2011 event to benefit cancer outpatients

Proceeds from Treads & Threads 2011 will help provide even more treatment options and services for our outpatients at the Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion.

Clinical trials

Every lifesaving cancer treatment we use today has at one time been a clinical trial. Part of our mission as an academic medical center is to provide our patients access to promising new medical approaches through clinical trials. In some cases, they are a patient’s best chance for survival. Treads & Threads proceeds will help support and advance these trials, making them available to more patients.

Outpatient palliative care

Outpatient palliative care services can help manage and reduce symptoms for cancer patients with progressive illness. These services have been shown to lessen emotional distress and improve the overall cancer care experience for patients and their families. Treads & Threads funds will establish a pilot program to provide outpatient palliative care services.

A party with a purpose

Treads & Threads is an extraordinary party with an even more extraordinary purpose. It helps provide more options – which means more hope – to patients fighting the battle of their lives against cancer.

Behind the party glitz, excitement and fun are countless cancer patients throughout the region whose lives have been touched by this annual event.
In fact, in less than a decade, Treads & Threads sponsors and guests have contributed nearly $4.7 million to enhance and expand cancer patient care at The University of Kansas Cancer Center.

Proceeds have funded: 

• A patient navigator position to help guide new patients and their families through their complex cancer journeys and offer resources every step of the way 
• Missys’ Boutique, an appearance center at the Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion that helps patients reclaim their self-image and self-confidence 
• State-of-the-art technology for detecting breast and prostate cancer 
• Two resource centers for ongoing educational support for patients, their loved ones and the community 
• Two palliative care suites designed to provide the utmost comfort during a patient’s final days of life 
• Renovation and upgrades of patient waiting areas and additional cancer-fighting technology in the Richard and Annette Bloch Radiation Oncology Pavilion 
• Expansion of the apheresis unit to serve more blood and marrow transplant patients 
• Other improvements to enhance and expand care for cancer patients

Supporting the quest for NCI

In 2011, your support for cancer care is more crucial than ever before. The University of Kansas Cancer Center will apply in September for National Cancer Institute designation. NCI designation is considered the gold standard in cancer research and patient care. Patients at NCI-designated centers are first in line for the most promising clinical trials and the newest laboratory discoveries.

Earning this designation will allow us to offer our patients even more options — and more hope.