Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation Partners with The Cancer Center to Make Life Better for Survivors

While everyone is talking about global warming, here at the Foundation we will be celebrating winter in August. Join us for this year's Laughter is the Best Medicine event - an "Enchanted Winter Wonderland" benefiting The Cancer Center at Presbyterian. Your sleigh will carry you into a wonderland of snow crystals, ice sculptures, frozen lakes and starry nights on August 24, at the Albuquerque Convention Center.

Statistics tell the story:

• 1 of 2 men and 1 of 3 women will develop a life threatening cancer in his/her lifetime
• 70% of newly diagnosed cancer patients live five or more years
• 90% of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients will live five or more years

Through advancements in treatment, more people are surviving cancers that were once fatal for longer and longer periods of time. Patients are now facing difficulties returning to their life prior to diagnosis - finding their lives and priorities are now turned upside down, realizing that familial and friendly relationships have changed, and living with the crippling fear of reoccurrence.

Recognizing this new component in cancer treament, the Cancer Center at Presbyterian has asked the Foundation for help in addressing the emotional and spiritual needs of these patients. Proceeds from the 2013 Laughter is the Best Medicine evening will be used to create a Survivorship Program to ensure that the new lives our patients have been given are full and that hurdles created by cancer can be addressed and managed.

I hope that you will become our partner in supporting the creation of the Cancer Survivorship Program. Join us in your winter finery as we celebrate the bracing and blustery joys of the season while simultaneously bringing warmth and comfort to the tumult of a cancer life.

You can help by Becoming an Event Sponsor, Purchasing a Table or Individual Tickets and/or by Donating to the Auction. For more information, please call 505-724-6576 or email Alicia Marcell.

Thank you for helping to make a difference in the lives of New Mexico families!