The Clinton County Cancer Connection group has announced its upcoming “Cancer 101: What You Should Know” event set for Thursday, Feb. 13, sponsored by the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center and CORE Community Center.
The event will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13 at the Frankfort Community Public Library, taking the place of the monthly meetings hosted by the group for February.
The Cancer 101 event will feature an oncology professional who will discuss what cancer is, risk factors, protective factors, such as screening, healthy behaviors and vaccinations, and types of treatments. Following the discussion led by the oncology professional, the discussion will be opened to attendees to ask questions and seek answers about any topic related to cancer.
Information and resources will be available for attendees to obtain during the event as well. Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center Survivorship and Recruitment Branch Lead Paula Pettis-Garrett commented that the event stands as a free event that is open to the public and may provide insights for any person who has been affected by cancer in any aspect.
“I can’t imagine a person alive today that hasn’t been impacted by cancer in some way, whether it’s personal or a family member, friend or coworker,” Pettis-Garrett said. “This is for anybody that just wants to get basic information on what cancer is and updated treatments. This is for the general community whether you have lived experience or not.”
The Clinton County Cancer Connection group meets every second Thursday of the month, aside from February as the Cancer 101 program will be held during that time, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at CORE Community Center at 950 S. Maish Rd. in Frankfort. The meetings will continue on March 13, April 10, May 8, June 12, July 10, Aug. 14, Sept. 11, Oct. 9, Nov. 13 and Dec. 11 for 2025.
The Cancer Connection support group offers a safe and welcoming space for those who have been diagnosed with cancer of any kind by allowing attendees to talk openly about their journey, laugh with others who understand, learn from shared experiences and resources and restore hope and find strength together. The support group is open to those who have lived experience with cancer as well as caregivers and anyone else who needs connection or emotional support as they process their experience with cancer.
The support group is sponsored by Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center and CORE Community Center.