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Event Summary

8:00 AM CST

Welcome and Introduction
Raul Ribeiro, MD, International Outreach Program Director, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Yuri Quintana, PhD, Education and Informatics Director, International Outreach Program

8:10 AM CST

Minding the Myths: Reaching for Reality
Scott Howard, MD, MS
Member, St. Jude Faculty
Department of Oncology, Leukemia / Lymphoma Division
Medical Information Officer
Director of Clinical Trials, International Outreach Program
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America

Abstract: In celebration of World Cancer Day, this presentation provides an analysis of four myths prevalent in cancer care in a global context: Myth 1: Cancer is just a health issue; Myth 2: Cancer is a disease of the wealthy, elderly and developed countries; Myth 3: Cancer is a death sentence; Myth 4: Cancer is my fate. Rather than negate the myths strictly as falsehoods, the presentation strives to interpret the cultural context leading to the myths and strives to redirect the reality of community narrative through statistical analysis.

Biography: Howard has a special interest in medical practice in countries with limited resources. Board certified in pediatrics, internal medicine and pediatric hematology/oncology, he received his Master of Science in epidemiology from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and has special training in clinical trial design and the protection of human clinical research subjects. He speaks Spanish fluently and collaborates with pediatric oncologists in Latin America and other parts of the world to improve cancer care through clinical research and targeted intervention.

8:30 AM CST

Achievements of a Retinoblastoma Awareness Campaign in Honduras and Distribution of Educational Material
Ligia Fu, MD
Department of Hematology-Oncology,
Hospital de Niños
Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Abstract: Delays in diagnosis and referrals of children with retinoblastoma resulted in an extremely low survival rate for children with that disease in Honduras. Because Honduras has one of the highest annual rates of vaccination among children between 1 to 5 years old, we decided to distribute educational material for retinoblastoma as part of the vaccination campaigns. This material includes early-detection information showing the most common sign of retinoblastoma. In addition to raising awareness in the community, the results have fostered earlier referrals for retinoblastoma.

Biography: A pediatric hematologist-oncologist in Hospital de Niños, Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Fu trained at the National University of Honduras and Pediatric National Institute of Mexico. She has served as medical director of the Honduras/St. Jude International Outreach Program partner site since 2000. She is dedicated to the care of children with cancer in Honduras and seeks strategies to improve the childhood cancer survival rates throughout the region.

8:50 AM CST

Developing Capacities for Integral Bio-Psycho-Social Assistance for Children with Cancer and Their Family Health and Education
Arli Pedrosa, MPsych
Psicologia/Educação (Psychology / Education)
Instituto Materno Infantil de Pernambuco (IMIP)
Centro de Hematologica e Oncologia Pediatrica de Pernambuco (CEHOPE)
Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil

Abstract: The Early Diagnosis for Pediatric Cancer program was developed by Nucleo De Apoio A Crianca Com Cancer (NACC) in partnership with Pediatric Oncology at Instituto Materno Infantil de Pernambuco and the Secretary of Health and Secretary of Education of the State of Pernambuco. The program is recognized as an official government program, which hopefully contributes to positive changes, decreasing the incidence of advanced disease and thus increasing the chances of cure for children with cancer. The program's success depends on a union of public empowerment, health professionals and community involvement.

Biography: Arli Pedrosa is psychologist and managing director of the Pediatric Oncology Unit Instituto Materno Infantil de Pernambuco (IMIP) / Centro de Hematologica e Oncologia Pediatrica de Pernambuco (CEHOPE). She has a special interest in the area of education and information about children's cancer, developing programs with the community and government institutions to reduce the number of delayed diagnoses. She received her Master of Science in hospital administration from the University of Madrid, Spain. She is president of the NACC, a non-governmental organization that gives socioeconomic support to children with cancer and their families.

9:10 AM CST

Cure4Kids for Kids—Dispelling Myths about Cancer One Child at a Time
Kate Ayers, MS
Cancer Educational Outreach Program coordinator
International Outreach Program
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America

Abstract: The St. Jude Cancer Education for Children Program helps school children, their parents and teachers understand the basic science and treatment of cancer. Through the use of age-appropriate content, the program focuses on three main objectives: 1) addressing common misconceptions about childhood cancer, 2) instilling healthy habits in children, which helps reduce their risk of developing cancer as adults, and 3) increasing children's overall interest in science and scientific careers. The program consists of on-site activities led by St. Jude faculty and staff. All educational material was developed by a multidisciplinary team composed of St. Jude faculty and staff with the collaboration of national experts. The program contains three educational modules: cells (presented as the basic unit of life), cancer (presented as a disease of unhealthy cells), and healthy living (presented with practices for cancer risk reduction, such as proper nutrition, safe sun exposure, tobacco control and appropriate physical activity). The modules contain a teacher's guide, children's book, activity book, in-class presentation and activities related to the topic presented (i.e. in-classroom lab complete with microscopes and lab coats). The new Cure4Kids for Kids website (www.Cure4Kids.org/kids) makes the St. Jude Cancer Education for Children Program available to children across the country and the world. The website contains cancer education material for elementary school children, teachers and parents. Cartoon characters serve as tour guides throughout the narrated books, interactive games, glossary, and question-and-answer sections of the site. A designated area for teachers enables educators to download and print the teacher's guide, in-class presentations, quizzes and other materials free of charge. This presentation provides an overview of this program and the implementation in local and international schools and the development of a new iPad application.

Biography: Ayers received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Theology from Union University and a Master in Biomedical Research from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, where she focused on structure-based drug discovery. Her graduate thesis research was completed in the Structural Biology department of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Prior to coming to St. Jude, Ayers was the 7th grade life science teacher at Hutchison School in Memphis, Tennessee. Combining her experience as an educator with her knowledge of scientific research, Ayers develops curriculum to educate the public about cancer and cancer prevention through the Cure4Kids program.