Y Vital Stats
• September 2007 launch in Western New York.
• Targets people age 12 to 26 years of age.
• New website launched at yroswellpark.com.
• The website provides resources for cancer and coping, education and studies, as well as future careers in medicine and science.
• The website also acts as a tool for area science teachers looking to build a customized lesson plan into their existing curriculums.
• The website features interactive audio, video, and blogging sections.
• Website also features a live listening portal to Kiss 98.5, WKSE in Buffalo NY.
• Y Roswell is proud to partner with Kiss 98.5 in bringing Y-ers the latest music, concerts, polls, plus KissMas Bash in December.
• Also find Y online at MySpace.com and Facebook.com.

See the whole brochure (VISIT LINK)

New radio commercials were created for Summer 2008.

Radio 1 – Lisa's Friends

Radio 2 – Check It Out

Here are the original radio commericals that were launched in September 2007.

Click the links to listen or visit the multimedia center on the home page.

Radio 1 – What Does Cancer Have to Do With Me?

Radio 2 – Where Am I?

Radio 3 – Is this A Dream?

Please see previous press releases here: y:y_press

In the latest issue of Roswellness, Colleen Karuza (y:mrsk) wrote about Generation Y. You can see the complete issue on the Roswell Park website on the (Roswellness Online) page.

Dear Readers:
"We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future."

The quotable quote above comes courtesy of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. These words, I believe, succinctly frame the vision behind yROSWELL, Roswell Park’s new awareness and educational campaign that targets “Generation Y, the 12-to-28-year-old cohort with "membership" hovering around 70 million.

We usually don't juxtapose cancer and youth in the same thought. The fact is, cancer is primarily a disease of the over-50 set, a disease for which age is consistently cited as its leading risk factor.

There is also something to be said for the fact that if you don’t have cancer (or know someone with cancer), you don't spend a lot of time thinking about the disease -particularly if you are a young person.

So why target Gen-Y? Good question! - and just the kind of question Vice President for Marketing, Planning & Public Affairs Laurel A. DiBrog - the architect of this campaign - asked herself before taking on this effort.

In some circles, she discovered, Gen-Y's are called "Echo Boomers" because they not only rival Baby Boomers in sheer numbers, but also wield the same kind of buying power and clout. Laurel also discovered that Gen-Y'ers, definitely a force to be reckoned with, have an interesting aggregate of positive attributes assigned to them: adaptable, technologically savvy, highly educated, efficient multi-taskers, family-oriented, confident, careerminded, skeptical, questioning and tolerant.

Now ask yourself: Aren't these the same characteristics that we, as a society, demand of our most innovative thinkers, prolific achievers, influential leaders and inspired decision makers? The men and women we rely on to be conduits for change?

It is entirely imaginable that Gen-Y'ers, through their own individual efforts and abilities and their collective energy and sway, will not only be able to lay the groundwork for a world without cancer, but could realistically live and raise their families in one.

Each year, as a new group of gifted high school and college interns dive headfirst into my world of corporate communications and public affairs, I often wonder why this generation is not dubbed "Baby Ka-boomers" - for the combustible explosion of ideas and advances that their young minds (and those of their peers) will ignite in their lifetimes.

Sparks are already flying.

A cancer-free world begins with three C's: cultivation, curiosity and commitment. We, at Roswell Park - and more specifically, the talented faculty members who have voluntarily and with great excitement taken on the role of mentors - hope to offer these young people a glimpse of that world, and then convince them that the power fueling its creation rests squarely in their very capable hands.

Members of Generation Y are involved in so many activities that help Roswell Park Cancer Institute and the community.

Learn more about our Y'ers, look at y:y_er
If you or your group would like to be featured as a Y'er, send an email to yroswell AT roswellpark.org (just copy into your email and change the AT to the symbol @) and tell us how you're helping to make a world without cancer!

Click here to read the y:Y_News blog about Gen Y in the news.

Did you participate in one of the front page quizzes? Check out y:y_play to see how your answers matched the other y'ers on the site!

