Wellness Wednesday with Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation

Chris Rosandich, MS, Nutrition and Wellness Manager, Cancer Wellness Center, has a master’s degree in Health & Nutrition Education from Hawthorn University and holds additional certifications, including Plant Based Nutrition from Cornell University and Nutrition and Cancer from Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine. Christine’s passion is to work with various people, including those with cancer, to help them develop a foundation for optimal health. Inflammation is a natural part of our body's healing process. While occasional inflammation flare-ups are beneficial by indicating our immune system is actively healing our bodies, persistent or chronic inflammation may signal underlying health concerns that require attention. Chris provides a refresher on this highly-watched series, including the harmful impact of sugar, ways to boost immunity through healthy digestion, and easy food swaps for a healthier diet. Then, she tackles inflammation, sharing: • Causes of inflammation, and why it’s so dangerous • Strategies to reduce inflammation, increase energy, and relieve brain fog • Signs of chronic inflammation • Natural ways to reduce chronic Inflammation • Simple meal strategies to make eating an anti-inflammatory diet simple

Featuring Dr. Martha L. Twaddle, MD, FACP, FAAHPM, HMDC

Challenging and emotional conversations become the norm after a cancer diagnosis, so it’s essential to surround yourself with a broad team to educate and guide you while also making you feel comfortable and supported. This is especially true when exploring and planning for palliative and hospice services.

Join Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation and Cancer Wellness Center in a candid discussion with Dr. Martha L. Twaddle, the Medical Director for Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care at Northwestern Medicine. Dr. Twaddle will help us:

• Explore the differences between palliative care and hospice care.

• Understand when it is time to plan for care options.

• Three key questions you should ask providers in setting up care. • Ways in which family members can also receive support during this difficult time.

Featuring Chris Rosandich, MS, Nutrition and Wellness Manager, Cancer Support Center
Eating healthy doesn’t have to be challenging or boring. Simple switches can make a big impact on your everyday life. And would you believe a balanced diet can actually be tasty AND fun?
Join us for March’s Wellness Wednesday, where we'll continue our "cancer-fighting diet" series with Chris Rosandich, the Cancer Support Center’s Nutrition and Wellness Manager, who will share easy diet swaps for a healthier lifestyle, including:
· Why it's so hard to make healthy diet changes.
· Two reasons why healthy lifestyle attempts fail.
· Quick and healthy ingredient swaps.
· How to make sweet and salty treats better for you.
About the Speaker
Chris Rosandich, MS, Nutrition and Wellness Manager, Cancer Wellness Center, has a master’s degree in Health & Nutrition Education from Hawthorn University and holds additional certifications, including Plant Based Nutrition from Cornell University and Nutrition and Cancer from Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine. Christine’s passion is to work with various people, including those with cancer, to help them develop a foundation for optimal health.

Did you know that 80% of New Year’s Resolutions are broken by February? The key is to shift away from these one-off goals and move toward creating a series of habits and systems that work best for you. It’s proven that these incremental changes can lead to a major impact on your life.

Join us as we kick off the New Year with Lily Horowitz from The Core Method sharing tips on gaining strength in everyday life. Combining core, balance, power, and posture, Lily shows how they work together to connect your body with your mind. You’ll learn:

• Simple, daily exercises to strengthen your core (hint: it’s not about having a 6-pack)
• How to be connected to, and properly engage your body through Pilates
• Tips, tricks, and advice to make this doable whether you’re going through chemo, treatment, or not.

About the speaker:
Lily Horowitz is a leading certified Pilates instructor with over 30 years of experience in the fitness industry. She is a Core Guru and the founder and creator of The Core Method®️ in Northbrook Il and has devoted her life to helping clients get strong from the inside out.

