Free Public Forum Dedicated to Women, Cancer and Survival

DURANGO, Colo. – to be held at Fort Lewis College – Durango is hosting the first ever Women’s Cancer & Survivorship Symposium on Saturday, May 17, from 8:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  Featured speakers will provide insights into treatment, prevention, leading-edge research and important issues that need to be addressed to help fight this deadly disease that affects thousands of women every year.

B.J. Boucher, community coordinator for the Women’s Wellness Connection (an organization affiliated with the American Cancer Society) has dedicated much of her life to developing programs for women who are undergoing cancer treatment and for cancer survivors.  Ms. Boucher is enthusiastic about the symposium and says it will bring much needed awareness to the area regarding issues faced by women during and after cancer treatment.

“I believe this symposium is the first of its kind for the Four Corners,” said Ms. Boucher.  “The agenda for the public conference contains a lot of valuable information from which we all can learn.  We have some incredible presenters who are leaders in their fields.”

Boucher encourages community members and others to attend Saturday’s free event.  “This free public forum will help women who are being treated for cancer and will help women who have survived cancer”, said Ms. Boucher.  “It will help women of all ages who want to stay healthy.  Furthermore, the event is of special interest to women whose family members may have been touched by cancer.  We hope all women and others will take advantage of this unique and special day.”

Durango resident Walt Dear originally suggested the idea of hosting the symposium.  Dear believes any woman who values staying healthy will benefit from attending the conference.

“Having exposure to doctors and others who have experience with cancer and who are willing to share their experiences openly is truly invaluable”, said Mr. Dear.  “I sincerely hope that every woman in the area will consider attending this symposium.”

Organizers are also encouraging area health providers to attend the related two-day women’s cancer conference for medical professionals begins Friday, May 16, and runs concurrently with the public conference on Saturday.  Medical providers can earn education credits for attending.

The symposium is presented by Mercy Regional Medical Center, University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Women’s Wellness Connection.

To register for the Women’s Cancer and Survival Symposium, please call the Women’s Wellness Connection at (970) 259-3527 or visit www.uchsc.edu/cme and click the “Event” link, or call the University of Colorado Health Science Center registrar at (303) 372-9052.