Roswell Park Cancer Institute offers a newsletter just for tweens.

You can read all the entries here (y:Tween) and offer comments on the blogs.

Here are some sample entries:

Medication: It Doesn't Work If You Don't Take It! y:tween,445
Sun Smarts y:tween,420
Help! My BFF Has Cancer y:tween,355

If you have a topic that you'd like to see covered, please email yroswell AT roswellpark.org

Roswell Park Cancer Institute offers a newsletter just for teens.

You can read all the entries here (y:Teen) and offer comments on the blogs.

Here are some sample entries:

Take As Directed -- They're Your Meds y:teen,450
The Dark Side Of Tanning y:teen,417
Returning To School After Cancer: Help A Friend Jump Back In y:teen,358

If you have a topic that you'd like to see covered, please email yroswell AT roswellpark.org

Roswell Park Cancer Institute offers a newsletter just for young adults.

You can read all the entries here (y:Young_Adult) and offer comments on the blogs.

Here are some sample entries:

Read and follow all label directions y:young_adult,451
Tanning: Fast Track To Aging Skin y:young_adult,419
Dating: Cancer Is Not Just An Astrological Sign y:young_adult,357

If you have a topic that you'd like to see covered, please email yroswell AT roswellpark.org

When you join the Goin' Bald for Bucks team you collect pledges for Roswell Park Cancer Institute in return for shaving your head or cutting your hair.

Experienced, local cosmetology students handle shaving and cutting hair in a public forum, like a school gymnasium or front lobby. You can also choose to donate your hair to Locks of Love if you can cut off 10” or more.

Goin' Bald for Bucks kicks off its 7th year on March 7, 2008 with a special opening celebration at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. This year's program is sponsored with support from Kiss 98.5 FM.

Last year, schools from all over Western New York and Roswell Park went "bald for bucks" and raised $150,000 for cancer research and patient care programs at Roswell Park!

Support this year's effort through any of the following ways to help us reach our goal; call 716-845-8164 or e-mail misha.russo AT roswellpark.org if your school, company or organization would like to participate.

Read Event's blog to learn more! y:events,946

The Paint Box Project is a unique program that uses the healing power of art to help young cancer patients and their families express themselves during and after cancer treatment.

The Project is in need of students and clubs to sells its holiday and all-occasion cards and merchandise throughout the fall and winter seasons. Your school or organization can earn 20% from your total card sales to benefit your group. Call Alicia Becker at 716-845-8119 or email alicia.becker AT roswellpark.org to learn more!

You can also visit The Paint Box Project to learn more.

Visit this y:events,1601 for the 2008 Mall Schedule and y:events,407 to see a video about this program.

Team Cure is a way for for school groups to organize their fundraising events to benefit cancer research and patient care at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. If you have a great idea for a fundraiser, why not try it out! We’re glad to help by providing you with tips and step-by-step instructions on how to get your event going.

For more information on Team Cure, please contact Mary Rose McDermott, Community Events Coordinator at 716-845-3517 or maryrose.mcdermott AT roswellpark.org .

Read Event's blog (y:events) to see about other activities at Roswell Park.

UPDATE
Currently, there are more than 270 pediatric cancer patients and their families served by Carly’s Club – Roswell Park's dedicated program to assist pediatric and teen patients and their families, and to find cures.

Founded by a little girl who wanted to make a difference for other kids battling cancer, Carly’s Club offers hope and a little bit of extra happiness to children and families facing the difficulty of childhood cancer diagnoses.

From providing special outings and fun activities to offering financial support, Carly’s Club is here for Roswell Park’s youngest patients and their families at every step of their journeys toward a cure.

Carly’s Club wouldn’t be what it is today without the tireless support of its many generous partners, donors and supporters. Funds raised for Carly's Club not only help fund psychosocial support programs and activities for pediatric cancer patients, but they help fuel promising new research to help discover new treatments for childhood cancer patients locally, and around the world.