Each year, Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation awards a number of grants supporting scientific research and patient family services. By awarding grants, we champion early detection research that will:

•  Encourage innovative research
• Improve outcomes in pancreatic cancer detection
• Uncover groundbreaking treatments
• Supports patients and families in the day-to-day

This Wellness Wednesday features Rolfe grantee, Lustgarten Foundation, with a video showcasing new technologies to drive better outcomes in early detection

Black Americans are at an increased risk for pancreatic cancer, with an incidence rate that’s 67% higher than any other ethnic or racial group in the United States. (National Cancer Institute) Pancreatic cancer isn’t the only ailment affecting people of color at higher rates.

Join Rolfe as we partner with the Cancer Wellness Center in a candid discussion with Dr. Matthew Dixon, a hepatopancreatobiliary surgeon from Rush University Medical Center. Dr. Dixon will address this disparity issue and share details about the latest advancements in pancreatic surgical practices. You’ll learn:
• Common factors contributing to this disparity
• Why increased communication with at-risk groups matters
• How advancements in pancreatic surgery are affecting patients
• What questions patients should ask their medical team

Featuring Dr. Matthew Dixon, Hepatopancreatobiliary surgeon, Rush University Medical Center

About the Speaker
Matthew Dixon, MDFACS, FSSO, is a Hepatopancreatobiliary surgeon with Rush University Medical Center. He has a passion and interest in the clinical treatment of patients with cancers of the liver, metastatic disease of the liver (such as metastatic colorectal cancer), benign liver tumors, bile duct cancer, pancreatic cancer, pancreatic cysts, neuroendocrine tumors and other types of rare pancreatic tumors.

If these past few years have shown us anything, it is the importance of slowing down to tune out the chaos of the world around us. For too long now, being “busy” has been celebrated and glamorized, when, in reality, sleep, relaxation, and time with family and friends should be praised. Burnout is not a badge of honor.

Join us as we welcome retired pathologist, yoga instructor, and health coach, Nadine Pierre Kelly—NPK—as she leads us through:
· Guided relaxation
· Accessible meditation
· Breathwork that is accessible to our entire community

We’ll follow up with a discussion about how to cultivate wellness at the intersection of authenticity and compassion.

About the Speaker
Nadine Pierre Kelly, otherwise known as NPK, is a retired medical doctor (pathologist), experienced registered yoga teacher, American Council of Exercise health coach, Akimbo workshops head coach, contributor to Medscape, first-degree Taekwondo black belt, and a Health Integration Coach with NPK Health Integration.

According to the National Cancer Institute, as many as half of patients with cancer have problems sleeping. Whether it’s insomnia or abnormal sleep-wake cycles, consistent lack of sleep has a tremendous impact on both physical and mental health. That, along with the pain that often accompanies a cancer diagnosis, adds another layer of stress and discomfort to daily life.

Relief is Possible

Join Alyssa N. Van Denburg, a Clinical Health Psychologist at Northwestern Medicine as she shares strategies for managing pain and sleep. Dr. Van Denburg will discuss ways supportive care can improve your quality of life, including:

How most cancer pain is manageable

Why controlling pain is an essential part of treatment

What sleep strategies work best during treatment, other illness, or the stress of caring for loved ones

For more information on Rolfe and Wellness Wednesday visit: https://rolfefoundation.org/get-involved/events-programs/wellness-wednesday-3/

Balancing Life With Cancer: Creating Boundaries for Patients, Caregivers and Loved Ones   “Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others.” -Brené Brown   

It’s often challenging to focus inward when it comes to priorities. From family to work to friends, and even pets, it is all too easy to put ourselves on the back burner. Yet research shows there is great importance—and benefits—to putting ourselves first when it comes to our physical and mental health.   Setting personal boundaries and priorities are practices that include changing our mindset about not only what we say “no” to, but also “yes.”   

This month, we welcome back licensed clinical social worker, Roslyn Turner, to discuss how to set clear boundaries for ourselves and others. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, are a caregiver, or are supporting a loved one with cancer, setting boundaries can help all involved. Roslyn will share:   

· What creating boundaries look like, and why its an important habit   

· Tips to setting boundaries with family, friends and work   

· How to say “no” so you can focus on what really matters   

About the Speaker: Roslyn Turner, LCSW (Outpatient Oncology Social Worker)   

Roslyn Turner is a licensed clinical social worker with Illness Navigation Resources. She received her bachelor's degree in communication from Lake Forest College and her master's degree in social work from Loyola University Chicago. While her specialization is working with patients and their families dealing with a cancer diagnosis, she is passionate about helping all individuals facing medical challenges and more general life stressors and transitions.    

