Local Salute: TurningPoint in Simply Buckhead Magazine
TurningPoint helps survivors live full lives STORY: Mickey Goodman October 9th, 2014 | Local Salute National Breast Cancer Awareness Month every October is a stark reminder that, after diagnosis and treatment, breast cancer remains a beast that needs taming and nurturing. Since 2003, TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation, a nonprofit based in Sandy Springs, has helped more than 2,500 women on the road to normalcy. “What sets us apart is our com- prehensive care along with our individualized programs coordinated by primary care physical therapists. They include physical and massage therapy, nutrition and lymphedema management,” says Karen Burpo, community outreach director. Referrals for the program come from medical professionals at hospitals and fellow patients. “When I was referred to TurningPoint, I realized I had about 1 percent of the knowledge I needed,” said Sandy Springs resident Taurus Dotson, a breast cancer survivor. “They got my lymphedema under control and helped with postural issues, legacies of the mastectomy and reconstruction. “The therapists make you feel comfortable and motivate you,” Dotson says. “No self-pity is allowed. But it’s not just work, work, work. They make it fun.” The evidence-based program, a partner with the American Cancer Society, is the only one of its kind in the Southeast. Many staff members, including the director, Jill Binkley, and Burpo, are breast cancer survivors, making them sensitive to the special needs of patients. “Finances are never a barrier to treatment, and health insurance covers some portions,” Burpo says. For more information, visit www.myturningpoint.org Read the article here
National and Regional Conferences Feature TurningPoint Experts
An important part of TurningPoint’s mission is to advocate for specialized rehabilitation care for all women with breast cancer. TurningPoint is heavily involved in educating the health care community locally and nationally about the role of rehabilitation and exercise for women with breast cancer. In September, Jill Binkley and Cathy Furbish, TurningPoint Physical Therapists, presented at the National Lymphedema Network’s International Conference in Washington, DC. Over 400 rehabilitation and healthcare professionals were at the conference. Jill presented the results of a collaborative research project between TurningPoint, the Avon Breast Center at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta and Emory University. The intent of the project was to provide early rehabilitation intervention for underserved inner-city and minority women with breast cancer. Cathy presented TurningPoint’s model of evidence-based lymphedema care. The model includes early detection, patient education and, for women who develop lymphedema, a scientifically management strategy. Lauren Bober, TurningPoint Physical Therapist and Pilates Instructor, spoke at the Conference of Cancer Patient Navigators of Georgia about the Role of Physical Rehabilitation and Exercise for Cancer Patients. Lauren discussed early intervention, the benefits and importance of exercise for cancer survivors, the current recommendations for the frequency and duration and types of exercise for individuals with different types of cancers and gave recommendations on how to get patients involved with exercise.
The Milton Herald: Pink Affair Helps Beat Cancer
2014 Pink Affair helps beat breast cancer Gala at Country Club of the South Posted Wednesday, April 2, 2014 12:00 am Jonathan Copsey, Editor, Milton Herald JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The 13th annual Pink Affair fundraising gala was held Saturday, March 22 at the Country Club of the South in Johns Creek. More than 200 people were on hand for the festive event that benefits the nonprofit TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation. TurningPoint provides specialized and evidenced-based rehabilitation for women with breast cancer, including physical therapy, massage therapy, counseling and nutritional counseling. The Pink Affair was chaired by Kathy Smith, while the auction committee was led by David Bercaw. Dean Crownover served as the evening’s emcee and auctioneer. The evening included a competitive game of Heads or Tails, a silent auction with 100 items and a live auction featuring VIP tickets to the “Ellen DeGeneres Show,” a Georgia Tech cheerleading experience at a football game this fall and tickets to the practice round and Par 3 contest at the 2014 Masters Golf Tournament. Pink Affair sponsors included Oglethorpe Power, Kids R Kids Learning Academies, Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s, Autotrader.com and Sutherland. Read the full article here…
TurningPoint in AJC
