Cancer Survivorship Week
All patients, from the time of diagnosis through their life during and after treatment, are survivors. Family members, friends and caregivers also are affected by cancer and are survivors, too.
To commemorate National Cancer Survivors Day, held annually on the first Sunday in June, MD Anderson is hosting online activities June 4-10, 2023.
Events will be held online to provide a safe, accessible event and reduce the spread of infection.
See the Survivorship Week Event Calendar below or view the calendar in PDF format.
Join us for:
- Lectures about anticancer living, stress management, nutrition, meditation and online Labyrinth session
- Skin care classes
- Resource fairs
- Support groups
- The Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) program is hosting several events, including restorative yoga and a support group
- Check out additional survivorship resources and get the Labyrinth handout.
Don’t miss these videos:
- Building your own vision board at home
- History of Labyrinths
- Guided Labyrinth Meditation
- Music and mindfulness exercise
- Music and breath synchronization exercise
- Anticancer Living: Transform Your Life and Health with the Mix of Six
- Yoga breathing exercises
- Chair yoga
All patients, from the time of diagnosis through their life during and after treatment, as well as family members, friends and caregivers, are invited to join online events and use these resources.
Survivorship Week Schedule
Monday, June 5
askMDAnderson
10-11 a.m.
Join via Zoom
Janice Finder, RN, MSN, AskMDAnderson executive director
With a cancer diagnosis comes many questions, and askMDAnderson has answers. Our knowledgeable staff will listen to patients’ questions and help them understand cancer, make decisions about their care, communicate with their health care team and help guide them. The askMDAnderson teams are made up of specially-trained individuals who help people find answers to their questions about MD Anderson and clinicians to provide our patients support after they leave the hospital and clinic.
The teams include:
- Registered nurses and advanced practice providers
- Health information specialists
- Patient services operators
Your Body and Mind after Cancer: Sex and Intimacy Post Diagnosis and Treatment
1-2 p.m.
Join via Zoom
Jillian Bissar, MSSW, LCSW-S, social work supervisor
This session will explore common physical and psychological states that may impact sex and intimacy due to cancer.
Tuesday, June 6
Labyrinth
2:30-3:30 p.m.
Join via Zoom
The Labyrinth is viewed as a metaphor for life and offers lessons as we walk or trace the path. Walking or tracing the labyrinth can help us address challenges, meditate, and find peace and serenity. The path helps us become still and centered. Join us to learn and experience this meditation practice.
Loving Kindness Meditation
10-10:30 a.m.
Join via Zoom
Smitha Mallaiah, MS, C-IAYT, senior mind-body intervention specialist
Join us for a meditation practice focusing on loving kindness. Self-care and nurturing are important to everyone in our daily lives, especially survivors. Beginners are welcome.
Makeup class
1-1:30 p.m.
Join via Zoom
Jeanna Doyle and Kris Astroff
The Oncology brow and lash recreation talk. Recreate long lasting, natural looking brows and lashes at any stage of shedding or regrowth. Learn simple techniques that will give you the illusion of natural looking brows and lash lines. This non-permanent method is simple, effective and can be modified to accommodate anyone seeking brows. Whether you are a non-makeup wearer or a makeup enthusiast, these techniques can offer privacy and identity through this creative form of self-expression.
Skincare class
2-2:30 p.m.
Join via Zoom
Jeanna Doyle and Kris Astroff
Oncology skincare 101 offers valuable information on three common questions during and post-treatment. Dryness: associated with chemotherapy and biotherapies. Radiation: skincare overview of best practices. Post-treatment pigmentation: safe practices for clearing pigmentation in any skin tone.
Wednesday, June 7
Psychosocial Concerns for Cancer Patients and Caregivers – How to support your loved one in their care journey
10-11 a.m.
Join via Zoom
Host: Ivette Acevedo, Co-Host: Tara VanDerpoel
Kendolyn Shankle, LCSW, senior social work counselor
This session will cover psychological concerns for cancer patients and caregivers. Get tips for how to support your loved one during cancer.
Wellness Resource Fair
11 a.m.-noon
Join via Zoom
Join us to learn more about the various resources available to patients, caregivers, and survivors at MD Anderson. Participants will hear a brief overview of various services and have a chance to speak one on one with representatives from each group in smaller breakout rooms. This Resource Fair will focus on wellness resources and will include representatives.
Active Living after Cancer – Cooking Up Cancer-Fighting Foods
Noon-1 p.m.
Join via Zoom
Alyssa Tatum, RD, LD, CNSC; Natalie Carmouche, MS, RD, CSO, LD; Beverly Rodgers, RD, LD, CNSC, CSO; Katie Roberts, MPH, RD, CSO, LD; Carolina Morales de Moreno; Luz Yadira Pena
Join the Active Living After Cancer (ALAC) team and get insight from MD Anderson’s registered dietitians. Bring your utensils and nutrition questions as we cook up a healthy recipe that will help survivors continue a healthy diet after cancer.
