Cancer survivors Barbara Dooley and Loran Smith stole the show during “Breast Cancer Answers: A Free Community Event With Barbara Dooley,” a breast cancer awareness event held October 15 in Athens at The Classic Center. The event drew 80 attendees.
Georgia Cancer Specialists – the largest private medical oncology/hematology practice in the Southeast – presented the event along with host Magic of Life Foundation and sponsors Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia and Athens Regional Medical Center.
Dooley, a breast cancer survivor, radio personality, and wife of former University of Georgia football coach and throat cancer survivor Vince Dooley, used her charming and charismatic Southern style to captivate the audience with her keynote speech. Smith moderated the question and answer session between the audience and the assembled panel of experts smoothly and efficiently, helping attendees get answers to all of their questions.
The event, which coincided with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, was intended to raise awareness in the Athens community and urge attendees to be proactive in their personal health.
“It’s important to raise awareness about breast cancer,” said Dooley. “I hope that by sharing my experiences on my path to wellness I can provide hope and encouragement to breast cancer patients and their supporters.”
Dooley’s speech and the Smith-moderated Q&A session covered a variety of topics, including prevention and wellness, genetics, signs and symptoms, what to look for in a physician, the latest treatment options, insurance questions, clinical trial options, life after breast cancer, and more.
Dr. Richard Loyd of GCS’s Athens office assembled the panel of experts. “Our panel of experts was magnificent, and we hope they helped concerned cancer patients, as well as their family and friends, find answers to their questions,” said Dr. Loyd.
“This event is truly beneficial to the cancer community and provides helpful advice and access to quality medical information,” said Monye Connolly, president, BCBSGa. “Making a difference in the health and lives of our members is of utmost importance to BCBSGa.”
Georgia Cancer Specialists is the largest private medical oncology/hematology practice in the Southeast and a leader in advanced cancer treatment and research. The practice offers community-based medical oncology and hematology services and is the first private oncology practice to also provide a full range of support services for patients in Georgia, including nutritional counseling, pain management, wellness counseling, and home health coordination. The GCS research department, whose focus is bringing targeted cancer therapy to communities, is the first in Georgia to offer Phase I clinical trials, the most novel cancer therapies available. GCS has 29 offices, 39 physicians, and over 540 support staff members located in Metro Atlanta and North and Central Georgia, and provides care through approximately 190,000 annual patient visits. Georgia Cancer Specialists can be found on the web at www.gacancer.com. GCS is The Cancer Answer®.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, Inc. and Blue Cross and Blue Shield Healthcare Plan of Georgia, Inc. are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue and Shield Association. ® The Blue Cross Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia is available at www.bcbsga.com.
For more information about the GCS-Athens office, please visit www.gacancer.com/athens.
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