You can help continue this important work. Sign up to become a Carly’s Club donor or volunteer today!

Buffalo Sabres' hockey all-star Ryan Miller's Steadfast Foundation is the Naming Sponsor for all Carly’s Club psychosocial support programs and activities. Visit the Carly's Club site to learn how you can help through Ryan's Saves for Cancer program--and our limited edition 2008 holiday ornaments signed by Ryan! You can learn more at Carly's Club or www.savesforcancer.com.

You can learn more at Carly's Club or by visiting this blog: y:events,969

The 12th annual Ride for Roswell, presented by Wegmans, brought together more than 4,400 cyclists, 800 volunteers, 35 sponsors and 314 Extra Mile Club "top fundraisers" to raise a record $1.7 million to fuel groundbreaking research to end cancer and save lives. Our overall total after 12 years is $6.2 million. Over 285 teams representing families, corporations, religious and community organizations, as well as hundreds of individual riders rode to honor loved ones, co-workers and friends who have courageously faced cancer; to celebrate survivorship; and to make a difference for tomorrow’s cures at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

To find out about year-round ways to support the Ride (including hosting a Ride-themed event at your school), call a Ride Coordinator at 716-845-8788 or email RideforRoswell AT roswellpark.org . Or visit www.RideforRoswell.org for more updated information or to post your own Ride photo's and video. Online registration begins Monday, January, 14, 2008.

The Ride for Roswell is a powerful community cycling event that started 12 years ago with a small group of dedicated cyclists, volunteers and a determined founder, who wanted to make a difference in the fight against cancer. In 1996, RPCI hosted the first Ride For Roswell. Volunteers organized three different cycling routes throughout Western New York, and to their surprise 1,000 Riders signed up and participated that first year, raising $102,000. Since that first year, the Ride's numbers have been increasing at an amazing rate. Each year more volunteers give of their time and riders increase their generosity to this event.

Read y:events,493 for more information and to see some pictures from the 2007 Ride for Roswell.

This inspiring open-water swim is held each August.

Swimmers of all ages and abilities collect pledges and jump into the waters at the Buffalo Small Boat Harbor at Gallagher Beach.

All monies raised benefit pediatric cancer research and patient care at Roswell Park.

Read y:events,1471 to see photos of the event on August 16, 2008 (there are several other entries around the event itself)
y:events,969 for an overview of Carly's Crossing 2008
y:events,239 to learn more and watch a video from the 2007 event.

Coming soon!!

There are several ways to volunteer and support Roswell Park in the community.

You can set up a Team Cure event at your school and raise money for cancer research. Some examples in the past include Goin Bald For Bucks, Dance-a-thons etc. Your school and Roswell Park will need to approve your idea, but if it is approved you may be able to do your service hours in your school.

You can volunteer for the Alliance Foundation directly. There are a variety of events (often on weekends or in the evening) that need volunteers and you can work alone or with a group. If you choose to volunteer for a location that is not at your school nor at the Institute, you may need an adult volunteer to work with you. Want to be a volunteer for the Alliance Foundation? Please print and send back this PDF application.

To volunteer at Roswell Park itself, please note that hours are only available Monday to Friday from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. Students wishing to volunteer for the Institute must be over 15 years old, commit to a minimum of 40 hours, complete an application, have an interview, complete a medical form/health review and attend an orientation. More information about this process is available here.

We'd love to have you work with us. Please email yroswell AT roswellpark.org for more information.

My name is Dr. Michael Zevon and I am the chair of the Department of Psychsocial Oncology at Roswell Park. I will be one of the mentors and moderators on this site.

I came to work at Roswell Park in 1983. My background includes a PhD in Psychology from the University of Minnesota.

Cancer is a very stress inducing word. It is actually one of the few words in the English language that has an immediate impact when you say or hear it. I am focused on helping people cope with cancer, either in themselves or in someone whom they care about.

