A Conversation with Candace Johnson
By Annette Pinder
When Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center first began its campaign, “Spend One Day with Us,” I reached out to Candace S. Johnson, PhD, Roswell Park’s President and CEO, to ask what patients could expect in spending a day at Roswell Park. Dr. Johnson proudly told me about a patient who had been given a diagnosis of lung cancer and told to get her affairs in order. Spending that one day, the patient learned about a new treatment, and six years later was back at work and cancer-free.
I also spoke with Dr. Johnson about genomics, immunotherapy, hard-to-treat cancers, and the importance of funding cancer research for the health of our nation. We discussed women and leadership, the unique and transparent way in which women communicate, and the importance of women supporting one another. We spoke about the use of alternative therapies, nutrition, and other ways to support cancer patients, as well as life-saving treatments unavailable anywhere else in the region at the time.
Now, we are pleased to let our community know about monthly upcoming conversations we will be having with Roswell Park that we will feature in the magazine, and on our Hometown Health Connection television show on WBBZ-me-TV. This month’s show will feature Dr. Johnson, who will bring us up to date on the latest in research, treatment, and programs at Roswell Park that are helping to save and improve patients’ lives.
Tune in on Wednesday, April 26 at 8pm or Saturday April 19 at noon on WBBZ-me-TV Channels 5 or 67 for what promises to be an enlightening show hosted by WBBZ’s Promotion and Production Director John DiSciullo and Ellen Grant PhD, LCSW-R, Executive Director, Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Education.