WVU Cancer Institute

07/29/2026

💜 Every step brings hope.

Join us on Sunday, Sept. 13 at the West Virginia Botanic Garden as we walk together in honor of Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month.

🎗️ Free registration
👕 Free t-shirt
💜 A chance to make a difference

Together, we can celebrate survivors, support patients, and raise awareness for gynecologic cancers.

https://bit.ly/walkforgynecologiccancer

07/28/2026

💗 Something pink is coming… save the date! 💗

The Pink Party returns September 28 for an unforgettable evening celebrating Bonnie’s Bus and the thousands of women whose lives have been impacted by this incredible mobile screening program.

Join us for a night of connection, exciting auctions and raffles, and a whole lot of pink — all while supporting a program that brings lifesaving breast cancer screenings closer to home for communities across West Virginia.

🎀 Registration opens soon — stay tuned!

07/28/2026

Your voice matters.

Every patient and caregiver has a story. 💛 And every story has the power to make care better.

The WVU Cancer Institute Patient and Family Advisory Council brings together patients, survivors, caregivers, and loved ones to share experiences, offer ideas, and help improve the care we provide.

There's no pressure — just meaningful conversations in a welcoming, casual setting where your voice truly matters.

Interested in learning more? We'd love to have you join us. Contact Rebecca at [email protected] for more info.

07/27/2026

On World Head and Neck Cancer Day, we recognize the importance of early detection, innovative treatment, and the dedicated teams making a difference for patients every day. 💙

At the WVU Cancer Institute and WVU Medicine, our head and neck cancer team is leading the way in advanced, minimally invasive care through transoral robotic surgery (TORS) — helping patients receive highly specialized treatment close to home.

This year, the team celebrated a major milestone by completing its 250th TORS procedure, reflecting one of the nation's highest-volume head and neck robotic surgery programs. Using robotic technology and 3D imaging, TORS allows surgeons to remove many tumors through the mouth, often resulting in greater precision, fewer complications, and faster recovery.

We're proud of the exceptional team advancing head and neck cancer care across our region.

Read more about the TORS milestone ➡ https://wvumedicine.org/news/article/wvu-medicine/cancer-institute/through-the-mouth-surgery-offers-minimally-invasive-treatment-for-head-and-neck-cancers1/

07/24/2026

⛳️ What a day on the course for a great cause!

Last week, friends, supporters, and community members came together at Stonewall Resort for the Annual Golf & Sporting Clays Classic — and thanks to their incredible generosity, this year’s event raised more than $100,000 to support patients with cancer. 💙

Joined by our friends from 3 Guys Before the Game — Tony Caridi, Brad Howe, and Hoppy Kercheval — who helped host this incredible event, golfers and supporters enjoyed a day filled with friendly competition, camaraderie, and a shared commitment to helping our patients.

From great shots on the course to a special appearance by the Mountaineer, the day was filled with smiles, connection, and a true spirit of giving back.

Funds raised through the Classic support The Connection 304 and Live Like Brent Foundation funds, helping provide assistance for expenses like travel, lodging, prescriptions, and other challenges that can come with a cancer diagnosis.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, sponsored, volunteered, and helped make this record-breaking event possible. Your support is making a difference for patients and families across West Virginia. 🏌️‍♂️💛💙

07/24/2026

Thinking about a lung cancer screening, but not sure what to expect?

You're not alone. One of the biggest reasons people put off screening is simply not knowing what the process is like.

The good news? A lung cancer screening is quick, painless, and covered by most insurance plans for those who qualify. There's no IV, no fasting, and the scan itself takes less than two minutes.

In this blog, Kyle Chapman, MD, Medical Director of the WVU Cancer Institute Lung Cancer Screening Program, answers common questions, including:
✔️ Who should be screened
✔️ What happens during the appointment
✔️ How long it takes to get results
✔️ What happens if something is found

If you're between the ages of 50-80 and have a history of smoking, learning what to expect could be the first step toward protecting your health.

🔗 Read the blog: https://wvumedicine.org/news/article/wvu-medicine/expert-insights/what-to-expect-lung-cancer-screening/

07/23/2026

💛 July is Sarcoma and Bone Cancer Awareness Month.

Sarcomas are rare cancers that begin in the body's bones or soft tissues, including muscles, fat, blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. Because they can develop almost anywhere in the body and often have few symptoms in their early stages, they can be difficult to detect.

While sarcomas account for only about 1% of adult cancers, they are among the more common cancers diagnosed in children, adolescents, and young adults.

Knowing the signs can make a difference. Talk with your healthcare provider if you notice:
🔸 A lump that continues to grow or changes over time
🔸 Persistent bone pain, especially at night
🔸 Swelling or tenderness that doesn't improve
🔸 An unexplained fracture after a minor injury

Early diagnosis and specialized care are key.

At the WVU Cancer Institute, our multidisciplinary team works together to provide personalized treatment plans, advanced therapies, and compassionate support for patients facing sarcoma and bone cancers.

This month, join us in raising awareness, supporting patients and families, and helping more people recognize the signs of these rare cancers. 💛

07/22/2026

📅 You're invited!

Join us for the next Patient and Family Advisory Council meeting on Aug. 18.

This free, casual gathering is an opportunity for patients, survivors, caregivers, and loved ones to connect, share ideas, and help improve the experience for everyone who walks through the doors of the WVU Cancer Institute.

Whether you've attended before or are thinking about joining for the first time, we'd love to welcome you.

💛 Your experiences matter. Your ideas matter. And together, we can make a difference.

Patient and Family Advisory Council Meeting:
🗓️ Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 5 p.m.
📍 Panera Bread on Patteson Drive

Contact Rebecca at [email protected] for more info.

We hope to see you there!

07/22/2026

Cancer care is about more than treatment — it's about making life a little easier along the way. 💛

After traveling nearly 40 minutes each way for weekly treatments over six years, Penny Blackshire now receives the same high-quality cancer care just five minutes from home at the WVU Cancer Institute at WVU Medicine Fairmont Medical Center.

Less time on the road means more time to rest, spend with family, and focus on what matters most.

Stories like Penny's remind us why expanding access to cancer care across our state is so important. By bringing cancer services closer to home, we're helping reduce barriers to care while providing the compassionate, specialized treatment our patients deserve.

Read Penny's story and see how our regional expansion is making a difference for patients and families across the state. 💙💛

https://www.wvnews.com/wvumedicine/wvu-cancer-institute-expansion-gives-patients-more-time-to-heal/article_fcd682f1-c824-44ba-87a9-7ca05d8cde66.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawTNnIVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeMS5BEqJVYlAlB8rK2Lp0o2OPH6WBrHmNYKkUcJfQ899azJTPdVBpE6ZDPoQ_aem_t7cMOFIin_c76uFOCiahjg

FAIRMONT, W.Va. — A few months after the WVU Cancer Institute at WVU Medicine Fairmont Medical Center officially opened its doors last fall, Penny Blackshire transferred her cancer care to

07/21/2026

☀️ Sunshine is one of summer's greatest joys — but too much of it can leave a lasting mark.

July is UV Safety Awareness Month, and it's the perfect reminder that protecting your skin is more than avoiding a sunburn. Nearly all skin cancers are linked to ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure, making sun safety one of the easiest ways to lower your risk.

Make sun protection part of your routine:
🧴 Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)
🕶️ Wear sunglasses or a hat
👕 Cover up with protective clothing
🌳 Seek shade during peak UV hours
🔍 Check your skin regularly and talk to your healthcare provider about any new or changing spots.

A little prevention today can make a lifetime of difference. 💙