CancerCon Live Agenda - Stupid Cancer

August 17 - 20, 2023

Agenda

More activities, speaker information, and session descriptions coming soon! (Schedule subject to change.)

Thursday, August 17th

12:00 - 5:00 PM ET

Registration Desk Open

Head to the Registration Desk to check in to the conference, get your badge, and pick up your attendee t-shirt and totebag! This will also be your go-to help desk throughout the weekend.

2:00 - 4:30 PM ET

Store Open

Stop by the Stupid Cancer Store booth all weekend long to buy limited-edition Stupid Cancer merchandise.

2:00 - 2:45 PM ET

Cross Stitch & Bitch

3:00 - 4:00 PM ET

Theater Games

4:00 - 4:30 PM ET

First Timer Orientation

First time at CancerCon? You aren’t alone! Come to this quick orientation to meet other newcomers and learn the ropes from some CancerCon veterans. You’ll leave with a better sense of what is in store and make some new friends while you’re at it!

5:00 - 6:30 PM ET

Welcome Reception

7:30 - 8:30 PM ET

Scavenger Hunt

The ultimate team building experience! Join a group and compete to see which team can rack up the most points in one hour by hunting down photos and clues around the hotel.

Friday, August 18th

8:00 AM - 6:00 PM ET

Registration Desk Open

Head to the Registration Desk to check in to the conference, get your badge, and pick up your attendee t-shirt and totebag! This will also be your go-to help desk throughout the weekend.

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM ET

First Timer Orientation

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM ET

Fun Run/Walk

Presented by Ulman Foundation

Start the day with a fun run/walk in Centennial Olympic Park. Whether you’re looking for some intense exercise or a leisurely stroll, all are welcome. Run, jog, or walk with us on a mile-long loop, or do extra laps in the park if you really want to sweat! Meet in front of the North Tower entrance on Marietta Street.

10:30 AM - 11:15 AM ET

Beading for Mindfulness

Presented by Beads of Courage

Mindfulness is achieved when an individual is able to calmly focus, be aware and accept one’s own thoughts and feelings. Join this bead crafting activity to try different tools including mantras, art, and breathwork to promote your own mindful practice.

11:00 AM - 11:45 AM ET

Deck of Fun

Presented by 13thirty CancerConnect

Work up a sweat in this fun partner workout that uses a deck of playing cards to work through a full body workout! Each person will take turns choosing a card from the top of a shuffled deck: every suit represents a different exercise and each number tells you how many reps to do. Come with a buddy or get paired up with a new exercise friend!

12:00 - 12:45 PM ET

Puppetry 101

Presented by Puppet Nerd

Presented by Puppet Nerd. Dive into the captivating world of puppetry! Make your own simple practice puppet and learn the basics to practice anywhere, anytime. Discover puppetry’s therapeutic benefits and experience its magic firsthand. Join us to start your puppetry journey!

2:00 - 3:00 PM ET

Opening Session

Join us for the official start to CancerCon Live 2023!

Special Greeting from Stupid Cancer Board Chair David Richman
Welcome from Stupid Cancer CEO Alison Silberman
Keynote Panel: Genetic Testing 101, featuring Erin Seibel, MMSc, CGC, Ciara Fleming, and Brooklyn Cobb
Keynote Address: Surviving and Still THRIVING, featuring Erica Campbell

3:30 - 5:00 PM ET

Breakout 1*

*(Some sessions are limited to specific audiences)

Facing Off with Toxic Positivity
Filling the Gap: Addressing Transitions in Care
LOLing through Cancer: Turning Your Story into Comedy
Supporting Your Patient, Supporting Yourself

5:00 - 6:30 PM ET

Reception with Exhibitors

Connect with our exhibitors and sponsors to hear about the amazing resources they have to offer. Don’t forget to pick up an Exhibit Bingo card and get it stamped at each table you visit in order to enter our raffle!

5:00 - 6:30 PM ET

Education Gallery

Grab a bite to eat while you visit our Education Gallery to learn about cutting edge research and interventions to support AYAs in this unique poster session.

