Life with Cancer ® 2023 Donor Impact Update
Programmatic Growth Life with Cancer continues to grow its programs and facilitate new valuable partnerships. New this year, Life with Cancer and the Inova Saville Cancer Screening and Prevention Center opened a Survivorship Clinic, and in collaboration with Inova Cardio-Oncology are working on a new exercise physiologist and webinar series.
New Survivorship Clinic Inova Schar Cancer launched a Survivorship Clinic at the Saville Cancer Screening and Prevention Center. In this collaborative model, the Survivorship APP and Life with Cancer teams provide: Education on signs and symptoms of recurrence and prevention of recurrence Information on post-treatment side effects Counseling to address fear of recurrence and emotional impacts of cancer Assistance with lifestyle modifications to promote recovery and health Sexual health and intimacy counseling Nutrition counseling Information on addressing social drivers of health and barriers to care Coordination of care for post-treatment recovery and resilience needs Page 1
Meet Eva Eva Ruiz Olivares joined Life with Cancer this May as our new Oncology Nurse Navigator for Survivorship. Eva received her BSN from George Washington University and worked there in medical-surgical oncology and critical care nursing. Before becoming a nurse, she served as an oncology patient navigator for 9 years.
“At every turn, through this battle, my Life with Cancer counselor has provided me with encouragement and tools to move forward and better cope with my challenges. Thank you for the amazing resources and the supportive, kind and talented individuals who make up the Life with Cancer program. It is truly a gift to those of us with cancer.” - Inova Schar Cancer patient
Page 2
Offerings and Service Highlights Brain Fog Series was led multiple times this year with very positive feedback from participants.
“Her speech and memory much improved”
Participants learned about the cognitive impacts of cancer and cancer treatments as well as strategies to help them manage the impact on their day-to-day functioning. Each participant developed their own personalized "brain fog plan."
Portrait Day was offered to provide impactful memory-making opportunities for advanced cancer patients and their families.
“I haven’t smiled this much in a year” Page 3
Acupuncture and Massage Three Inova team members presented their work on the “Current state of science supporting acupuncture for the side-effects of cancer treatment” at both the Society of Acupuncture Research Conference and the Society of Integrated Oncology Conference this year.
“As a result of my acupuncture treatments, I have a sense of greater peace and relaxation. My therapist is very knowledgeable, kind and patient, and embodies a genuineness that provided me a safe space to be open and honest about my feelings and experiences in a way I hadn’t been able to do since my diagnosis.”
“I feel so much calmer now that you’re here. Thank you.” – Inova Schar Cancer infusion patient after Life with Cancer complimentary oncology massage.
Page 4
Pediatric Programming Upcoming Fall Pediatric Classes Include: Grief Circle for ages 7-12 Grieving Parent Support: Navigating Pediatric Loss Together Curious about Cancer workshop Teens Connect event at the Life with Cancer Family Center Pictured below: Pediatric Oncology Therapists (Left) Jane Woo, MA, LPC, LCPAT, ART-BC (Right) Jemma Stratton, MSW, LCSW presenting on Engaging Cancer-Bereaved Youth in Group Programming following Covid-19
Page 5
Page 6
Team Member Excellence
Certified Oncology Nutrition Specialists Another Life with Cancer team member became a certified specialist in oncology nutrition this August. This requires 2,000 specialty practice hours, in addition to successfully passing a certification exam every five years. This team member joins five other teammates who have also achieved this specialty certification to solidify their expertise in oncology nutrition. Our nutrition team now has six of the 27 total in all of Virginia!
Page 7
Education and Industry Leadership
Inova’s Dr. Timothy Cannon hosted a free virtual event “Lifestyle Changes and Colorectal Cancer” in August. He discussed the state of research on diet, exercise and other lifestyle factors for those living with colorectal cancer.
Jennifer Bires, Executive Director of Life with Cancer and Patient Experience for the Inova Schar Cancer, was a cospeaker at an industry conference on “Leadership within Oncology Social Work, Learnings and Opportunities.”
A retrospective analysis and peer-reviewed article about Life with Cancer’s in-person and virtual Mind over Matter fiveweek series was published in the Journal of Physio-social Oncology. It reports how Life with Cancer is building coping skills to relieve distress and physical symptoms from a quality improvement project of a group psychoeducational program for patients facing cancer.
Page 8
Hope and Healing This year’s 16th and Grand Finale Joan Hisaoka “Make a Difference” Gala raised an incredible $1.9 million for Inova Life with Cancer. In total, this Gala raised nearly $13 million to provide vital programming at no cost to patients and their loved ones. Life with Cancer has seen exponential growth since this event’s inception in 2007: Legend:
2007
2023
60,000
$8,000,000 $6,000,000
40,000
$4,000,000
$7.6M
58,516
20,000
$2,000,000 $2.1M
15,716
0
$0 Annual Budget
Lobster Extravaganza
People Reached Includes patient consults and class participants
The 23rd Annual Lobster Extravaganza raised $1.2 million for Life with Cancer – bringing its grand total to over $20 million over the last two decades thanks to our community’s support and the generosity of the Peterson Family.
Page 9
Life with Cancer held its first-ever art therapy show: “Healing Through Art Therapy” to provide patients an opportunity for meaningful therapy as well as to connect publicly with their cancer experiences. The show increased attendees’ understanding of art therapy and viewers were invited to participate in an interactive element of creating their own art in response to the show.
A Kintsugi Workshop enabled participants to explore a Japanese art form in which breaks and repairs become part of the object’s history, providing meaningful analogies for patients in survivorship.
“The therapeutic focus of the class is continuing to help me with my patience.” Page 10
Thank You for Your Generous Support For more than forty years, Life with Cancer at Inova Schar Cancer has offered critical emotional support and education including integrative therapies, wellness programs, groups and classes for patients and their families both during and after cancer treatment. Life with Cancer relies on philanthropy and our services are available across the region, at no cost to participants. Thank you for making this all possible.
For more information about the impact of your giving, please contact Kristen Bentivegna at Kristen.Bentivegna@inova.org or 571.472.0693