Your Support is Shaping the Future of Health
Thank you for your generous contribution to LYCEUM. Your support is making a lasting impact by advancing DNA Discovery with TriHealth—a groundbreaking population health and genomics research project. Through this initiative, 100,000 volunteers will have the opportunity to receive genetic screenings at no cost, helping them understand their risk for certain cancers and hereditary conditions. With your help, we’re empowering individuals with life-changing health insights and providing crucial genetic counseling for those in need. Together, we are transforming the future of healthcare, one discovery at a time.
Pictured left is Terri Hanlon-Bremer, Executive Vice President & System Chief Operating Officer of TriHealth
Over 400 people attended and enjoyed an evening of fun and excitement followed by a moderated conversation with guest speaker Suleika Jaouad.
By having a comprehensive look at a patient’s DNA, our healthcare providers will be able to make better plans to prevent illness before symptoms appear, find new treatments and give the right treatments when needed.
Andy Swallow, President & CEO of Bethesda Foundation & Good Samaritan Foundation
The Burden of Suffering Well
Suleika Jaouad spoke about the unspoken pressure placed on patients to "suffer well"—to display unwavering heroism and maintain a stoic façade despite the immense challenges of illness. She shared how this expectation can be isolating, making it difficult for patients to express the full spectrum of their emotions. Through her own journey, she highlighted the importance of allowing space for vulnerability and authenticity, rather than feeling the need to always appear strong.
“Live each day as if it’s your first.”
Finding Connection in Isolation
During her time in the hospital, Suleika experienced profound loneliness. However, writing her New York Times column became a bridge to the outside world, connecting her with people across the country who also faced illness or isolation. Inspired by these connections, she later embarked on a cross-country journey to meet some of them in person. Her experience reinforced the power of shared stories and human connection, reminding us that even in our most isolated moments, we are not alone.
A New Perspective on Living
Reflecting on her journey, Suleika shared how filming American Symphony with her husband, Jon Batiste, gave her insight into maintaining balance in a relationship where one partner is experiencing professional success while the other is facing illness. She also challenged the common advice to “live each day as if it’s your last,” which she found to be overwhelming. Instead, she adopted a different mindset: “Live each day as if it’s your first,” approaching life with curiosity and optimism rather than pressure. Her words serve as a reminder to embrace each day with fresh eyes and an open heart.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR SPONSORS
Through the program, participants and their health care providers receive important information about their potential risks for serious health conditions by testing for mutations in genes associated with increased risk of breast, ovarian, and colon cancer; and hereditary high cholesterol.
Courtney Rice, Director of Precision Medicine, TriHealth