News Releases

DERBY, CT (March 9, 2012) - Griffin Hospital will offer free oral, head and neck cancer screenings from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 24. The event, held during the 15th annual Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Awareness Week®, will be held at the Center for Cancer Care at 300 Seymour Avenue in Derby.

“Unfortunately, many Americans do not recognize the symptoms of these life-threatening diseases, which include cancers of the oral cavity, larynx and pharynx, and by the time they are diagnosed, for some, it’s too late,” said Ken Yanagisawa, M.D.,...

DERBY, CT (December 28, 2011) - Griffin Hospital will offer a free four-week nutrition course beginning Wednesday, January 18. The free course, "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Nutrition, But Were Afraid to Ask," will be held over four sessions, January 18 and 25, and February 1 and 8 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Avenue, Derby.

This groundbreaking series of fun, informative classes is taught by registered dietician and exercise physiologist Samantha Heller, a nationally known nutrition expert who regularly appears on television and radio programs such as Good Morning America, the TODAY Show, the CBS Early Show, and Doctor Radio on Sirius XM.

Participants will learn about a variety of nutrition topics, including how to:

Reach and maintain a healthy weight...

DERBY, CT (November 2, 2011) - The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital now offers Cancer Genetic Counseling Services to individuals and families as part of the Center's comprehensive model of patient-centered care.

The new service, offered in collaboration with the Yale Cancer Center Genetic Counseling Program, is provided by a team of graduate-trained counselors who are certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling.

Cancer genetic counseling is the process of collecting a patient's detailed personal and family history, assessing their personal risk, and discussing their genetic testing options. Genetic tests are tests on blood and other tissue used to identify genetic disorders.

The Center for Cancer Care is now able to offer the services to anyone with an increased risk of developing hereditary forms of cancer, including breast and ovarian (BRCA), colorectal (HNPCC, FAP), and others (Li-Fraumeni, Cowden, etc.).  These services can help patients identify if they are at increased risk genetically of developing cancer, enabling them to consult with their physician(s) to make important informed medical decisions about screening and prevention to reduce cancer risk.

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Derby, CT - Griffin Hospital's celebration of National Cancer Survivors Day®, the world's largest cancer survivor event, will begin at noon Sunday, June 5 in the hospital dining room. All cancer survivors and their family members are invited to join the celebration. This year's theme is "Another Year of Birthdays." Breast Surgeon Dr. Zandra Cheng, Medical Director of the Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital, will be the keynote speaker. The event will also feature "Sparkles the Clown," a birthday hat fashion show starring some of Griffin Hospital's therapy dogs, as well as the customary food, fun, and door prize drawings that past years' attendees have enjoyed at this annual event. "The event is a gathering where we share camaraderie, hope, compassion, faith and love as we honor cancer survivors for their strength and courage," said Doris Fialkovich, RN, the organizer of the celebration. "The event will also provide an opportunity to recognize the contributions of patients' families, friends,...

DERBY, CT - Griffin Hospital will offer a free four-week nutrition course beginning Wednesday, May 18.

The free course, "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Nutrition, But Were Afraid to Ask," will be held over four sessions, May 18 and 25, and June 1 and 8 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Avenue, Derby.

This groundbreaking series of fun, informative classes is taught by registered dietician and exercise physiologist Samantha Heller, a nationally known nutrition expert who regularly appears on television and radio programs such as Good Morning America, the TODAY Show, the CBS Early Show, and Doctor Radio on Sirius XM.  Participants will learn about a variety of nutrition topics, including how to:

Reach and maintain a healthy weight...

DERBY, CT (AUGUST 13, 2010) - The Valley Women's Health Initiative will present the 10th Annual Women Making a Difference in the Valley (WMDIV) Tribute Luncheon and Breast Cancer Fundraiser on Thursday, October 7, 2010 from 12:00-2:00 pm at the Grassy Hill Lodge in Derby. The tribute recognizes “outstanding women" who have made positive contributions to the community and have demonstrated significant achievement in their fields of endeavor, both professional and volunteer.