6:30 - 7:00 PM ET

First Timer Orientation

7:00 - 8:00 PM ET

Community Meetups

Our Community Meetups are dedicated spaces for those communities within our community. Swing by one or more of these intimate meetups to get to know your peers.

LGBTQ
BIPOC
Metastatic Survivors
Pediatric Survivors
Professionals

8:00 - 9:00 PM ET

Comedy Open Mic

Sponsored by Jazz Pharmaceuticals & Seagen

Ever wanted to try out your tight five (or three) minutes of comedy? Join this casual open mic to crack up your fellow attendees and enjoy some laughs from some established Atlanta-based comics.

9:00 - 11:00 PM ET

Karaoke

Saturday, August 19th

8:00 - 9:00 AM ET

Breakfast with Exhibitors

Enjoy a sit down meal with new friends, and say hello to our exhibitors and sponsors to learn about their great programs and resources.

9:15 - 10:15 AM ET

General Session

Kick off a busy day with this dynamic General Session line up:

Community Spotlight Panel: Peds to AYA & Long-Term Survivorship featuring Sanyu Janardan, MD; Montana Harstad, RN; James Ludemann, MSN, RN; and Jade Gibson
Stand Up Comedy Keynote: A Tale of Two Titties, featuring Julia Johns
Community Engagement Award Ceremony

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM ET

Breakout 2

BIPOC Collective Space: Navigating Disparities in Cancer Care
Cancer in the Bedroom: Sex & Intimacy
Identifying & Dealing with Triggers
Planning Ahead & Documenting Your Wishes

12:15 - 1:15 PM ET

Lunch with Exhibitors

Join a bereaved sibling caregiver, Janelle, to connect with other caregivers about the ups and downs of the caregiving journey. All caregiver relationships are welcome!

1:30 - 3:00 PM ET

Breakout 3

I’m Fine: Men, Cancer, and “Cowboy Culture”
Oodles of Thoughts: A Doodle Journal Workshop
Talking with Young Adults about End of Life Planning
Wellness that Works: Nutrition and Exercise

1:30 - 7:30 PM ET

Makeovers

Presented by Survivor Glam Squad

Get glammed up before our dance party! Sign up for an appointment to be pampered by a team of professionals: choose from makeup, hairstyling, updos, and more! Sign up sheet will be outside Magnolia starting at 12 pm.

3:00 - 3:30 PM ET

Afternoon Snack Break

3:30 - 5:00 PM ET

Breakout 4

Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment: Strategies and Support for “Chemo Brain”
Do I Need a Lawyer? Legal Implications of AYA Cancer
It’s Complicated: Cancer, Disability, & Identity
Self Advocacy for Patients of Color

5:00 - 6:00 PM ET

Reception with Exhibitors

6:00 - 7:00 PM ET

Storytelling Open Mic

Join an intimate and powerful open mic event to hear the real, raw, relatable stories of your AYA peers. Each storyteller will have 4 minutes on the mic to share their story, which will be recorded and added to the Stupid Cancer Story Library.

8:00 - 10:00 PM ET

Dance Party: Sweet Sixteen Masquerade

It’s our Sweet Sixteen Birthday party, and we are celebrating with a Masquerade Dance! Come decked out in your best party clothes, masquerade mask, or favorite costume and be ready to dance the night away.

Sunday, August 20th

8:00 - 9:00 AM ET

Breakfast with Exhibitors

Living with metastatic or chronic cancer, it can be difficult to stay present in the moment in the face of long-term treatment or fears of recurrence. But you deserve to find a place of personal wellness every day. In this interactive session with other survivors, discuss how to accept your limitations, realize your possibilities, embrace the now, and learn to live vibrantly.

9:15 - 10:45 AM ET

Breakout 5

A Community for Caregivers
Forces for Good: Working Together to Serve the AYA Community
MythBusters: A Palliative Care Edition
Physical Activity: Taking Back Control

11:00 - 12:30 PM ET

Breakout 6

Adolescent Cancer Patients and the Risk of Addiction During Treatment
Creating a Legacy
Eliminating Toxins and Reducing Exposures
Turning Rotten Lemons into Lemonade: Entrepreneurship & AYA Survivorship

12:30 - 1:30 PM ET

Lunch with Exhibitors

Meet your fellow AYAs at a casual zoom hangout.

