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Celebrating Life

Cancer Thrivers seek to educate,
advocate and enjoy each moment.

SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

H

ow do you live with cancer?
and nutrition to medical research.
Members of the Cancer
Doug Ullman, a motivational speaker
Thrivers Network for Jewish
and president/CEO of Pelotonia, a
Women have chosen to thrive, not just three-day event that raises funds for
survive. They seek to enjoy
cancer research, spoke at a
ABOVE: Cancer
life as much as possible
recent program.
Thrivers Network
through friendship, educa-
Another Thrivers event
founders: Michelle
tion and humor.
featured
J. David Almeida,
Passon, Sandy
“Cancer Thrivers is some- Schwartz and the Midwest regional director of
place to go when you have
government affairs for the
late Patti Nemer.
a diagnosis and want to live
Leukemia and Lymphoma
every day,” says Janet Moses of West
Society, who spoke about parity for
Bloomfield, Cancer Thrivers Network
cancer medications. While insurance
co-chair.
companies usually pay for intrave-
Cancer Thrivers was started in 2008 nous cancer medications, newer
by Michelle Passon, Sandy Schwartz
medications in pill form often are not
and the late Patti Nemer. Members
covered, even though they may cost
enjoy informal monthly lunches, field
$10,000 or more each month. The
trips and educational programs with
group is advocating for a proposed bill
a goal of laughter, positive feelings
in the Michigan legislation that would
and support, Susie Yesenko of West
mandate insurance coverage parity
Bloomfield says. She served on the
for this type of medication.
Event Committee for the group’s
Cancer Thrivers members are very
“L’Chaim! Celebrating Life” program interested in developments con-
held Aug. 8 at Congregation Shaarey cerning cancer risks and treatment.
Zedek in Southfield. Nancy Gad-
The group’s August lunch program
Harf and Janet Pont were the event
featured Clifford Hudis, M.D., a world-
co-chairs.
renowned cancer specialist who
“We’re a pretty fragile group, and
is CEO of the American Society of
you never know when the next shoe
Clinical Oncology. He was previously
will drop. We try to live each day,”
chief of the Breast Medicine Service
says Sandy Schwartz of Franklin.
at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer
“We are not a support group. We are
Center in New York, where he devel-
very grassroots and one on one. One
oped more effective treatments for
patient talks to one patient. We try
breast cancer.
to be what no one else in the Jewish
Hudis discussed the key behavioral
community is.”
and environmental risk factors for
Cancer Thrivers has a member-
cancer worldwide. Overall, he said,
ship of more than 300 women. “We
cancer has three main unmodifiable
are always welcoming new members risk factors —gender, age and inher-
,and we are open to anyone who has ited genetic material — and three
cancer. We have members of all ages modifiable factors —tobacco use,
and with all forms of cancer. Some
personal behavior and exposures to
had cancer 20 years ago and some
toxins, viruses and other environmen-
are ‘repeaters,’” Yesenko says.
tal substances.
There are no dues because as
He ended his talk optimistically,
founder Patti Nemer said, “We have
noting, “We are learning new things
paid our dues.”
every day about cancer.”
Several years ago, the group affili-
Meanwhile, the Cancer Thrivers are
ated with Jewish Family Service. “We focused on helping each other to be
are part of their health and well-
hopeful and enjoy life. •
ness program. We love them, and
For more information about the Cancer
we think they love having us here,”
Thrivers Network, contact Tracy Agranove at
Schwartz says.
Educational programs cover a range tagranove@jfs.org.
of issues — from diet, supplements

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September 20 • 2018

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