The Global Fight Against Cancer

American Cancer Society Partners with ASCO Cancer Foundation to Train Young Oncologists from Developing Countries

American Cancer Society volunteer Stephen Sener, MD, delivers a presentation during the ACSU-ASCO training course.

The American Cancer Society, through its American Cancer Society University (ACSU) program, partnered with the ASCO Cancer Foundation and its International Development and Education Award (IDEA) program to pilot a training course for young oncologists from developing countries about their potential role in cancer control. The ACSU-ASCO pilot training course was held prior to the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) on May 29 in Orlando, Florida. American Cancer Society volunteers Stephen Sener, MD, and Rick Ngo, MD, assisted with the training course. The training sought to engage oncologists in cancer control in their countries and to provide them an opportunity to share ideas and make commitments in cancer control. Participants reviewed and discussed their role with cancer control nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in areas of advocacy, patient services, and prevention/detection, as well as their role with governments in national cancer planning. Prior to the training course, a three-week online session helped participants conduct research on cancer control NGOs and national cancer plans in their countries. Participants will send follow-up reports on their activities to ASCO in the next six to 12 months.

American Cancer Society University Holds Follow-up Training in Hangzhou, China

ACSU scholar from Hangzhou presenting seed grant progress report

An American Cancer Society University (ACSU) training was held in Hangzhou, China, on March 20-23. This training, which follows last year’s ACSU training in Tianjin, China, convened 22 scholars from 13 cancer support groups, including representatives from the UNICEF-China office, Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation, and Hope Society of Taiwan. During the training, there were presentations from nine American Cancer Society seed grant recipients. All of them reported encouraging progress and successful results with their grant projects: For example, Fudan University Cancer Hospital in Shanghai is working to find suitable means of raising breast cancer awareness and providing information about breast cancer screening to their community; so far, more than 60,000 residents have received some type of information on breast cancer through this project. In addition, a Greater China cancer support group discussion at the training focused on some of the challenges and opportunities for cancer control nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in China. The group agreed to work on the development of a Web-based Greater China ACSU alumni network that would facilitate the sharing of best practices and available materials on cancer control in China.

American Cancer Society Conducts Part Two of Training Sessions for NGOs in Manila, Philippines

Manila Training Participants: From left to right: Wawang Setiawan Sukarya (Indonesia), Kiti Kajana, Coordinator- ACS University, Siti Nia Rusad (Indonesia), Charlie Smith, Volunteer - Chair of the Board of the California Division), Margaret Drugay, Volunteer - Great West Division Board of Directors). 
 

The American Cancer Society recently held the second training program for cancer nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) as part of its Asia Regional Cancer Control Program. The training program, focused on communications of early detection and patient support project outcomes, was held in Manila, Philippines, from February 22-25. Training highlights included expert feedback on implementation strategies, poster presentations on grant progress, and a project site visit. The training was held in conjunction with an American Cancer Society University (ACSU) for Southeast Asia partners focused on tobacco control advocacy. Sponsoring American Cancer Society divisions, California, Great West, and High Plains, provided volunteers and staff that partnered with local tobacco control experts to teach sessions in how to promote and implement smoke-free workplaces as well as how to influence decision-makers and the public in order to create change. Together, the two events hosted 39 individuals representing cancer control organizations from a total of 10 countries in Southeast Asia. Faculty members from the Philippines included Framework Convention Alliance regional coordinator Dr. Ulysses Dorotheo, prominent journalist Nestor Cuartero, and several city and national government representatives working in cancer or tobacco control. Multiple staff and volunteers from the California, Great West, and High Plains Divisions also served as faculty, including CEO of California Division, Inc., David F. Veneziano. The training programs were co-hosted by American Cancer Society partners in the Philippines, ICANSERVE Foundation and Philippine Cancer Society.

Corporate Leaders Take Part in American Cancer Society Global Employee Health Summit, Held in Conjunction with ACSU Boston

Participants at the ACSU Boston training

For the first time, global health leaders of major multinational companies with US- and Boston-based headquarters gathered August 6-8 for an American Cancer Society summit in Boston to address the growing chronic disease burden among employees in emerging economies through tobacco control and other health promotion programs. During this summit, 26 chief medical officers and directors of health benefits from the US, Europe, Asia, and Latin America offices of leading multinational companies, including General Motors, IBM, Caterpillar, and General Electric, learned how proven programs in the United States can be culturally adapted and applied worldwide to protect employee health and increase productivity. The American Cancer Society has begun piloting smoke-free and wellness programs in India and China to promote smoking cessation, smoke-free workplaces, physical activity, and better nutrition. This three-day summit was held in conjunction with an American Cancer Society University (ACSU) training in Boston that brought together 19 health care professionals from 13 Latin American and Caribbean countries to learn about smoke-free benefits and best practices.

NGOs from Six Latin American Countries Participate in American Cancer Society Training on Fundraising and Volunteerism

NGO participants in a group discussion during the training program

The American Cancer Society convened a five-day training during the week of June 23 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, that focused on fundraising and volunteerism for 14 cancer nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) from six Latin American countries as part of the Latin America Regional Health Grants Program, including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Venezuela. Lillian Santos, executive vice president of the American Cancer Society in Puerto Rico, and Frances Villafane, community manager, Health Initiatives for the American Cancer Society’s High Plains Division, shared their extensive knowledge and experience as faculty members of the NGO training. Héctor Martínez, manager of translations for the American Cancer Society’s Health Promotions department, provided guidance and support during the event. CNN en Español and the Discovery Home and Health channel covered the NGO training.

