Everyone impacted by cancer is invited to “Quest for a Cure,” a symposium series hosted by the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, starting July 10, in Kakaʻako. The first of three monthly events, themed “Raising Awareness of Sarcoma…the Forgotten Cancer,” coincides with Sarcoma Awareness Month.
Admission is free, and the public can attend in-person or online. Register by July 5 for the first event.
Sarcoma, a rare cancer and often overlooked disease affecting connective tissues, is critical to diagnose early. In Hawaiʻi, about 192 residents are diagnosed annually, comprising 2% of adult and 14% of pediatric cancers statewide.
Moderated by Shane Morita, head of surgical oncology at UH Cancer Center, the event includes personal stories from sarcoma survivors Brynner Kekua and Caroline Huff, and caregiver Wendy Suite.
UH Cancer Center Director Naoto T. Ueno, a two-time cancer survivor who has faced sarcoma himself, highlights the center’s dedication to empowering patients and building a supportive community. “While the UH Cancer Center may have been perceived in the past as dedicated almost exclusively to groundbreaking cancer research; moving forward, we want to show how we are also empowering patients in Hawaiʻi’s unique and diverse community, providing knowledge and support for their cancer journey,” he said.
Upcoming events
“Quest for a Cure” is supported by Friends of the UH Cancer Center. Future events include August 24 (Diet, Nutrition and Cancer) and September 18 (Patient Empowerment and Navigation). For more information, visit the event website, call (808) 564-5835, or email events@cc.hawaii.edu.
