Join Hope Connections and Dr. Regina Hampton, with Doctors Community Hospital, as she discusses the latest in Breast Cancer Treatment. 

Guest speaker Andrea Apolo, MD (Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute), will join the monthly Bladder Cancer Group to discuss any medical questions, concerns and treatment options concerning Bladder Cancer. 

Oncology Social Worker Lois Sumser will provide lessons learned and information on how to safeguard your physical, mental, and emotional health while caring for a loved one. Enjoy a special short relaxation session with Reiki Master Larry Bricker. 

The Holidays can be a struggle when someone is in grief. Chaplain Deb Vaughn will help us discover and accept the range of emotions grieving individuals may feel during the holidays.  Receive insight and strategies for coping during this emotionally charged season.

Dr. Dock Winston, Urology Site Lead at Kaiser Permanente in Largo, MD, will continue his lecture series on prostate cancer, as well as life after diagnosis and challenges that men face.
For men only.  

Rebecca Kaltman, MD, will provide an overview of the latest findings in treatment and research from the December 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Dr. Geoff Coleman with Montgomery Hospice will provide information on the latest developments in Palliative Care.

Join Hope Connections Board Member, Jacki Kwan, MSW, for an hour to learn how to use all of the senses (our inner resources) and thus slow down in a world filled with stressors.

There will be poetry, a guided meditation, and optional sharing of whatever comes up for you.

Going through cancer as a young adult is already tough, but do you sometimes feel like your family and friends just don't understand what you're dealing with? Are you feeling extra stress in your relationships as a result of your cancer experience?  Join us for a presentation and discussion on how to better communicate and manage expectations with friends and family.

When it comes to the language of science and medicine, there is no Rosetta Stone. Bill Hearl, Ph.D. will attempt to provide some guidance on how to navigate through all the jargon in order to help you understand the many types of cancer - related articles and websites on the Internet.

Dr. Wilfredo Gamez, MD and Clinical Director of Peake ReLeaf specializes in the fields of aging and addiction to medicine.  Dr. Gamez will present on the basics of medical cannabis, including how medical cannabis works and how medical cannabis can be utilized to alleviate symptoms associated with cancer. He will also explain how to become a medical cannabis patient in Maryland.

Join Hope Connections and our community partners; Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, Life with Cancer, as well as Michelle Stravitz & Ilana Gamerman, co-founders of 2Unstoppable, for some inspiration and support to help you stay active after diagnosis, during treatment, and long into survivorship.

Join Case Manager Erin Bradshaw, to learn about the types of services the Patient Advocate Foundation provides. The Patient Advocate Foundation can directly intervene on behalf of patients, enabling them to access prescribed healthcare services and medications, overcome insurance barriers, locate resources to support cost of living expenses while in treatment, evaluate and maintain health insurance coverage and better manage, or reduce, the out-of-pocket medical debt associated with an illness.

easoned estate planning attorney and Hope Connections board member, Gary D. Altman, will lead an informative discussion on estate planning, trusts, charitable giving, and much more!

Drs. Melinda Hsu and Joseph Murray will explore cancer survivorship — from diagnosis, through treatment, and beyond — through their experience as oncologists.

From treatment toxicity to caregiver support, they will reflect upon the dynamics of survivorship and their hopes for patients with cancer moving forward.

While most of us are comfortable talking about Life, many of us shy away from Death & Dying Conversations.

Please join us for an open discussion on death and dying with our Program Director, Stephanie Stern, LCSW-C.

Going through cancer as a young adult is already tough, but do you sometimes feel like your family and friends just don’t understand what you’re dealing with?  Are you feeling extra stress in your relationships as a result of your cancer experience?

Join guest speaker, Jenn McRobbie, for a presentation and discussion on how to better communicate and manage expectations with friends and family.

While most of us are comfortable talking about Life, many of us shy away from Death & Dying Conversations.

Join guest speaker, Dr. Izquierdo, a palliative care doctor with Care For Your Health, Inc, Palliative Medicine Consultants Of Greater Washington LLC, for a conversation on end-of life care and death & dying.