If you have a concern or a question about cancer, please share. You can email yroswell AT roswellpark.org or visit my blog (y:dr_mike) and send me a message.

According to the National Cancer Institute, among adults, the 5-year survival rate for all cancers combined is now approximately 65%. As of 2001, the latest year for which the NCI has statistics, the 5-year survival rates for the five most common cancers were: breast, 90%; colon, 65%; lung, 16%, prostate, 100%; and rectum, 65%.

To read the full NCI Focus on Cancer, visit their website here.

To learn more about how Roswell Park treats cancer visit www.roswellpark.org.

When cancer touches your life, an individual approach is needed to understand how cancer will impact you.

The Roswell Park Cancer Institute website lists information by disease type, supportive services and specialized treatment options.

You can also contact the ASK-RPCI Call Center (Cancer Information Program) at 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) for more information.

If you would like to learn about clinical studies (studies of the newest and most promising cancer treatments that are still under investigation), please visit www.roswellpark.org/clinicalstudies

The National Cancer Institute also offers a wealth of information too!

You've just learned that your brother or sister has cancer. You may have a lot of emotions -feeling numb, afraid, lonely, or angry. One thing is certain - you don't feel good.

For now, try to focus on these facts:

Many kids survive cancer. You have good reason to be hopeful that your brother or sister will get better. Today, as many as 8 in 10 kids diagnosed with cancer survive their illness.

You're not alone. Right now it might seem like no one else in the world feels the way you do. In a way you're right. No one can feel exactly like you do. But it might help to know that there are other kids who have a brother or sister with cancer.

You're not to blame. Cancer is a disease with many causes, many of which doctors don't fully understand. But your brother or sister did not get cancer because of anything you did, thought, or said.

You can't protect, but you can give comfort. Sometimes you'll be strong for your brother or sister, and sometimes your brother or sister will be strong for you. It's okay to talk about how hard it is and even cry together.

To learn more, read this guide from the National Cancer Institute.

According to the American Legacy Foundation
• 8.1% of middle school students and 22.3% of high school students smoke cigarettes.
• Among middle school students, 8.6% of females and 7.7% of males smoke cigarettes. Among high school students, 22.4% of females and 22.1% of males smoke cigarettes.1
• Smoking has declined among U.S. youth since peaking in 1997. Among youth in grade 12, the decline in smoking began in 1997. This trend began for younger students in 1996.
• 27% of college students smoke.
• Prevalence of smoking among college students is higher than the general population (22.8%), but is similarto that of students in grade 12 (27%) and lower than among those in the same age group who do not attend college (32%).
• Among young adults who do not attend college, 32% smoke daily and 22% smoke a half-pack or more each day.

Tobacco use is the most important preventable cause of cancer. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S. ALF reports that over 267,000 women (and 286,000 men) in the U.S. died from cancer in 2000 and that as many as 30% of all cancer deaths are a result of smoking. If you smoke - stop. If you don't smoke, don't start. If you know someone who uses tobacco, help them quit.

Here are some links for you to learn more:

The New York State Smokers' Quitline - Get the support you may need to quit.

Tobacco Industry Internal Document Collections. See how the industry works to initiate youth smoking, to lobby, package, and advertise.

The American Legacy Foundation offers fact sheets on tobacco use and its impact on health.

Tobacco Free Women and Girls offers information to help women stop smoking.

Read the Smoke_Free blog to learn more (y:smoke_free)

Born between 1981 and 1995, Generation Y is 57 million strong and you are the fastest growing segment of the workforce. You are needed to help create a world without cancer -- the next generation of physicians and scientists who can specialize in cancer treatment; but more than medical staff need to understand oncology, even future architects, bankers and other creative thinkers can participate in this process, because everyone can share the dream of a cancer-free tomorrow.

Click here to view Career's Blog at y:careers

Click here for an application package

Are you a high school or college student? You might be eligible for the Summer Participation Program. Visit this link for more information.

