New Cancer C.A.R.E. Community patient-empowerment initiative launched at UH Cancer Center

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

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VIDEO NEWS ELEMENTS (details below): https://go.hawaii.edu/D68

HONOLULU - More than 100 people - including cancer patients, survivors, "thrivers," caregivers and supporters - gathered on Saturday, April 5, for the launch of the new Cancer C.A.R.E. Community initiative at the University of Hawai'i Cancer Center in Kaka'ako.

The Cancer C.A.R.E. Community marks the first time that the UH Cancer Center is inviting the public to join an ongoing community network based in aloha, and offering free quarterly events plus other services aimed at empowering and supporting cancer patients, families and caregivers.

Attendees on Saturday took in patient-empowerment talks from UH Cancer Center Director Dr. Naoto T. Ueno, a two-time cancer survivor; Dr. Jami Fukui, co-faculty director, Community Outreach and Engagement at the UH Cancer Center, and breast medical oncologist at Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children; and Susan Hirano, a stage-4 metastatic breast cancer "thriver," UH Cancer Center Hope Ambassador, and founder of the Cancer C.A.R.E. Community. Nā Wahine Hula 'Ākala, the UH Cancer Center's hula hālau of cancer survivors, performed for the gathering. Attendees also joined small-group discussions to brainstorm ideas for future programs and services.

In a surprise ceremony midway through the event, it was announced that the initiative was being renamed the Susan C. Hirano Cancer C.A.R.E. Community, in honor of its founder. As her family members and UH Cancer Center staff swathed the honoree in lei, all including Hirano wept happy tears.

"We're so excited about the turnout that we saw. It just shows how important this program is and how much the community needs it," Fukui said after the event. "It was a wonderful opportunity for people to connect, to build community, but also to share some really important information. It really shows that we do have community here, that we can learn from one another, and that we can support one another through a very complex and difficult time, which is a cancer journey."

Hirano said countless people told her after the event concluded: "'Yes, this is what we need. We need this!' So it makes my heart happy. And it makes me realize this really is something I can give back to the community and help them feel better about their own (cancer) journey."

There are more than 70,000 people across Hawai'i living with cancer. The UH Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Hawai'i and the Pacific. The Cancer C.A.R.E. Community - standing for Community, Awareness, Research, and Emotional Well-Being - is dedicated to strengthening and supporting those affected by cancer through education, advocacy, and connection.

"While UH Cancer Center's renowned scientific research into cancer's causes and treatments has placed us in the top 4% of all cancer centers nationwide, our new Cancer C.A.R.E. Community is part of our effort to also improve our support for the social-emotional aspect of the cancer journey with aloha," said UH Cancer Center Director Ueno. "For patients, feeling informed, supported and in control are critical to their health outcomes."

The next event of the Susan C. Hirano Cancer C.A.R.E. Community is scheduled for Saturday, July 5. Join the initiative and learn more at UHCancerCenter.org/cancercare.

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About The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center

The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center is dedicated to saving lives in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific and inspiring hope by conquering cancer. The flagship priority is to understand and address cancer health disparities. The center strives to achieve this through research, education, patient care, and community outreach, focusing on the unique and diverse ethnic, cultural, and environmental characteristics of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.

The UH Cancer Center contributes more than $57 million to Oʻahu's economy through scientific research, clinical trials, and other activities. It is one of only 73 institutions designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the only NCI-designated cancer center in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific, representing a significant mark of excellence.

As as organized research unit of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the UH Cancer Center operates out of facilities located in Kakaʻako. The center directly employs more than 300 faculty and staff, with an additional 200 affiliate members and cooperative agreements with organizations that are part of the Hawaiʻi Cancer Consortium. The consortium includes The Queen's Health Systems, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, Kuakini Medical Center, Adventist Health Castle, Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association (HMSA), and the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM), all working together with the UH Cancer Center to advance cancer research and treatment in the state.

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VIDEO NEWS RELEASE - TRT 6:00

Link: https://go.hawaii.edu/D68

B-ROLL

:05 to :34 - UH Cancer Center building, landscape

:35 to 3:29 - Scenes from Cancer C.A.R.E. Community launch event

3:30 to 4:49 - Sound bites: Dr. Jami Fukui, co-faculty director, Community Outreach and Engagement at the UH Cancer Center, and breast medical oncologist at Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children

4:50 to 6:00 - Sound bites: Susan Hirano, UH Cancer Center Hope Ambassador, and founder of the Cancer C.A.R.E. Community

SOUNDBITES

Fukui (3:33): We're so excited about the turnout that we saw. I mean, it just shows how important this program is and how much the community needs this. I think it was a wonderful opportunity for people to connect, to build community, but also to kind of share some really important information during their cancer journey. And directly from Susan Hirano, who herself has gone through this process and continues to go through this process, to kind of share about the resources available to people. And I'm just so thrilled to be a part of this. I think it really shows that we do have community here, that we can learn from one another, that we can support one another through a very complex and difficult time, which is the cancer journey."

Fukui (4:17): "The Cancer C.A.R.E. Community provides hope. It provides connection. It provides different ways to support one another, whether that is with information or whether that's a meal, or whether that's talking about things that are on people's minds. I mean, 'Is it safe for me to eat this type of food? Is it safe for me to exercise? Can I look outside of my care team? Maybe for a second opinion, maybe to look for a clinical trial?' … I think all of these types of questions came up today and really do show what's on people's minds and how we can help to address and support people.

Hirano (4:54): To bring it this far and see this many people show up, and affirm what I was saying, and come to me and tell me, Yes, that you hit everything. Yes, this is what we need. We need more of this. So it makes my heart happy. And it just makes me realize this really is something I can give back to the community and help them feel better about their own journey.

Hirano (5:25): If they continue to come, and we certainly feel like they will based on today, we can teach them more about how to be empowered. We gave them the resources today, but there probably is more to be done in terms of showing them how to walk the walk and talk the talk. And I think a lot of that's going to come from our support groups and our talk story groups, so that they can hear how somebody else did it, and give them the confidence to go to their doctor.

For more information, visit: http://UHCancerCenter.org/cancercare