Inova Peterson Life with Cancer

Caring for the whole person, from diagnosis through survivorship

In 2024, the Peterson family made a transformational $20M gift to Inova during the Schar Challenge, supporting critical renovations to the Inova Fairfax Emergency Department and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Life with Cancer® program. In recognition of their extraordinary generosity, the program began a powerful new chapter as Inova Peterson Life with Cancer. As longtime advocates for cancer care and research, the Peterson family demonstrates their commitment to evidence-based integrative therapies, wellness and movement programs, counseling and support groups and oncology nurse navigation. We are deeply grateful to all our supporters who continue to have a lasting impact on those with cancer in our community and their families.

In 2024, the Peterson family made a transformational $20M gift to Inova during the Schar Challenge, supporting critical renovations to the Inova Fairfax Emergency Department and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Life with Cancer® program. In recognition of their extraordinary generosity, the program began a powerful new chapter as Inova Peterson Life with Cancer. As longtime advocates for cancer care and research, the Peterson family demonstrates their commitment to evidence-based integrative therapies, wellness and movement programs, counseling and support groups and oncology nurse navigation. We are deeply grateful to all our supporters who continue to have a lasting impact on those with cancer in our community and their families.

Highlights:

  • Held a successful first-time event in coordination with National Cancer Survivors Day in June 2024. Patients explored vital topics including nutrition for survivorship, managing fear of recurrence, and sexual health
  • A first-time Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Online Series for people finished with active treatment and focused on survivorship and surveillance, coping with the emotional impact of survivorship, survivorship nutrition, healthy sleep, brain fog and sexual health
  • 320 cancer survivors participated in the “Eat to Thrive" nutrition workshop, supported by a generous gift from Dan and Gayle D’Aniello.
  • Launched a Men’s Sexual Health Series with 9 events

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

Thanks to your support, Peterson Life with Cancer launched a dedicated research program led by Melissa Miller, PhD, MPH, to advance supportive and integrative cancer care from diagnosis through survivorship.

Thanks to your support, Peterson Life with Cancer launched a dedicated research program led by Melissa Miller, PhD, MPH, to advance supportive and integrative cancer care from diagnosis through survivorship.

  • 6 ongoing studies in Peterson Life with Cancer Research Program
  • 11 peer-reviewed journal articles published
  • 25 presentations/abstracts at national conferences
  • 6 ongoing studies in Peterson Life with Cancer Research Program
  • 11 peer-reviewed journal articles published
  • 25 presentations/abstracts at national conferences
  • Mind Over Matter (MOM): This program is designed to teach coping skills and help manage the feelings and side effects associated throughout the cancer experience, including diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. Inova enrolled 39 participants in a study evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of MOM for Black and African American women following cancer treatment. We also trained staff from 6 organizations to implement MOM in Spanish, and pilot tested MOM in Latina women.
  • Act I Brain Fog: a psychometric measurement study followed by a behavioral intervention trial to help patients experiencing this side effect of chemotherapy

At Inova, we believe in the power of working together to deliver exceptional healthcare for our community.

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