Read about one of our Nursing Interns: y:careers,496

Non-Roswell Education information

Summer Internship experiences (not just science related)

Are you thinking about graduate school? You can learn more about Roswell's programs at Grad Schools.com and also search for other programs or schools that might interest you.

There is a lot of information about cancer on the Roswell Park Cancer Institute website that may help you with a health class or an article that covers some parts of Buffalo history.

Some of the sections that RPCI is asked about the most include:

Roswell Park's Historical Highlights: Did you know that Roswell Park was the world's first comprehensive cancer center?

Additionally, Dr. Roswell Park, our founder, was the physician who helped organize the medical facilities at the Pan-American Exhibition in 1901. You can learn more here.

You can learn about specific Types of Cancer on the Roswell Park website.

The National Cancer Institute and American Cancer Society offer many other resources to learn about cancer.

These sites may also help with homework or offer educational games:

InfoPlease

Cool Math For Kids

Tobacco Industry Internal Document Collections.

The American Legacy Foundation offers fact sheets on tobacco use and its impact on health.


If you have a useful homework site that helps you with your work, please share it with use at yroswell AT roswellpark.org !

Generation Y is a term that designates all of the people born after "Generation X." It is one of several terms (including The Millennials and the The Internet Generation) used to describe the same group.

Regardless of the exact term, or the exact age range for Generation Y, you are a part of one of the most influential groups in society today. Of course, this means that GenY is in the news all the time.

Learn more about GenY
Y-News (y:y_news)
Wikipedia

Roswell Park is always recruiting nurses!

For information about available jobs, please visit the Employment Section of Roswell Park.

To read more about joining, check out the blog y:be_a_nurse

Visit some of the blogs started by our members including y:studentnurseliz

Get the Skin-Y on Sun Safety

Limiting your exposure to the sun and avoiding sunburn will decrease your risk for skin cancer. And stay away from tanning booths. But, to have fun in the nice weather, follow thest tips from the American Academy of Dermatology (http://www.playsmartsun.org/index.htm):

* Generously apply water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 that provides broad-spectrum protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays to all exposed skin. Re-apply every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating. Look for the AAD SEAL OF RECOGNITIONTM on products that meet these criteria.


* Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, where possible.


* Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun's rays are strongest between 10 am and 4 pm. If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade.


* Protect children from sun exposure by playing in the shade, using protective clothing and applying sunscreen.


* Use extra caution near water, snow and sand as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chance of sunburn.


* Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look like you've been in the sun, consider using a sunless self-tanning product, but continue to use sunscreen with it.

According to the American Cancer Society, cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States, exceeded only by heart disease.

For men, the most common cancer is prostate cancer. For women, the most common cancer is breast cancer. However, the cancer that causes the most deaths for both men and women is lung cancer.

According to Dr. Mike Zevon (y:ask_dr_mike) 37% of adults feel cancer could be the worst thing that can happen to them and 49% found word cancer scary, but cancer is a very manageable condition and there are many options if you or a family member are facing a cancer diagnosis.

If you want to learn more about how Roswell Park treats cancer, visit www.roswellpark.org/patientcare

You can visit here to read more about some of the cancers that affect kids. y:coping,399

Roswell Park Cancer Institute offers a range of supportive materials as well as Carly's Club. The National Cancer Institute also offers many resources to help you cope with a diagnosis of cancer in your child.

More children than ever are surviving childhood cancer. Over the last 30 years, survival into adulthood increased from 30 percent to 80 percent. There are new and better drugs and methods to help children deal with the side effects of treatment. And children who have had cancer now have a better quality of life throughout childhood and into adulthood; fewer long-term ill effects follow the treatment.

Yet, in spite of all this good news, cancer is still a serious disease. If your family is facing this disease, you are not alone. At Roswell Park, a complete treatment team - doctors, radiation therapists, rehabilitation specialists, dietitians, oncology nurses, and social workers, among others - can help you and your child deal with the disease. They will also help ensure that your child gets the best treatment available with as few ill effects as possible.