Her focus is helping individuals and caregivers navigate the complex practical and emotional concerns that come with a medical diagnosis and has extensive knowledge of additional resources for oncology patients and families. She also has experience facilitating oncology support groups.   

To access the slides for this episode, watch full episodes and learn more about Rolfe Foundation and Wellness Wednesday click here: https://rolfefoundation.org/get-involved/events-programs/wellness-wednesday-3/

The New Year brings opportunities to start fresh. But what if we stopped making resolutions, and focused on making new habits instead? New habits that can strengthen both the body and the mind.  Gaining strength in whatever form that is—core, balance, power, posture—works to connect your body with your mind. 

Join us in our first Wellness Wednesday of 2022, where Lily Horowitz from The Core Method will showcase:  

• How to be connected to, and properly engage your body through Pilates 

• Simple exercises to strengthen your core (hint: it’s not about having a 6-pack) 

• Tips, tricks, and advice to make this doable whether you’re going through chemo, treatment, or not.  

About the speaker:  

Lily Horowitz is a leading certified Pilates instructor with over 30 years of experience in the fitness industry. She is a Core Guru and the founder and creator of The Core Method®️ in Northbrook Il and has devoted her life to helping clients get strong from the inside out.  

To access the slides for this episode, watch full episodes and learn more about Rolfe Foundation and Wellness Wednesday click here: https://rolfefoundation.org/get-involved/events-programs/wellness-wednesday-3/

When it comes to pancreatic cancer, early detection is key. And while there is not currently a reliable test available, some of the world’s leading researchers are looking to change that.   

Each year, Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation awards a number of grants, often funding projects or programs that are novel and not duplicative of current initiatives. In addition, Rolfe encourages the sharing of information and resources between the scientists, and among institutions pursuing pancreatic cancer research for the greatest opportunity for advancement.   

In our final Wellness Wednesday of the year, we’ll showcase the impact of your donations. Drs. Chuan He, Marc Bissonnette and Kay Macleod will share the latest breakthroughs their research has uncovered, including:   

- An epigenetic blood test for pancreatic cancer   

- What the gene BNIP3 tells us about pancreatic cancer progression   

- A look at what’s ahead in pancreatic cancer research   

Featuring: Dr. Chuan He Ph.D., Dr. Marc Bissonnette M.D., and Dr. Kay Macleod Ph.D.   

A special thank you to our Wellness Wednesday partner WEX - Wolverine Execution Services and the Bellick Family.

To access the slides for this episode, watch full episodes and learn more about Rolfe Foundation and Wellness Wednesday click here: https://rolfefoundation.org/get-involved/events-programs/wellness-wednesday-3/

About the speakers:   

Dr. Chuan He   

Chuan He, Ph.D. is the current John T. Wilson Distinguished Professor at the University of Chicago and an Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) since 2014.   

Dr. Marc Bissonnette   

Marc Bissonnette is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology at the University of Chicago. He is a member of the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center.   

Dr. Kay Macleod   

Dr. Macleod is a graduate of the University of Edinburgh, Scotland (B.Sc. Hons) and obtained her Ph.D. from the Beatson Institute for Cancer Research at the University of Glasgow, Scotland. Dr. Macleod's research is focused on understanding the role of mitophagy and mitochondrial dysfunction in cancer.

Join us as we discuss a “cancer-fighting diet,” and explore how you can minimize your risk, without giving up sugar entirely. Join Christine Rosandich, Nutrition and Wellness Manager at the Cancer Support Center as she covers:   

- What is a “cancer-fighting diet”  

- Which foods to eat, and which to avoid  

- How much sugar is too much sugar  

- Best practices for reducing sugar intake 

A special thanks to our Wellness Wednesday partner, Wolverine Execution Services, and the Bellick family.  

