View upcoming events below. If you would like to learn more about any of the listed events, contact them at the address, phone or website listed.

Attention Organizations that support the fight against cancer: Your event should be listed here! To submit your event to be listed on this page, contact us.

February 8 Tuesday 7:00 pm 
Genetics.
UCLA - Ted Mann Family Resource Center
RPB Auditorium - Stein Plaza at UCLA
Open to the Public - $7 charge for parking
310-794-6644
There are nearly 10 million cancer survivors in the US today, and over 60% of patients diagnosed can expect long-term survival. However, there is often a price that is paid for this success, with both short and long-term effects from curative treatments with surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. There is growing interest in understanding the experience of cancer survivors and finding ways to optimize their health and recovery after treatments. Dr. Ganz discusses the most common late effects of cancer treatment as well as reviews the best strategies for care. In addition, she briefly touches on whether or not genetic testing for hereditary cancers should be considered in survivors, and the implications of such testing for cancer risk reduction among survivors and their family members.

February 27
Susan G Komen Race for the Cure - Los Angeles
626 577-2700
 

March 8 Tuesday 7:00 pm 
Colon and Other Gastrointestinal Tract Cancers
UCLA - Ted Mann Family Resource Center
RPB Auditorium - Stein Plaza at UCLA
Open to the Public - $7 charge for parking
310-794-6644
March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, and colon cancer is one of the most commonly occurring cancers in men and women in the United States. Cancers of the gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, bile ducts, rectal and colon) are often not talked about, which is unfortunate because this silence perpetuates lack of early diagnosis and treatment. Unfortunately, though colon cancer is usually preventable or treatable when patients are screened according to current recommendations, these guidelines are often not followed. New radiologic and genetic technologies may improve screening in the future but colonoscopy can prevent most colorectal cancers today. While colorectal cancer is a mostly preventable disease, approximately 150,000 cases are still diagnosed each year in the US. Chemotherapy can increase the chance of cure and exciting new biological therapies blocking growth signals and blood vessel growth have been shown to help colorectal cancer patients. Dr. Hecht discusses the biology of these cancers and the recent advances in the treatment of local and widespread disease. Current research in prevention, early detection and the effect of family history on risk of GI tract cancers are also presented.
 

Every Tuesday 10:00 am - 11:45 pm
Long Beach Memorial Hospital Cancer Support Group.
Meets in the Radiation Oncology Department. Open to all patients, family, and friends. A very informal, relaxed gathering to talk and share ideas. No charge. All are welcome.

April 12 Tuesday 7:00 pm 
Clinical Trials in Cancer
UCLA - Ted Mann Family Resource Center
RPB Auditorium - Stein Plaza at UCLA
Open to the Public - $7 charge for parking
310-794-6644
Clinical trials are the means by which cancer researchers bring new anti-cancer drugs from the bench top in the laboratory to the bedside in the clinic. Information about these advances is splashed on the news on a daily basis and patients often search the Internet for the latest treatments and research. Patients and family members often talk about new hope, but often do not fully understand the process for clinical trials research. The goal of this talk is to educate patients and family members in understanding the drug development process and the role that they might play in the advancement in science. Questions to be addressed include, how to identify and select clinical trials, what is the process like for a patient, what are the demands of a clinical trial, how to weigh the risks and the benefits, how new drugs move from the laboratory through the FDA and into a clinic for patient care, and what kinds of hope is on the horizon.

April 22-23  Friday 6:00pm - Saturday 6:00 pm 
American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life Long Beach! Join hundreds of cancer survivors, fighters, family, friends, and supporters as they participate in a 24 hour walk around the athletic track at Golden West College in Huntington Beach. This is a premier fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Click here for more Relay for Life information.
 

May 1 Sunday 
City of Hope Walk for Hope - San Diego.
Tecolote Shores Park North, Mission Bay.
800-266-7920
www.walk4hope.org

May 10 Tuesday 7:00 pm 
making Sense of Complimentary Therapies
UCLA - Ted Mann Family Resource Center
RPB Auditorium - Stein Plaza at UCLA
Open to the Public - $7 charge for parking
310-794-6644
Up to 90% of cancer patients utilizes one or more forms of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). In addition, large numbers of cancer survivors have shown a high degree of interest in using diet and lifestyle interventions along with other therapies to decrease their risk of cancer recurrence. Unfortunately, many cancer patients using CAM, do not discuss their use with their physician and may have difficulty finding reliable information and advice about which therapies and products are safe and effective. Research has demonstrated that therapies such as acupuncture and hypnosis can be very useful for controlling nausea and pain associated with cancer, but for other popular therapies such as vitamins and herbs, the research has not been fully developed. Dr. Hardy will use her extensive clinical and research experience in integrative medicine to advise patients on how to find useful information and experienced providers to guide them in choosing safe and effective therapies to assist in designing their cancer treatment plan.

May 14-15  Saturday 9:00 am - Sunday 9:00 am
American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life Cypress!
Join hundreds of cancer survivors, fighters, family, friends, and supporters as they participate in a 24 hour walk around the athletic track at Golden West College in Huntington Beach. This is a premier fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Click here for more Relay for Life information.

