Signup extended for ‘Diet & Nutrition for the Cancer Journey’
– free public event on Saturday, Oct. 4, at UH Cancer Center in Kaka‘ako
Expert presentations, cooking demonstrations and more, offered in person and virtually via new Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community patient-support program
September 29, 2025
The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center announces that it is expanding participation opportunities for “Diet & Nutrition for the Cancer Journey,” a free public event on Saturday, Oct. 4, at the center in Kaka‘ako, timed for Breast Cancer Awareness Month:
- Pre-registration for attendees, which is strongly encouraged, has been extended until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2. Register at: go.hawaii.edu/uVm
- Walk-ins are also welcome on Saturday, Oct. 4.
- A livestream option will be available to registrants who cannot attend in person. (Link will be sent after registration.)
This exciting event aims to teach participants about how diet and nutrition play a vital role in supporting all cancer patients, as well as anyone affected or concerned by cancer.
“Diet & Nutrition for the Cancer Journey”
An ‘Ohana Pink event presented by the Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community of the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 | 8-11 a.m.
Sullivan Conference Center at the UH Cancer Center
701 Ilalo Street, Honolulu
UHCancerCenter.org/cancercare
Attendees will have the opportunity to:
- Learn about nutrition’s role in cancer care,
- Hear from nationally recognized researchers at the UH Cancer Center and community partners who are at the forefront of innovative studies aimed at improving patient care and outcomes,
- Explore innovative research and cultural insights,
- View a live cooking demonstration,
- Access local farmers' resources,
- Connect with supportive community organizations, and
- Meet cancer survivors and others in Hawai‘i's cancer community.
This workshop is part of a quarterly series offered under the new Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community, a patient-support and -empowerment program launched in April 2025 at the UH Cancer Center. The program is named for its founder, the late Susan Hirano,
who was a patient advocate, and a Hope Ambassador for the UH Cancer Center. “CARE” in the program’s name stands for “Community, Awareness, Research, and Emotional Well-Being.”
“By offering free workshops such as this one, the UH Cancer Center is broadening its scope: Not only are we conducting cutting-edge scientific research and innovative clinical trials, and strong community outreach, but we aim to support Hawaiʻi’s past and current patients through every phase of the journey, with care and aloha,” said UH Cancer Center Director Dr. Naoto T. Ueno.
“Nutrition plays a vital role in how patients respond to therapy, how they recover, and how they live with and beyond cancer,” said Dr. Jami Fukui, Chief of Clinical Breast Oncology for the Ka ʻUmeke Lama program at the UH Cancer Center, a leader of the Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community, and ‘Ohana Pink founder. “This workshop will give insights rooted in both science and culture for people who are on the cancer journey.”
Peter Hirano, husband of Susan Hirano, the late founder of the Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community program, added: “Susan believed passionately that no one should face cancer alone — that education, community connection, and aloha are as fundamental as medical treatments. This latest event carries forward her vision.”
Experts featured at “Diet & Nutrition for the Cancer Journey” include:
- Sharon Ka'iulani Odom, RD, MPH; Executive Director, Hawai‘i Good Food Alliance; breast cancer survivor and cultural practitioner, who will speak on, “Nutrition: a Patient and Cultural Practitioner Perspective,” and
- Tammy Mahealani Smith, Native Hawaiian Chef and Cultural Practitioner, who will conduct a cooking demonstration in the center’s Metabolic Kitchen.
To register and learn more: go.hawaii.edu/uVm
For more information about the Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community: UHCancerCenter.org/cancercare
For more information on the UH Cancer Center: UHCancerCenter.org
