In April: Local and National Community Conversations about Cancer

*PLEASE NOTE CHANGE
IN EVENT DATE AND LOCATION*

Rhode Island PBS, in partnership with the American Cancer Society, presents LUNG CANCER | a community conversation, a live panel discussion televised on Thursday, April 23* at 8 p.m. at the Rhode Island PBS studios*, 50 Park Lane, Providence, RI. 

The television program will start with screening selected segments from the Ken Burns film Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies. Local experts then take a deeper look and connect this world issue to our local community in a panel discussion that includes tobacco use, smoking cessation, lung cancer, and the rising costs of health care. We'll also take questions from the audience.

You are invited to be in the studio audience from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Arrive at 7 p.m. for light refreshments and light conversation with our panelists and show host, Margie O'Brien. At 7:30, we move into the studio to prepare for live broadcast from 8 p.m. - 9 p.m.

This event is free and open to the public, but audience seating in the studio is limited. Advance registration is required. 

The television special LUNG CANCER | a community conversation is part of  

SCREENINGS | community conversations about cancer

an initiative of Rhode Island PBS, American Cancer Society, made possible by CVS Health.

Watch the full Ken Burns film Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies on three consecutive Thursdays at 9 p.m. on April 9, 16 and 23. 

Extending the conversation, Rhode Island PBS presents additional programs about cancer and living with dignity in the face of terminal illness from 8 to 9 p.m. on April 16 and 30. This is the full schedulee of cancer program in April:

April 9

9 p.m. – Ken Burns Film Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies, Part 1

Magic Bullets - The story of cancer and the efforts to find a cure begins with the work of cancer researcher Sidney Farber (1903-73), who, in the late 1940s, introduced the modern era of chemotherapy. Also: the contemporary story of a 14-month-old girl battling T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

April 16

8 p.m. – What Love Is– The Duke Pathfinders 50

Fifty women from North Carolina with incurable breast cancer heroically endure an experimental medical protocol to prove that there is a better way of life -- and death -- for cancer patients and their families everywhere. Read more about the film here.

9 p.m. – Ken Burns Film Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies, Part 2

The Blind Men and the Elephant - The launch of the "war on cancer" by President Nixon in 1971 is recalled. While rapid strides were made in understanding cancer, the research produced few advancements in treatment until the late 1990s. Also: the contemporary story of surgical oncologist Lori Wilson, who was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in both breasts in 2013.

April 23

8 p.m. – LUNG CANCER | a community conversation

This Rhode Island PBS live broadcast features a local panel discussion focused on issues raised in the Ken Burns film Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies, taped with a live studio audience. 

9 p.m. – Ken Burns Film Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies, Part 3

Finding the Achilles Heel - Optimism that the mystery of the malignant cell has been solved fades due to the layers of complexity and defenses of cancer, leading many to focus on prevention and early detection. However, by the 2010s, new avenues of attack are uncovered, including the possibility of harnessing the human immune system in the battle. Also: two pioneers of immunotherapy treatments, a 60-year-old melanoma patient and a 6-year-old leukemia patient, share their stories.

April 30
8 p.m. – Behind the Ribbon
“Our Heroes” looks at the role of physical appearance in breast cancer treatment and survivorship. Footage from the 2012 Survivor Fashion Show is featured. Behind the Ribbon is the title of an original nonfiction television series produced by the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation and Jai Consulting Group. These short documentaries feature the stories of patients, survivors, and those who have lost their lives to breast cancer - an illness that will affect one in six Rhode Island women.
8:30 p.m. – Living With Dignity
This Rhode Island PBS production explores the local perspective of strength and determination to find balance and happiness while facing a terminal illness.
9 p.m. – Cancer: A Conversation
A companion program to the three-part documentary Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies, Katie Couric, co-founder of “Stand Up To Cancer,” extends the conversation when she interviews Ken Burns; Sharon Percy Rockefeller, President and CEO of WETA and a cancer survivor; and Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of the book upon which the film is based.

Updated: April 4, 2015
Updated April 7, 2015

Ciao Italia's Mary Ann Esposito Cooks at The Flames of Hope During This Weekend's WaterFire

Too many of our viewers have been touched by breast cancer. Ten years ago, an organization emerged from the ashes of one family's ultimately tragic encounter with the disease. The Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation started in tribute to the matriarch of the Gemma family in Rhode Island, and in hopes their efforts of outreach, information, and support would unite, uplift, and empower local women facing and conquering the disease.

The Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation planted seeds 10 years ago, and since then it has blossomed and expanded its impact in our community. Rhode Island PBS is proud to air the short documentaries produced by the Foundation, featuring stories of courage and impact. As part of our Rhode Island Stories series, we feature encore presentations of the stories on Sundays at 6 p.m. throughout October on Rhode Island PBS to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Each year the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation also organizes The Flames of Hope: A Celebration of Life™, a major event held in Station Park (across from the State House and Providence Place Mall) in downtown Providence. This year, the event takes place October 10-12. The three-day event—the largest of its kind in the Northeast— promotes breast cancer awareness and education and honors people living with breast cancer.

