When social worker Holly Hutchinson was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in the summer of 2006, after an emergency visit to the hospital, she couldn’t believe it. “I was absolutely floored. Astonished,” recalls Hutchinson. “I ate organic food, exercised; I never had cancer in my family. I couldn’t have been more surprised.”
“Lymphoid cancer represents the fifth most common cancer. However there continues to be a lack of public awareness regarding its incidence and presenting symptoms,” says Dr. Laurie Sehn, Medical Oncologist, BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority.
Hutchinson agrees. “So many of my friends called in to give their support, but most people were not familiar with this disease.”
On May 8, Dr. Sehn and a team of lymphoid cancer experts will be hosting BC Cancer Agency’s Lymphoid Cancer Education Forum, an annual event sponsored by the BC Cancer Foundation to educate patients and public of the basics and new treatments for lymphoid cancer, which includes non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia.
“Regardless of your age, gender, or lifestyle, lymphoid cancer doesn’t discriminate,” explains Dr. Sehn. “The good news is that we are continuously gaining a greater understanding of the underlying biology of the disease. There are new discoveries and treatments coming out all the time. The management of lymphoma is continuously changing and outcomes are improving. This is important information that the patients and the public need to be aware of.”
Hutchinson has attended two previous forums since her diagnosis, and is one of the two patient speakers for the forum this year. “There are so many dos and don’ts out in the media, I found it very helpful to network and hear others speak from their experience.”
Hutchinson recalls how reassuring it has been for her to meet people who have survived long-term with the disease, who offered her tips of what to anticipate next, and told her that it is normal to still tire easily after treatment. “Talking to them took away a lot of the anxiety for me,” says Hutchinson. “And I learned other things too. The nutritionists’ presentation, for example, offered tips that I easily put into practice at home. Even my partner found such networking opportunities very helpful - when you have a life threatening disease, people around you are also affected deeply.”
Hugh Stansfield, the Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of British Columbia, is the other patient speaker of this year’s Lymphoid Cancer Education Forum. Judge Stansfield was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2003 when he was a judge of the Court. He became Chief Judge during a period of remission, but has gone on to serve in that capacity while coping with the disease.
“I’ve worked in the field for many years, and still, it humbles me every time to hear such extraordinary stories. I look forward to hearing Chief Judge Stansfield and Ms. Hutchinson just as much as everyone else,” adds Dr. Sehn.
“My life has changed profoundly,” adds Hutchinson. “It was frightening to go through a life threatening disease, but in the end, I see it was a gift. I put my health and quality of life before everything else now. I have a new and better life.”
The Lymphoid Cancer Education Forum will be held on Friday, May 8, 2009, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Jewish Community Centre, 950 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. Sign in and refreshments will start at 8:15 a.m. Registration is required by Monday, April 27. Cost is $15 per person and includes lunch and refreshments.
For more information, or if financial restrictions keep you from attending, please contact:
604.877.6000 ext. 2194, or 1.800.663.3333 ext. 2194
The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. The BC Cancer Foundation raises funds to support research and enhancements to patient care at the BC Cancer Agency.
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Media Contact:
Helen Fan
Communications
BC Cancer Agency
hfan@bccancer.bc.ca
Tel: 604.877.6000 ext. 4813
Toll-free: 1.800.663.3333, ext. 4813
Jinny Wu
Communications Specialist
BC Cancer Agency
jwu2@bccancer.bc.ca
Tel: 604.877.6272
Pgr: 604.806.2338
Toll-free: 1.800.663.3333, ext. 6272