Survivors Day Conference Webcast Focuses on Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Therapy

Survivors Day Conference webcast focuses on late effects of childhood cancer therapy

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital webcast offers childhood cancer survivors everywhere a chance to interact with experts and survivors about the risks and rewards of life after cancer

Newswise — (MEMPHIS, Tenn. – October 18, 2012) St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will host a webcast about the late effects of childhood cancer and its treatment Saturday, October 27, at 9 a.m. CST. The webcast is part of the Survivors Day Conference that is inviting St. Jude cancer survivors of all ages back to the hospital to reconnect with physicians, staff and other former patients.

When St. Jude opened 50 years ago, childhood cancer was a virtual death sentence. St. Jude discoveries helped to create an entirely new segment of the population—survivors of childhood cancer. Today one in every 680 U.S. adults is a childhood cancer survivor, and the number is growing. But those survivors face unique health concerns. Research has shown childhood cancer survivors are at greater risk of developing second cancers and other chronic health problems, including diabetes and heart disease.

The webcast, moderated by Melissa Hudson, M.D., and Stuart Kaplan, M.D., both of St. Jude, will feature experts addressing some of the health effects childhood cancer survivors face. Former St. Jude patients will also share their own stories of treatment and life after disease. Completing the webcast will be a live performance by Randy Owen, lead vocalist of the band Alabama, long-time St. Jude supporter and a cancer survivor.

The webcast is free and offers online participants an opportunity to submit questions to both speakers panels. Childhood cancer survivors are encouraged to tune in, regardless of where they were treated.

The expert panel includes: Michael P. Link, M.D., Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford; Ruth Rechis, Ph.D., LIVESTRONG, and a St. Jude cancer survivor; Leslie L. Robison, Ph.D., St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Julia H. Rowland, Ph.D., Office of Cancer Survivorship, National Cancer Institute; and Susan L. Weiner, Ph.D., Children’s Cause for Cancer Advocacy.

The webcast will stream from www.stjude.org/survivors2012, and participants are encouraged to share thoughts on Twitter using #StJudeSurvivorsDay.

St. Jude Children’s Research HospitalSince opening 50 years ago, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has played a pivotal role in pushing overall U.S. pediatric cancer survival rates from 20 to 80 percent. Founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, St. Jude is the first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. St. Jude is also a leader in research and treatment of life-threatening blood disorders and infectious diseases in children. No family ever pays St. Jude for the care their child receives. To learn more, visit www.stjude.org. Follow us on Twitter @StJudeResearch.

St. Jude Media Relations ContactsSummer Freeman (desk) 901-595-3061 (cell) 901-297-9861 [email protected]

Carrie Strehlau(desk) 901-595-2295(cell) 901-297-9875[email protected]

# # #