Komen Phoenix Empowers and Educates Survivors, Co-survivors

Local breast cancer survivors and co-survivors gained valuable tools for dealing with many aspects of their disease at the inaugural Komen Phoenix Survivor Education and Empowerment Conference, a free event held June 11 at the Chandler Center for the Arts.

The first-time event drew approximately 100 participants from throughout the Valley. While the majority of participants were breast cancer survivors, many also brought along a loved one, or co-survivor, to share in the experience. Overall feedback from the event was very positive, with the majority of participants expressing a desire for it to be held annually. 

The event featured a main panel discussion about reducing the future risk of breast cancer, and two smaller breakout sessions covering breast cancer and personal relationships and financial assistance and other local resources. The sessions were facilitated by representatives of various Valley health and social service agencies, including American Cancer Society, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, John C. Lincoln Breast Health and Research Center, Mayo Clinic in Arizona, The Wellness Community and Young Survival Coalition–PHOENIX.

In addition to the educational sessions, participants were invited to visit a Community Resource room, where they could gather information from local breast cancer facilities and organizations. Participants were also given the opportunity to network over lunch.

While the Phoenix Affiliate has hosted survivor and co-survivor celebration and appreciation events in the past, this was the first time it had hosted an educational conference geared toward this group. The impetus behind creating the event was the Affiliate’s most recent Community Profile Report, a biennial community needs assessment that looks at all aspects of breast cancer and breast health services throughout the Affiliate service area.

“Our 2011 Community Profile Report really highlighted some areas in which we could better serve local survivors,” says Beverly Kruse, Komen Phoenix Executive Director. “When we reviewed the data from the survivor surveys especially, there were a handful of issues that came up again and again, such as the fear of reoccurrence, a need for more financial assistance programs and more awareness of local resources such as support groups, wigs and prostheses. By working with community partners in our mission to empower Arizonans to conquer breast cancer, we hope that this event was just the first of many that will give survivors the tools they need to do just that.”      

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