Just So You Know Event: September 10 – 12, 2009

Just So You Know is, once again, taking its program on the road.  From September 10th to 12th, we will be back at M.D. Anderson for the cancer center’s annual Living With, Through and Beyond Cancer conference.

Between 300 and 500 people participate in this event each year.  The conference is designed so that cancer patients, their family and caregivers can come together for three days of hope and support, to learn about advances in cancer treatments and to talk about all sorts of other non-medical, life and wellness issues.  Basically, the conference has a little bit of everything.  This year there will be:

• Wellness Workshops, such as safe massage, aromatherapy, exercise and nutrition for the cancer patient,
• Panels with doctors and scientists about advances in technology and treatment,
• Lectures by experts about navigating health insurance and understanding health policy,
• Keynote speeches by prominent cancer survivors such as Hoda Kotb of the Today Show,
• Breakout sessions with psychologists and social workers specifically for young adult survivors, caregivers and women,
• And of course, entertainment, humorists, cocktail parties and banquets.

Just So You Know will be there each day to record  interviews and conversations of cancer patients and their family, friends or caregivers.  We will offer half-hour sessions during the times the conference is in session and in the evenings, as well.

For more information about the conference, check out M.D. Anderson’s website at:

www.mdanderson.org/patientconference

If you are in the area, please stop by.  Or if you know someone who might be interested in the conference, please pass this on.

And stay tuned!  Coming in May 2010:  an Afternoon Tea at the Bennett Cancer Center in Stamford, CT.  This event will celebrate caretakers and supporters of cancer survivors with Just So You Know’s personal video interviews and conversations, portrait photographers and an improv comedy workshop with Jacqueline Kabat.  Details to follow!

April 18th Event at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

We are thrilled to announce that Just So You Know has been invited to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas to be part of the Beth Sanders Moore Young Breast Cancer Survivors’ Spring Conference on April 18th.  This Conference, called “Hope, Healing, Humor and Mindful Living:  A Workshop for Breast Cancer Survivors,” is for women, age 45 and younger, who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.   Check out their website for information about this amazing program, its speakers and other events.

At the Conference, we will be offering 45 minute videotaping sessions for survivors and their chosen interview partner.  Before the sessions begin, Just So You Know will present an uproariously funny workshop by Jacqueline Kabat, a NYC-based professional comedienne.  Jacqueline’s “Healing with Humor Improvisational Comedy Workshop” will teach the art of improv to participants in the conference and their interview partners.  If you have ever seen improv comedians perform, you know that they seem to have mastered some of the great secrets of life.  They stay completely focused on the moment and totally open to whatever is coming next.  They listen and observe.  They never reject what their partners say or do.  They accept what is presented to them and figure out how to turn it into something positive.  And, of course, they make it all funny.

Jacqueline’s workshop will teach these skills.  It’s a perfect way to learn about living life to its fullest, overcoming obstacles and breaking down barriers.  It’s also the perfect way to get prepared to sit, listen, answer questions and share stories with an interview partner.   After the workshop ends, recording sessions will begin.  Sessions are private – it’s just you, your interview partner and a camera in the room.  Talk about whatever you like, take advantage of the time to share stories, reminisce and ask and answer questions.

If you are in the Houston area and would like to be part of the seminar, please click here to find out more or email bsmp@mdanderson.org or call 713-792-8208.  If you have questions, please feel free to leave a comment here!