When A Parent Has Cancer, What About The Children?

Nationally Renowned Author To Offer Advice And Insights

Boca Raton Regional Hospital’s Eugene M. and Christine E. Lynn Cancer Institute (LCI) will host nationally renowned author, speaker and long-term cancer survivor Wendy S. Harpham, M.D., on Thursday, September 10, 2015, from 5pm to 8pm at the Harvey & Phyllis Sandler Pavilion. Dr. Harpham, mother of three, will share practical and hopeful insights and advice about supporting children who have a parent with cancer.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is being held in conjunction with LCI’s CINDY Bertuch Rosencrans Life Expressions Program and HUGS (Helping U Get Support). These programs provide services to meet the emotional, personal, educational and logistical needs of an individual and their family at all phases of a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Harpham’s program is designed specifically for adults.

Diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 1990 at the age of 36 when her children were one, three and five-years-old, Dr. Harpham turned to writing as a way to continue to educate, comfort and inspire others. She has written six books for patients and their families and the children’s book Becky and the Worry Cup was part of the first comprehensive guide on the family issues of cancer. It was awarded the 2006 Consumer Book of the Year by the American Journal of Nursing and led to Dr. Harpham appearing on such popular television shows as the Today Show, NBC Nightly News, CBS This Morning and the Oprah Winfrey Show. Her presentations delivered around the world to lay and professional audiences have drawn praise for their positive impact.

“There is no single ‘right’ way to raise children when a parent has cancer,” said Dr. Harpham, who also writes a regular column in Oncology Times titled “View From The Other Side Of The Stethoscope. “But there are best ways for each family. My presentation will offer parents a framework for finding the best way to help their own children deal with the losses, stresses and challenges of family illness in hopeful and even joyful ways. It is a framework that is useful for helping children of any age – from young babies to young adults – in any medical situation.”

“By the conclusion of the event, parents will understand why I believe that the greatest gift we can give our children is not protection from the world, but the confidence and tools to cope and grow.”

Dr. Harpham has been honored by Leukemia and Lymphoma Society with their prestigious “Tree of Life” award and was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame in 1998. She has devoted her time to helping survivors directly through her writing and speaking and indirectly through her activities as a patient advocate.

“We are privileged to have Dr. Harpham speak at the Lynn Cancer Institute,” said Darci McNally, Director, Oncology Support Services and Community Outreach at LCI. “Her presentation will be of great value to attendees and is reflective of our Institute’s commitment to support our patients and their loved ones beyond that of just clinical care.”

Registration and refreshments are from 5pm to 6pm, with the program lasting from 6pm to 7:15pm. A complimentary book giveaway and signing will take place immediately after.

Seating is limited, so to RSVP call 561.955.5265 or contact Elsa Raynor, LCSW, at eraynor@brrh.com. Deadline to register is August 27.

Pre-event media interviews with Dr. Harpham can be arranged by calling Andy Kent at 561.955.4706 (o) or 239.253.8896 (c).

About Boca Raton Regional Hospital – Advancing the boundaries of medicine.

Boca Raton Regional Hospital is an advanced, tertiary medical center (BRRH.com) with 400 beds and more than 800 primary and specialty physicians on staff. The Hospital is a recognized leader in oncology, cardiovascular disease and surgery, minimally invasive surgery, orthopedics, women’s health, emergency medicine and the neurosciences, all of which offer state-of-the-art diagnostic and imaging capabilities. The Hospital is a designated Comprehensive Stroke Center by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).

Boca Raton Regional Hospital is the recipient of the 2014 Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence™ for 10 years running and was named one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, both by Healthgrades®. Boca Raton Regional Hospital was also recognized in U.S. News & World Report’s 2015–2016 Best Hospitals listing as a top-ranked hospital in the South Florida metropolitan area for the fourth time in the last five years.

Media Contact:
Andy Kent, 561.955.4706 (o)
239.253.8896 (c)
Boca Raton Regional Hospital
akent@brrh.com

Categories