On Saturday, October 11 at 4 p.m., our very own celebrity chef Mary Ann Esposito will be on-hand conducting a cooking demonstration in the Rhode Island Kitchen and Bath Pavilion. Additionally, Flames of Hope-goers will have access to an exclusive meet and greet and book signing with Mary Ann.

Esposito, author of 12 cookbooks, is the creator and host of the nationally televised PBS series, Ciao Italia with Mary Ann Esposito™— the longest running cooking series in television history produced for the last 12 years right here at Rhode Island PBS. For more information visit www.ciaoitalia.com and facebook.com/maryannesposito.

On Friday, October 10, the event kicks off with the unveiling of the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation’s 2015 ‘Celebrate Hope, Celebrate Life’ Calendar at a special evening ceremony. The calendar features twelve individuals who have tested positive for the BRCA gene mutation, which increases the chances of developing breast and ovarian cancer.

On Saturday, October 11, “Celebration Village” at Station Park comes alive at 2 p.m. with education, support, and live entertainment. That evening, the captivating Illuminations of Life Ceremony will take place on the State House steps facing downtown Providence, concluding with a torch procession—considered to be the pinnacle of the three-day event—down to the Waterplace Basin during WaterFire Providence.

Musical performances at “Celebration Village” will kick-off with One Wild Night, a Bon Jovi Tribute Band at 3:30 p.m. The next performance, Kelsey Kaplan, will be at 7 p.m. Closing out the day of performances is The Joshua Tree, a U2 Tribute Band, at 9 p.m.

The celebration will conclude on Sunday with the Flames of Hope Run/Walk Series, made up of three races: the signature Gloria Gemma 5K presented by The Walking Company, Kids Fun Run presented by Macy’s, and Pink Pump Palooza presented by Nordstrom’s. Registration for all three races is open today at www.flamesofhoperi.com.

For more information and the complete schedule of the October 10-12 Flames of Hope: A Celebration of Life™, visit www.gloriagemma.org and facebook.com/GloriaGemma.

Rhode Island Stories for March 2013

Gazela
On Rhode Island PBS: March 23 at 7 p.m., March 24 at 11 p.m.
On Learn: March 27 at 10 p.m., March 28 at 5 a.m., March 29 at 2 a.m.

On May 10, 2012, Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee signed legislation designating the soon-to-be-commissioned 196 foot, square-rigged tall ship SSV Oliver Hazard Perry as the state's official "Sailing Education Vessel."

During the summer of 2012, six educators representing Rhode Island's secondary and higher education institutions were selected to develop educational initiatives and programs for the Oliver Hazard Perry.  As part of their training and preparation, these educators joined the crew of the tall ship Gazela, for her 5-day July 2012 voyage from Philadelphia to Newport.  Among them was Dr. Kathy Vespia, chair of the Department of Education at Salve Regina University in Newport, RI.

Gazela is a chronicle of the lessons that Dr. Vespia learned during the voyage. From seamanship and teambuilding to the physical rigors of daily life at sea and self-evaluation, Dr. Vespia's experiences on board the ship left her with a different understanding of what it means to join a crew, how one must rise to the challenge when the educator becomes the learner, and how the "needs of the ship" directly relate to the classroom experience.

Telling Stories
On Rhode Island PBS: March 23 at 7:30 p.m., March 24 at 11:30 p.m.
On Learn: March 27 at 10:30 p.m., March 28 at 5:30 a.m., March 29 at 2:30 a.m.

Telling Stories is a documentary about unearthing history in Rhode Island. The video chronicles an archaeological dig at a John Brown family farm. By questioning and examining the archaeological process, the film discusses the painstaking re-creation of history - one fragment at a time - including the heritage of slavery in New England,and the politics of the historical narrative.

Behind the Ribbon
On Rhode Island PBS: March 30 at 7 p.m., March 31 at 11 p.m.
On Learn: April 3 at 10 p.m., April 4 at 5 a.m., April 5 29 at 2 a.m.

Behind the Ribbon is the title of an original nonfiction television series produced by the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation and Jai Consulting Group. These short documentaries will feature the stories of patients, survivors and those who have lost their lives to breast cancer, an illness that will affect one in six Rhode Island women during her lifetime.

In this first chapter, "Young Survivors" will feature Mandy Zito, the Foundation's new Young Survivor Program coordinator, and some of the women she has gotten to know since joining the Foundation in September 2012.

A Time to Heal
On Rhode Island PBS: March 30 at 7:30 p.m., March 31 at 11:30 p.m.
On Learn: April 3 at 10:30 p.m., April 4 at 5:30 a.m., April 5 at 2:30 a.m.

Refugee Health Week was developed by Dr. Adam Pallant and Dr. Carol Lews of Hasbro Children's Hospital to offer medical residents time for conversations with refugees about their healthcare needs, their past and current struggles, and the importance of their stories as they acclimate to life in the United States.

For pediatric residents, time with patients and time for reflection is a rarity. Refugee Health Week allowed these doctors time and opportunity to reaffirm relation-based care as a foundation for healing...not just for refugees but for all their patients.