Are you a colon or rectal cancer survivor or a caregiver to one? If so, you might be interested in the upcoming national conference, "Family Matters: What You and Your Family Need to Know About Colon Cancer". It's being held in Denver, June 23-25:
http://www.ccalliance.org/
Why is this national conference important? I read the planned topics for discussion. They include sessions on information for the newly diagnosed, the long-term survivor, legal and employment issues, parenting a child when you have cancer, and what children need to understand about a parent's cancer. There are sessions on ostomies, pregnancy, and even sexual function. There's even a session for caregivers. But the best thing? Here's a place to learn about the advances for treating colon and rectal cancers. What's on the horizon?
Some people might be frightened by the idea of attending a conference that is so focused on discussing cancer. You might think it's scary. After all, you're already feeling terrified because you or a loved one has colon or rectal cancer. But when I read the agenda for this national conference, one thing pops into my head and stays there. Why would all of these experienced cancer professionals put together a conference for cancer patients and their families if they didn't think it could actually make a difference? Consider that. All this effort is going into providing families with strategies and information and education on surviving.
As someone who has worked with children who have a loved one with cancer, I can tell you that this can be an overwhelming experience. Children need help understanding what's involved, but at a level that reaches them. I see that the Colon Cancer Alliance is offering a three-part series for children ages 10-18. To me, this is such an important thing to do. You want your kids to get their information on your cancer from experts. You want to help them navigate the fear and work through it, so they are able to participate in the family. Very often, when a parent is affected by cancer, the kids get shuffled off or left out. The family can become fractured. When you're dealing with cancer, you need your family to be strong. You need everyone to be on the same page, with an understanding of your disease that is appropriate for the age.
In case you think the Colon Cancer Alliance is just a group of people determined to educate you on colon and rectal cancer, think again. "Family Matters" participants also have the opportunity to join the Undy 500. In case you haven't figured it out, it's about running or walking 5K in your boxers or your bloomers. That's right. It's an underwear fun run/walk. If you can't make it to Denver for the June 23-25 conference, don't despair. There are Undy 500 runs all over the country:
http://support.ccalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=undy_landing
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