Writing With, Through and About Cancer

If you are in the Albany, New York or Greater Capital Region area--please join me for a Writing Workshop at The ACS Hope Club.

The Hope Club in Latham, New York is a service center for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, family members and friends. It's a place to get info and coaching, find support groups, take classes or just hang out with folks who deeply understand your cancer journey.

I'll be presenting a Writing Workshop called:

Writing With, Through and About Cancer
Monday April 3rd
6 to 7:30 pm
Dinner is included.
class and dinner are free…but you must register.

The class is open to everyone--writers, non-writers, new writers and (I secretly want to writer)ers. :)



We'll make it easy to write, and we'll laugh, play and put words on paper for your cancer story--as patient, survivor, caregiver, family member or friend.

To Register please call 518-220-6060

I hope you can join us at The American Cancer Society Hope Club.





Diane Cameron--

Hope Club on the Go! in Albany

I heard the most wonderful news. The Hope Club of The American Cancer Society (Formerly Gilda's) is offering their free, emotional, educational and social cancer support services in new locations. This is great. Hope Club is taking the show on the road, so to speak, to several additional locations:

Monday nights at New Horizons Christian Church, 79 Osborne Street in Albany

Monday nights at Delaware Community Library, 331 Delaware, in Albany

Wednesday nights at Lincoln Park (Eagle and Morton) in Albany

Thursday nights at Berkshire Bank Community Room in Rotterdam.

And a Troy location coming soon!

This means Hope Club help and access to lots more people.

Shavina Richardson, MSW is the Outreach Manager for Hope Club. Call her for more info, times, dates, programs. Her number is 518-782-9833 ext 34 or on her Cell at 518-925-8380.

Event for The Capital Region Hope Club Friday February 10th

HopeClub of the Capital Region & The New York State Capital District Alliance for Women in Media invite you to the 2012 Benefit Gala.

LIVE: HAIR OF THE DOG 

Tickets are $40

Please RSVP by Wednesday, February 8th to:
www.cancer.org/hopeclub OR call Mary at 518-454-4006

Complimentary Champagne Toast & Wine Tasting
Hearty Hors d'oeuvres
Carving station, Pasta station
Dessert, coffee/tea, cash bar

Sensational Silent Auction!

*Cash, Check or Credit Card accepted. Business Attire. Walk-ins are welcome!

Volunteer Opportunities with the American Cancer Society Hope Club

I saw the staff team from The American Cancer Society Hope Club today and learned about their volunteer opportunities. I’ve done some of these activities as a volunteer in the past and I know how satisfying and manageable they are--and how appreciated. Check it out:

Drivers for Road to Recovery: give someone a ride to treatment—round trip or one way. Surprisingly easy to do—even if you are working or have kids.

Coordinator for Road to Recovery Drivers: You will be blown away by the people you meet and talk about having gratitude in your day! Yes!

Patient Navigation: If you have been through CancerLand you can help someone else. Share the wisdom; translate the jargon; teach a caregiver how to cope; turn victim into advocate. You already know so much.

For more information call The ACS Hope Club at 518-782-9833

Courage Sex and Cancer

Tonight, for the first time, I feel like I really get what courage means in CancerLand.

I was part of a panel at The American Cancer Society Hope Club in Latham, New York. We were bravely and boldly discussing what sex is and can be when a partner has cancer or/and is receiving treatment—or what happens after treatment to men’s and women’s bodies.

Much of my perspective is represented on this blog—the crazy hunt for honest and frank information, my belief that sex is so important especially during cancer—that when a couple is faced with the pain and fear and just plain crap of cancer that a healthy sexual relationship is a way to keep love strong and to boldly defy thanatos—the death wish.

So I read and spoke to all of that. And then…

And then Vicki Yattaw, RN from the CR Woods Cancer Center spoke about sex and cancer. Oh my God—this was the sex talk that every woman wants to hear—with or without cancer Vickie had the info, advice, perspective and loving humor on everything from how to have sex in every possible way, during every kind of health crisis, how to boost your own libido and help a partner boost theirs, and even “BoBs”—battery operated boyfriends.

Her information blew me away. I thought I shocked the crowd by sharing my story of having to ask John’s oncologist, “Can I swallow?” (The doc didn’t know). Vickie not only knew—(wait 48 hours after chemo) but she explained how people with colostomies have sex (they do and it can be great) and how orgasms decrease nerve pain and make you look younger. Yes!

I’ll share more of her info here in the next few weeks. But I have to say now that the best speakers of the evening were the participants in the group: some couples and many singles who had or have cancer and who want a sexual life now and later. People spoke so deeply and honestly—because Vickie set the stage for all of us to use sexual words—and showed me that everyone—young or old, plain or pretty, coupled or not—want good sex lives.

And thanks to Tracy Pitcher, MSW—Director of The Hope Club and Vickie Yattaw RN—there is the start of open conversation about love—and sex!--in the time of cancer.

Sex Ed for Cancer and Caregivers

Next Monday night The Hope Club (formerly Gilda’s Club) in Latham New York will host and evening of Sex and Cancer. It will be a panel presentation and open discussion about the anatomy, physiology, chemistry, etiquette, hope, fear and what real people really do when they make love in the time of cancer. I’ll be part of a panel that will provide information, education and lots of opinions and laughter too. And refreshments!

The panel includes Tracy Pitcher, Director of The Hope Club and Outreach for the American Cancer Society and Vickie Yattaw, RN—nurse educator—who does lots of education around sex and cancer. So bring a friend and come join the discussion.

Monday June 13th 6 to 8 pm at The Hope Club One Penny Lane—off Wade Road—off exit 6 of Route 87 Latham, New York

Save the Date: Sex and Cancer

There are a lot of things to feel squeamish about with cancer. But sex isn’t—or shouldn’t be—one of them. So here is a chance to listen, learn, talk and ask questions about sex and cancer. Mark your calendar:

Monday June 13th --7 pm to 9 pm

at The American Cancer Society Hope Club (formerly Gilda’s Club)

One Penny Lane—off Wade Road—off exit 6 of Route 87 Latham, New York

There will be a panel presentation and open discussion about the anatomy, physiology, chemistry, etiquette, hope, fear and what real people really do when making love in the time of cancer. I will be part of the panel along with other experts on cancer, caregiving and sex.