Yale Bulletin and Calendar

November 11, 2005|Volume 34, Number 11

Coast-to-coast run will raise funds
for center for cancer survivors

Yale Cancer Center has been selected by "Coast to Coast: A Run for Survivorship" as the primary beneficiary for its cross-country run in 2006.

"We are honored that 'Coast to Coast' has partnered with Yale Cancer Center to increase awareness and funding for cancer survivorship, not only in Connecticut but nationwide," says Dr. Richard L. Edelson, director of the Yale Cancer Center. "The commitment and dedication they make to cancer survivors throughout the five-month run is an inspiration."

Christian McEvoy, the 23-year-old president of the Challenge America Foundation, will run 3,500 miles from the Pacific to the Atlantic oceans both to increase awareness about cancer survivorship and to raise funds for the Connecticut Challenge Adult Survivorship Center at the Yale Cancer Center. The run will begin in San Francisco on July 1 and finish in Rhode Island in late November. When he completes the journey, McEvoy will be among the select group of fewer than 50 runners who have completed the cross-country run.

Joining McEvoy in the "Coast to Coast" project will be John Chenier, event coordinator for the run. The team will pass through 13 states, visiting cancer patients during their trip. McEvoy and Chenier, both high school teachers, are also challenging high school students to join them in raising awareness of the issues affecting cancer survivors as well as in raising funds to support cancer patients and research. The students are encouraged to form relay teams to accompany McEvoy and Chenier along portions of their route.

"The personal challenge I will face in running across the country is really insignificant when compared to the challenges cancer survivors face every day of their lives," says McEvoy. "I am inspired by the cancer survivors I know, and I am excited that we found a way to help raise funds and awareness for all survivors."

There are over 10 million cancer survivors in the United States today and, due to the advances in cancer treatment, the number of survivors will continue to grow. Long-term consequences of childhood and adult cancer treatments may include heart problems, fertility issues, lymph edema, post-traumatic stress, impaired growth, osteoporosis and increased risk of second cancers. One in two men and one in three women will develop cancer.

The Connecticut Challenge Adult Survivorship Center at the Yale Cancer Center provides care and consultation to people who have been diagnosed and treated for cancer, and focuses on the long-term effects of cancer surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Each multidisciplinary team consists of a physician, a specialized advanced practice nurse, social workers, a nutritionist and other medical specialists who focus on the special problems of patients and their families both during and after cancer treatment.

"Coast to Coast" will be the subject of a documentary funded by Fairfield University. The film will follow the team through preparations and along the 3,500-mile route.

Yale Cancer Center is one of a select network of 39 comprehensive cancer centers in the country designated by the National Cancer Institute and the only one in Southern New England. Bringing together the resources of Yale-New Haven Hospital and the Yale University School of Medicine, its mission encompasses patient care, research, cancer prevention and control, community outreach and education. (See related story).

T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S

Yale opens new International Center

Community invited to center's Open House

New program to offer joint M.B.A./Ph.D.

Peabody will create science curriculum with NIH grant

'Al Franken Show' to be broadcast from Woolsey Hall

Famed singer tells of his determination to voice his views

Economist says climate change hits the poor hardest

Parasite that causes Sleeping Sickness . . .

'Safe in Hell' takes devilish look at Salem witch trials

Innovative architectural visions showcased in 'Transcending Type'

Renovated community Eye Clinic celebrates with an open house

Departments, donors to win prizes at United Way celebration

Additions to Yale Cancer Center will boost clinical care

Coast-to-coast run will raise funds for center for cancer survivors

Panel to discuss 'The Media and Corporate Corruption'

Lecture will pay homage to Albert Einstein

Auction to help alleviate hunger, homelessness

Library hosts shows on printing process and preservation

Women's healthcare challenges to be topic of forum

Concert will pay tribute to the memory of Divinity School alumnus

Week celebrates importance of international education

F&ES faculty member honored for research on rivers

Researcher Mark Johnson wins Plyler Prize . . .

'A Colony of Citizens' wins Douglass Prize for work on slavery

Golden days

Yale Books in Brief

Campus Notes