UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

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Olympic Gold-Medalist Visits UNC Cancer Patients

Nine-time Olympic medalist Dara Torres teamed up with the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) for a ceremony to pay tribute to people with colorectal cancer (CRC) and their loved ones. Torres and the CCA dedicated a tree to the UNC Lineberger Cancer Center to symbolize the strength and resilience of families affected by CRC, the growth ofknowledge in CRC treatment, and hope for the future.

Torres, a former Olympic swimmer whose father was diagnosed with CRC in 2001, has partnered with the CCA on the Roots of Support in CRC program, which was developed to help patients build a personal support network to fight the disease together through outreach, communication and education. "I understand how people can feel at a loss when someone they care for is diagnosed with colorectal cancer," Torres aid during her remarks to the crowd of 100 people. "By being here today, I hope to help educate others affected by this disease about ways to find the tools and encouragement to build their own network of support."

Roots of Support in CRC was created to reach both of these groups: to remind people living with CRC that they are not alone and to help their loved ones recognize the many ways they can offer support.

Components of the program include a patient guide titled "Cultivating a Network of Support" and a brochure for loved ones titled "Offering Hope and Support." Both are available at the UNC Lineberger Patient and Family Resource Center or can be ordered and/or downloaded free of charge at www.ccalliance.org/roots.

Dr. Shelley Earp, UNC Lineberger director, talks with Dara Torres

Dr. Shelley Earp greets the crowd

Dr. Rich Goldberg welcomes the Colon Cancer Alliance to UNC.

Colon Cancer Alliance Board member Sandy White, an 11-year colon cancer survivor, talks to event participants about her cancer experience and the Colon Cancer Alliance.

Dara Torres addresses the crowd

Assembling to plant the tree

Planting the tree

The tree plaque

Rich Goldberg, Dara Torres and Sam Goldberg

Gary Smith, Liz Smith, daughter, Kendall Smith, and Dara Torres. Liz Smith is the laboratory manager for Dr. Ryszard Kole, a UNC Lineberger faculty member. She is a 10-year colon cancer survivor. Her husband Gary is a cancer researcher at UNC and was one of the first UNC Lineberger postdoctoral fellows. Their daughter Kendall is a student at NCSU and is a member of the NCSU swim team.

Kendall Smith, Dara Torres and Victoria Niemeyer.

The UNC team: front row l-r: Data Torres, Sandy White, Pat Kiley, Liz Smith, Kendall Smith, Dianne Shaw Second row ( l-r) Dr. Rich Goldberg, Dr. Shelley Earp, Dr. Ben Calvo and Dr., H.J. Kim

Look at that gold medal!

Pat Kiley and Dara Torres

Dara Torres and Drs. Ben Calvo and HJ Kim Dara Torres with Tina Shaban, (l) and Pam Baker ( rt) of the Patient and Family Resource Center

Dara Torres toured the pediatric oncology clinic and chatted with patients and their families as well as the inpatient floor in NC Children’s Hospital..