From left to right, volunteer organizers Carrie Sinkin, Helene Merren and Graciela Cigarroa, and emcee Leslie Mouton of KSAT-12 News, a breast cancer survivor.
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There were stories of sickness and survival. Women shared experiences with doctors and traded tips on exercise and nutrition.

In all, 180 women – and a few men – gathered Feb. 11 for “Woman to Woman,” an annual event that focused this year on the impact of cancer on women’s lives. KSAT-12 news anchor Leslie Mouton, herself a breast cancer survivor, served as emcee.

Discussions covered wide range of topics related to cancer
The discussion at this year’s Woman to Woman conference was wide-ranging. The women learned about “banking” umbilical cord blood. They heard about breast imaging, the role of the environment in cancer development, advances in treatments to fight cancer and the legal issues relevant to patients with life-threatening illness.

Health Science Center and Cancer Center Council among sponsors
The one-day meeting was sponsored by the Cancer Center Council and the UT Health Science Center San Antonio, in collaboration with 20 cancer-related local organizations. The CCC, a nonprofit organization of volunteers, supports the Cancer Therapy & Research Center (CTRC) at The UT Health Science Center through cancer education, community outreach, fundraising, patient assistance and volunteer services.

Cancer Center Council member Helene Merren chaired this year’s event, assisted by co-chairs Carrie Sinkin and Graciela Cigarroa, wife of former President (now UT Chancellor) Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D.

The contributions of the UT Health Science Center were evident throughout the day. Development staff members led by Varonica McKinney helped organize the event and others staffed information tables.

HSC faculty members give presentations
Prominent among the 11 speakers was keynote speaker Francis Giles, M.D., professor of medicine/hematology and oncology, and the CTRC’s deputy director. Other faculty presenters were Claudia Miller, M.D., professor of family and community medicine, and Pamela Otto, M.D., professor of radiology.