ASTROnews: ASTRO lends a hand to cancer support program

By Nicole Napoli, publications specialist

For a second year, ASTRO staff spent its annual Volunteer Day helping a local cancer support program, Life with Cancer, set up for its Lobster Extravaganza fundraiser, which raises more than $700,000 to help cancer patients in the Washington area.

According to its Web site, Life with Cancer was founded in 1987 at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Fairfax, Va., when Nando DeFilippo lost his wife to cancer. He was determined to create an outlet for those dealing with cancer to turn to and made a generous donation to develop a program within the Inova Health System solely devoted to the support of patients and families facing cancer, planting the roots for Life with Cancer.

The program provides free services to adults and children with cancer such as support groups, speakers, professional counseling, exercise classes, play groups and teen activities.

Four years ago, ASTRO decided to take one day out of the year and devote it to volunteering for a local cause. This year, staff members participated in Volunteer Day by rolling silverware and setting up tables and chairs for Life with Cancer’s main fundraising activity, which includes a lobster dinner, silent auction and dancing to support the center’s many activities that are provided to cancer patients.

“The quality of life of cancer patients is important to all people involved with ASTRO, so it seemed appropriate to again devote our Volunteer Day to helping this organization with their fundraiser,” Elizabeth Parks, ASTRO’s human resources director and Volunteer Day organizer, said. “Life with Cancer provides the kinds of programs and services that really make a difference in the lives of cancer patients, and we are proud to be able to offer our support to them.”

To learn more about Life with Cancer, visit www.lifewithcancer.org.