Yes, We Can!

We Can Weekend is a full-day community cancer support program and wellness expo presented by Robert Boissoneault Oncology Institute and taking place Saturday, September 17. The event has been educating and inspiring the community for over 20 years, says Amy Roberts, LCSW, oncology social worker and patient navigator at RBOI.

“It’s a program for people fighting cancer and their loved ones as well as people who have beaten cancer. It’s a free program, and it basically provides a panel of various speakers. We focus on living life fully after diagnosis, so anything from improving nutrition to physical activity or learning about new treatments that are available. It’s a very empowering event for everyone that comes,” she explains.

There will also be various providers with services or products relevant to patients, but there won’t be anything for sale. The booths are simply about connecting guests with resources they may find helpful.

“Patients can visit someone who provides massage therapy for lymphedema or wigs and mastectomy bras and talk to the vendors directly about what kind of services are available to them,” says Roberts.

“Cancer can either separate families or bring them together, so that’s what we’re trying to do. There isn’t much out there for counseling as a whole family instead of just the patient,” says Judy Dumont, chief radiation therapist at RBOI, of the event, one of the only community events that expressly invites the families and caregivers. There’s even a continental breakfast and boxed lunch included for everyone.

The day will open with a talk by Dr. Norman Anderson, radiation oncologist and CEO of RBOI. He’ll discuss diet and nutrition and newer information on treatment results. Beloved speakers from previous years will return as well as some who speak across the country.

Roberts says that, along with the informational components of We Can Weekend, that “we can” attitude is a significant part of the day.

“Even though the event is educational in nature, there’s a lot of positive energy and connecting with people. Everyone feels very welcome, and we don’t turn anybody away.”

Want to go? › WE CAN WEEKEND › College of Central Florida › Saturday, Sep. 17, 8am-2pm › Guests should register in advance to attend. Visit wecanweekend.org to register online.

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AcetaMEANophen

A recent study from the University of Ohio shows there are more side e ects to taking acetaminophen than we originally thought. Students who participated in the study were given 1,000mg of acetaminophen and asked to read short stories with sad scenarios. Those on the drug didn’t think the scenarios were a big deal, while those who weren’t on it did. Turns out pain relievers that contain acetaminophen often numb people of pain, pleasure and compassion, not to mention make some less empathetic toward the feelings of others. Weird, right? So the takeaway might be: If you’re already a grouch, do your friends and family a favor and switch to ibuprofen (or yoga).