June 14 Tuesday 7:00 pm 
The Etiquette of Illness - What to Say When You Can't Find The Words.
UCLA - Ted Mann Family Resource Center
RPB Auditorium - Stein Plaza at UCLA
Open to the Public - $7 charge for parking
310-794-6644

Have you ever felt awkward or unsure of how to respond when faced with a friend or relative who has received a cancer diagnosis? As a person with cancer have you ever wanted to shape your friends’ responses a little? The word “cancer” can be a barrier and many people wonder how to respond. Even though their hearts are full, their words often fail them. Susan Halpern using a number of experiences of caregivers and patients as well as her own experience as a cancer survivor, illustrates ways to communicate effectively and lovingly. This program is meant for patients, family and friends who are living with cancer as part of their world and want to be able to be more present and helpful.

June 24-25  Friday 4:00 pm - Saturday 4:00 pm
American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life Buena Park!
Join hundreds of cancer survivors, fighters, family, friends, and supporters as they participate in a 24 hour walk around the athletic track at the Oxford Academy
Field, 5172 Orange Ave in Cypress. This is a premier fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Click here for more Relay for Life information.

June 26 -27  Saturday 9:00 am - Sunday 9:00 am
American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life Cerritos!
Join hundreds of cancer survivors, fighters, family, friends, and supporters as they participate in a 24 hour walk around the athletic track at Gahr High School in Cerritos. This is a premier fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Click here for more Relay for Life information.
 

July 12 Tuesday 7:00 pm 
Living Well with Cancer
UCLA - Ted Mann Family Resource Center
RPB Auditorium - Stein Plaza at UCLA
Open to the Public - $7 charge for parking
310-794-6644
Cancer has long been one of the most dreaded of diseases, yet almost every family in the United States is affected or has someone close to them who carries the diagnosis. Despite the “War on Cancer” a cure for cancer has long been considered elusive, however, the cumulative effect of gradual progress on many fronts has changed how we approach cancer and even how we think about living with it. Whether living with the fear and risk of recurrence or living with metastatic disease, how patients and doctors work together can have dramatic effects on living well with cancer. For example, effective new tests that can detect minimal disease when it is more treatable and new treatments that are both more effective and much less toxic combined with establishing goals for living fully can turn cancer into just another chronic disease that requires timely interventions and follow-up. This presentation focuses on evolving a new perspective that allows everyone dealing with cancer to be realistic, but optimistic and in control.
 

August 9 Tuesday 7:00 pm 
Cancer, the Law and You
UCLA - Ted Mann Family Resource Center
RPB Auditorium - Stein Plaza at UCLA
Open to the Public - $7 charge for parking
310-794-6644
Many individuals diagnosed with cancer manage the difficult treatments, side effects and consequences of the disease only to find themselves facing significant employment and insurance-related difficulties. People with cancer can face discrimination in the workplace and having appropriate information regarding communication in this environment may prevent later difficulties. This presentation provides up-to-date information about employment and insurance laws, including a discussion of the laws designed to protect people who have cancer. Recent changes in health insurance, health care reform, and Medicare drug programs also are presented. Through the lecture format and the question-and-answer session, information is presented to help inform you so that you may advocate on behalf of yourself or a loved one.
 

September 17-18
Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, Los Angeles.
Event Office:2020 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 480, Santa Monica, CA 90404. Phone: 310-586-1060. Fax: 310-586-7643
http://www.avonwalk.org/site/PageServer?pagename=losa_home

September 25
Susan G Komen Race for the Cure - Orange County
714 957-9165

October 9 Sunday 
City of Hope Walk for Hope - Los Angeles.
Duarte, CA
800-266-7920
www.walk4hope.org

October 14-16
Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk
The Breast Cancer 3-Day is a 60-mile walk for women and men who want to make a personal difference in the fight against breast cancer. Participants walk 60 miles in three days, help raise millions of dollars for breast cancer research and patient support programs and are part of something way bigger than themselves. Register at http://www.the3day.org/ or call 800-996-3DAY.

October 18 Tuesday 7:00 pm 
Innovations in Breast Cancer 
UCLA - Ted Mann Family Resource Center
RPB Auditorium - Stein Plaza at UCLA
Open to the Public - $7 charge for parking
310-794-6644
Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer for women in the United States and, with new research, the options and recommendations for initial treatment and beyond are continuously changing. While some treatments are mandated, others often require a collaborative decision process between each patient and her team of physician specialists. The medical oncologist and plastic surgeon are two critical members of this team. The medical oncologist provides recommendations for systemic interventions, such as chemotherapy or targeted therapies that specifically treat each woman’s unique breast cancer. The plastic surgeon assists a woman dealing with the physical changes that come from breast surgery by offering reconstructive options that are appropriate for her individual physical and psychological needs. This presentation brings together the expertise of two disciplines to discuss the current state of breast cancer treatment and reconstruction. The latest advances in chemotherapy, hormones and targeted therapies for early stage and late stage disease are presented as the primary part of the lecture. Information on options for reconstruction including implants, constructing a breast from a woman’s own body fat and ways to create symmetry are also discussed.
 

December 6 Tuesday 7:00 pm 
Nutrition and Cancer
UCLA - Ted Mann Family Resource Center
RPB Auditorium - Stein Plaza at UCLA
Open to the Public - $7 charge for parking
310-794-6644
The topic of cancer and nutrition receives a great deal of confusing media coverage. Mounting scientific evidence indicates that changes in diet and lifestyle can reduce the risk of cancer and may affect cancer recurrence. The scientific data, however, are often contradictory. Dr. Heber reviews the evidence and discusses guidelines for healthy eating and the role of nutritional supplements such as soy, antioxidants, food phytochemicals as well as the latest press releases on these subjects. Dr. Heber also addresses eating difficulties that arise during cancer treatment and discusses potential solutions.