The Global Fight Against Cancer

India Holds Its First American Cancer Society University - Nation's Top Health Care Leaders Gather in Chennai for Weeklong Training

American Cancer Society University in Chennai, India

A highly successful American Cancer Society University (ACSU) launched in Chennai, India, the week of December 5, 2005. Society immediate past-chair Tom Burish, PhD, and president elect Rich Wender, MD, along with Adrienne White, Vice President Health Initiatives & Advocacy for the Illinois Division, and Molly Daniels, Vice President of Field Advocacy from the National Government Relations Department were among the faculty members who taught 28 scholars from across India. Key training modules focused on early detection, tobacco control, advocacy, volunteerism, collaboration, and palliative care. Leading cancer control professionals in India and additional American Cancer Society staff also led training modules. This ACSU marks the official launch of the India Cancer Initiative a Society program in partnership with Indian cancer control professionals in that nation and within the growing Asian Indian community in the United States. Leading newspapers in India such as The Times of India and The Hindu covered the event and interviewed the Society and Indian faculty and advisors.

Great West, Mid-South, and California Volunteers Contribute to Successful African Cancer Conference in Dakar, Senegal

American Cancer Society Volunteers and Staff with Leaders of the Senegal AORTIC conference 

In November 2005, John Kelly from the Mid-South Division, Michael Trujillo from the Great West, and Cynthia LeBlanc from the California Division provided expertise during the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) 5th International Cancer Conference held in Dakar, Senegal. In cooperation with the government of Senegal and leading global health care organizations, the American Cancer Society supported this historic conference to help foster a comprehensive cancer control strategy for the African continent. In addition to the presentations by Society volunteers, American Cancer Society University (ACSU) scholar Betty Akeredolu presented the results of the successful breast cancer program she founded in Nigeria, a project launched with the support and funding of the Society. This conference was well attended by global cancer control experts and received press coverage in Africa from a Nigerian journalist in attendance.

Great Lakes Division Conducted Oncology Workshops in Middle East

Participants in Middle Eastern Oncology Workshop

In October 2005, Great Lakes Division Executive Medical Director Vicki Rakowski led a delegation of ACS volunteers to the West Bank cities of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Nablus to conduct a series of oncology workshops for Palestinian nurses and physicians from four Palestinian hospitals. Denise Egeland RN, Mary Jane Frey RN, Vickie Kudla-Hatch RN and Raja Rabah-Hammad MD provided local health professionals with the first ACS training programs in Palestine. Workshop topics included cancer pain management, breast self-exam, and pediatric cancer pathology. The Palestinian Authority's Vice Minister of Health, Anan Masri MD, warmly welcomed the ACS delegation to the Palestinian territories and encouraged further ACS collaboration to help build cancer control capacity in the West Bank and Gaza. Evaluations completed by workshop participants expressed deep gratitude for the ACS program and strong interest in opportunities for professional development. Under the International Partners Program, the Great Lakes Division will sponsor participants to the 2006 UICC World Cancer Congress and provide fellowships for selected physicians, nurses and other health professionals to receive training in Michigan hospitals.

Brazil Receives First International Relay For Life Training

Brazil Cancer Association staff and volunteers in Sao Paulo, Brazil

In October 2005, Ohio volunteer Shirley James assisted the International Relay training managers to conduct the first in-country Relay training for the Brazil Cancer Association. The Brazil Cancer Association plans to launch their first Relay event in June 2006. The training took place in Farialima, near Sao Paulo, and included 10 Brazilian staff and volunteers. The group learned the traditional standards and practices of launching Relay events, with a particular emphasis on the critical role of survivors.

The Eastern Division Hosts an American Cancer Society University (ACSU)

In October 2005, the Eastern Division held a special American Cancer Society University that was sponsored by the Avon Foundation and included a total of 23 ACSU scholars and Avon overseas employees engaged in the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade. Scholars were from the countries of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Hungary, Japan, Mexico, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Spain, and Venezuela. Faculty included Eastern Division volunteers Carmel Cohen, MD, Wendy Hornick, Avi Barbasch, MD, and Vice Chair of the National Board of Directors Marion Morra, and Pennsylvania Division volunteer J. Michael Fitzpatrick, PhD. Staff from the Eastern Division including Kris Kim and Lisa Brown participated, as well as Molly Daniels from the National Government Relations Department. Avon Foundation president Kathleen Walas and additional staff served as faculty and participated in this successful event. Key training modules included volunteerism, advocacy and fundraising. Upon graduation of the weeklong ACSU, the scholars had developed program plans to implement in their communities and were awarded $5,000 seed grants to fund the program launch.