NUKOLI’I — Cancer Outlook 2006 was dedicated to the memory of Jacqueline Jung, a long-time Kaua’i resident, wife, working mother of four sons, and an outstanding community volunteer. Mary Williamson, executive director of the American Cancer Society, Kaua’i Unit, said
NUKOLI’I — Cancer Outlook 2006 was dedicated to the memory of Jacqueline Jung, a long-time Kaua’i resident, wife, working mother of four sons, and an outstanding community volunteer.
Mary Williamson, executive director of the American Cancer Society, Kaua’i Unit, said the Tuesday-afternoon seminar was the idea of Dr. Robert Weiner.
Williamson said that, with all of the advances in technology in the field of cancer diagnosis and treatment, it was time that Kaua’i residents fighting cancer be told what can be done locally.
Additionally, with the arrival of newer physicians at local hospitals, people could have an opportunity to hear what they had to say in the fight against cancer.
Sandy Higgins, tobacco-cessation counselor at Wilcox Health (Wilcox Memorial Hospital and Kauai Medical Clinic), also had an exhibit as well as information on programs for people wishing to quit smoking.
Higgins was introduced to the island during the New Year anti-smoking campaign at Kukui Grove Center. She offers smoking-cessation classes both one on one and for small groups, and not just for those who are Kauai Medical Clinic patients, Williamson said.
There are some things that cancer patients need to leave the island for, but, there are also a lot of things that can be done here on Kaua’i, Williamson said.
The American Cancer Society representative was one of several community agencies with personnel on hand who had displays and informational material on hand for participants of the four-hour seminar at the Kauai Beach Hotel & Resort.
Also on hand to provide information was Janice Bond, a legislative advocate for antismoking efforts. Bond is a member of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc. (ACS CAN).
She said that American Cancer Society officials had been limited in their legislative-advocacy efforts, leading to the need for the formation of ACS CAN.
On Wednesday, Bond said she would travel to the State Capitol for a “Clear the Smoke Day” program, where she will be working with members of the state House of Representatives on behalf of the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawai’i.
Dr. Dileep G. Bal was one of four featured speakers for the Kaua’i afternoon session that was well-attended despite the wet weather and the fact that the seminar was smack in the middle of a working day.
Bal is the district health officer for Kaua’i for the state Department of Health, and discussed prevention of cancer.
Dr. Emilia Williams is a new cancer surgeon on Kaua’i, joining the surgery staff at Wilcox Memorial Hospital, Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital, and the West Kauai Clinics.
Formerly with the Virginia Mason Hospital Surgery Department, where she helped to develop cancer-screening guidelines, Williams’ topic was cancer surgery.
Dr. Tad Jackson, a pulmonologist at Wilcox Memorial Hospital, discussed lung cancer, and Dr. John Culliney, chief of radiology at Wilcox Memorial Hospital, discussed diagnostic imaging in cancer.
Williamson said, “The best thing about this (seminar) is that Dr. Weiner succeeded in bringing together all three hospitals, and a lot of the community agencies that are concerned about fighting cancer.”
Jung, who survived breast cancer several years ago, succumbed to brain cancer on Dec.
She was a volunteer for the Kauai Unit of the American Cancer Society, the American Red Cross, and Habitat for Humanity. Contributions in her memory are being accepted by the American Cancer Society.
