The Advocates of Hope: Raising Cancer Awareness in the Business Community Summit was held on Oct. 16, 2008. Attendees heard keynote speaker NBC News Medical Editor Dr. Nancy Snyderman, at the University of Delaware’s Clayton Hall in Newark.

Program

The program featured panel discussions and breakout sessions on topics including Delaware’s cancer clusters, employment law, insurance and survivorship, as well as tabletop exhibits by area cancer resource organizations and sponsors. Attendees also received information on how to institute wellness and prevention programs in the workplace. Click here to view a complete program agenda.

Sponsors

Advocates of Hope has the support of more than 30 organizations including Presenting Sponsor AstraZeneca, Platinum Ribbon Sponsor the Delaware Cancer Consortium and Good Samaritan Sponsor Bank of America. Click here to view the complete list.

Chamber Champions

The following Chambers of Commerce have demonstrated their support for Advocates of Hope by signing on as Chamber Champions:

Bethany-Fenwick Chamber of Commerce

Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce

Greater Georgetown Chamber of Commerce

Greater Seaford Chamber of Commerce

Lewes Chamber of Commerce

New Castle County Chamber of Commerce

(as of 9/22/08)

If your Chamber of Commerce wants to learn more about the benefits of the Chamber Champion program, contact Jeanne Mell at jmell@dscc.com.

Wendi Fox Pedicone Award

United Electric Supply Company has been named the winner of the first-ever Wendi Fox Pedicone Award for their implementation of best practices in cancer awareness in the workplace. The award is named for Wendi Fox Pedicone who helped put a face on cancer through her willingness to share the story about her breast cancer journey. The award was presented at the Advocates of Hope Summit by Presenting Sponsor AstraZeneca, which has its U.S. headquarters in Wilmington, Del. United Electric Supply and Pedicone Award finalists Bank of America, Boulden Inc., Delaware Hospice and JPMorgan Chase was also recognized.

History

Advocates of Hope was developed in 2006 by a coalition of health care, business, government and cancer resource organizations led by the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. It is designed to deliver information about cancer, prevention and available resources to Delaware employers and their employees.  To date, 750 business leaders, HR professionals and healthcare workers have attended Advocates of Hope events and learned strategies to step up prevention and screenings and manage issues regarding cancer in the workplace.

Advocates of Hope in Delaware Business Magazine

Each issue of Delaware Business features an Advocates of Hope article focusing on cancer awareness in the workplace. Click here to read past articles.