On October 14, the Angiogenesis Foundation hosted a Patient Forum and Dinner, “Antiangiogenesis: Answer to Cancer,” at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel, where it convened a diverse group of patients, scientists, caregivers, and healthcare practitioners to celebrate life-changing medical breakthroughs and research advances on cancer-fighting foods.
After a delightful reception where guests mingled over antiangiogenic appetizers, Co-Founder and President of the Angiogenesis Foundation Dr. William Li spearheaded a Q&A session with honorary guest and stage IV colon cancer patient, Randall Cox, who shared his experience in battling and living with cancer. The Q&A discussion was followed by two powerful video interviews featuring oncologist Dr. Crystal Denlinger and metastatic colorectal cancer survivor Garvin Evans, who echoed the same resounding message as did Randall Cox: the attitude and support system of a cancer patient can make all the difference in their treatment outcomes. Also, patients must seek multiple opinions and ask questions to take an active role in managing their care—a philosophy that underscores the work of the Foundation.
The program continued with a presentation by Dr. Li introducing the DiY Health Revolution and the Eat to Beat Cancer (ETB) campaigns with new research on how lifestyle choices like maintaining a healthy diet, adequate physical activity, sufficient sleep, and emotional well-being can help to prevent and beat some of the world’s most dreaded diseases, including cancer. For example, Dr. Li showcased intriguing research about broccoli stems and carrot tops that challenges us to re-assess how we think about food. Many cultures regard these food parts as waste and throw them into the trash, but new research shows that broccoli stems and carrot tops are actually rich in antiangiogenic activity and even outperform the part of the food that is traditionally consumed (broccoli florets, carrot sticks). This pushes us to think more broadly about what we have left out of our diet that should have been included to fight cancer.
Implementation of cutting-edge research findings through campaigns such as ETB and DiY Health are just some of the ways that the Foundation is thinking outside the box to push the medical field and catalyze innovative strategies for advancing global health.
Finally, guests proceeded to dinner, where they enjoyed a healthy and delicious buffet of cancer-preventive foods prepared by local Chef Roy Darling and engaged in thoughtful discussion of the evening’s program. The event succeeded in bringing together members of the local oncology and health community, and in advocating for improved outcomes for patients fighting cancer.