1:30 - 2:15 PM ET

Closing Session

Close out an incredible weekend with this can’t-miss Closing Session.

Becoming the Patient From Hell: How to Collaborate with Your Cancer Team, featuring Dr. Kimmie Ng & Samira Daswani
Survivor/Caregiver Keynote: Michael & Mom: How Cancer Became a 4-Letter Word, featuring Michael & Ashlee Cramer

Breakout 1: Friday, August 18

3:30 - 5:00 PM ET

Facing Off with Toxic Positivity

Julie Larson, LCSW

Audience: Survivors & Caregivers

A cancer diagnosis brings up lots of complicated emotions, and you have the right to experience the full spectrum of feelings. But we often have loved ones who show up with an abundance of positivity. Sometimes their brand of support is helpful, and sometimes it is… just too much. This presentation, followed by an open discussion, will share some tools to help you honor your honest experience, communicate what you really need from others, and deal with toxic positivity.

Filling the Gap: Addressing Transitions in Care

Jennifer Levine, MD, MSW, Katie Reid, MPAS, PA-C & Katherine Donahue, MS, RN, CPNP

Audience: Everyone

As an adolescent or young adult with cancer, you will experience many transitions from diagnosis, through treatment, and into survivorship. Transitions like transferring back to primary care, moving pediatric to adult oncology, or becoming a caregiver after treatment can be incredibly distressing because the structure, education, and support received during treatment may no longer be available. This session will provide tools for navigating difficult transitions and share ways for patients, caregivers, and others to advocate for needs during and after care transitions.

LOLing through Cancer: Turning Your Story into Comedy

Julia Johns

Audience: Survivors

When it comes to cancer, laughter might not be the best medicine…but it can help. Using humor as a coping tool can be really powerful for AYA patients and survivors. This workshop will help you turn your cancer story into comedy by exploring the best approach to get laughs out of a difficult subject matter and sharing tips for how to shape your own humor narrative. Then, join our Comedy Open Mic on Friday evening to try out your material in front of a supportive audience.

Supporting Your Patient, Supporting Yourself

Leeann Terwilliger, LCSW

Audience: Caregivers

As a caregiver, you have likely poured lots of time and energy into caring for your loved ones…which can result in burnout. Balancing the demands of caregiving with other responsibilities can make it challenging to prioritize and tend to your own needs; but it’s essential for caregivers to learn ways to support themselves as you cannot pour from an empty cup. Join this interactive session to connect with other caregivers while increasing awareness of caregiver burnout and learning practical coping tools for the emotional and practical difficulties of caregiving.

Breakout 2: Saturday, August 19

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM ET

BIPOC Collective Space: Navigating Disparities in Cancer Care

Lisa Nelson, LMSW, OSW-C

Audience: BIPOC AYAs & Professionals

Cancer impacts every race and ethnicity, however cancer patients who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) must navigate the additional burden of microaggressions or discrimination while seeking health care and treatment. BIPOC healthcare professionals must also manage the weight of systemic racism in healthcare settings. This session, generated out of the work of our Health Disparities Town Hall, is intended to help increase connections and community for BIPOC AYAs and healthcare professionals facing interrelated challenges.

Cancer in the Bedroom: Sex & Intimacy

Emily M. Beard, RN, OCN, CBCN & Tori Clear Thompson, LCSW, CST

Audience: Survivors

You may be frustrated by disruptions to your sex life during and after cancer treatment, but there are interventions and tools that can help you regain confidence and increase pleasure. This dynamic panel presentation will share approachable tools and strategies to address the physical and emotional aspects of intimacy and sex after cancer.

