Kadlec Tri-Cities Cancer Center

Karen DuBois, RN, BSN, CHPN, Nurse Navigator with the Tri-Cities Cancer Center and Michael Novakovich, Director of Business Development for the Tri-Cities Cancer Center will both be graduating with their Master’s degrees on Saturday, May 7th.

DuBois will be graduating with an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) degree from Gonzaga University.

Novakovich will be graduating with a Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Washington State University.

“The staff and board of directors of the Tri-Cities Cancer Center are extremely proud of the work both Karen and Michael do for our organization,” stated Chuck DeGooyer, CEO of the Tri-Cities Cancer Center. “Their commitment to growing their respective skill sets for the benefit of our patients and our team is to be commended. Karen will be taking on new duties and responsibilities, which include leading our Survivorship and Palliative Care programs. Michael serves on our senior leadership team and has already begun implementing new strategies to better provide for the growing needs of our community.”

Both DuBois and Novakovich are excited to put their education to work. However, they each stated they are very excited to spend more time with family, reconnect with friends and enjoy post grad school life.

Mid-Columbia Libraries has partnered with the Tri-Cities Cancer Center to place its first eBook Power Tower on the Tri-Cities Cancer Center campus. The unveiling of the Power Tower will take place on Wednesday, May 4^th at 11:00 a.m. at the Tri-Cities Cancer Center located at 7350 W. Deschutes Avenue in Kennewick.

The Power Tower affords patients, family, staff and visitors to the Tri-Cities Cancer Center the opportunity to browse and checkout an eBook or audiobook. Mid-Columbia Libraries cardholders and non-cardholders can access the digital collection of over 40,000 books free of charge. The Power Tower is a self-service eBook kiosk that also serves as a charging station for digital devices such as iPads, Kindles and other similar eReaders.

“The partnership is a natural fit for the Tri-Cities Cancer Center,” stated Chuck DeGooyer, CEO of the Tri-Cities Cancer Center, regarding their work with Mid-Columbia Libraries. “Both of our organizations endeavor to positively impact quality of life for residents of our region. Often, patients, family and caregivers who visit our facility spend a significant amount of time on campus. From entertainment to education, Mid-Columbia Libraries’ Power Tower provides a tremendous resource to these individuals. Providing resources is at the very heart of the Tri-Cities Cancer Center and we do it through partnerships with organizations like Mid-Columbia Libraries.”

Kyle Cox, executive director for Mid-Columbia Libraries agreed, “Our Mission at Mid-Columbia Libraries is to enhance quality of life by providing excellence in books and services for our residents and communities. This compliments the Tri-Cities Cancer Center’s endeavors to improve quality of life through their prevention, early detection and treatment offerings. This partnership provides Mid-Columbia Libraries a fantastic opportunity to engage our community in a new and exciting way. The placement of our very first Power Tower eBook kiosk at the Cancer Center allows us to offer personal enrichment and growth opportunities to a new group of community members in a convenient fashion.”

New treatment options have come available in the past year due to new science about this malignancy of the bone marrow. Dr. Lu, a board certified hematologist and oncologist with Trios Health, will share the choices of treatments now available.

Please RSVP by April 26th. Call 737-3427 to register or visit www.tccancer.org and click on our calendar of events page to register online.

The Tri-Cities Cancer Center is able to offer programs like this, at no cost, thanks to community support through the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation. Donations to the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation stay local and provide valuable non-reimbursed cancer programs and services for patients, their families, and the community.

The Tri-Cities Cancer Center, a partnership of Kadlec Regional Medical Center, Lourdes Health Network, Trios Health and the Tri-Cities Community, opened its doors in 1994 as a freestanding non-profit cancer treatment facility. To learn more about the Tri-Cities Cancer Center and how you might become involved, visit us online at www.tccancer.org.

RUN FOR RIBBONS 2016!
A COMMUNITY EVENT TO RAISE AWARENESS AND PROMOTE PREVENTION OF ALL
FORMS OF CANCERS. ALL FUNDS RAISED FROM THIS EVENT STAY LOCAL!

Kennewick, WA – On Saturday, May 7^th, the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation will hold its 6th Annual Run for Ribbons 10K, 5K Run/1Mile Run/Walk and RibbonFest Health Fair at Richland’s Howard Amon Park. The festivities begin at 8:30 AM with the RibbonFest Health Fair and registration. The Run/Walk will start at 10:00 AM. The cost of registration is $25/Adults and $15/Children (price increases $5 on day-of registration).

