Metamorphosis and Growth
Anne Coscarelli, Ph.D.
Welcome to our new name, look, and newsletter. We have undergone a metamorphosis and are in the midst of modifying our program goals. I want to share the positive changes for psychosocial care of patients with cancer here at UCLA. This is just the beginning, so stay tuned. First, through a systematic needs assessment, I have learned that there has been a longstanding wish that some of our services could be made available to men. The Mann family, who have supported our work since 1991, understand that the oncology community strongly favors this change and they are supportive of the community's desires, especially in light of their own family experiences in which they were deeply touched by cancer. Their experiences underscore the need to serve the family and the patient. In 2002 we will begin a systematic effort to extend some programs to men and family members. The details are described below.
Second, as many of you may recollect the last newsletter article, From the Director was entitled, "Tribute to My Favorite Mann." It was a tribute to Ted Mann, our primary benefactor, who died in January of 2001. It was a huge loss for many-his family, his friends across the country, his business associates, those of us at the Center and many in our own UCLA community. He left his mark in this world and touched so many people's lives throughout his eighty-four years. Without repeating my last article, I want to emphasize his commitment to the psychosocial care of individuals facing a diagnosis of cancer that was understood even more personally after his own diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He invested his time, energy and the financial resources of the Ted Mann Family Foundation for almost a decade to this cause. He found great joy in knowing that his investment helped so many patients and families who used the Center. To continue his legacy, in his honor and in memory of his commitment to the Center, we will bear his name and his family's commitment. Our new name is the Ted Mann Family Resource Center.
The Logo
With the new name, I introduce a new logo and some of the ways in which we will try to honor Ted Mann and expand upon his wishes to better serve those with cancer. The logo is made up of a T and an M for Ted Mann. If you knew Ted you would know that those initials stand for integrity, accountability, strength and enormous generosity.
The T has been symbolically transformed to represent a person. The person presents as bold, strong, courageous, and is placed front and center. This is consistent with the manner in which many of our patients stand up to the diagnosis of cancer and persevere to survive and sustain quality of life. Ted Mann did this also over seven years with his own cancer diagnosis.
The M is placed behind the T representing support that comes in many forms. It stands for the many services that we offer including information, reassurance, problem-solving and the therapeutic attention from the dedicated staff here at the Resource Center. We are present, standing behind the patient to assist as needed. The M also represents the wide range of people who are in the background who are affected when someone they care about is diagnosed with cancer. These individuals provide support, but may be in need of support and resources as well. Family members who reach out to the individual diagnosed with cancer are in this position. The meaning of the logo is strengthened by the fact that Ted, like many of our patients, gathered emotional strength from the love and attention that he received from his family. The medical team also sits in this position and like many of our patients, Ted was further bolstered by a medical team of wonderful nurses, physicians and one particular UCLA physician, Jan Tillisch, M.D., who orchestrated his care and was always there when needed. All of these types of support are represented in the M, which sits in the background.
While you may see the logo in many colors over the years, a common combination will be purple and teal green. Why these colors? Green was a favorite color of Ted's. It represents nature, which he felt connected to throughout his life, and is also life affirming. Purple is the color for cancer survivorship, and we strive to help patients survive with the best quality of life possible. Many of you will find additional meanings in the logo and name as you become familiar with them, and we hope that you will share some of these thoughts with us.
The Program
We all know that a logo is a symbol that stands for or suggests something deeper. Ultimately, the most important aspects of a logo are what the organization from which it evolves is dedicated to and does on a daily basis. We have been dedicated for many years to helping women and their families face the challenges brought about by cancer and its treatments. We understand that cancer affects the psychological well-being of an individual and that cancer treatment must focus on the whole person and not just the disease. In the last decade, we have been applauded for our work with women; we are now asked to extend that work to men and their families. In honor of this wish and Ted Mann, who was a man with a cancer diagnosis, we have identified specific programs that will be opened in January 2002 to be inclusive rather than exclusive of men and their family members. We hope to add more as our financial foundation expands. We will continue some programs with special attention to women's needs. We want to emphasize the importance of taking care of the family as well as the patient. Some of the programs undergoing redefinition include the following:
FOR PATIENTS (MEN AND WOMEN) AND FAMILY MEMBERS
Insights Into Cancer - This annual lecture series will begin its ninth year in 2002. It was one of Ted's most loved programs. I think this was in part because it takes place in an auditorium/theater and it felt familiar to a man in the theater business. He liked to have a "full house" even though there were no tickets purchased. He used to joke that he would like to have the popcorn concession. This lecture series will feature programs dedicated to a wide range of issues in cancer. Some topics may be more gender specific, e.g., breast cancer or prostate cancer, but they also will feature programs that affect men and women, e.g., new therapy modalities, spiritual growth, fatigue, genetic testing, colon and lung cancers, etc. The lectures for 2002 are listed in this newsletter. Family members are encouraged to attend.