Identifying & Dealing with Triggers

Leeann Terwilliger, LCSW

Audience: Survivors

As an AYA going through life after a cancer diagnosis, there are likely to be lots of things that unexpectedly stir up negative memories and memories for you. Unfortunately, daily life doesn’t come with a trigger warning. Whether it’s the smell of hand sanitizer, a certain time of year, an unexpected pain, or a comment from a stranger – these outwardly common occurrences can be disorienting and upsetting. Join this interactive discussion session to explore your own potential triggers and learn how to better cope with them.

Planing Ahead & Documenting Your Wishes

Nicole Jolicoeur, Esq

Audience: Survivors

It’s not a comfortable topic, but every person – young or old, healthy or sick, in crisis or not – can benefit from making sure their documents are in order and that their end of life wishes are clearly understood. The conversations aren’t easy, but thoughtful planning for yourself and your loved ones can create a real sense of relief, and hope, around unanswered questions. This presentation will break down what you need to know for property, financial, and medical decision making, regardless of your current stage in life.

Breakout 3: Saturday, August 19

1:30 - 3:00 PM ET

I'm Fine: Men, Cancer, and "Cowboy Culture"

Trevor Maxwell

Audience: Survivors & Caregivers

Even in 2023, many men say they feel weak if they ask for help, even when facing a life-threatening illness. Given societal pressures to “stay strong” and the underrepresentation of men in cancer support spaces, being an AYA male can be a particular challenge. This discussion will be an opportunity for male-identifying survivors to share space to normalize the full range of emotions young men feel when facing cancer, including fear, sadness, grief, shame, anger, and withdrawal.

Oodles of Thoughts: A Doodle Journal Workshop

Mallory Casperson & Aerial Donovan

Audience: Survivors & Caregivers

Creative expression through art and writing can be a powerful outlet during challenging times, and journaling is a tried-and-true tool to help AYAs navigate a cancer experience. This interactive workshop will give you an opportunity to try journaling in a more expansive way by exploring journal prompts through writing, doodling, or a combination of the two. Join a nurturing, supportive, and safe environment to tap into your creative side and share with your peers.

Talking with Young Adults about End of Life Planning

Mandi Zucker, LSW, CT

Audience: Healthcare Professionals

As a healthcare provider, you know why it’s so important to discuss advance care planning and end of life wishes with patients. However, you also know how difficult it can be to initiate these conversations, especially with young adults. This interactive session for HCPs will provide tools and resources to support you in addressing these challenging yet critical topics with AYAs.

Wellness that Works: Nutrition and Exercise

Catherine Applegate, PhD, RDN

Audience: Everyone

As an AYA, you’ve likely received complex and mixed messages about nutrition and exercise. While recommendations and opinions abound, there is no one nutritional rule to adhere to in the context of cancer, because there are so many nuances involved. This presentation will share what the science and research actually say, so you can better understand the impact and interaction nutrition and exercise have on cancer therapy and your overall well-being.

Breakout 4: Saturday, August 19

3:30 - 5:00 PM ET

Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment: Strategies and Support for "Chemo Brain"

Alique Topalian, PhD, MPH

Audience: Everyone

Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) aka “chemo brain” impacts up to 75% of all cancer survivors at some time during their cancer experience. This informative, dynamic presentation will explain what it is, why it happens, and what you can do about it. We’ll also talk about why we’re changing the name and share strategies that you can use to try to combat these frustrating symptoms to make your life a little easier.

Do I Need a Lawyer? Legal Implications of AYA Cancer

Nicole Jolicoeur, Esq

Audience: Everyone

After a cancer diagnosis, AYAs face many challenges across various aspects of their lives. Many of these situations aren’t thought of as legal, but there are relevant laws and policies that exist to protect you. In this presentation, you’ll gain information to support you in the workplace, help you navigate health insurance, and manage your mountain of paperwork.

It's Complicated: Cancer, Disability, & Identity

Leeann Terwilliger, LCSW

Audience: Survivors

Cancer can impact our ability to work and can cause temporary medical disability. However sometimes cancer has lifelong impacts. Approximately 40% of cancer survivors experience long-term physical, cognitive, and psychological effects due to their diagnosis and treatment. While the legal definitions of disability are more straightforward, the social experiences of disability can be more nuanced and complex. Join this discussion session to better understand the complexity of disability, its intersection with cancer, and the social challenges to navigating disability.

