Survivors' Debate: Ovarian Cancer

Definition: Debate - discuss the pros and the cons of an issue

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To HOST a Survivors' Debate Program whether a survivor, family member, caregiver or healthcare professional contact:

Sandi Pniauskas
sandipn@sympatico.ca

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November 23rd, 2007:

Survivors' Debate: Ovarian Cancer - Mission Statement, Roles and Responsibilities document now online (see sidebar)
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NEWS FLASH

Participants' Survey Responses (general): the highest rated sections of the program were the Pro/Con style debate format and the Question and Answer period.

NOVI PARTICIPANT COMMENTS:

- The whole thing was KICK ASS! (observation from healthcare professional)
- Very good program – do it again
- I really enjoyed this debate….have never been to anything like it!

TORONTO PARTICIPANT COMMENTS:

- EXCELLENT presentation!
- Way to go, girls!!
- All panel members were very well prepared, intelligent and very articulate (member of the general public)

CYBERSPACE COMMENT:

- .... the first patient-led, patient-organized Survivors’ Debates signal that the time has come for more dialog with increased participation by the very people whose stake and investment in treating cancer are greatest.

Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei: "How times have changed. Cancer has come from being taboo to being a subject of debate. Even better, ever more cancer survivors are now leading the charge for better healthcare.

Eye on DNA Exclusive Interview: http://tinyurl.com/23bs3z



Mission and Purpose:

The mandate of the Survivors’ Debate program(s) is to educate, to discuss and to escalate the patient/caregiver ovarian cancer voice at both the public and decision-making levels. To preserve autonomy, it is survivor-led/organized and encourages full public and healthcare professional participation. Open and spirited discussion is encouraged.


Why a Debate?

The purpose of the debate format is to understand the many views and sides of any particular issue - the pros and the cons of where we have been and where we are going. Our perspective is not one of a 'win-lose' situation, but to encourage understanding of existing issues and escalate informed and meaningful change. Debates are common within business, medical, research and scientific communities. It is time to bring these debates to the public with the Survivors' Debates forum(s) being the mechanisms to do so.

Novi, MI and Toronto, Canada: Focus

Debating the issues:

Awareness and Communication
Early Detection
Survival Rates
Access to Care
Genetics

Locations/Dates:Novi, Michigan
October 27th, 2007
Toronto, Canada
November 3rd, 2007


Further information on future conference locations/registration can be located on the sidebar of this page or email: sandipn@sympatico.ca.

September 30th, 2007:


Dear Patients and Healthcare Professionals:

Dr Yi Pan, (Neurologist) MD, PhD along with Annamarie DeCarlo, Managing Editor, Anne Arundel Medical Center will be moderating the Survivors' Debates in Detroit (Oct.27) and Toronto (Nov.3). The two principals of the debate are 8 & 9-year survivors Sandi Pniauskas and Carolyn Benivegna. We have 31 years of survivorship among us. Yi and Carolyn currently are in treatment for recurrent ovarian cancer. We are pleased with the support received from oncology nursing professionals, Bridget Capo and Pamela J. West.

These debates are by and for survivors, with an open-arms invitation to citizens, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, health care workers and of course, caregivers. There has been no corporate sponsorship.

We would like all citizens and healthcare professionals to know about these survivor-led forums; to let them know we are doing these forums. We wish to share the often-lost patient perspective, but also to bring a public voice to our concerns and issues which often times delay or complicate forward progression for the benefit of all.

We ask, simply, that you share the news, share the knowledge, and talk about this with your colleagues and communities. Everyone is welcome to attend and we encourage open and lively discussion.

Background information can be found through a recent interview published in 'Eye on DNA' conducted by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei.

Thank you.
Sandi Pniauskas
sandipn@sympatico.ca

Please visit link for Registration/Information: http://ovariancancerdebate.blogspot.com/


Recent Interview and Background Information:

Eye on DNA Exclusive Interview with Cancer Survivors Sandi Pniauskas and Carolyn Benivegna
by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei

http://tinyurl.com/23bs3z