To learn more, read this pamphlet from the National Cancer Institute. (VISIT LINK)

Cancer is a group of more than 100 diseases that develop across time. Cancer can develop in virtually any of the body?s tissues, and both hereditary and environmental factors contribute to its development.

Telling your child about his or her cancer is a personal matter, and family, cultural, or religious beliefs will come into play. It is important to be open and honest with your child because children who are not told about their illness often imagine things that are not true. For example, a child may think he or she has cancer as punishment for doing something wrong.

Health professionals generally agree that telling children the truth about their illness leads to less stress and guilt. Children who know the truth are also more likely to cooperate with treatment. Finally, talking about cancer often helps to bring the family closer together and makes dealing with the cancer a little easier for everyone.

Check out the y:y_parent blog for more information.

Click here to read more from the National Cancer Institute (VISIT LINK)

Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) is America's first cancer center, founded in 1898 by Dr. Roswell Park. RPCI is the only upstate New York facility to hold the National Cancer Center designation of "comprehensive cancer center" and to serve as a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Over its long history, Roswell Park Cancer Institute has made fundamental contributions to reducing the cancer burden and has successfully maintained an exemplary leadership role in setting the national standards for cancer care, research and education.

The campus spans 25 acres in downtown Buffalo and consists of 15 buildings with about one million square feet of space. A new hospital building, completed in 1998, houses a comprehensive diagnostic and treatment center. In addition, the Institute built a new medical research complex and renovated existing education and research space to support its future growth and expansion.

The Vision

Generation Y is a concept that originated somewhere between Roswell’s need to better understand how to communicate with its community’s younger generation – its future -- and our need to help kids connect with someone who could help them understand why cancer happens.

Earlier in my career, I worked for a cancer center where my office was connected to the pediatric oncology unit. Some of my most treasured memories are of children, hooked to IV poles, walking in to my office talking about whatever was on their minds. I was always so impressed with how they managed the many challenges of their cancer and their total acceptance and openness in describing the many issues they faced while dealing with this disease. As sad as some of those interactions made me, they also inspired me. There was always hope in the hearts of these children, that someday there would be a cure.

With this in mind, I began discussing my thoughts with the physicians and scientists at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Could we open the doors to our youth, demystify cancer and help create a mindset that we can create a world without cancer? It was with this vision that Y Roswell was created, along with the dreams and wishes of those who have been involved for years in creating the basis for such a world to exist.

Our youth deal with cancer in some way in their lives, everyday. Whether they themselves have cancer, or their parents, grandparents, siblings or friends have the disease – they are exposed to the riot of emotions that accompany the words, “You have cancer.” Do we know where they go to understand how cancer fits into their lives? What do we really know about those individuals who can ultimately change this world?

Gen Y

Born between 1981 and 1995, Generation Y is 57 million strong and they are the fastest growing segment of our workforce. Reaching young people while they are identifying their future directions is one of the reasons why Roswell Park Cancer Institute, headquartered in Buffalo, NY, has introduced its campaign to reach Y. Our vision to create a world without cancer cannot happen without them. We’ll need physicians and scientists specializing in oncology to continue the work generations before them have begun. We’ll also need the resources to keep the dream of a cancer-free tomorrow alive, which is why so many of our youth volunteer in such activities as High School Spirit and Goin Bald for Bucks, raising $500,000 for cancer research.

What Does Cancer Have To Do With Me?

One in three people will be diagnosed with some form of cancer. The goal of those of us working at Roswell Park Cancer Institute is to cure cancer – contributing to the vision in our own way. We’re all on the same mission, with the same focus. There is a new generation coming up behind us who will want the same vision and we want to be there to help them carry on until a cure becomes more than a dream.

Roswell’s Generation Y information technology and marketing professionals have developed a web site for their peers, with the goal of creating Roswell as a cool place that’s curing cancer. As a part of this place, Roswell's faculty members have become on-line mentors for those wanting to pursue careers in science and medicine.