A woman’s body and mind undergo many changes when someone is diagnosed with cancer and make their way through various treatments and can negatively
impact sexual health in a myriad of ways including sexual pain, diminished pleasure, and decreased sexual desire. Sexual health is health, and you deserve a sex life that
is fulfilling and pleasurable. Join physical therapists, Dr. Megan Burkart, DPT and Dr. Kristin Phillips, DPT for a one-hour conversation about all things related to sex and
sexuality after a cancer diagnosis.

Leslie Jefferson MS, CNS, LDN, a nutritionist for Giant Food, will share healthy eating tips, superfoods, and the importance of nutrition during and after cancer treatment.

 Sometimes, words aren’t enough to describe the emotional impact of cancer on young adults. Join us as we discuss emotional health, explore how art therapy can support young adults coping with cancer, and engage in an art experiential activity.  
We are delighted to be co-hosting this program with the Life with Cancer & Smith Center. 

Dr. Aminah Keats ND, FABNO, Board Certified in Naturopathic Oncology, will provide information and several different strategies that can be implemented utilizing nutrition, herbal medicine, supplementation, and lifestyle
factors with the goal of making the internal environment as inhospitable to cancer cells as possible.

Derrick Butts, President, and co-founder of the Prostate Cancer Awareness Alliance-DMV (PCAA-DMV), and co-author on family prostate cancer book – “Prostate Cancer – a Family Affair,” will lead a discussion on Prostate Cancer.

Topics include: being proactive with your prostate health, the importance of educating yourself on treatment and support options, planning for the new normal and quality of life after prostate cancer treatment, and more.

For men only.

Receiving a cancer diagnosis at any age is a shock to the system. But for a young adult, it is even more unexpected, traumatic, and often finds us stumbling in the dark. Explore the impact that a cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship has on young adults.

We will also review the unique barriers to the young adult cancer population, what’s “normal,” and when to ask for help. Learn some basic coping strategies for dealing with life when it feels like you are struggling just to tread water every day.

Facilitated by Oncology Certified Social Worker, Courtney Weaver, LSCW. This program is in partnership with Life with Cancer and Smith Center for Healing and the Arts.

Leory Saligan, PhD, RN, CRNP, Alexander Ross, RN and Tzu-fang Wang, RN from NIH are excited to provide education about Cancer-related Fatigue (CRF). Please join us to learn more about CRF, suggestions on how to discuss this important topic with your provider, and current management guidelines. We want to hear about your experience with CRF and what it means to you.

Please join us in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Drs. Courtney Ackerman and Cynthia Plate (Breast Surgical
Oncology and Genetics/Medical Oncology) will review risk factors, discuss new screening protocols, and what you can do proactively. They will also spend time
talking about advancements in treatments.

Please join us in honor of Lung Cancer Awareness Month to talk to the expert in Medical Oncology hosted by Dr. Kashif Ali. He
will be reviewing the latest advancements in lung cancer therapies and how personalized medicine
with immunotherapies are improving the quality of life of lung cancer patients across the nation.

Lillie Shockney, RN., BS., MAS, HON- ONN-CG, will take you on a journey with her through her experiences with cancer, as a youngster when her mom’s best friend was diagnosed with
advanced disease, as a student nurse and a registered nurse, and then becoming a cancer patient herself. She will make you laugh, and possibly cry, and you will come away knowing that holding
tight to your sense of humor is an additional weapon to use when fighting cancer.

A genuine belly laugh increases the production of T-cells which are our cancer-fighting cells in our bodies. It also reduces stress hormone levels, increases oxygenation, and reduces our blood pressure!

Enjoy an hour of relaxation and literally blow away stress with Hope Connections Relaxation & Tranquility facilitator, Larry Bricker.

Learn and practice techniques to experience calmness, gratitude, and mental field trips. Explore the ABCs of tranquility: Awareness, Breathing, and Compassion.

Let wisdom from Yoda help you enhance resilience, health, and happiness. No previous experience with meditation required.

