ROLFE PANCREATIC CANCER FOUNDATION

Past Events

Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer: How You Can Make a Difference

Join the University of Chicago’s Christine Drogan, a Licensed Genetic Counselor, and Dr. Bradford Chong, Director of the Pancreas Program, for November’s Wellness Wednesday.  Learn how you can take part in the Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection (PRECEDE) Consortium global study focused on improving Pancreatic Cancer outcomes!  

The PRECEDE Consortium is a group of experts from different institutions worldwide. Their mission is to help find Pancreatic Cancer sooner, especially in people with a higher inherited risk. They do this by finding better ways to screen, predict, and prevent Pancreatic Cancer through shared research and collaboration.  

Key Takeaways:  
• Find out how easy it is to participate in the study—just an annual blood draw!
• Understand why it is important to join the already 7,000 PRECEDE study participants.
• Learn about PRECEDE’s efforts to improve early detection and increase survival rates from 10% to 50% in 10 years.  
• Understand how PRECEDE’s approach to screening and risk modeling is different and can make a big impact.

Whether you have a family history of Pancreatic Cancer or just want to learn more, this session is for you.

Pancreatic Cancer and Melanoma: 5 Facts You Need to Know

Featuring Dr. Allison DePersia, a medical oncologist specializing in clinical cancer genetics, Endeavor Health’s Mark R. Neaman Center for Personalized Medicine

Join us for an important webinar in partnership between Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation and Cancer Wellness Center. Dr. Allison DePersia, a medical oncologist with Endeavor Health, will share essential insights on the link between pancreatic cancer and melanoma, and what you can do to protect yourself and your family.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to safeguard your health and stay informed.

Key Takeaways:
• Key insights on hereditary cancer syndromes
• How genetics affect your risk for pancreatic cancer
• The genetic risk of melanoma
• BRCA2 and CDKN2A genes’ broader implications
• Recommended screenings for those at risk

The Cancer Fighting Diet, Pt. 4: The Dangers of Inflammation in the Body

Featuring Chris Rosandich, MS, Nutrition and Wellness Manager, Cancer Support Center

Inflammation is a natural part of our body’s healing process. While occasional inflammation flare-ups are beneficial by indicating our immune system is actively healing our bodies, persistent or chronic inflammation may signal underlying health concerns that require attention.

Join us as Chris Rosandich, the Cancer Support Center’s Nutrition and Wellness Manager, continues our “cancer-fighting diet” series. Chris will provide a refresher on this highly-watched series, including the harmful impact of sugar (HERE), ways to boost immunity through healthy digestion (HERE), and easy food swaps for a healthier diet (HERE). Then, she’ll tackle inflammation, sharing:

• Causes of inflammation and why it’s so dangerous
• Strategies to reduce inflammation, increase energy, and relieve brain fog
• Signs of chronic inflammation
• Natural ways to reduce chronic inflammation
• Simple meal strategies to make eating an anti-inflammatory diet simple

Preparing for Palliative and Hospice Care

Featuring Dr. Martha L. Twaddle, MD, FACP, FAAHPM, HMDC

Challenging and emotional conversations become the norm after a cancer diagnosis, so it’s essential to surround yourself with a broad team to educate and guide you while also making you feel comfortable and supported. This is especially true when exploring and planning for palliative and hospice services.

Join Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation and Cancer Wellness Center in a candid discussion with Dr. Martha L. Twaddle, the Medical Director for Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care at Northwestern Medicine. Dr. Twaddle will help us:

• Explore the differences between palliative care and hospice care.
• Understand when it is time to plan for care options.
• Three key questions you should ask providers in setting up care.
• Ways in which family members can also receive support during this difficult time.

Talking With Children About Cancer: 3 Ways To Provide Support Through A Parent’s Cancer Journey

Featuring Kelsey Mora, LCPC, CCLS, Chief Clinical Officer of Pickles Group

Being on the receiving end of a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming and confusing for most adults. Depending on the ages of their children, these emotions are often amplified and coupled with a fear of the unknown. Learning how to speak with children about this sensitive topic and what the right amount of information to share is crucial.

Kelsey Mora, a Certified Child Life Specialist and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, and the Chief Clinical Officer of Pickles Group will share:

• Evidence-based data on kids facing parental cancer.
• 3 guiding principles to frame tough conversations.
• Appropriate developmental responses.
• The importance of honesty, listening, validating, and reassuring.

The Cancer Fighting Diet, Part 3: Easy Diet Swaps for a Healthier You

Featuring Chris Rosandich, MS, Nutrition and Wellness Manager, Cancer Support Center

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be challenging or boring. Simple switches can make a big impact on your everyday life. And would you believe a balanced diet can actually be tasty AND fun?

Chris Rosandich, the Cancer Support Center’s Nutrition and Wellness Manager, will share easy diet swaps for a healthier lifestyle, including:

• Why it’s so hard to make healthy diet changes.
• Two reasons why healthy lifestyle attempts fail.
• Quick and healthy ingredient swaps.
• How to make sweet and salty treats better for you.

Join us virtually where we’ll share practical wellness tools, tips, and techniques from experts on the topics that are important to patients, survivors, and caretakers alike.

We’re partnering with an amazing group of experts to deliver timely and useful content via Facebook Live or Zoom.

From nutrition and stress management to the power of music and exercise, we’ll bring our community together virtually to stay connected and receive the continued support each of us needs right now. Check out past events below, or on our Facebook page!

Enjoying our educational Wellness Wednesday episodes? Consider a donation to support future programming!

If you have an idea for a future episode, email [email protected] with your request.

Past Events

June 2022 | DASH for Detection

July 2022 | Living in the Paradox

August 2022 | Know Your Risk

See our library of full Wellness Wednesday episodes and other video resources on our YouTube channel.

Wellness Wednesday is now available as a podcast!