Rise to Action Los Angeles

*** Some speaker presentations are now available below! ***

Rise to Action - Los Angeles

Thank you for attending our very first West Coast Rise To Action in Los Angeles on February 7, 2009. The conference, held at USC’s Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, was very successful and we thank everyone helped make it a reality!

Survivors in their teens, twenties, and thirties who attend RTA receive the most up-to-date survivorship information from experts in the field, connect with each other through interactive sessions, and learn to become advocates for themselves and other survivors. Families are welcome!

Topics Included:

  • Late Effects: This plenary session for all attendees will be led by a panel discussing late effects and follow-up care issues. Experts will present and answer questions on a range of survivorship concerns, from healthy behaviors to mental health and PTSD to chronic pain, and more.
  • Health Insurance: This plenary session is also presented to all attendees and will focus on health insurance options for young adult cancer survivors, as well as the issue of legal protections. A panel will discuss the various insurance policies available to survivors, tips for ensuring the best possible coverage, and an examination of possible changes to health insurance that may result from a new political administration and Congress.
  • Education and Employment: This breakout session is aimed toward survivors and their families who are concerned about success in college or the workforce and the challenges that their cancer experience may pose in challenging environments during these times of transition.
  • Sexuality & Intimacy: This breakout session is open only to survivors and deals with concerns about being intimate with their partners and opening up to those close to them. Sexuality and self-image are also a major focus of this session. After an overview of the topic, this session will divide into two groups of younger survivors in their teens/early twenties and older survivors for further discussion.
  • Fertility: Experts and survivors share information and stories about fertility challenges posed by cancer and its treatment in this breakout, along with advice for exploring one's fertility options.
  • Transitions and Navigating Care: This is a breakout session for parents and survivors who want to become more empowered and in control of their (or their child's) personal medical care and/or special needs. If you are concerned about transitioning from pediatric to adult care and working with a new medical team, or if you're frustrated with encountering red tape in practical matters like getting a handicapped sticker or health benefits, this session aims to give you the tools you require to be a better advocate for yourself or your child.
  • Issue Advocacy: This is a breakout session for attendees who want to become more engaged in the cancer advocacy community to help bring about legislative change for pediatric cancer patients and survivors. Topics to be discussed include: messaging; effective advocacy methods; and current pediatric cancer legislation.
  • Family & Peer Relationships: This breakout session is appropriate for all attendees - survivors, family,* and friends - who want to learn about and discuss how a survivor's cancer experience affects everyone around them.
    • *Especially recommended for teen and young adult siblings of survivors.
  • Special breakout sessions will also be offered on the following cancers:
    • Brain Tumor Session, led by We Can Pediatric Brain Tumor Network
    • Leukemia, Lymphoma and Bone Marrow Transplant Survivorship Issues, led by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Official Partner Organizations for RTA-LA:

  • University of Southern California/Keck School of Medicine
  • Childrens Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles
  • City of Hope
  • We Can Pediatric Brain Tumor Network
  • Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
  • The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults
  • Vital Options International