To download slides: https://rolfefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Rolfe-Pancreatic-Cancer-Foundation-A-Cancer-Fighting-Diet-The-Truth-About-Sugar-FINAL.pdf 

For more information about pancreatic cancer for patients and families: https://rolfefoundation.org/ 

For more resources for cancer patients and caregivers visit: https://www.cancersupportcenter.org/ 

Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLoombzmqb2Lv2aZkIxByMhkpOXWKXHiE

#PancreaticCancer #CancerDiet

While pancreatic cancer is rare, roughly 80% of pancreatic cancers are not diagnosed until they have spread. This is why pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. Alison Klein, M.H.S, Ph.D., Director of National Familial Pancreas Tumor Registry at Johns Hopkins is working to change these statistics and determine options to stop the cancer.  

Join us in a conversation with Alison where she’ll discuss the path to pancreatic cancer, including: 

• Identifying key genetic clues 

• Why tracking family history matters 

• The difference between inherited genetics and acquired genetics 

• The importance of looking at lifestyle factors and high-risk populations 

About the Speaker  

Dr. Alison P. Klein is Director of the National Familial Pancreas Tumor Registry. She is a Professor of Oncology and Epidemiology with a joint appointment at The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.  Her research focus is to identify the genes and environmental factors that cause pancreatic cancer and translate these findings into improved patient care and risk assessment.  

A special thanks to our Wellness Wednesday partner, Wolverine Execution Services and the Bellick family.  

To access the slides for this episode, watch full episodes and learn more about Rolfe Foundation and Wellness Wednesday click here: https://rolfefoundation.org/get-involved/events-programs/wellness-wednesday-3/

When it comes to grief, there isn’t one path to follow. Grief evolves. It ebbs and flows and can hit us when we least expect it. And while the thought of outrunning grief may sound good, learning how to navigate the feelings associated with grief will better serve us in the long run.   

Join Rolfe and Cancer Wellness Center in this candid discussion of an all-too-often taboo subject, where we shared:   

- Ways grief may appear in our lives (and how it differs in each of us)   

- Stages of Grief: diagnosis, treatment, end of life, loss   

- Practical approaches to managing grief   

- How you can carry on when grief remains with you

About the speakers:

Mary F. Mulcahy, MD is a practicing medical oncologist with more than ten years experience in caring for patients and families with terminal illness. She is a sought-after speaker providing education to medical providers, advocacy groups, and patients. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Hematology-Oncology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She received her medical degree from the University of California San Diego, completed her residency at Boston University and her fellowship at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. She has expertise in the treatment of pancreatic biliary, esophageal, and liver cancers. She is experienced in liver-directed therapy for primary and metastatic liver tumors.

Celeste Gallati is a member of the Life Matters Media Board of Directors. Celeste has two decades of experience in the financial services industry serving in various human resources and project management roles. She holds an MBA and a Master of Labor and Industrial Relations from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has completed the Philanthropy and Nonprofit Organizations Certificate Program at Northwestern School of Professional Studies. In addition, she is a Respecting Choices certified advance care planning facilitator. After being widowed at 35 and serving as a caregiver for her mother who had dementia, Gallati understands the importance of having end-of-life discussions with loved ones and is passionate about helping others have these vital conversations.    

Priscilla Andrews, MA, LCPC, Clinical Manager joined Cancer Wellness Center’s clinical staff in 2007. She holds an MA in Community Counseling from Loyola University Chicago and has completed post-graduate training in polyvagal theory and emotionally-focused therapy.  In addition to working with people through the Counseling Program, she also facilitates the monthly Multiple Myeloma Networking Group. Her areas of interest include survivorship issues, building motivation for behavior changes, recovery from trauma, and couples work.

To access the slides for this episode, watch full episodes and learn more about Rolfe Foundation and Wellness Wednesday click here: https://rolfefoundation.org/get-involved/events-programs/wellness-wednesday-3/