Dee Dee Jonrowe

MARSHALL TWP, Allegheny County — Sometimes laughter isn't the best medicine, but it helps.

Humor, biofeedback and other symptom management therapies will be presented through Healing Journey, a program for cancer survivors, family and friends Oct. 14 at the Four Points Sheraton-Pittsburgh North.

Alternative therapies like laughter compliment traditional treatment, said Rebecca Whitlinger, executive director of the Cancer Caring Center in Pittsburgh. Patients that practice symptom management report benefits in addition to traditional treatment, she said.

Cancer survivors and those touched by the disease are also given the opportunity to connect with others in similar situations.

"It really helps not only the patients, but the caregivers as well," said Jodi Lech, clinical pharmacist with Medical Center Clinic, a subsidiary of the West Penn Allegheny Health System.

This year's featured speaker is DeeDee Jonrowe, a breast cancer survivor and 25-year veteran of the Iditarod sled dog race in Alaska.

Jonrowe began mushing dogs in the grueling 1,000-mile race in 1980, according to her biography. Since then, she has recorded 13 top-10 finishes, the fastest time of any woman in the race and, in 1998, the fifth-fastest time recorded at that point.

The 2002 race took place just three weeks after her final chemotherapy cancer treatment, Lech said. Her presentation reflects her inner strength.

"A lot of it deals with finding the hope to go on," she said.

To aid the healing process, complementary forms of medicine like humor and biofeedback will be presented by Dr. Paul Friday, Janet Ziegler, R.N., and Dr. Nancy Mramor.

Friday is chief of clinical psychology at UPMC Shadyside. Friday is also a consultant on psychological character development for the CBS show "The Guardian" and author of "Friday's Laws: How to Become Normal When You're Not and How to Stay Normal When You Are."

Ziegler, a clinical nurse specialist for Medical Center Clinic, performs biofeedback, voice analysis and therapeutic touch therapies in Butler and other locations.

Mramor is a licensed clinical, health and educational psychologist specializing in education and health issues.

"Most patients leave there feeling refreshed ... spiritual," Lech said. "They find out they're not alone.

"I think that's one of the best parts — getting survivors together and hearing stories of hope."

<B>WHAT: </B>Healing Journey, a program for cancer survivors<B>WHEN: </B>8:30 a.m. Saturday<B>WHERE:</B>Sheraton Four Points, Marshall Township, Allegheny County<B>COST: </B>Free<B>TO REGISTER: </B>Call 412-770-1816 by Wednesday