Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish Marks Two Years As Cancer Survivor

Portland, Ore. – Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish just marked two years as a cancer survivor. He says it’s challenging, fighting the cancer every day, but all the love and support of others is helping with healing. Fish was the keynote speaker at a special launch event last night for a new Cancer Treatment and Research center in Southeast Portland. KXL’s Jacob Dean caught up with him.

Cancer is the number one killer of Asian Americans in the U.S. OHSU research shows many Asians who get cancer never have it diagnosed or treated.
That’s why this first of it’s kind center is coming to the Lents neighborhood of S.E. Portland. Local leaders held a launch party at the center Thursday night.

Read more: PIONEERING ASIAN CANCER RESOURCE AND SUPPORT CENTER TO OPEN IN LENTS NEIGHBORHOOD

Regional leaders on Cancer research and treatment are gathering together with leaders from multiple Asian communities to celebrate the launch of a pioneering new Center providing culturally specific resources and support for cancer patients and families in Asian communities, located in the Lents neighborhood at 9035 SE Foster, in Portland.

The celebration will feature a first-hand account of the bewildering challenges for Asian cancer patients and families who struggle to access the support they need, from diagnosis to treatment and follow-through support during remission. Their personal stories bring a face to the OHSU-funded research showing a disparity in cancer diagnosis and treatment outcomes for Asian populations in the Portland area.

AHSC Board President Doctor Erik Szeto will moderate a panel discussion of oncologists and public health leaders, including representatives from the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society and Care Oregon. City Commissioner Nick Fish, himself a cancer survivor and an active proponent of the new Asian Cancer Resource and Support Center, will also participate on the panel and will be available for interview.

“This new Asian Cancer Resource and Support Center fills a regional need for culturally and linguistically specific cancer support services for the region’s growing and diverse Asian communities,” says AHSC Executive Director Holden Leung. “This project will prolong lives and bring enormous relief to thousands of families.” The new center will provide culturally-specific patient navigation services and support groups in four languages (Vietnamese, Korean, Cantonese and Mandarin).