Cancer society offers conference in Ellsworth

ELLSWORTH – The American Cancer Society’s inaugural Downeast Living With Cancer Conference, scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, is a free, daylong program for cancer patients, family members, caregivers and medical professionals. The conference will be held at the Holiday Inn on High Street.

Dan Bahr of Orrington will be a member of the survivor panel discussion at the conference. Dan’s 37 years of working in emergency medical services has included stints as an EMT, paramedic, administrator and health educator. Late in 2002 Bahr was diagnosed with poorly differentiated throat cancer that required a combination of radiation and chemotherapy.

“I was told that the therapy might render me unable to speak because of severe burning to the vocal chords,” Bahr said. Nonetheless, Bahr made it through the treatments, his ability to speak returned, and he went back to school for a degree in community health education. “Today I am approaching five years cancer-free,” he reports, “and my goal is to give back to the system of care that literally saved my life.”

This year’s conference theme is “Hope, Progress, Answers: A Path to Healing and Wellness.” Guest speakers include Dianna Emory, Ed.D., an author and cancer survivor from Mount Desert Island; and Dr. Daniel Reinke, a family physician and three-year cancer survivor. In addition, there will be numerous vendor exhibits, a panel discussion with cancer survivors, demonstrations of light stretching exercises and a performance by the Ellacapella Singers. To register or to learn more about the Downeast Living With Cancer Conference, please call the American Cancer Society at 800-227-2345.