WHAT: Run For Ribbons Cancer Awareness Run & Walk

WHERE: Howard Amon Park, Richland

WHEN: Saturday, May 7th from 8:30 (Check in & Health Fair opens), 10:00AM (Run/Walk starts)

To register visit www.runforribbons.org or call our Foundation office (509) 737-3413.

Participants will receive an event t-shirt featuring a blank ribbon. It’s the Run for Ribbons tradition to decorate it, customize it, use it to honor a memory, celebrate survival, or to simply encourage hope. Also, special Cancer Survivor shirts are available exclusively to survivors to recognize their triumph over cancer!

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Run for ribbons t-shirt decorating party

WHAT: Run For Ribbons T-Shirt Decorating Party

WHERE: Tri-Cities Cancer Center, 7350 W. Deschutes Ave., Kennewick

WHEN: Friday, April 29th from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Once again, the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation will host a T-Shirt Decorating Party complete with supplies. Registered participants receive an event t-shirt featuring a blank ribbon. It’s the Run for Ribbons tradition to decorate it, customize it, use it to honor a memory, celebrate survival, or to simply encourage hope. Also, special Cancer Survivor shirts are available exclusively to survivors to recognize their triumph over cancer.

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RibbonFest Health Fair
Saturday, May 7^th, Howard Amon Park in Richland from 8:30 – 11 am
Open to the community (Free of Charge)

RibbonFest Health Fair focuses on cancer awareness and education. There will be education booths focused on:  oral cancer, tobacco cessation, lung, breast, ovarian, prostate, skin and colon cancers. Participants can make a bracelet that changes colors with UV light exposure (Skin Cancer awareness).

Mascots from several area organizations will be on hand to help kick off the walk/run.

We will have a Giant Colon walkthrough exhibit set (20’ x 10’ inflatable colon). Visitors can see healthy colon tissue, tissue with non-malignant colorectal disease like Crohn’s and colitis, colorectal polyps, various stages of colorectal cancer.

Trios Health and the Tri-Cities Cancer Center have partnered to offer free breast & cervical cancer screenings. The screening event will take place on Friday, April 22nd from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Trios Care Center at Vista Field located at 521 N. Young Street in Kennewick.

Screenings are by appointment only and are open to uninsured and underinsured women 21 to 64 years of age. The screenings will include a clinical breast examination, cervical examination and Pap test (HPV test will be performed if applicable). Women age 45 and older will receive a free mammogram, as appropriate. Appointments are required, and can be made by calling the Tri-Cities Cancer Center at: (509) 737-3420.

No-cost cancer screening events are made available thanks to generous community support of the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation, Trios Foundation and community partnerships between organizations such as Three Rivers Pathology, Trios Health and the Tri-Cities Cancer Center.

It takes only a few minutes of talking with him to realize that the biggest source of sunshine in the life of Jerry Arbogast is his wife, Clare. She’s been his best friend, traveling companion and caregiver for 50 years. “We met in Spokane on a blind date and I knew right away, she was the girl for me.” They were married in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, just 18 hours after their first date.

Prior to meeting his sweetheart, Jerry had spent time working on family farms in Kennewick and serving with the U.S. Marine Corps on islands along the northeast coast of South Korea. Jerry was later accepted into the Plumbers & Pipefitters Union apprentice program and this subsequently led to work on the Hanford site where he spent much of his time in confined ‘hot zones,’ tearing down old nuclear reactors or installing pipes at the waste tank farm. His skills were later used around the country, working in the nuclear industry and other energy production sites.

Fast forward a few years to the mid 1980’s. By this time, 75 skin cancer spots had been removed from Jerry. One spot looked particularly onerous and was diagnosed as melanoma, leading to extensive skin grafts for his ear and forehead.

Then, in 2012 an x-ray ordered to check the plural thickening around his lungs revealed a small spot on his  breast. “This was actually a good find; it led to a mammogram and identifying a cancerous lymph node that was removed. The skin cancer had ‘gone rogue’ and got into my lymph system. But the Tri-Cities Cancer team and his physician at Trios Hematology and Oncology helped me fight it off, just like I fought off the other cancers.”

When asked how he coped with this condition, Jerry was quick to acknowledge the importance of family support. “The care I got from Clare and my daughter and son-in-law, Tami and Brian Dimond, made all the difference. One of them was with me at every doctor’s visit and treatment session. My family convinced me I had to get it done and finish the program. I wish everybody could get this kind of support. ”

Jerry had advice for others who work in specialized industrial areas. “Follow guidelines and rules to a ‘T.’ Those rules are in place to protect you. Know the safety procedures and follow them! ”

Clare wanted everybody to know some of the early signs of malignant skin conditions and to look for these on themselves and their companions. “Watch for small pimples, especially if they start to bleed on their own…no scratching them! Scabby, irregularly shaped looking areas that don’t quickly go away are also a warning sign. Monitor these things, and if they change over a few days, see a doctor!”

