Robin Shine-Maddox, Pink Ribbon Awardee

This year, the PA Breast Cancer Coalition honors breast cancer survivor and advocate, Robin Shine-Maddox, with our Pink Ribbon Award. Founder and President of Celebrating Sisterhood and Chief Networking Officer of SHINE CONNECTIONS LLC., Robin has been a fearless leader and motivator in the fight against breast cancer in the Philadelphia area. Since being diagnosed at age 55, Robin, who also serves as Constituent Activity Liaison for State Senator Vincent Hughes, has been a voice of strength and survivorship within her community. In addition to her public work to raise breast cancer awareness, promote early detection practices and help other women find the resources they need, Robin’s message to survivors is one of solidarity, hope and faith.

Dr. Gabriel N. Hortobagyi, Potamkin Prize Winner

2019 Potamkin Prize Winner, Dr. Gabriel N. Hortobagyi, MD, FACP, is a longtime trailblazer in the field of breast cancer research and oncology. As Professor of Medicine in the Department of Breast Medical Oncology at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Hortobagyi’s major area of focus is the biology and treatment of breast cancer and the development of new agents and management strategies for the disease. He  has guest edited numerous issues of Seminars in Oncology, Seminars if Breast Disease, Oncology, and The Cancer Bulletin. For over three decades, Hortobagyi has dedicated his life’s work to improving the lives of breast cancer patients. He has focused overcoming resistance to endocrine therapy by developing rational combinations of endocrine therapies with targeted therapies. His work has changed the standard of care in managing metastatic, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.groundbreaking research and ultimately, finding a cure.

David R. Wenner, DO FAAFP

Chief Medical Officer, Hospice of Central PA

Palliative care is a medical specialty that focuses on relief of physical, emotional, physiological and spiritual symptoms related to chronic and/or serious illness. Often, symptoms such as pain, anxiety, insomnia, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, and appetite loss can significantly impact a patient’s quality of life. Palliative medicine specialists aim to reduce the burden of these symptoms by focusing on individualized treatment strategies, addressing the “Whole Patient” and not just the disease process.

Palliative care includes a specialized team of physicians, nurses, social workers, and chaplains. We work alongside the patient, family, and other medical providers as a team. Specialists in palliative care see patients in hospitals, in their offices, in long term care facilitates, as well as in their homes.

Palliative care is NOT the same as hospice care. Palliative care may be provided at any time during a person’s illness. Often, palliative care is offered to patients at the same time they are receiving potentially life prolonging or curative treatments. Receiving palliative care does not prevent the patient from pursuing other services, treatments, or procedures.

Another goal of palliative care is to help patients and families better understand their illness in order to assist with complex medical decision making. We strive for a patient’s values and goals to be heard and appreciated so that they can make the best decision possible for their care.

A referral to a Palliative Medicine physician does not mean your medical provider is “giving up hope.” Often, patients who receive palliative care early on in their disease process benefit from superior symptom management, greater emotional support, and overall improved quality of life.

Palliative ( pal-ee-uh-tiv)

Adj. intended to alleviate a problem. Synonyms: soothing, alleviating, calmative.

More than 1.6 million Pennsylvanians care for older parents, spouses or other loved ones, helping them to live independently at home. These family caregivers have a huge responsibility, and PA now has a law that will make life a little bit easier for them.

The CARE (Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable) Act helps family caregivers when their loved ones go into the hospital and as they transition home.

The CARE Act requires hospitals to:

• Provide your loved one the opportunity to designate a family caregiver.
• Inform you when your loved one is to be discharged to another facility or back home.
• Give you an explanation and demonstration of the medical tasks you will need to perform at home.

“AARP is here in PA fighting for older Americans and their families said Joanne Grossi, PA State President AARP and Executive Vice President, PA Breast Cancer Coalition.  Because of the work of AARP, the CARE Act is now a reality for all Pennsylvanians. This crucial law gives essential information and support to caregivers, including families who are facing a breast cancer diagnosis and living with metastatic disease.  Caregiving is a big responsibility, and caregivers should have the important information that they need to safely care for their loved ones at home.”

AARP Pennsylvania led the fight in PA for the CARE Act. To see the full release please click here:  https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pennsylvanias-care-act-takes-effect-april-20-300441932.html.