University of Iowa News Release

Oct. 16, 2008

UI Dance Marathon to host Cancer Awareness Forum

University of Iowa Dance Marathon will host a Cancer Awareness Forum from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, in Room C20 of the Pomerantz Center on the UI campus.

UI Children's Hospital specialists will discuss the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric cancer with students and community members from 8 to 9 p.m. A question-and-answer session will follow.

The Cancer Awareness Forum falls exactly 100 days before UI Dance Marathon hosts its annual event. The Dance Marathon leadership is hosting this event to help make its Dance Marathon participants, students and local community more aware of how cancer impacts children and their families.

UI Children's Hospital faculty and staff who will attend include:

--Michael Artman, M.D., physician-in-chief, UI Children's Hospital, and professor and head of the UI Department of Pediatrics.
-- Raymond Tannous, M.D., associate professor, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.
--Sue O'Dorisio, M.D., Ph.D., UI Distinguished Professor, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.
--Mohamed Radhi, M.D., director, Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation, and director, Hemophilia and Bleeding Disorders Center.
--Mary Schlapkohl, advanced registered nurse practitioner, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

UI Dance Marathon works to create special projects to provide emotional and financial support to families treated at UI Children's Hospital with an emphasis on pediatric cancer. During the past 14 years, UI Dance Marathon has raised more than $6.5 million to help children and their families who are battling cancer.

NOTE TO EDITORS AND NEWS DIRECTORS: Media coverage is highly encouraged and space will be made available for equipment. UI Dance Marathon executive council members will be available for interviews.

STORY SOURCE: Joint Office for Marketing and Communications, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive, Room E110 GH, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1009