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Vietnamese American Cancer Foundation
With its COCAP mini-grant, the Vietnamese American Cancer Foundation (VACF) implemented a Vietnamese media campaign to increase ovarian cancer awareness in Orange County. In total, six radio shows and one television show featuring gynecologic oncologists were broadcast between September 2010 and May 2011. The television show and radio programs - with an average of 75,000-100,000 listeners during peak hours - discussed ovarian cancer and invited questions from viewers and callers. The campaign culminated with a free "lunch and learn" symposium attended by one hundred and twenty-six community members on Sunday, April 10, 2011. Three expert speakers: Bich Lien Nguyen, MD; Huyen Pham, MD; and Thomas Tri Quach, MD, shared information on ovarian cancer, symptoms, risks and treatment. Post-event survey results reveal that community members increased their knowledge of ovarian cancer facts and found the Questions and Answers session very helpful. In addition, many requested that VACF organize community lectures. To learn more about the mission and work of the Vietnamese American Cancer Foundation, please visit: www.vacf.org.
The Clearity Foundation
The Clearity Foundation aims to educate patients and physicians on the use of molecular profiling to prioritize treatment decisions for recurrent and refractory ovarian cancer patients. With a mini-grant from COCAP, the Clearity Foundation conducted an extensive literature review of biomarkers in correlation with the efficacy of drugs used in ovarian cancer treatment. The literature was then linked with current clinical trials available to ovarian cancer patients. Following approval by the organization's Medical Advisory Board, the results of the literature review, correlation with current clinical trials, and lay audience summary were posted on the Clearity Foundation's website. By sharing the results online and at conferences, the Clearity Foundation hopes to make this information widely accessible and available for everyone to utilize. To see the results - including the lay audience summary - compiled by the Clearity Foundation, visit: www.clearityfoundation.org.
Women's Cancer Awareness Group
Women's Cancer Awareness Group (WCAG) hosted "A Day for Health and Joy for Women" on March 19, 2011, for one hundred and fifty community members in Petaluma. The day-long event balanced the latest information on women's cancers with wellness activities such as Zumba fitness. Bethan Powell, MD, of Kaiser Permanente launched the morning with a comprehensive presentation on the hereditary aspects of ovarian and breast cancers. Following the keynote address, participants broke out into smaller groups for a range of morning and afternoon sessions, including breast imaging, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer, traditional Chinese medicine, and how to bring fulfillment to each day. The event concluded with the much-anticipated Petaluma Woman of the Year award ceremony. To learn more about WCAG and get involved in their upcoming "Yarn Balming" project for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month (September 2011), visit: www.WCAGroup.net. Also see www.calovarian.ning.com to learn more about WCAG's President, Lydia Zipp, who is one of three Ambassadors for the California Ovarian Cancer Network.
Alta Bates Summit Foundation/Ethnic Health Institute
With its COCAP mini-grant, the Ethnic Health Institute (EHI) at Alta Bates Summit Foundation hosted "An Update on Ovarian Cancer: Ethnic Disparities, Early Detection, and Novel Therapies" on May 11, 2011 in Oakland. Eighty participants attended the event; the majority of whom were healthcare providers. The evening included a networking dinner as well as live music by The Ways and Means Committee. Following the dinner, a lecture was given by John Chan, MD, Director of Gynecologic Oncology at UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. The latest developments in ovarian cancer detection and treatment were discussed, followed by a Questions and Answers session. Evaluation results show that the presentation provided participants with new information on ovarian cancer as well as new strategies for ovarian cancer education. In the coming months, EHI will include an article on ovarian cancer in its Fall 2011 newsletter; develop ovarian cancer materials to incorporate into targeted outreach efforts; and identify future opportunities for education and outreach. For more on the Ethnic Health Institute, see: www.altabatessummit.org/ehi.
Long Beach Memorial Medical Center
Women Guiding Women through Cancer is a peer mentorship program at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center that is free and available to any newly diagnosed gynecologic cancer patient, regardless of where treatment is being received. On average, 15 women each year are matched with peer mentors and receive individual support over the phone. With a mini-grant from COCAP, three ovarian cancer survivors joined the program, now totaling 12 peer mentors, by completing a comprehensive training program covering topics such as psychosocial issues, communication, the biology and physiology of the body's response to cancer, and relaxation techniques. Pre- and post-training survey results demonstrate that the new mentors increased their knowledge of peer mentorship. The program will schedule another training in 2012 and continue to offer education and social events for peer mentors. Moreover, the managers of the program will continue to promote Women Guiding Women through Cancer at local hospitals to increase patient referrals. To learn more or to be matched with a peer mentor, visit : www.memorialcare.com/medical_services/gynecology/women-guiding-women.cfm.
Ovarian Cancer Alliance of California
The Ovarian Cancer Alliance of California, in partnership with Sutter Memorial Medical Center, used its COCAP mini-grant to implement a Professional Ovarian Cancer Symposium and a Community Ovarian Cancer Symposium in Modesto. On Saturday, May 21, 2011, forty-eight healthcare professionals completed a Continuing Medical Education (CME) course and thirty-three community members attended an afternoon symposium to hear the latest information about ovarian cancer. Expert speakers included: Dimitri Lerner, MD; Sidney Scudder, MD; Shea Rauch, MS; Susannah Mourton, MD; and Rita Hearne, survivor and founder of the Modesto Ovarian Cancer Support Group. Evaluation responses were positive and emphasized the quality of information and the event. To learn more about the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of California and its work throughout the Central Valley, visit: www.ocacalifornia.com. Maria Verbeck, the President of the organization, is one of three Ambassadors for the California Ovarian Cancer Network. To learn more about her ambassadorial role, see her profile on www.calovarian.ning.com.
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