How to Transform Your Life and Health with the Mix of Six
1-2 p.m.
Join via Zoom
Lorenzo Cohen, Ph.D., Richard E. Haynes, Distinguished Professor in Clinical Cancer Prevention and director of the Integrative Medicine Program
Cohen will talk about lifestyle choices and six areas where you have control to optimize your health and well-being. You will learn specific recommendations for anticancer living and how to put this into practice both as an individual and within a family.
Labyrinth
2:30-3:30 p.m.
Join via Zoom
The Labyrinth is viewed as a metaphor for life and offers lessons as we walk or trace the path. Walking or tracing the labyrinth can help us address challenges, meditate, and find peace and serenity. The path helps us become still and centered. Join us to learn and experience this meditation practice.
Restorative Yoga for Adolescent and Young Adults (AYA)
6 p.m.
Register here
Join a calming restorative yoga class where all movement is customized to your needs. Open to all AYA patients (ages 18-39) and their caregivers. Hosted by Dan’s House of Hope.
Thursday, June 8
Online Survivorship Support Group
10-11 a.m.
RSVP to Traci Newsom, senior social work counselor at TMNewsom@MDAnderson.org
An online support group focused on survivorship concerns. Patients and caregivers are asked to RSVP ahead of time and include their name, medical record number (MRN) and group preference for attendance. The facilitator will reach out to them and send a Zoom invitation within an hour before the support group starts. Patients/caregivers can then either login via Zoom on their own computer or use the phone number provided in the email. Go to MDAnderson.org/SupportGroups for a complete list of support groups.
Lymphedema
11 a.m.-noon
Join via Zoom
Makesha Miggins, MD, FACS, assistant professor, Breast Surgical Oncology
Join the discussion on medical and surgical management of lymphedema.
Makeup class
1-1:30 p.m.
Join via Zoom
Jeanna Doyle and Kris Astroff
The Oncology brow and lash recreation talk. Recreate long lasting, natural looking brows and lashes at any stage of shedding or regrowth. Learn simple techniques that will give you the illusion of natural looking brows and lash lines. This non-permanent method is simple, effective and can be modified to accommodate anyone seeking brows. Whether you are a non-makeup wearer or a makeup enthusiast, these techniques can offer privacy and identity through this creative form of self-expression.
Skincare class
2-2:30 p.m.
Join via Zoom
Jeanna Doyle and Kris Astroff
Oncology skincare 101 offers valuable information on three common questions during and post-treatment. Dryness: associated with chemotherapy and biotherapies. Radiation: skincare overview of best practices. Post-treatment pigmentation: safe practices for clearing pigmentation in any skin tone.
Young Adult Support Group
6:30 p.m.
Register here
Connect with other young adult patients (18-39) on a variety of topics.
Young Adult Caregiver Support Group
6:30 p.m.
Register here
Connect with other young adult caregivers (spouses, children, siblings, friends, etc.) on a variety of topics.
Friday, June 9
Psychosocial/Support Resource Fair
11 a.m.-noon
Join via Zoom
Join us to learn more about the various resources available to patients, caregivers, and survivors at MD Anderson. Participants will hear a brief overview of various services and have a chance to speak one on one with representatives from each group in smaller breakout rooms. This Resource Fair will focus on support resources and will include representatives.
Active Living after Cancer – Educate and Exercise
Noon-1 p.m.
Join via Zoom
Christin Brehm, PT, DPT; Kentrell White, MS; Carol Harrison, M.Ed.; Patricia Tracy
Get ready to sweat! Join the Active Living After Cancer (ALAC) team as we move our bodies and educate our minds to achieve physical activity goals. In this session, you will learn healthy tips and tricks that will be sure to increase your physical activity and physical functioning as a cancer survivor.
Advance Directives
1-2:30 p.m.
Join via Zoom
Mark Anderson, JD, LMSW, social work counselor
Join this discussion about Advance Directives (Medical Power of Attorney, Directive to Physicians, i.e., Medical Living Will, Disposition of Remains and Texas Out of Hospital DNR). Each document will be reviewed, with a question and answer session at the end of the presentation. For more information about Advance Care Planning and Advance Directives, go to MDAnderson.org/AdvanceCarePlanning.
Saturday, June 10
Houston Dynamo FC - Cancer Survivors Night
7:30 p.m.
Shell Energy Stadium
2200 Texas Ave
Houston, TX 77003
MD Anderson patients and their families are invited to attend a match between the Houston Dynamo FC and the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC). MD Anderson is the Official Cancer Center of the Houston Dynamo FC. Together, we celebrate cancer survivors through events and activities throughout the season.
Use the MD Anderson link or enter promo code MDA after you select the June 10 game. For all individual home game tickets sold online, Dynamo FC and the Houston Dash will donate $1 to MD Anderson. Last season’s tickets sales contributed nearly $79,000 to MD Anderson.