After fighting these battles together, Jerry and Clare now have a short list of special goals. Clare said their top priorities were to get more exercise and to learn to eat properly. But turning to Clare, Jerry reminded her of another goal.

“More time fishing and walking with you, Tami and Brian on those beautiful Oregon beaches.”

On Sunday, April 17^th at 2 pm, Travis Crumpler along with Boy Scout Troop 275 will host a Childhood Cancer Awareness 1-mile/5k Run/Walk at the Fingernail stage in Howard Amon Park. The entire community is invited to attend this free event and no registration is required. The first 100 people will receive a t-shirt at this fun, informative, community friendly event. Staff from the Tri-Cities Cancer Center will be present with information on the many support services available to the families affected by childhood cancer. They will also have information on how to assist in the funding of these services through donations.

For his Boy Scout Eagle Project, Travis elected a non-traditional project. He is conducting a Childhood Cancer Awareness effort. He has designed an educational brochure, is talking to youth and adult groups about childhood cancer, and conducting an awareness walk and run.

Travis’ sister Lydia was diagnosed with cancer when she was five years old.  They are now both in high school and Lydia is cancer free.  Travis feels it’s important for more people to be educated about childhood cancer; know how to communicate with kids who are diagnosed with cancer; and how we can help each other through this tough situation with acts of understanding and kindness.

If you would like copies of Travis’ educational brochures to share, please call him at 509-783-1042.

The Tri-Cities Cancer Center, a partnership of Lourdes Health Network, Kadlec Regional Medical Center, Trios Health and the Tri-Cities Community, opened its doors in 1994 as a freestanding non-profit cancer treatment facility. To learn more about the Tri-Cities Cancer Center and how you might become involved, visit us online at www.tccancer.org.

Tuesday, March 29^th, Wednesday, March 30^th, and Thursday, March 31^st, between 4:00PM – 9:00PM Pasco Wingstop will donate 10% sales to the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation. Tri-Cities Fever Football players will be on hand working as servers.

Pasco Wingstop will present the Tri-Cities Cancer Center with a check of the funds raised during half-time at the Tri-Cities Fever “Cancer Awareness Night” game on April 1^st.

The Tri-Cities Fever will be auctioning off their special edition Cancer Awareness Game jerseys worn during the game on April 1^st.

Third Party Events, such as those hosted by Tri-Cities Fever Football and Pasco Wingstop, provide funds to the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation. All funds raised stay local and provide valuable non-reimbursed cancer programs and services for patients, their families, and the community. Programs include Patient Nurse Navigation, no-cost screenings, cancer-education presentations, and classes in the Center’s Wellness Center, all at no cost thanks to community support of the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation.  The Cancer Center also houses the region’s most comprehensive cancer education library, the Ralph R. Peterson Library (supported through donations and third party events). Additionally, donations made to the Foundation provide free wigs, hats, scarves, mastectomy bras, breast prostheses and so much more to cancer patients in need.

The Tri-Cities Cancer Center, a partnership of Lourdes Health Network, Kadlec Regional Medical Center, Trios Health and the Tri-Cities Community, opened its doors in 1994 as a freestanding non-profit cancer treatment facility. To learn more about the Tri-Cities Cancer Center and how you might become involved, visit us online at www.tccancer.org.

On average, those with a parent who has been diagnosed with melanoma are almost 300 percent more likely to develop the disease than children who do not have a parent with a history of melanoma.

One in 10 melanoma patients has a relative with a history of the disease.

An estimated 76,690 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the US in 2013; the disease will kill 9,480.

Children with a parent who has been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are 220 percent more likely to develop the disease than those who do not have a parent with a history of SCC.

The second most common skin cancer, SCC affects an estimated 700,000 people in the US annually. It kills approximately 2,500 every year.

While Basal Cell Carcinomas and other skin cancers are almost always curable when detected and treated early, it is best to prevent them in the first place. Make these sun safety habits part of your daily health care routine:

• Seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM.
• Do not burn.
• Avoid tanning and never use UV tanning beds.
• Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses
• Use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor
  activity, use a water-resistant, broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
• Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply
  every two hours or after swimming or excessive sweating.
• Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.
• Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
• See your doctor every year for a professional skin exam.http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/basal-cell-carcinoma/bcc-prevention-guidelines
  http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/family#panel1-5