Reflections - a specialty retail boutique providing information, resources and products for those who have physical appearance changes caused by cancers and their treatments. It is also a place where family members can find gifts for their favorite patient. We are not-for-profit and all proceeds go back to supporting the operations of our programs. We greatly appreciate your support.
Resource Library - a patient library which is located within the comfort of the Center's lobby and has a wide range of books, pamphlets, videos and other materials to provide facts and inspiration for patients and family members. We also offer pre-selected websites for easy access to information through our website http://CancerResource. mednet.ucla.edu and a computer in the Resource Center for access.
Living with Cancer - a seminar for newly diagnosed patients and their adult family members. It provides information, answers questions about cancer and its treatments, and helps develop effective coping skills.
Mind/Body Approaches to Coping with Cancer - a seminar to teach relaxation, stress management and mind-body techniques for coping with cancers and their treatments. It is open to patients and an adult family member. We find that family members benefit from these skills because the stress of cancer extends beyond the patient.
Journal Writing - used as a therapeutic tool in a group setting, this group provides another form of self-expression and the potential for inner healing and understanding.
Meditation - a healing group in which many techniques are used to optimize emotional, physical and spiritual well-being through guided imagery and meditation.
QiGong - is an ancient Chinese art for promoting healing, mental health, clarity, health and fitness. It is held on the patio outside the Medical Plaza on a weekly basis.
Couples Together - an opportunity to explore and address the impact of the cancer diagnosis on the couple relationship for patients and their partners.
SPECIFICALLY FOR PATIENTS (MEN & WOMEN)
Among Friends - a weekly support group offered for patients with any type of cancer who are currently undergoing treatment. A new group will open as soon as we have enough interested participants.
Healing Through Art - a group experience that offers an opportunity to work with drawing, collage, and sculpture to explore, understand and heal from the cancer experience. Art skills are not required.
SPECIFICALLY FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Family and Friends - a weekly group that offers support for those who are helping a loved one manage cancer. It is a place to receive support and discuss concerns as the caregiver or person who offers support.
Grief Work - a weekly group that offers bereavement support and a place to work through the deep losses that individuals who have lost an adult family member to cancer must manage following the death of a loved one.
The Future
Our goal is to provide quality services to as many people as possible. We will be looking to expand our programs and services to meet the many needs of patients served here at UCLA and its affiliated practices and hospitals. Our greatest limitation is not desire or ideas; it is space, staff and financial resources. We are launching a campaign to expand the financial resources of the Center to facilitate this end. We are seeking support from foundations, from those patients who have been served and from their families. As we expand our financial base, we will develop more programs to provide a more comprehensive service that Ted Mann's family foundation will be proud to have carry his name and his legacy.
Let me end with how you can help. We need you to make a gift to the Center. We appreciate gifts of all sizes and encourage you to support us at whatever level you are able. Your gifts will not only help to extend and support our services, but they will be viewed by foundations that we seek support from as indications that our services are valued. While we are extremely fortunate that the Ted Mann Family Foundation has elected to continue to give its substantial gift for core operating expenses, it does not support all of the programs that we offer. As we seek to expand to men, women and their families, we will need your contributions to insure our presence for others. Keep in mind that each of us will be touched by cancer in our lifetimes, maybe more than once. In this newsletter, there is a list of ways that you can give. I hope that you will find one that suits your situation.
I will keep you posted on our progress. The Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center knows that "The end of cancer begins with research." We concur, but also know that in the meantime, the ability to live with the best quality of life after cancer requires resources and professionals who care. We cannot do it without you.
As we go to press with this article about change, I am deeply aware of how life in our global world has been altered since September 11, 2001. The events that we are witnessing have made everyone, not just those with a cancer diagnosis, feel vulnerable and aware of the fragility of life. These events also crystallize an important aspect of life and death; when we are aware that life is "condensed," as it was for many who were the targets of the attack, the need for connection and expression of love to family, friends and co-workers becomes paramount. It would seem that our increased awareness of the limits to life might help us to live more fully with a resolve to open our hearts to others, to express love and kindness and to be emotionally and physically present in the lives of our loved ones.
It is essential for all of us to reach out to our many communities for support and connection during these difficult times. I try to remind myself each day that there are more acts of heroism, goodness and love than acts of evil.
Those of us at the Resource Center express our deep sympathy to everyone who has been affected by these tragedies. The Center offers its continued presence and support in the days ahead as we assimilate these events in the midst of the many other life-altering challenges imposed by cancer.
Anne Coscarelli, Ph.D.
Wallis Annenberg Director’s Initiative in Psychosocial Oncology
© Anne Coscarelli, Ph.D. All rights reserved.
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