This Memorial Day
HONORING JACK KAVANAGH: 12/29/36-5/25/24
A brave and inspiring 33-year cancer survivor, and a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, Civil Engineering Battalion. He is deeply missed and never forgotten by his wife, loving family, friends, and thousands of cancer patients, caregivers, professionals, and even those he never met.

2024 Arizona Bioscience Service Award

We have a busy schedule of events for our Spring Quarter and are excited by the wonderful support we're receiving from faculty and sponsors. We had a successful 1st Quarter Seminar on January 28th at the Cancer Support Community (CSCAz) in Phoenix.

We are now planning our Spring event, "Bridging the Gap Between Researchers and the Cancer Patient/Caregiver."
This seminar will be held on Wednesday, May 21st:

• 8:00 am – 9:00 am: Sign-in and on-site registration, visit exhibits
• 9:00 am – 1:30 pm: Faculty presentations, cancer patient/caregiver panel, lunch, and a free raffle

We are excited about our wonderful faculty and sponsors and know this event will provide a valuable opportunity to learn about the latest developments in cancer research and treatment while sharing the cancer patient and caregiver perspectives and stories.

The agenda is now available on our website. Please register early so we can notify our lunch sponsor, Black Bear Diner, with the expected number of attendees.

Program Location:
The Glendale Recreation Center
5600 W. Union Hills Dr.
Glendale, Az.85308.
Pre-registration preferred and a ticket to the Free Raffle will be provided for both in-person and zoom participants.

April has been a time of planning and outreach, as many of us celebrated both Easter and Passover. I had the opportunity to attend meetings with social and business groups in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and across the East and West Valley. I shared information and resources for all cancer patients and caregivers. Special thanks to Lisa Platt, President of the West Valley Women's Networking Group, for hosting excellent monthly meetings that are both entertaining—like the Easter Hat Contest—and educational, such as a recent presentation by a hearing company.

Our hearing is important at any age, and especially so—as I know from experience—when it affects family interactions or causes you to miss important information. We've invited several of these business/social contacts to attend our seminar and host exhibit tables to share their resources.

If you are interested in being a donor, sponsor, or sharing an exhibit table, please contact me directly. Donation and sponsorship details are available on our website.

We have a great faculty of leading cancer specialists and researchers, as well as our Cancer Caregiver Panel, ready to share vital information and ideas on how to navigate the cancer system.

Register now for both in-person and zoom.

For me, and for many others, the Easter and Passover holidays were bittersweet. When you lose a loved one, every holiday, birthday, or anniversary becomes a painful reminder. For me, 2025 marks my first year navigating this loss.

I have spent over 20 years teaching about grief and loss through our cancer caregiver seminars. I know everyone's experience is different. For our family and friends, this journey has brought us closer.

I thank everyone who has sent words of hope and faith and shared their own story. We are more dedicated than ever to expanding our online Cancer Caregivers' Education Program (CCEP©) to reach a broader audience, especially underserved populations.

Special thanks to the Kendra Scott Foundation and their wonderful sales staff on May 6th and 7th, who raised money for our cancer charity. This is the 8th year they have chosen AzMN/Cancer Caregivers as one of their special charities.

Thank you to everyone who visited me and shopped at the Scottsdale store, and to Mary Lange, our AzMN board member, who greeted shoppers at the Chandler store. Most of all, thanks to those who shopped online using our special code to honor Mother's Day, grandmothers, sisters, daughters, and all the special ladies in our lives!

June 14th: Father's Day Weekend
Free Prostate Cancer Screening!
Organized by Fred Taylor, SW Prostate Cancer Foundation and AzMN Board Member.

Sign up all the men in your life—early detection can save lives.

Contact: Fred Taylor, SW Prostate Cancer Foundation swprostatecancer@aol.com or 602-697-0891.

You must register for your appointment.

Wednesday, May 21st
Bridging the Gap Between Cancer Patients/Caregivers and Cancer Researchers/Clinicians
Available in-person and via Zoom

Thanks to a generous donor, we're offering a $25 gift card raffle to 10 lucky caregivers who register and attend either in person or online.

July/August Dates to be announced

September 23rd:
The 1st Jack Kavanagh Memorial Golf Event
Legends Golf Course, Glendale, AZ
More details coming soon!

We're looking for volunteers for all of these events.
Contact Barbara Kavanagh if you're interested in helping with any or all events!

Email: barbarak@azmyelomanetwork.org
Volunteer Information