Health Link 2007-08
Living with Cancer
Airs:  Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at 7:30pm
Original Air Date:  Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Elizabeth Edwards, wife of presidential candidate John Edwards, and White House spokesman Tony Snow have focused national attention on a struggle many families face.. how to balance family and work responsibilities with a loved one's life-threatening illness.  On this week's Health Link we'll examine living with cancer.  We'll meet some courageous and inspirational people living productive lives in spite of their cancers. 

Guests:
Joanna Bull, MA, MFCC
Joanna Bull is the founder of Gilda's Club and sits on the Board of Directors of Gilda's Club Worldwide. Gilda's Club is named for Gilda Radner, with whom Ms. Bull worked as a cancer psychotherapist during the comedian's illness.  Throughout her career, Ms. Bull has worked to establish free cancer support communities - first at the pioneering Center for the Healing Arts in Los Angeles, and later at The Wellness Community in Santa Monica and Redondo Beach, California. In addition to participating in the development and administration of such communities, she has trained and supervised therapists extensively in the concept, and has worked with hundreds of people with cancer and their family members on psychosocial issues related to cancer.  Raised in Detroit, Ms. Bull attended the University of Chicago; she also studied at the Chicago Art Institute. Her Masters in Clinical Psychology was earned at Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles. She is the author of Gilda's Club: Philosophy and Program, as well as numerous professional papers. She is a frequent lecturer at cancer-related institutes and psycho-oncology meetings and conferences around the world, and has been an advisor to the National Cancer Legislation Advisory Committee.
http://www.gildasclub.org/

Michael Kolodziej, MD
Dr. Michael Kolodziej is in practice with New York Oncology Hematology located in Albany and he is an admitting physician at St. Peter's Cancer Care Center.
http://www.nyohpc.com/
http://www.stpetershealthcare.org/

Gerry Florio, PhD
Dr. Gerry Florio is a Clinical Health Psychologist at the C. R. Wood Cancer Center at Glens Falls Hospital. He received his Ph. D. in psychology from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Prior to coming to C. R. Wood Cancer Center, Dr. Florio held positions at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY and Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA. He has 14 years experience working with people and families living with and beyond cancer. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Florio has worked with the multidisciplinary team at The C. R. Wood Cancer Center to develop retreat programs for men and women living with and beyond cancer, and a camp for children who have a parent or sibling with cancer.
http://www.glensfallshospital.org/CindysRetreat/cindys-retreat-main.htm

http://www.adirondackcampcomfort.com/

Karen Desjardins
Karen has had 3 different types of cancer:  Breast, Colon and Ovarian.  Karen is a freelance writer, managing editor of Saratoga Living Magazine and formerly with the Daily Gazette. 

Mark D. Lawrence
Mark has always been athletic.  He became anemic in 2005, his only symptom that something was wrong.  In January of 2006 he was diagnosis with peritoneal mesothelioma, a very rare form of cancer that is usually tied to asbestos exposure and often attaches the lungs.  Mark's was in the lining of the abdominal wall. 

UPDATE:  Mark D. Lawrence, aka Shack, passed away on October 31, 2007 after a courageous battle against mesothelioma. Family man, friend, sports fan, rock-and-roller, and humanitarian, he inspired those around him for 48 years with his unique lust for life.  With his family's permission we are repeating this episode and dedicating it in memory of Mark.

George Kansas
George is a life coach who was diagnosed with hairy cell leukemia in 2005.  Today he is cancer free and an inspiration to all.