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This photo of a sunflower taken in Utah a few years back seems fitting, as it is the National Flower of Ukraine

 

Dear UNC Lineberger Cancer Network Friend,      

We hope that March finds you well and enjoying all of the signs of the upcoming spring.

The news of the world came a little closer to home over the past several days. Like people everywhere, our team has watched the events unfold in Ukraine with deep concern for the Ukranian people. Then we learned on February 25th that Alphonce John, the nephew of our teammate, Vene Obure, was studying medicine in Kyiv, Ukraine. During this past weekend, Alphonce and eleven other students in Ukraine (all from countries in Africa) made their way to the border, only to be told (at gunpoint) that they could not cross into a neighboring country due to the color of their skin. The day that followed was extremely stressful for Vene’s entire family. It was not until the following day that Alphonce was permitted to cross the border at a different location. I am pleased to announce that he has now returned to his native Tanzania. While his life and studies have been upended, we are thankful that Alphonce will be safe with his family.  

I should note that Vene was interviewed on WRAL’s Sunday, April 27th evening news, and that the interview included the video of the students being turned away from the border. Since that time, several major news services have documented similar discrimination against African and Indian students, and we hope that the press attention will highlight these issues and reduce discrimination at the border and elsewhere. Both Vene and Alphonce appear on a second WRAL news story that was aired on the evening of March 2nd. You may view a recording at: https://www.wral.com/chapel-hill-woman-helps-nephew-flee-from-ukraine/20168102/ . We join with people around the world with the hope of a quick and peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine, and safety for those who are involved.  

 Turning to our oncology continuing education opportunities, we have two great live lectures in store for you in March. I would like to encourage you to register for the talks listed below.  

  • Wednesday, March 9th at noon: Our Patient-Centered Care Lecture – Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer: Don’t Get Left Behind “45 is the New 50” – Rachel Hirschey, PhD, RN and Tammy Triglianos, DNP, ANP-BC, AOCNP – NCPD/CNE, ACPE, ASRT, & CTR Credit Available  
  • Wednesday, March 23rd at noon: Our Research to Practice Lecture – Lung Cancer Management in North Carolina: Updates for 2020 – Shetal A. Patel, MD, PhD – CME, NCPD/CNE, ACPE, ASRT, & CTR Credit Available 

You may register for any or all of these lectures at: https://learn.unclcn.org/  

Recordings are available for those that already took place in our UNCLCN Video Library.    

As always, if live lectures do not fit your schedule, check out our free self-paced, for-credit lectures at: https://learn.unclcn.org/content/self-paced-online-courses   

Always quality oncology education. Always free. We hope to see you there.    

Wishing you continued strength and fortitude in these challenging times,    

Tim