Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) at NCLR event
Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA) has partnered with the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Hispanic advocacy organization in the United States. As a sponsor of the recent 2014 NCLR Annual Conference – which took place in Los Angeles from July 19 through July 22 – CTCA supports NCLR’s work to educate the Hispanic community about health, wellness and reducing the incidence of cancer, which is currently the leading cause of death among Hispanics.
During the 2014 NCLR National Conference – which convened more than 5,000 participants, key influencers and thought leaders in the Hispanic community – CTCA hosted a workshop titled: “Promotores de Salud: Bridging the Health Care Landscape for Latino Communities.” CTCA Patient Loyalty Manager Marisa Benincasa opened the session with remarks addressing the importance of health and wellness in the Latino community and CTCA’s efforts to improve awareness.
“We are honored to have the opportunity to support the efforts of NCLR, an organization that for 46 years has worked to improve the lives of Hispanic Americans,” Benincasa said. “In our work, we are constantly reminded of an important statistic: In 2012, cancer surpassed heart disease to become the leading cause of death among Hispanics in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. CTCA’s commitment is to raise awareness of a healthy lifestyle and how it helps prevent the incidence of cancer, to educate and empower our Hispanic community about cancer prevention and screening and to provide resources and the most advanced treatment options available.”
Additionally, CTCA co-sponsored NCLR’s General Session Luncheon on July 22, which honored Hispanics who have served and continue to serve our country. During the luncheon, Rose Sajuan, a breast cancer survivor of 18 years and mother to two military service members, shared her experience with cancer, her treatment path and her battle for survival.
“I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer after an annual mammogram. As a mother of three, I was devastated,” Sajuan said. “With my family at my side, I went to talk to the doctors at Cancer Treatment Centers of America, where they practice the Mother Standard of Care. This means that at CTCA patients are treated with the expertise and compassion you would want for your own mother, father, brother or sister. It meant so much to me that Cancer Treatment Centers of America included my family in every single appointment and decision.”
CTCA aims to support the Hispanic population through its newly established relationship with NCLR’s national network of nearly 300 affiliated community-based organizations that work to advance education and improve the health of Hispanic Americans.
CTCA is the home of integrative and compassionate cancer care offering esperanza, or hope, to patients with advanced or complex cancer through personalized treatment options to communities, families and individuals across the United States.
Comments from Ms. Rose Sajuan presentation to lunch attendees at the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) event which was held in Los Angeles.
Rose Sajuan (Sah-HWAAN) — a Military Mom with two sons who have served and are serving in our military, a grandmother and great-grandmother, and a breast cancer survivor, who is here today representing our luncheon co-sponsor CANCER TREATMENT CENTERS OF AMERICA.” Good afternoon, I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to represent today’s luncheon co-sponsor, Cancer Treatment Centers of America.
I want to share my gratitude with NCLR, its leadership and members for their service and commitment to the Latino community and for the recognition to our military families.
My remarks today center on my journey – my journey as a mother, with two sons in military service, as a grandmother and as a breast cancersurvivor of 18 years who is passionate about helping others prevent, fight and survive cancer.
The American Cancer Society reports that the number 1 cause of death among Hispanics is cancer. Mis amigos, I am living proof that with early detection, cancer is a disease we can beat.
I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer after an annual mammogram. As a mother of three, I was devastated. I never thought that a routine exam would change my life and that of my family. As a military mom, I often say my family became my Army and together we prayed and planned for the fight of my life!
With my family at my side, I went to talk to the doctors at Cancer Treatment Centers of America, where they practice the Mother Standard of Care. This means that at CTCA patients are “treated with the expertise and compassion you would want for your own mother, father, brother or sister.” It meant so much to me that Cancer Treatment Centers of America included my family in every single appointment and decision.
In our culture, we know the importance of family. A recent study shows that 51% of Hispanics are also caregivers to someone with a chronic illness. This is certainly true in my family.
I fought a good fight and after finishing chemotherapy my 4th grandchild was born who gave me hope. Her name is Iyanna, which means “Special Gift from God.” On my one year anniversary as a cancer survivor, I celebrated by attending my youngest son’s graduation from Boot Camp. In the 18 years since I discovered I have breast cancer, I am so happy to have been there to support my son’s during their several deployments to war.
I want to encourage you all to empower yourselves and your families to understand the importance of early detection in beating cancer. Ask questions, get a mammogram, get a colonoscopy, make healthy choices… and most importantly, encourage your loved ones to do the same.
I thank God for Cancer Treatment Centers of America where I experienced CTCA’s understanding of Hispanic patients – our culture, our comforts and our strong connection to family. I was given “Esperanza.” “Hope.” What more could I ask for!
