A touching and inspiring celebration of
life, Winthrop’s 14th Annual Cancer
Survivors Day was attended in June by
more than 400 cancer
survivors, their loved
ones and Winthrop staff.
Held at the Chateau
Briand in Westbury, the
uplifting event gathered
all in a spirit of hope,
camaraderie and
encouragement.
Guest speaker Patrick Boland inspired
the audience with his heartwarming
message to “live in the moment.”
“Each year, our list of
survivors grows longer,”
said Garry Schwall,
Chief Operating Officer
at Winthrop. “Thanks
to early detection,
advances in treatment and the skill of
our team, we see survival rates improving
year after year.”
The National Cancer Survivors
Day Foundation defines a “survivor” as
anyone living with a history of cancer –
from the moment of diagnosis through
the remainder of life. The annual celebration
applauds the resilience of the
human spirit, as well as recognizes the
significant strides made in the fight
against cancer.
“This day gives us an opportunity
to meet with patients, family and
caregivers on a more personal
level,” said keynote speaker
Alexander Hindenburg, MD,
Attending Physician in the Division
of Hematology/Oncology. “Even
though we are called ‘providers,’
we are also human and have emotions.
We are happy when our
patients thrive and grieve when
our patients decline. This day gives
us an opportunity to reflect on our
individual and collective blessings,
and to appreciate and celebrate
the bravery of our patients, their
families and caregivers.”
All those in attendance were touched
by guest speaker Patrick Boland*, a longtime
patient of Oncology, who inspired
the audience with his heartwarming
message to “live in the moment.” Mr.
Boland shared the gallant story of his
steadfast journey, focusing
on the love and
support he received
from his family and
friends. He also praised
the care he received
from Winthrop staff,
especially those whom
he encountered when
he was
hospitalized
on the
Oncology
unit, Hoag
One.
The celebration at the
Chateau Briand included dinner
and dancing, as well as
the opportunity to win raffle
prizes. Winthrop also held an
educational Cancer Survivors
Workshop at the end of June,
addressing “New Approaches
to Tumor Therapy” and
“Dealing with the Practical
Issues of Employment While
Undergoing Treatment.”
(L.-R.) Mary O’Keeffe, MD; Hema Rai, MD; Anne Boland;
Alexander Hindenburg, MD, Attending Physician in the
Division of Oncology/Hematology at Winthrop; Patrick
Boland; and Justin Markow, MD.
Winthrop-University Hospital’s
Cancer Institute is accredited by the
American College of Surgeons
Commission on Cancer and the
Hospital’s Breast Health Center is
accredited by the prestigious National
Accreditation Program for Breast Centers.
For further information on worldclass
cancer services at Winthrop,
visit www.winthrop.org or call
1-866-WINTHROP.
*The entire Oncology Team at Winthrop-University Hospital is deeply saddened by the sudden
loss of our dear friend and patient, Patrick Boland. Mr. Boland’s extraordinary courage
and strength will not soon be forgotten by all those at Winthrop whose lives he touched.
# # #
Winthrop Recognized for Quality Cancer Care
Winthrop-University Hospital’s cancer care services have become the first and only
hematology/oncology team on Long Island to be recognized by the Quality Oncology
Practice Initiative (QOPI®) Certification Program, an affiliate of the American Society
of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The QOPI® Certification
Program provides a three-year certification for outpatient
hematology/oncology practices that meet the highest
standards for quality cancer care.
|
Vol. 22, No. 2
Summer 2012
Back to Publications
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