We’re connected…and encourage our teenagers and young adults to share what they’re thinking, what they want from us or what they’re feeling. This space was built for them.

Laurel A. DiBrog
Vice President for Marketing, Planning and Public Affairs
Roswell Park Cancer Institute

Peer support is extremely important to any child with cancer when they return to the classroom. It has been shown that social support from classmates can be correlated with higher psychosocial adjustment for children who have cancer.

Research has shown that the more that cancer interferes with the social functioning of the child, the more it may compromise the general psychosocial adaptation of the child. Furthermore, peers may influence treatment and medication compliance; i.e., a child is more likely to ignore treatment and medication rules if they interfere with social situations.

Thus, teachers pay a crucial role in sharing information about the disease to the peer group because when classmates are informed about the type of cancer and the issues surrounding treatment, then they are more likely to accept and interact with their classmate coping with cancer.

Children's knowledge about the disease varies according to individuals and developmental level; elementary school students are likely to ask questions such as "What is cancer?" "Can he/she die from it?" "Can I get cancer?" "Can he/she still play?" "Can we talk about it or should we ignore it?" Middle school and high school students tend to ask harder, more theoretical questions. If you need help with helping a child with cancer adjust back to the classroom, please email yroswell AT roswellpark.org .

Cancer is a group of more than 100 diseases that develop across time. Cancer can develop in virtually any of the body's tissues, and both hereditary and environmental factors contribute to its development. Cancer is likely to affect some of your students at some point in your career either as they cope with an ill family member or they themselves or a friend becomes ill.

Here is a list of some important facts that may help start a discussion about cancer with your students.

1. Cancer develops due to the loss of growth control in cells. Loss of control occurs as a result of mutations in genes that are involved in cell cycle control.
2. No single event is enough to turn a cell into a cancerous cell.
3. Scientists use systematic and rigorous criteria to evaluate claims about factors associated with cancer. Consumers can evaluate such claims by applying criteria related to the source, certainty, and reasonableness of the supporting information.

The Y-Roswell team is working to develop video content that can be used to support classroom understanding of scientific concepts and cancer development. If you have a topic that you would like to see developed for use in your classroom, please contact the YRoswell team at (yroswell@roswellpark.org)/

In the meantime, this is an interesting resource to visit: Jove.com . The Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE) is a peer reviewed, free access, online journal devoted to the publication of biological research in a video format. JoVE was established as a new tool in life science publication and communication, with participation of scientists from leading research institutions.

Roswell Park also supports teachers who may have students with cancer in their classrooms. Every other year Roswell offers a "Cancer in the Classroom" program. The discussions available familiarize family members, educators and school professionals, including teachers, nurses, social workers, counselors, and psychologists, with the unique challenges presented by the return to school of a child who has cancer.

To learn more about the outreach to teachers visit y:y_teacher.

Teachers play a critical role in helping their students cope with cancer.

When a child is ready to return to school after treatment, a teacher must facilitate a smooth transition back into the classroom. A teacher needs to learn about the type of cancer that the child has, its symptoms, the prognosis, treatment(s) and their side effects.

A teacher can act as a liason between the family and the classroom, so that they can help with sharing what the parents and the child want classmates and other school personnel to know about the child's illness.

A teacher needs to understand that certain skills needed for learning, (i.e., attention span, memory, nonverbal skills, language skills, and motor skills) might be affected by cancer treatment.

A teacher should be prepared to cope with issues such as anxiety, behavior problems, emotional difficulties, peer relationship difficulties, and frustration related to school difficulties and treatment itself.

Reference: Nessim, S., & Katz, E.R. (1995). A model for school and social reintegration of children with chronic illness. Los Angeles, California: Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases.

We're building career paths to help you determine options.

Visit y:career_paths for more information.

Visit the Mentor Grid to see about some of the staff who work at Roswell Park. You can also read and search through their stories at y:y_mentor.

Are you thinking about graduate school? You can learn more about Roswell's programs at Grad Schools.com and also search for other programs or schools that might interest you.