Five women will be honored this year. They are: Laurie Casey, Beverly Kondor, R.N., and Susan Wildman, all of Seymour; Linda Hvizdo of Shelton, and Stephanie Wain, M.D., of Derby. The event is sponsored by the Women’s Health Initiative, a group comprised of members of the community working toward a common goal of addressing and improving breast cancer awareness. Proceeds from the Luncheon and Tribute benefit the Griffin Hospital/Valley Breast Care Fund, established in an effort to ensure that no person, regardless of age or socio-economic...

Griffin Hospital and CancerCare of Connecticut are co-sponsoring a free “Teen Night Out” for teenagers who are dealing with cancer in their family.

The event, which features a workshop facilitated by a CancerCare of Connecticut social worker, will be held from 6:30 – 8:30 pm Friday, July 16 at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Avenue in Derby.

The workshop is designed to provide participants with an opportunity to meet other teens who are going through a similar experience of having a family member with cancer.  A free pizza dinner will be served, and a concurrent group will be offered for the parents of attendees so families can come as a group.

“At the ‘Teen Night Out’ workshop, teenagers can learn what has helped others get through what can be an extremely difficult time,” said Carrie O’Malley, RN, CCM, CHPN, Patient Care Navigator at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital.  “They have an opportunity to discuss and explore everything from the...

Derby, CT – Griffin Hospital's celebration of National Cancer Survivors Day®, the world’s largest cancer survivor event, will begin at noon Sunday, June 6, 2010 in the hospital dining room. All cancer survivors and their family members are invited to join the red, white, and blue D-Day themed celebration, which will feature the presentation of the flag by two veterans of the Normandy invasion, as well as food, music, and door prize drawings for attendees.

Come celebrate the heroism of both D-Day and cancer survivorship, and learn how surviving cancer is an attitude about life and living each day to the fullest.  This annual event is filled with joy, camaraderie, hope, compassion, faith and love as we honor cancer survivors for their strength and courage. The event will also provide and opportunity to recognize the contributions of patients' families, friends, and healthcare providers and discuss various issues of cancer survivorship.

A cancer survivor, as defined by the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation, is anyone living with a history of cancer, from the moment of diagnosis through the rest of their life. Approximately 12 million Americans are now living with and beyond a diagnosis of cancer.  In the United States, almost half of all men and one third of all women are expected to be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives.

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Derby, CT - Last October, Griffin Hospital's Center for Cancer Care held its first 5K Walk/Run event to benefit the Center. The weather broke just right and nearly 250 people came out to walk or run, have fun and celebrate the first anniversary of the Center, which provides cancer care that is comprehensive, comforting and close to home for the Valley community.

The proceeds from the event are making a true impact on the lives of area cancer patients. One way is through a wig program at the Center, where patients who have suffered hair loss as a result of their treatments can receive a quality wig at no cost. Working with the director of Griffin Hospital's Beauty Salon, any current patient being treated at the Center can get a new, contemporary wig of their choice.

"The lives of the patients we treat often change dramatically, including their appearance and hair loss", says Carrie O'Malley, the Patient Care Navigator at Griffin's Center for Cancer Care. "Having a good-looking wig can help someone...

Derby, CT - The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital is offering a free four-week Cooking and Nutrition program that focuses on the unique nutritional needs of cancer patients.  The program, which combines cooking demonstrations with discussions on nutrition and overall health, begins June 2 and continues over the next three Wednesdays from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm in the Center's conference room (note: change to new mid-day time is based on patient preference).

The program is team-taught by a Chef, a Clinical Dietician, and a Naturopathic Physician.  A course overview follows:

Week One - healthy eating for individuals with a diagnosis of cancer; Week Two - grains and sauces for nutrition-rich recipes; Week Three - vegetables and protein; and Week Four - Planning simple, healthy meals and putting it all together. There is no charge to attend, but pre-registration is required.  Space is limited to the first 18 registrants for each bi-monthly program. To register, or for more...