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Workshops & Staying Current

Workshops and Staying Current

OCRA’s foundational level Workshops and science-related Staying Current sessions are designed to provide you with information to enhance your cancer understanding.

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Educational Workshops for the Gynecologic Cancer Community

Based on where you are in your cancer experience, you are likely to have many questions about your diagnosis and how to cope with it. These workshops are designed to give you in-depth information, resources, and support, with a focus on helping you learn how to advocate for yourself and improve your confidence and sense of control, no matter where you are in your treatment experience.

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Ovarian Cancer 101: Four-Part Virtual Series

Ovarian Cancer 101 is a 4-part series of workshops that aims to give you the foundational knowledge necessary to be your best advocate with ovarian cancer. A basic overview of ovarian cancer types and staging, standards of care, genetic and biomarker testing, and clinical trial essentials will be covered. Come to one or all four of the sessions based on your educational needs. All times listed are in Eastern time.

This workshop covers the role of clinical trials in cancer care, potential benefits of participating in a clinical trial, clinical trial basics and methodology, the roles of the professionals on a clinical trial team, navigating the practical concerns associated with participating in a clinical trial, and how to find a clinical trial right for you.

Facilitators: Sarah Handsman, LCSW, OSW-C and Anne Mette Buhl, PhD

March 30 from 2-3 pm – Register

Advanced Care Planning: Three-Part Virtual Series

Join us for a three-part Advanced Care Planning workshop series designed to help patients navigate medical, legal, financial, and end-of-life planning with clarity and confidence. This series offers practical guidance on healthcare decision-making, financial preparation, legacy planning, and emotional considerations, while creating space for reflection and conversation. Participants will learn strategies to communicate effectively with their providers, document their wishes, and make informed choices aligned with their personal goals. Throughout the three-week series, we emphasize empowerment, dignity, and the idea that planning is not about expecting the worst but about protecting what matters most. Join one or all three sessions based on your needs. Sessions will be interactive and held on Mondays, 2-3 pm ET.

Session #1 will focus on understanding the concept of goals of care and the key healthcare planning documents. Participants explore how personal values influence medical decisions and will discuss advance directives, healthcare proxies, living wills, MOLST/POLST forms, and palliative care integration. The session will also address communication strategies and life planning considerations. By the end of the session, participants gain a clear understanding of how to begin documenting healthcare wishes and how to initiate meaningful conversations with loved ones and providers. This session will be interactive.

April 6, 2:00-3:00 pm ET – Register

Facilitated by Mariah Navas, Social Work Intern

Session #2 will focus on financial and legal planning to support your medical decisions. Participants are introduced to durable powers of attorney for financial, digital, and medical matters; wills; trusts; disability insurance; life insurance; and planning for dependents or pets. The session also covers organizing important information for easy access and preparing memorial preferences. The goal of this session is to reduce uncertainty and stress by ensuring that practical matters are addressed in advance, providing stability for patients. This session will be interactive.

April 13, 2:00-3:00 pm ET – Register

Facilitated by Mariah Navas, Social Work Intern

Session #3 will discuss the different care options available to decrease physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering, address end of life considerations and  legacy planning. Participants will learn the differences between hospice and palliative care, when each may be appropriate, and how to evaluate options based on personal goals. The session also addresses emotional preparation, ethical considerations, and tools such as life review or LifeWorks reflection exercises. This final session emphasizes that planning is an act of love, dignity, and intentional living, allowing individuals to shape not only their care but also the meaning and memory of their lives. This session will be interactive.

April 20, 2:00-3:00 pm ET – Register

Facilitated by Mariah Navas, Social Work Intern

Survivorship Workshop: Three-Part Virtual Series

Survivorship focuses on the health and wellbeing of a person with cancer starting from the time of diagnosis. These Survivorship workshops are a 3-part series that aim to provide discussion and information for gynecological cancer patients. It will provide information and conversation around topics including redefining your identity after diagnosis, managing late effects from treatment, managing fear and how to look forward, and overall wellness. Come to one or all three of the sessions based on your needs through your survivor journey. These interactive sessions will be held on Mondays from 2-3 pm ET.

Endometrial/Uterine Cancer 101: Four-Part Virtual Series

Endometrial/Uterine Cancer 101 is a 4-part series of workshops that aims to give you the foundational knowledge necessary to be your best advocate with endometrial cancer and/or uterine sarcoma. This series will provide a basic review of endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma types and staging, standards of care, genetic and biomarker testing, and clinical trial essentials. Come to one or all four of the sessions based on your educational needs. All times are listed in Eastern time.

Staying Current: Treatment Updates

Please join OCRA’s Senior Director of Treatment Access and Scientific Education, Anne Mette Buhl, PhD, and a group of your peers to learn the latest information about gynecologic cancer treatment options. Topics will include the current standard of care, the science behind treatment interventions, and new therapies currently being investigated in clinical trials. The sessions will be interactive, and general questions can be submitted in advance.

April 2 from 1-2 pm ET – Register

April 16 from 1-2 pm ET – Register

March 26 from 1-2 pm ET – Register

April 23 from 1-2 pm ET – Register

Please join OCRA’s Senior Director of Treatment Access and Scientific Education, Anne Mette Buhl, PhD, and a group of your peers to learn the latest information about endometrial cancer treatment options. Topics will include the current standard of care, the science behind treatment interventions, and new therapies currently being investigated in clinical trials. The sessions will be interactive, and general questions can be submitted below.

April 7 from 11AM – 12PM ET – Register

Community Agreements & Participation Guidelines

Community Agreements have been developed to protect you and all participants, and the sanctity and privacy of these groups. Adherence to these agreements is required to attend our Workshops.

  • Please register in advance for each Workshop series.
  • Please attend the Workshop in a private and quiet setting, and plan to remain on video for the duration of the meeting.
  • Please protect members’ confidentiality.
  • Please respect all members and offer feedback without judgement or negativity.
  • Please register for Workshop that best fit your needs.
  • Please do not share your Zoom link with anyone else. Your Zoom link is individual to you; two participants can not use the same link.

How to Register for Upcoming Workshops

We recommend you register at least 24 hours in advance, but no later than 15 minutes in advance of the Workshop series. Your meeting link will be provided upon registration. If you have not received your meeting link by the morning of the session, please contact kzajchowski@ocrahope.org during business hours for assistance.

Workshops and Staying Current are generously sponsored by

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