While most of us are comfortable talking about Life, many of us shy away from death & dying conversations. Join guest speaker, Dr. Anna Maria Izquierdo, a palliative care doctor with Care For Your Health, Inc, Palliative Medicine Consultants of Greater Washington LLC, for a conversation on end-of-life care. This will be an interactive discussion.

Chemotherapy induced neuropathy (CIN) is the bane of many modern oncology treatments. Pain, numbness, tingling or all three can persist forever. The risk of serious falls is increased by 50%. Dr. Thomas Smith, The Harry J. Duffey Family Professor of Palliative Medicine; Professor of Oncology will review the current strategies to prevent CIN (none proven at this point) and the most recent methods of treatment including topicals, CBD, auricular (ear) point acupressure, and Scrambler Therapy.

For young adults, sex is an important topic, and pleasure may be the most important aspect of sex. For young adults with cancer, there are unique questions and concerns about sex and sexual health that the medical team may not be adequately answering, and pleasure is likely never discussed. Join us as we have a frank and honest conversation, and provide accurate information to help support a safe, healthy, and pleasurable approach to sex and cancer.

Join Jacki Kwan, MSW for an interactive presentation that will focus on inner strength and spirit to promote gratitude, healing, and connection.

Patricia Guay-Berry (registered dietitian and board-certified specialist in oncology nutrition) will discuss ways to prepare
for and cope with the challenges of active treatment and healthier habits afterwards. She will also focus on strategies
that: ease side-effects and maintain a healthy weight; prevent breaks in treatment and promote healing, and
make simple changes that lead to healthier living.

Grace, one of Food & Friends' community dietitians, will talk about frequently asked questions on nutrition and cancer. Larry from Hope Connections for Cancer Support will lead a mindfulness exercise to support relaxation and stress reduction.

When it comes to the language of science and medicine, there is no Rosetta Stone. Bill Hearl, Ph.D. will attempt to
provide some guidance on how to navigate through all the jargon in order to help you understand the many types of
cancer - related articles and websites on the Internet.

Dr. Karen Smith is a medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Sibley Memorial Hospital, and a member of the Johns Hopkins Breast Cancer Program and the Ovarian Cancer Program. Dr. Smith is also an assistant professor of oncology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Smith has expertise in breast cancer, cancer genetics, cancer survivorship, clinical trials, and toxicology.

While most of us are comfortable talking about Life, many of us shy away from death & dying conversations. Join guest speaker, Dr. Anna Maria Izquierdo, a palliative care doctor with Care For Your Health, Inc, Palliative Medicine Consultants of Greater Washington LLC, for a conversation on end-of-life care. This will be an interactive discussion.

Fear of cancer coming back is the most common long-term effect of surviving cancer. Unchecked, fear of recurrence can be a constant source of distraction and worry.
Come learn about techniques to rein in anxiety and master your fears.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) originally was developed as a treatment approach for post-traumatic stress disorder. Evidence-informed psychotherapy that targets emotional distress and associated physical symptoms, EMDR can help reduce the physical and emotional distress of cancer and side effects successfully. Yvette Colón, PhD, BCD, LMSW, will focus on how EMDR works, its benefits, and how it can be useful to people who have been diagnosed with cancer.

Enjoy an hour of relaxation and literally blow away stress with Hope Connections Relaxation & Tranquility facilitator, Larry Bricker. Learn and practice techniques to experience calmness, gratitude, and mental field trips. Explore the ABCs of tranquility: Awareness, Breathing, and Compassion. Let wisdom from Yoda help you enhance resilience, health, and happiness. No previous experience with meditation required.

Patricia Horning, PT, DPT. CLT, CDNT, from ReVital/NovaCare Rehabilitation will discuss how cancer rehabilitation may assist in managing pain, fatigue, weakness, and neuropathy. She will discuss strategies to prepare for treatment, how to stay strong during your cancer journey, and get back to your family, job and the things you care about most.

Emily Brown with Patient Advocate Foundation will discuss how to access disability benefits when faced with cancer. This session will focus on Social Security disability programs and benefits. Specific topics will include understanding eligibility guidelines, navigating the application process, overcoming denials, and understanding the disability timeline.

