Greenwich resident Robin Bennett Kanarek was a registered nurse working with patients suffering from chronic medical conditions when her 10-year-old son, David, was diagnosed with leukemia. As he endured grueling treatments, Kanarek realized how often medical professionals overlook critical psychological, emotional and spiritual support for people with life-threatening illnesses. Her experience prompted her to write”¯the new “Living Well with a Serious Illness” (Johns Hopkins University), the culmination of decades of her work to advance palliative care.
The book is a practical guide to understanding how palliative care can improve quality of life for patients and their caregivers. Although it is often associated with hospice and end-of-life planning, Kanarek argues for a more expanded definition that incorporates it earlier in patients”™ journeys. Her book considers the importance of seeing patients as individuals who can benefit from care for their bodies, minds and spirits ”“ the core tenet of palliative care.
Kanarek believes this book is timely because of the growing number of individuals who are over 65 and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that shows six in 10 adults in this country have a chronic disease.
“Based on my personal experience, I believe that the public needs to be educated about the benefits of palliative care and health-care providers need clarification on what it encompasses,” she said. “It is my hope that this book will be that resource for both audiences and that, in advancing the conversation about palliative care, I can pay tribute to David and help other families.”
In addition to her roles as a mother, nurse and palliative care advocate, Kanarek serves as president of the”¯Kanarek Family Foundation (KFF), whose mission is to improve quality of life for those affected by serious, life-threatening conditions through promoting, integrating and educating the medical industry and the public about palliative and supportive care in all areas of health care. To date, grants from KFF have resulted in educational and training programs at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, George Washington University”™s Institute for Spirituality & Health and Fairfield University”™s Egan School of Nursing, as well as the creation of the Kanarek Center for Palliative Care at Fairfield University.
Kanarek ”“ whose philanthropic parents, Carl and Dorothy Bennett, founded the Caldor retail group and gave their names to Stamford Hospital”™s Carl & Dorothy Bennett Cancer Center ”“ has been published in a number of clinical journals and has presented her work at numerous health conferences, universities and medical institutions. For more, visit here.”¯
”¯“Living Well with a Serious Illness””¯is available on Amazon”¯here. Proceeds from the book will be used to continue to improve palliative care and to honor what Kanarek has called “David”™s short but remarkable life.” ”“ edited by Georgette Gouveia
