The University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Masonic Cancer Alliance, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Ascension Via Christi, the Cancer Center of Kansas and the Kansas Cancer Partnership are sponsoring a listening roundtable through the Cancer Moonshot program from 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, at KU School of Medicine-Wichita to better understand the cancer experiences of community members.

Community members and those impacted by cancer, cancer patients, survivors and co-survivors are invited to share their stories and provide feedback about their experiences and needs. Researchers, community leaders and health care professionals are invited to talk about their experiences, resources, updates and efforts to accelerate progress in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care.

Cancer Moonshot, a comprehensive program started in 2016, was reignited by President Joe Biden in February 2022, with the goal of reducing the cancer death rate by at least 50% over the next 25 years and improving the experience of living with and surviving cancer. New goals emphasize the role that Americans themselves can play in this effort — return to cancer screenings missed during the pandemic, quit smoking and participate in research, such as clinical trials. It also emphasizes collaboration of multiple federal government agencies to work together to support these goals.

“Each cancer journey is unique,” said Judy Johnston, M.S., R.D., L.D., cancer survivor and research instructor for Population Health at KU School of Medicine-Wichita. “I was fortunate when I was diagnosed with a very early stage of breast cancer in 1995 that I had access to excellent oncology and surgical treatments in Wichita. I know that not everyone has that same access to early detection, state-of-the-art care and clinical trials as I had. Lack of insurance, high-insurance co-pays, lack of information or fear often prevent people from accessing important recommended cancer screening procedures or limit their treatment options. Follow-up survivor care has been a huge part of my journey, thanks to my many colleagues in the Kansas Cancer Partnership. I think it is important to share our cancer journey stories in order to learn from one another and to help the cancer treatment community improve the care they provide for everyone.”

“Everyone knows someone impacted by cancer,” said Hope Krebill, executive director of the Masonic Cancer Alliance, the outreach network of The University of Kansas Cancer Center. “Through these conversations, it is our goal to create community collaborations to improve cancer prevention, screening and access to clinical trials.”

Heavy hors d'oeuvres and desserts will be served. To help ensure everyone can be accommodated, RSVP to attend by going to: bit.ly/CancerMoonshotWichita. View the invitation. For more information, contact Johnston at jjohnsto@kumc.edu.