Portland, Ore.

Facing Forward mask exhibit, Well Arts performers also featured at event

Oregon cancer researcher Brian Druker, M.D., will discuss his internationally recognized breakthrough in leukemia treatment, Gleevec, with cancer survivors and their families at this year's Cancer Survivors Day event on Sunday, June 3, from 2 * 4 p.m. at the World Forestry Center near the Washington Park Zoo.

Gleevec made national headlines earlier this month when the drug was approved by the FDA in record time for treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia. Days later at the nation's largest cancer conference, it was announced that Gleevec also worked in clinical trials on a previously untreatable intestinal cancer. The drug, which Druker developed in collaboration with Novartis Pharmaceuticals, has been hailed as the first of a new class of molecularly targeted therapies against cancer.

Also featured at the Survivors Day event is Facing Forward, an art project which displays three-dimensional masks created by cancer patients that express their emotions about dealing with their disease, and Well Arts Institute, a troupe of actors performing stories written by former cancer patients. Music, food and information will be available for survivors, their families and friends to enjoy. The event is free and open to the public. Call 503 813-2000 for more information.

The event is co-sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, Legacy Health System, Providence Health System and Oregon Health & Science University.