» Education for Survivors

We Are All Storytellers: Discovering the Power of Knowing and Sharing Your Story

Posted on December 3, 2015 by admin

Presentation Description:
“Facts lead to knowledge, but stories lead to wisdom.” – Dr. Rachel Remen

Many childhood cancer survivors may not realize that they are living an amazing story or know how to begin telling it. This fun and interactive session drew on Mike Lang’s and Raymund Ong’s own personal experiences, as well as short digital stories and murals created by other cancer survivors, to explore the idea of storytelling as it relates to cancer and our lives in general. The goal of the session was to empower and inspire survivors to tell their stories so that the wisdom they have gained from their painful (and incredible) life journey can be shared with others who need it.

Telling Their Story: Video from the 2015 Survivor Conference
Five attendees of the 2015 Ooch/POGO Survivor Conference shared their perspectives on survivorship; the challenges and obstacles they faced, the effect their diagnoses had on their lives and how they’ve found hope, inspiration and fulfilment. These individuals shared their stories in the hopes that they will resonate with other childhood cancer survivors, who in turn may choose to tell their own.

Video Credit: Michael Lang, Survive & Thrive Expeditions Ltd.

Speakers:
Michael Lang, MSc
Executive Director, Survive & Thrive Cancer Programs
Specialist, Person Centred Care Integration, AHS CancerControl
Research Assistant, University of Calgary

Raymund Ong
Founder, C4 Murals

Managing Your Fertility: Current Options, Practical Strategies

Posted on November 26, 2015 by admin

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Presentation Description:
This session presented a brief overview of options for fertility preservation in female and male survivors of childhood cancer. Mostly, the session reviewed the options for survivors who are unable to conceive post treatment. The session discussed the options for building a family using third party reproduction. The practical and legal perspectives were discussed for surrogacy, donor eggs and donor sperm

Speakers:
Sara R. Cohen, LL.B.
Fellow of the American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys
Adjunct Professor, Osgoode Hall Law School

Karen Glass, MD, FRCS(C), FACOG
Reproductive Endocrinologist, CReATe Fertility Centre
Director, Oncofertility Program
Assistant Professor, University of Toronto.

All in the Family: Talking to Siblings about Childhood Cancer

Posted on November 26, 2015 by admin

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Presentation Description:
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the focus automatically tends to fall on that child and how their disease will affect them. People rarely think about how the disease will affect their entire family, especially any siblings they may have. Whether the sibling is older or younger, at the hospital every day or away at school, having a sibling with cancer will inevitably not only change the dynamic with their brother/sister, but the family as a whole. This presentation looked at the disease through a less heard of, but equally important point of view: the sibling. The panel included the voices of an older brother, a younger sister, and a summary of relevant research presented by a health care professional.

Speakers:
Norma D’Agostino, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Clinical Health Psychologist, University Health Network
Lecturer, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto

Jenna Shamata, BAH
Sibling of a childhood cancer survivor

Kevin Wang, BHSc, MD/PhD Candidate
Hospital for Sick Children
University of Toronto
Sibling of a childhood cancer survivor

Beyond Survival: Emotional Equilibrium After Cancer

Posted on November 26, 2015 by admin

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Presentation description:
Childhood cancer can be an intensely stressful experience that may have emotional affects even years after treatment. While cancer can contribute to personal growth in some ways, it can also lead to emotional and social vulnerabilities later in life. This session explored common developmental challenges for survivors, highlighted the relationship between emotional and physical health, and considered the different ways survivors make sense of their cancer experiences as they move into adulthood.

Speaker:
Christopher J. Recklitis, Ph.D., MPH
Senior Psychologist
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Harvard Medical School

Workshop B – Communicating with Family and Friends

Posted on November 26, 2015 by admin

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Presentation description:
This workshop provided participants the opportunity to have small group discussions about challenges around communicating with family and friends about the hard things. Topics addressed included: a) When to tell people about your cancer history? b) How to explain to others that “It is not over” and c) Learning to ask for help when you need it. Through the discussion helpful strategies and techniques were identified and compiled. The goal was for participants to leave the workshop with increased confidence and comfort in their ability to tackle the difficult conversations with family and friends.

Speaker:
Norma D’Agostino, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Clinical Health Psychologist, University Health Network
Lecturer, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto

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