Patricia Guay-Berry (registered dietitian and board-certified specialist in oncology nutrition) will discuss ways to prepare for and cope with the challenges of active treatment and healthier habits afterwards. She will also focus on strategies that: ease side-effects and maintain a healthy weight; prevent breaks in treatment and promote healing; and make simple changes that lead to healthier living.

Join Lindsey Wise, LCSW-C and Paula Ernst, MSW as they explore what children understand and experience at different ages, tips for having a good conversation, resources for helping your child thrive through this time, and more.

While most of us are comfortable talking about Life, many of us shy away from Death & Dying Conversations. Join guest speaker, Dr. Anna Maria Izquierdo, a palliative care doctor with Care For Your Health, Inc, Palliative
Medicine Consultants of Greater Washington LLC, for a conversation on end-of-life care. This will be an interactive discussion.

Hypnosis has been shown to decrease pain, anxiety and stress as well as other symptoms related to cancer treatment.

Certified hypnotherapist Don Pelles will teach self-hypnosis techniques that will assist in the management of these symptoms. We hope you will join us for this wellness class.

Dr. Jeni Sheng, Assistant Professor in the Department of Oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine will provide an overview of the latest findings in treatment, and research, from the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Seasoned estate planning attorney and Hope Connections board member, Gary D. Altman, will lead an informative discussion on estate planning, trusts, charitable giving, and much more!

This will be a panel discussion with three young adults and a nurse navigator.

Arlen Gaines, Director, Hospice Social Services at JSSA (Jewish Social Service Agency) will be joining us to discuss end-of-life care and the benefits of hospice.

Cancer can wreak havoc on our digestive system. Patricia Guay-Berry (registered dietitian and board-certified specialist in oncology nutrition) will discuss ways to prepare for and cope with the challenges of active treatment and afterwards. Learn helpful tips and strategies.

Brennan Streck, Oncology Nurse and Cancer Prevention Fellow at the National Cancer Institute will help us to better understand the roles and responsibilities of your cancer care team. She will cover how to approach difficult conversations, self-advocacy, and health literacy issues. Brennan looks forward to answering your questions! We are delighted to be co-hosting this program with Smith Center for Healing and the Arts.

With cancer treatment often comes side effects. These physical, cognitive, and emotional changes can present challenges at work and in school. Monica Bryant, Esq. with Triage Cancer will discuss the practical and legal tools that exist to minimize
challenges and cope with side effects.

To register, go to: https://smithcenter.org/programs-retreat/yac-hot-topics-ada-accommodations-adjusting-work-school-post-diagnosis/

While most of us are comfortable talking about life, many of us shy away from Death & Dying Conversations.

Dr. David Schrier, Chief Medical Officer with Montgomery Hospice, will be joining us to discuss what hospice is and how to approach difficult conversations. 

This will be an interactive discussion. Please bring your thoughts, feelings, and questions.

Dr. Aminah Keats ND, FABNO, Board Certified in Naturopathic Oncology, will provide information and several different strategies that can be implemented utilizing nutrition, herbal medicine, supplementation, and lifestyle factors with the goal of making the internal environment as inhospitable to cancer cells as possible.

Join us for a talk led by Dr. Cheung as she discusses the latest scientific evidence and her own research on implementing anti-racist approaches to engaging with younger adults in the conduct of research.

In addition to introducing key concepts, Dr. Cheung elaborates on how and why underrepresented patients should participate as advocates in research.

To register, go to: https://events.lifewithcancer.org/?date=2023-07-26

One of the most comforting forms of support you can offer a loved one with cancer is the use of touch. Lee Blank, LMT is a licensed oncology massage therapist. She has many years of experience in the field of oncology
massage, and she will provide safe and simple techniques anyone can learn and apply. These techniques were developed with support from the National Cancer Institute.

Please bring a couple of pillows and hand towels for this program.  Caregivers must register separately if attending in person with the participant.

Be sure to register under Virtual Groups/Classes or In-Person Groups Classes, as in-person spaces are very limited.