GCAM Resources
September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month
July 2009
Dear Friends and Colleagues:
For September 2009, Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month (GCAM), the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation (GCF) is announcing its inaugural Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Movement Weekend (GCAM Weekend), November 6-8, 2009, in Washington, DC. This first-of-its-kind weekend includes GCF’s inaugural Half Marathon/5K Race/1 Mile Walk—the Race to End Women’s Cancer, a day of survivors courses and a State of the Art Conference for professionals hosted by the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists.
On Saturday, November 7, 2009, GCF will offer three free concurrent survivors course for cervical cancer, endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer survivors, and their friends and families. These courses will be held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Registration is available now through the Women’s Cancer Network at www.wcn.org/courses/november2009.html.
These three courses will be taught by leading experts and it is the first time these three courses will be offered simultaneously. At the end of the day, the three groups of survivors, and their families and friends, and course faculty members will be offered a special networking and social experience during a celebration reception.
On Sunday, November 8, 2009, GCF is sponsoring the Race to End Women’s Cancer, a Half Marathon/5K/1Mile Walk beginning at 7:00 a.m. near the White House. The GCF Half Marathon/5K Run/1 Mile Walk will provide an opportunity for 3000 registrants to participate in a sporting event honoring survivors and patients now battling a gynecologic cancer as well as commemorate the memories of women that have succumbed to their disease. A Surgeons Team of approximately 100 gynecologic oncologists is currently training for the event to demonstrate solidarity with their patients and help raise awareness about these cancers. A sports expo on the day of the race/walk will provide a forum for advocacy groups to disseminate educational materials to the public. The weekend of activities will climax in a post-race party that will celebrate and honor the Gynecologic Cancer Sisterhood of Survivorship. To learn more and register, visit www.gcfrace.com/registration.html.
The 2009 State of the State of Gynecologic Cancers: Seventh Annual Report to the Women of America, available in early September, will feature a special article by a triathlete who is an ovarian cancer survivor about the role of fitness and body awareness in both her diagnosis and survival.
We know that many of you have events planned for September and we stand ready to assist in any way. We hope that, in addition to promoting the national GCAM Weekend, you will continue the campaign begun last year to encourage women who suspect or have been diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer to seek care first from a gynecologic oncologist.
In our efforts to continue to recognize the many individuals and organizations that are making a difference, we ask your help in completing the following:
- A member activity form to track your planned events and inform GCF.
- A results form to let GCF know about the success of your GCAM activities.
- A publicity kit survey form, to help GCF learn how to refine the kit for future GCAM activities.
- A promotional/educational materials order form, in case you wish to have additional materials on hand for GCAM or other activities.
Should you need additional resources or information, please feel free to contact GCF Headquarters at 312.578.1439. The kit and forms may also be viewed and printed from GCF’s Web site, www.thegcf.org, and from the Women’s Cancer Network site, www.wcn.org.
We hope that this toolkit will be helpful to you as you promote your own activities during September. We also ask that you join with us to promote the Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Weekend, November 6-8, 2009.
Again, thank your for your continued support and dedication to improving women’s health.
| David M. Gershenson, MD GCF Chairman |
Carol L. Brown, MD GCF Communications Chair |
View Letter of Support from Laura Bush
View Letter of Support from Hillary Clinton
View Letter of Support from Barbara Bush
View Letter of Support from Nancy Reagan
View Letter of Support from Rosalynn Carter
View Letter of Support from Lady Bird Johnson
Information Sheets
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Gynecologic Cancer Fact Sheet-Commonly Asked Questions
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Gynecologic Cancer Fact Sheet-Types of Gynecologic Cancers
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Women’s Gynecologic Health 101
GCF Promotional/Educational Materials Order Form
Thank you for your support. Good luck!
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