Press Releases

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is launching two series of COVID-19 and Cancer Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO)-model webinars. These online sessions will share up-to-date information with interdisciplinary cancer care teams and non-paid caregivers about how the COVID-19 pandemic impacts cancer patients and other high-risk individuals and how to support cancer patients during the pandemic.

National experts from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Member Institutions and ACS will answer questions in a secure, online environment at no cost.. 

For Healthcare Workers (click to register)

Speakers:
• Lawrence N. Shulman, MD, MACP, FASCO, Professor of Medicine, Deputy Director for Clinical Services, Director, Center for Global Cancer Medicine, Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania
• F. Marc Stewart, MD, Medical Director and Senior Vice President, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
• Thomas K. Varghese Jr. MD, MS, FACS, Executive Medical Director and Chief Value Officer, Huntsman Cancer Institute – University of Utah
Facilitator:
• Laura Makaroff, DO, Senior Vice President, Prevention and Early Detection, American Cancer Society

Schedule & Topics:
Tuesday, April 28 from 12:00—1:00 PM ET
• What health care providers and cancer patients need to know about the coronavirus
• What system/institutional changes/adaptations have been beneficial
• Should people still get screened for cancer during this pandemic?
Thursday, April 30 from 12:00—1:00 PM ET
• How cancer patients can mitigate risk
• Potential modifications in treatment plans
• What is the reasonable timeframe to delay follow-up testing or treatment and how to guide patients?
Tuesday, May 5 from 12:00—1:00 PM ET
• Steps to take to reengage patients as the pandemic subsides

For Non-Paid Caregivers (click to register)

Speakers:
• Allison J. Applebaum, PhD, Assistant Attending Psychologist, Director, Caregivers Clinic, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• Rachel Cannady, Strategic Director, Cancer Caregiver Support, American Cancer Society
• Theresa Franco, MSN, RN, Vice President, Cancer Center Clinical Operations, Radiology & Pharmacy, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center
Facilitator:
• Dawn Wiatrek, PhD, Interim Senior Vice President, Patient and Caregiver Support, American Cancer Society

Schedule & Topics:
Wednesday, April 29 from 12:00—1:00 PM ET
• What cancer patients need to know about the coronavirus
• What caregivers can do to help if they do not live with that person and are social distancing
• What precautions should cancer patients take when continuing to receive treatment?
Wednesday, May 6 from 12:00—1:00 PM ET
• Lowering the risk of illness
• Why cancer patients are more likely to get infections
• Watching for and preventing infections in people with cancer
• Nurturing your emotional health
Wednesday, May 13 from 12:00—1:00 PM ET
• Frequently-asked questions from previous sessions