Hope Is on the Way for Cancer Patients

Chair Annmarie Formato and Dr. Larry Norton of Memorial Sloan KetteringThe packed house of guests at the Scarsdale Golf Club (SGC) who attended the Cancer Support Team (CST) ‘s 25th Annual Gayle K. Lee Health Education Luncheon on Thursday, October 17 came away with a most positive message: “Hope is definitely on the way for the cancer patients of today and tomorrow.”

Why? Because Larry Norton, MD, the featured luncheon speaker and one of the country’s most highly recognized and respected oncologists, told them so.

Norton had a supporting cast to back him up, including Luncheon Committee Chair Annmarie Formato, former registered CST nurse Geraldine Durkin who received a special recognition at the luncheon, and current CST nurse Caridad Aponte, who provided an opening prayer with a wonderful message of hope.

In introducing Norton to the gathering, Formato praised him for his personal work on her on a breast cancer case for 25 years.

“You’ll be fine, you will be fine.”

Among other things, Formato said, “It was 25 years ago, at the age of 32, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had just given birth to my daughter Avery, and my son Austin was only 2-1/2 years old. At that time in my life, breast cancer was a foreign language. I didn’t know anyone who had breast cancer. . .I had my surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK), and I remember my surgeon telling me, ‘I don’t know who I’ll have to call to make this happen, but you must have Larry Norton as your oncologist’ . . . When I met Dr. Norton, he said, you’ll be fine, you will be fine.”

The emotional doctor-patient hug at the podium said it all. CST Staff
In his remarks, the renowned oncologist, MSK’s Norna S. Sarofin Chair of Clinical Oncology as well as MSK Senior Vice President in the Office of the President and Medical Director of the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Cancer Center there, cited important new cancer research his own organization and others were conducting. Surprisingly, he also noted that Artificial Intelligence was a powerful tool in advancing cancer research and is being used to help analyze the large amounts of data that have been gathered in search of cures and how to properly go about using them. “AI can indeed analyze all kinds of data,” he said.

In addition, without a prepared speech, Norton enthusiastically explained the advances in cancer treatment. In medical terms, he talked about the value of research into personalized cancer vaccines. In addition, Norton advocated for active patient/doctor partnerships in care. In particular, Norton discussed the important need for patients to carefully analyze all treatment possibilities, be prepared to ask their doctors good questions, and then listen very carefully.

“Take advantage of the many advances.”

Gayley Henry and Tania Weiss
“The big question for you,” Norton said, “is how to take advantage of the many advances.” In providing plenty of doctor-to-patient advice, Norton emphasized that it’s extremely important for cancer patients to find the right doctor. And he said, which drew a chuckle from those in the audience, “If you think that you don’t like the doctor you selected, chances are he doesn’t like you either.”

Obviously, a favorite speaker for the CST folks, this wasn’t Norton’s first visit to CST’s annual luncheons. He was the speaker at CST’s fourth annual luncheon in 2002 and for the eleventh event in 2009. Somewhere down the road, you should fully expect he’ll be invited again if his schedule permits. He certainly does draw a crowd, and his expert advice is always on the money. CST Patients

As staff was clearing the tables and smiling guests were exchanging goodbyes and leaving SGC, CST Executive Director Tania Weiss said, “It truly was a remarkable event. The luncheon is a fundraiser, and it certainly exceeded our goal. On behalf of our patients, we thank everyone who came and supported us to make this luncheon a huge success.”

The luncheon was a win-win for CST, because it increased awareness and raised necessary funds to support its main goal of helping cancer patients in Westchester County by providing professional and compassionate nursing education, rides to treatment, limited financial assistance and other supportive services – all free of charge.

Editor’s Note: Bill Doescher is a member of CST’s Advisory Board.