Together We Can! A Benefit for Pennsylvania Hospital's Joan Karnell Cancer Center

PHILADELPHIA – Hundreds are gathering this Friday – including this year’s Woman of Courage Award Recipient, Lillian M.J. Dixon* and NY Giants linebacker and cancer survivor Mark Herzlich**, in support of patients and families facing cancer at Together We Can, a benefit for the Joan Joan Karnell Cancer Center (JKCC) at Pennsylvania Hospital.

Proceeds from Together We Can provide vital support and hope for patients and families facing cancer. For such patients, the JKCC at Pennsylvania hospital offers progressive, comprehensive cancer care. Through the generous support of donors, the JKCC is able to offer supportive services which reduce suffering, relieve symptoms and provide hope.

More than 350 patients, loved ones, physicians, staff and other supporters are gathering at the baseball-themed event being held at the Diamond Club at Citizens Bank Park. In addition to dinner, drinks and dancing, guests may enjoy behind-the-scenes tours, a silent auction, photo booth and a special appearance by the beloved Phillie Phanatic.

To date, the JKCC has surpassed its goal of 350 guests and is expected to exceed its fundraising goal of $500,000.

WHERE	The Diamond Club at Citizens Bank Park One Citizens Bank Way Behind Home Plate Philadelphia, PA 19148
WHEN	Friday, March 1, 2013 6 PM — 11 PM
WHO	7:30 PM: Welcome Master of Ceremonies Steve Highsmith Director of Community Relations and Host of “In Focus,” PHL17 TV NBC10  “Live@Issue” Host 7:35 PM: Remarks Arthur Staddon, MD Medical Director, Joan Karnell Cancer Center 7:45 PM: Introduction of this year's James F. Graham Woman of Courage Award Ed Burnley of The Karen Graham Fund  7:50 PM: 2013 Recipient of the James F. Graham Woman of Courage Award Lillian M.J. Dixon 8:00 PM: Special Guest Appearance Phillie Phanatic

A cancer diagnosis and its treatment can be overwhelming. The JKCC supportive care program helps those affected by cancer deal with the physical and emotional distress caused by diagnosis and treatment. Comprehensive supportive care services require the expertise of an interdisciplinary team in order to adequately assess and treat the complex needs of cancer patients and their families. At the JKCC this team is organized under its Pain and Supportive Care Program, a palliative care service which includes professionals from medicine, nursing, social work, psychology, nutrition, shiatsu therapy, music therapy, art therapy, chaplaincy and other professional disciplines. These services are available to all patients, from the point of diagnosis and free of charge, which is why the support of generous donors and events such as Together We Can is so important.

Inspiring Survivors:

The James F. Graham Woman of courage Award 2013
*This year’s recipient of the James F. Graham Woman of Courage Award sponsored by the Karen Graham Fund is Lillian M.J. Dixon. Lillian had a stellar career with the City of Philadelphia. In her 35 years of employment, she worked at the Philadelphia County Prisons, the Department of Finance, the Sheriff’s office and finally the Court of Common Pleas as a Court Administrative Officer. After surviving her battle with breast cancer, however, Ms. Dixon changed the focus of her life and began working with those less fortunate. She started a new career as a teacher and ignited a passion for learning in her students. In addition, as a member of the Haven Peniel United Methodist Church, she spearheaded the creation of the Haven Peniel Senior Citizens Facility, a ten million dollar project funded by HUD. Mrs. Dixon is a past president of the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice (NABCJ), a member of the NAACP, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the National Teachers’ Association, the YWCA and is secretary of the Haven Peniel Development Corporation (HPDC).

**In 2008, life for Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich seemed to change instantly and drastically. One day he was practicing football and preparing for his senior season after winning the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year award – and the next – he was being told he had Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. It was unknown if he’d ever walk again. And of course there was the question of survival. But Mark was determined to live, walk and return to football. Over the next year he first underwent surgery at Pennsylvania Hospital to insert a titanium rod into his left leg and then a regimen of chemo and radiation therapy at the JKCC. (Note:  his oncologist is Arthur Staddon, MD, medical director of the JKCC). His determination and spirit got him through – the excruciating pain, the recovery and finally – a year-plus period of reconditioning. In the fall of 2010 Mark was back playing in Boston for his senior year. A year later he earned a coveted spot with the NY Giants for the 2011 season, racking up 12 tackles as a rookie for the Giants, the Super Bowl champions that year. Mark’s “tweet” when he arrived in Indianapolis for the Super Bowl went viral that January:  “2 yrs ago I was told I might never walk again. Just WALKED off plane in Indy to play in The #SuperBowl. #TakeThatSh*tCancer.” Beyond his own struggles and triumphs Mark hopes to set an example and inspire others battling cancer.