American Cancer Society Western Consortium Launches Third Round of American Cancer Society University

Scholars at Third Round of American Cancer Society's Western Consortium ACSU

An American Cancer Society University (ACSU) was held for the first time in Honolulu, Hawaii, May 18-23. The ACSU was attended by 17 scholars from eight countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. ACSU faculty included American Cancer Society volunteers and staff from the Western Consortium, which includes three sponsoring American Cancer Society Divisions: California, Great West, and High Plains. Scholars received training in tobacco control strategy planning, grant management, program planning, collaboration, monitoring and evaluation, and fundraising. A proposal development workshop provided scholars with individual assistance in preparing seed grant proposals. Case studies from American Cancer Society-funded grant projects were presented by scholars from South Korea and Vietnam. Scholars will submit seed grant proposals to implement tobacco control programs over the next year. Two ACSU scholars from the Philippines were interviewed at KNDI radio station in Honolulu. Dr. Kelly Salvador and his wife, Dr. Susannah Salvador, both oncologists, discussed their work on addressing cancer disparities and tobacco control in Manila.

ACSU Held For First Time in Tianjin, China

From left to right: June Chan, director, East Asia Programs, American Cancer Society National Home Office; Dr. Georgia Sadler, chair of the American Cancer Society California Division Board; Grace Chia, ACSU alumna and faculty member, Taiwan Kaihuai Association

An American Cancer Society University (ACSU) training session was held for the first time in Tianjin, China, during April 20-25. The session brought together 30 scholars from China. The faculty leading the training modules included five ACSU alumni and Georgia Sadler, PhD, MBA, BSN, chair of the American Cancer Society California Division Board of Directors. The modules covered a broad range of cancer control topics, including program planning, volunteerism, patient services, and tobacco control.

Cancer Control Scholars at ACSU Mexico City Focus on Volunteerism, Fundraising, and Media Training

Participants at ACSU Mexico City

An American Cancer Society University (ACSU) training session took place March 2-7 in Mexico City, Mexico, bringing together 24 scholars from 10 Latin American countries representing 19 cancer control nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). This was the second ACSU training for all but three of these scholars, with the first having taken place for them in May 2007 and hosted by the American Cancer Society Florida Division. The attendance of three new scholars from Nicaragua was made possible thanks to support from the American Cancer Society High Plains Division. The training, conducted entirely in Spanish, focused on some key elements for effective patient organizations, specifically volunteerism, fundraising, and media training. The team leading the training included these talented bilingual American Cancer Society volunteers and staff: Angela Esteva, member of the American Cancer Society Board of Directors; Frances Villafane, community manager of health initiatives in the High Plains Division; and Hector Martinez, manager of translations in Health Promotions at the National Home Office. The scholars had the opportunity to visit the National Cancer Institute in Mexico (INCan) to learn about the institute’s patient navigation program supported by the American Cancer Society and led by volunteers. To emphasize the importance of volunteerism in Latin America, the American Cancer Society organized a panel of Mexican volunteers involved in the fight against cancer which was attended by 13 members of the Mexican press, including broadcast and online media. This ACSU was also attended by representatives from Bristol Myers Squibb, which is generously underwriting seed grant support to ACSU scholars that will enhance innovative cancer control interventions in Latin America.

American Cancer Society University held in Hanoi, Vietnam

Dr. Mohamad Haniki Nik Mohamed of Malaysia listens to Dr. Nithat Sirichotiratana of Thailand's Mahidol University at ACSU Hanoi.

The Society’s High Plains, Great West, and California Divisions sponsored an American Cancer Society University (ACSU) session in Hanoi, Vietnam, during the week of February 25, the first ACSU ever held in Vietnam. Seventeen scholars representing eight Asian countries participated in this follow-up to the ACS University held in Oakland, California during May 2007. Cancer control leaders attended from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. Volunteers and staff from the three sponsoring Divisions included Tilly Gibbs and Brian Key (Great West Division); Carol Jackson, Jeff Kean, and David Veneziano (California Division); and Lila Johnson, Dr. Diệu Rick Ngo, and Jackie Young (High Plains Division). Cassandra Welch, director of international tobacco control, led scholars through exercises designed to enhance skills in tobacco control advocacy, with a focus on establishing comprehensive smoke-free workplace policies. Scholars provided progress reports in the implementation of their cancer control seed grant projects and toured the Vietnam National Cancer Institute. David Veneziano announced California Division's sponsorship of the 2008 Vietnam Cancer Control Fellowship. Local partners and hosts included Do Minh Son of the Vietnam Public Health Association, Viet Dung Nguyen of Vietnam’s National Tobacco Control Program (VINACOSH), and Dr. Thuan Van Tran of the Vietnam National Cancer Hospital and Vietnam Cancer Society.

American Cancer Society Co-hosts Tokyo Meeting on New National Cancer Act of Japan

Participants in the Tokyo meeting

The American Cancer Society and Health Policy Institute, Japan, recently co-hosted a meeting in Tokyo of American Cancer Society University (ACSU) alumni, Japan Initiative for Cancer Patients (JIP) members, and patient representatives of prefecture cancer committees. Approximately 50 participants convened to discuss state-level obligations under the new National Cancer Act of Japan and opportunities for nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and other advocates to ensure the implementation of evidence-based patient support programs under the new legislation. Members of the Diet (Japan’s national legislature), policy advisers, and organization leaders presented case studies of state-level cancer planning processes and outcomes. Society partners were among those who shared best practices and action plans for future networking, prioritizing, and evaluation. Prefecture committee members gained a better understanding of their role in regional cancer planning, while ACSU alumni and JIP members learned more about their responsibility to support state committee representatives in their new positions.