issues, Management of Recurrent Ovarian Cancer, and Addressing Sexuality and Intimacy Issues in Ovarian Cancer. There were Panel Discussions, also, in which a group of the presenters would answer questions that had been handed in on cards.

There will be similar courses held in Baltimore, Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, and Washington, D.C. (along with Endometrial and Cervical courses) in 2009. As I said, they are free. I found exposure to "advertising" to be kept at a minimum, and a light breakfast and lunch were provided. One gyn/onc doc had paid for a bus to bring a group of women from Columbus for the event, which everyone thought was a very nice gesture!

The GCF's website has more information, and sign up can be made there.

BonnieR

that is great
Dear Sue,

Thanks for sharing, that is great to hear. We all know awareness is the real key to early detection.

Now how are you? Please post an update as you have been on my heart alot. Hugs Bonnie

jamilou

Thanks!
Thanks Sue! I am in the Atlanta suburbs so I will definately check it out. Hope you are doing well.
Jami

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lnyeholt

Survivor's Course
Thank you for the information about this. I went to the site and found a lot of very good information. There's also some really cute jewelry for sale on the site as fundraising items!
The Chicago OVCA Survivor's Course, which is closest to me, will occur a few weeks after my chemo is finished and would make a nice weekend trip.

As I am just beginning my OVCA journey I really appreciate all the information from others who use this site.

lindaprocopio

lnyeholt said:

Survivor's Course
Thank you for the information about this. I went to the site and found a lot of very good information. There's also some really cute jewelry for sale on the site as fundraising items!
The Chicago OVCA Survivor's Course, which is closest to me, will occur a few weeks after my chemo is finished and would make a nice weekend trip.

As I am just beginning my OVCA journey I really appreciate all the information from others who use this site.

I checked out their Endometrial Cancer Survivor's Course...
Thanks so much for this information! I went to the website and they are also offering an Endometrial Cancer Survivors course in Washington DC in November (more appropriate for me personally). I posted it on the Uterine Cancer Discussion Board, and now one of my wonderful UPSC Sisters, who has shared my cancer treatment journey with me, has registered for it. And so will I! So, because of your post, I will get to meet a 'virtual' friend, who has been so important to me during my treatment, who held my hand online since last fall as we both started chemo at the same time for the same cancer. THANK YOU!

kris43

Info
Sue - I am so jealous! I am going to go and check this out. Chicago might be a possibility - thanks so much for the information!

Take care.

Kris