Free ‘Caring for Caregivers’ workshop to support those who support others, Jan. 17

Contact:

Link to images: go.hawaii.edu/DGU

HONOLULU - Caregivers, patients/survivors/thrivers, family members and the public are invited to "Caring for Caregivers," a free, interactive workshop on January 17, 2026, at the University of Hawai'i Cancer Center in Kaka'ako. In Hawaii, about 1 in 4 adults are family caregivers. This event is designed to acknowledge, uplift, educate and empower caregivers, the unsung heroes of the cancer journey.

• "Caring for Caregivers" - Presented by the Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community of the University of Hawai'i Cancer Center
  • Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 9 to 11 a.m.
  • Sullivan Conference Center, UH Cancer Center, 701 Ilalo Street, Honolulu, HI
  • Free and open to the public - advance registration encouraged: https://go.hawaii.edu/Dfc
  • Deadline to register: Friday, Jan. 9, 2026

A caregiver often shoulders significant logistical, physical and emotional challenges when supporting a loved one living with cancer. Recognizing this profound role, the "Caring for Caregivers" workshop offers practical tools, information, and connections to community and resources, to help caregivers care for themselves while continuing to care for others.

Attendees will learn about caregiver research done at the UH Cancer Center,
receive self-care tips, practice ways to express and process emotions safely, and engage in separate sessions for caregivers and patients/survivors/thrivers, designed to foster open, supportive dialogue. The following presentations will be featured:

• "Research and Resources to Support Caregivers and Patients"

Kevin Cassel, DrPH, MPH; Associate Director, Community Outreach and Engagement, and Associate Researcher, UH Cancer Center

• "A Personal Caregiving Journey"

Peter Hirano, husband of the late Susan Hirano. Susan Hirano was a Hope Ambassador of the UH Cancer Center, and founder of the Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community program.

• "The Power of Helpful Thoughts"

Faryal Michaud, DO; Certified Life and Wellness Coach & Palliative Care Physician, The Queen's Medical Center

The Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community (the acronym stands for Community, Awareness, Research and Emotional Well-Being) was developed to strengthen and support cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and families across Hawai'i. Named in honor of Susan C. Hirano - a beloved Hope Ambassador and patient advocate at the UH Cancer Center who passed away in April 2025 - the initiative offers quarterly workshops and support opportunities at no cost to attendees. To learn more, go to UHCancerCenter.org/cancercare.

"Susan believed deeply in the University of Hawai'i Cancer Center, and she believed deeply in empowering and supporting patients and caregivers," said Peter Hirano, husband of the late Susan C. Hirano, and a continuing champion of the program she founded. "The Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community supports and empowers individuals facing the challenges of cancer, with guidance and resources to help their mind, body and spirit."

Dr. Naoto T. Ueno, Director of the UH Cancer Center, and a two-time cancer survivor, added: "We are proud of the growth of the Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community and the support it brings to our community. Social-emotional support can improve quality of life at any stage of cancer. It has shown potential for improving health outcomes and survivorship for patients, and enhancing experiences for caregivers as well. Caregivers play a critical role in every cancer journey, and their well-being is essential to the health of our whole community."

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

As part 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.

Learn more at UHCancerCenter.orgConnect with us | Facebook | Instagram | X | LinkedIn

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