As a precursor to the showing of the documentary Ken Burns Presents: Cancer—The Emperor of All Maladies, ideastream (90.3 WCPN, WVIZ/PBS and bewell.ideastream.org) has embarked on a project to cover regional cancer stories from a range of perspectives. Within this series, the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center is taking center stage, working toward its mission of promoting a translational research-oriented culture of scientific discovery applied to human cancers, while disseminating information to patients and populations.
Because the cancer center focuses on developing better preventive interventions, screening methods, and improving treatments for patients with cancer, more than 25 cancer center scientists and physicians will be featured throughout the cancer coverage and programming in March and April.
The program series kicked off Friday, March 6, at 8:30 p.m. on the WVIZ-TV program, Ideas. Mansour Isckarus, Sheen Cherian, Rene-Barrat Gordon and Joseph Willis were interviewed and discussed the story of a young couple that were both diagnosed with cancer at the same time. A summary of this story can be found online (State of the City).
Among many upcoming features, interviews will include Stanton Gerson, director of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Asa and Patricia Shiverick- Jane Shiverick (Tripp) Professor of Hematological Oncology, in an interview describing the importance of clinical trials; Neal Meropol, associate director of clinical research at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and professor of medicine, speaking about the value of new cancer treatments; and John Letterio, professor of pediatrics, describing the unique challenges of teen and young adult cancers.
A schedule of the programming and times of coverage are available on the ideastream website. Ken Burns Presents: Cancer—The Emperor of All Maladies, airs on WVIZ/PBS on March 30, March 31, and April 1 at 9 p.m.
Civic Commons/ideastream is also providing additional opportunities to showcase the region’s strength in cancer discoveries and care, first on Thursday, March 19, from 8 to 9 p.m., through an online forum. By registering online at theciviccommons.org/cancer, participants can view a 40-minute preview of four representative segments from the Emperor of All Maladies, with breaks in the show’s screening for online discussion. This view and chat format will include patients, physicians, scientists and community members. All are welcome to participate.
A second opportunity to participate in ideastream’s programming will take place on Thursday, March 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. with a live panel discussion held at The Idea Center at Playhouse Square (Westfield Insurance Studio). ideastream will host this free, public event, featuring a panel discussion focusing on the ethics of cancer treatment. This event will also feature select segments from The Emperor of All Maladies. The panel will include Anne Lederman Flamm, assistant professor in the School of Medicine and staff member with the Cleveland Clinic bioethics department; Barbara Daly, the Gertrude Perkins Oliva Professor in Oncology Nursing; Chirag Shah, Summa Health oncologist; and Angelo Merendino, a photographer who captured his wife’s battle with cancer.
Register to participate online, or to be an audience member at the live panel discussion, at theciviccommons.org.