ROCK & RUN ON THE RIVER E-ALERT June 2009 In this issue: Rock & Run Recap: Thanks to All; Tell Us What You Think; From Our Survivor Wall; Support Survivorship Survivorship Resources: Educational Webcast; Living Beyond Cancer Calendar Share Your Story: Jim Cirone Rock & Run Notes: Become a Facebook Fan Thank you for signing up for Rock & Run E-Alerts. Each monthly issue will include Rock & Run on the River updates and other news related to Memorial Sloan-Kettering and the Cancer Survivorship Initiative. ROCK & RUN RECAP Thanks to All! On June 7, 2009, a total of more than 5,000 runners, walkers, survivors, and supporters joined together at Hudson River Park’s Pier 84 in a wonderful celebration of life beyond cancer. "Rock and Run was a wonderful day to support and honor survivors," said Mary McCabe, RN, director of MSKCC's Cancer Survivorship Initiative. "The weather was beautiful and the turnout was overwhelming, including Sloan-Kettering staff, survivors and their families, and people from all over the tri-state area who came out to enjoy the celebration." To our participants, donors, and volunteers -- thank you for your dedicated support of Memorial Sloan-Kettering’s Cancer Survivorship Initiative. We hope you enjoyed the festivities. From the pre-race stretch to the post-race party, Rock & Run on the River was a great day to celebrate life! more Tell Us What You Think If you were one of the thousands of people at this year’s Rock & Run on the River, we hope you had a great day! We’ll be posting new Rock & Run photos and video on the Web site in the weeks to come, so be sure to check back often. In the meantime, please send us an e-mail with any comments or suggestions you have to help make next year’s Rock & Run even better. From Our Survivor Wall Each year at Rock & Run, survivors share their emotions and hopes for the future by posting a note on our Survivor Wall. Here’s what this year’s participants had to say: “Thanks MSKCC for giving me another day every day!” “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is the ‘present’ that must be opened!” “With God by my side, I learned that cancer can’t conquer my soul, and the fight began. And here I am -- five years later!” “Time -- with the help of MSKCC doctors and nurses -- does make it better!” “Twenty-six years strong. One wife, two kids, and a lot of life!” “There is life during chemo; there is greater life after chemo. Viva la Vida!” Support Survivorship Although the event is over, you can still support the cause. Rock & Run has raised $500,000 in support of the Cancer Survivorship Initiative, with a goal to raise another $100,000 by August 31. Help Rock & Run reach its goal by making a donation at www.rockandrunontheriver.org. SURVIVORSHIP RESOURCES Educational Webcast View The Everything Talk: Pain, Fatigue, Hot Flashes and More, an educational Webcast sponsored by MSK’s Post-Treatment Resource Program and Cancer Smart lecture series. More patients are living long past their cancer experience. But survivorship may be marked by uncomfortable aftereffects of treatment. MSKCC psychologist Steven Passik discusses how to cope with these challenges and improve the quality of your life. more Living Beyond Cancer Calendar Check out the Living Beyond Cancer calendar for details about upcoming survivorship events and programs offered by Memorial Sloan-Kettering. more SHARE YOUR STORY Jim Cirone On his ninth birthday, Jim Cirone had a biopsy on his foot and was subsequently diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare cancer involving the bone and soft tissue that was first described in 1921 by Memorial Sloan-Kettering oncologist James Ewing. But the young man did not let his illness limit him in any way. His treatment at Memorial Sloan-Kettering included 18 months of chemo, as well as radiation and surgery. “This all happened back in 1974, when surgeons had just begun experimenting with limb salvaging techniques,” said Jim. “The doctors were able to take out the affected bones, remove a toe, and restructure my foot so that it would function, but they were not sure of the long-term results.” Once he was declared cancer-free, Jim started swimming and fell in love with the sport. From the age of eleven until he graduated college, Jim swam competitively and played water polo. “After college I took up cycling and running,” he said. “I just completed my second half-marathon, I’ve done numerous 100 mile-plus bike rides, and I’ve competed in triathlons. Ever since I walked away from MSKCC with a clean bill of health I have lived a very active life and I am very fortunate that I have had few limitations in what I could achieve.” Jim is currently part of The Childhood Cancer Survivor Study and is a patient of Dr. Oeffinger, director of MSK’s Program for Adult Survivors of Pediatric Cancer. “Cancer survivors are at higher risk for certain complications that may affect us later in life, and these programs are helping the current survivors achieve their greatest quality of life, and will help future survivors,” he said. “I am fortunate that despite initial expectations, every day I can participate in the events that I love. The fact that Rock and Run supports survivorship makes it even more meaningful to me.” ROCK & RUN NOTES Join Our Growing Facebook Fan Base The Rock & Run fan base on Facebook has increased by 600 percent since February. If you've already joined our Rock & Run page on Facebook -- thanks! If you haven’t already done so, become a fan of the page and spread the word among your friends and family. It's a great way to network and get the latest Rock & Run updates. We’ll continue to post new content, photos, video, and links, so check back frequently. Send to a Friend

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