Self Advocacy for BIPOC Patients

Tiah Tomlin & Lisa Nelson, LMSW, OSW-C

Audience: Everyone

While self advocacy skills are crucial for all AYA patients, patients of color often need additional support to navigate the challenges in the healthcare system. Whether it’s pushing for a second opinion after being dismissed by a doctor or dealing with microaggressions from medical office staff, this session will provide a supportive space for BIPOC patients to learn to be your own best advocate. This session is also an opportunity for white allies to learn how they can better support BIPOC patients and peers as they navigate cancer.

Breakout 5: Sunday, August 20

9:15 - 10:45 AM ET

A Community for Caregivers

Leeann Terwilliger, LCSW

Audience: Caregivers

Caregiving for a loved with cancer can provide a sense of purpose during a difficult time but the demands can also feel physically and emotionally overwhelming. The pressures of caregiving can create challenges for connection and leave you feeling isolated. Join this discussion session to connect with other caregivers navigating the unique stressors and challenges of caregiving.

Forces for Good: Working Together to Serve the AYA Community

Ambreen Maan, MSW, LSW & Mindy Freund, MSN, RN, CCRC

Audience: Nonprofit Professionals

Nonprofit professionals and advocates share the common goal of addressing the unique needs of the AYA cancer community. Meeting these needs, however, can sometimes feel daunting. How can we yield greater impact in the lives of AYA cancer survivors? Join this working group to collaborate with your fellow professionals, problem solve, and learn strategies to improve the work we do.

MythBusters: The Palliative Care Edition

C Robert Bennett, PhD, CPNP-AC & Peter Drahms, RN, BSN

Audience: Everyone

Think palliative care is just for end of life? Let’s bust the myth! Palliative care can provide you with an extra layer of support to help maintain quality of life while you explore treatment options and navigate the healthcare system. Join this interactive presentation to learn more about the real purpose of palliative care and how the members of the palliative care team can support your physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Physical Activity: Taking Back Control

Taylor Hosier, MHA

Audience: Everyone

Even if you aren’t a fitness buff, there are small changes you can make to increase your physical activity and gain real benefits as a patient or survivor. Join other AYAs in learning some basic movements and stretches while learning about the importance of physical activity. This interactive session will provide support and tips to appreciate the journey of exercise, including how to measure and celebrate your baseline, even if it’s changed.

Breakout 6: Sunday, August 20

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET

Adolescent Cancer Patients and the Risk of Addiction During Treatment

Samantha Dyar, LMSW, MBE

Audience: Healthcare Professionals

Addiction to narcotics is a national crisis, but adolescents in cancer treatment may be at heightened risk. This presentation for healthcare providers digs into how adolescent cancer patients may be vulnerable to addiction development during legitimate therapies involving controlled substances that can follow them into survivorship. Explore how brain development, the psychological effects of a cancer diagnosis, lack of appropriate support, poor care transitions, and the impact of “Cancer Exceptionalism” make AYAs particularly susceptible to addiction.

Creating a Legacy

Taylor Hosier, MHA

Audience: Survivors

Creating a legacy means different things to different people. This session will be about leaving a legacy not just at the end of life, but doing things right now to find meaning and vibrancy in your life. This workshop and discussion will offer a unique way for AYAs to create a story of legacy through memory building, pictures, and physical items to help you cope with the challenges and limitations you may face along the way.

Eliminating Toxins and Reducing Exposures

Tiah Tomlin

Audience: Everyone

In your daily life, you may encounter various toxins and exposures from personal care products or your surrounding environment. This informative workshop is designed to equip you with practical strategies and solutions to evaluate your products and to take actionable steps towards creating a safer and healthier environment for yourself and your loved ones.

Turning Rotten Lemons into Lemonade: Entrepreneurship & AYA Survivorship

Samira Daswani, Peter Bilzerian, Flávia Maoli, & Molly Lindquist

Audience: Everyone