New Patient Services Access Manager

We are excited to introduce the new North Texas Patient Access Manager. Dawn Guerrero comes to LLS after recently completing her Masters in Business Administration degree at the local Argosy University campus here in Dallas. She has experience with multiple non profits including the Red Cross in Virginia.  Dawn will be working directly with all of our patients. She took a few minutes to answer a few questions so we can all meet her.

1. Tell us about your nonprofit background.  
For seven years I worked with the American Red Cross in Virginia running the regional stem cell donor program.  There we educated and recruited donors and then facilitated the donation process when a match was found.

2. What attracted you to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society?

When I saw the opening for Patient Access Manager, I knew it was the perfect fit for my skills and interests.  Now I can impact more lives by supporting patients directly.  
 
3. Tell us about your history in working with patients and the cancer industry.

My past experience was on the donor side of the transplant world.  My center facilitated both bone marrow transplants and peripheral blood cell transplants.  My center was one of the first centers to perform an allogeneic PBSC donation through the National Marrow Donor Program.
4. What are you most looking forward to with interacting with the North Texas Community?
Impacting lives and making sure the services that are needed in the community are readily available. 

5. What do you want people to know about you?
I grew up an avid soccer player and even played on a German women’s professional team when I was younger.  I continue my obsession with sports by now watching soccer, football, hockey and tennis as a fan. After tearing my ACL I decided to switch to a tamer sport, tennis, in order to stay active.

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Dawn Guerrero is the Patient Access Manager of the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and author of this monthly blog series.  She has a Masters in Business Administration and has experience working with varied aspects of the healthcare industry. 

Contact Dawn:

Dawn.Guerrero@lls.org 
972-996-5905

North Texas Cancer Expo: Full Schedule Released

After much anticipation, the full schedule for the 2017 LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE North Texas Cancer Expo presented by Briggs Equipment is now available!  Review the sessions available at this FREE event on Saturday, September 16th and reserve your seats by registering today!

8:00 AM - Expo & Registration Opens

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM - Opening Session

Welcome
Patricia Thomson, Ph.D., Executive Director North Texas Chapter
Don Armstrong, Expo Chair & Survivor

9:45 AM - 10:15 AM - Concurrent Morning Breakout Sessions

Movement and Yoga
Start your day with an energizing easy yoga session with tips on how to stay fit.

The New Normal
Join keynote speaker Lila Javan as she discusses life after cancer and finding balance in survivorship.

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM - Concurrent Morning Breakout Sessions

Disease Updates
Hear the latest in groundbreaking research updates from a panel of top oncologists in North Texas.

Finish Your Race
Author and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) survivor Don Armstrong empowers you to find your true purpose and live with an unstoppable passion.

11:15 AM - 11:45 AM - Concurrent Morning Breakout Sessions

Cancer Prevention Through Nutrition
Enjoy an educational cooking demonstration and tasting with certified nutritional coach and culinary instructor, Patricia R. Thomson, Ph.D.

Let's Talk About Cancer
A diverse panel of caregivers and survivors discuss the lines of communication patients face during cancer diagnosis and treatment. 

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM - Lunch & Keynote Speaker

Lunch Welcome
Patricia R. Thomson, Ph.D., Executive Director, North Texas Chapter
Dr. Brian Berryman, Texas Oncology

Keynote Speaker
Lila Javan, Survivor

1:15 PM – 1:45 PM – Concurrent Afternoon Breakout Sessions

Food Saved Me
Let Katherine Lawrence show you how you can cook faster, retain more nutrients, remove toxins and reduce food costs.

Side Effect Management
Join Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy, and LLS partner, as experts share the best ways to manage the effects of cancer treatment.

2:00 PM – 2:30 PM – Concurrent Afternoon Breakout Sessions

Mindfulness and Meditation
Research shows that meditation can improve everything from memory to mental acuity to anxiety.  Join our meditation coach for tips to use every day.

Survivorship Panel
Survivors and parents of survivors share their experiences and answer questions about survivorship at all stages post-treatment.

3:00 PM – Expo Closes

Susan Lang Pay-it-Forward Patient Travel Assistance

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is proud to introduce the Susan Lang Pay-it-Forward Patient Travel Assistance program.  Blood cancer patients who qualify for this program will receive a credit card for their treatment-related travel expenses in an effort to help eliminate out of pocket expenses.

Patient eligibility requirements:

• Applicants (patients) must be US citizens or permanent residents which is verified by applicant's physical address; and
• Applicants must have a confirmed diagnosis of blood cancer; and
• Applicants may be insured or uninsured; and
• Applicants must meet financial eligibility criteria defined as an annual income at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)

A one-time grant of $500 is available for qualified patients per year:

• Awards are limited to one per patient, per year; and
• Awards are based upon first-come first-serve basis; and
• The program will be offered for as long as funding is available

Patients who qualify can learn more about the program and APPLY HERE.

About Susan Lang:

At a young age, Susan Lang was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).  At a difficult time in Susan’s journey, the seemingly impossible happened. Her family received much needed financial assistance from friends, neighbors and even people she did not know. Unfortunately, Susan died at the age of 14. Since her passing, Susan’s family committed to “paying it forward,” and has supported LLS in their New Jersey community, to help other patients and families dealing with blood cancers. Now, through an act of great generosity, Susan’s family has made it possible to provide assistance to more patients through the LLS Patient Travel Assistance Program.

Patient Access Manager: Meet Seetha Modi

“The two most important days of your life are the day you’re born, and the day you figure out why.”  

I remember this quote hanging on the wall in my high school library.  I would stare at it often as it was right by the spot where I spent my free study periods.  At seventeen, it didn't mean much to me.  First of all, I obviously already had everything figured out.  The only thing that confused me was why all the adults did not appreciate my infinite wisdom.  Secondly, navigating high school life and preparing for college was already a full-time job that didn't leave much extra time for reflecting on the meaning of life.  It is only now, starting my new full-time job as Access Manager at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), that I am thinking back to those days, that quote, and how I found my new purpose. 

My journey to LLS started in 2012.  The holiday season had begun, but we didn’t know that the unwelcome presence of blood cancer had quietly invaded our home.  Three days before Christmas, our lives changed.  As other families toasted with glasses of port, we were scheduling a port placement procedure.  Like a string of lights, a series of events began.  Each dependent on the other to move forward.  Waiting. Hurrying. A reluctant patient and eager caregivers doing our best to navigate new roles we never wanted.  Fortunately, our journey ended in remission.  Unfortunately, LLS was not a part of it. 

A few of my friends were part of Team in Training (TNT).  I went to their fundraisers, supported them on their runs, and never recognized TNT as an LLS campaign.  I first heard of LLS as an organization when I was talking to a friend about my experience.  I Googled LLS after our lunch and discovered the wealth of resources LLS offers to support patients and their families.  Wow! If only I had known. . . 

That if is what gives me my purpose today.  People need to know about these services when it matters, and sharing that message in our community makes me feel that my work matters.  I am the voice of blood cancer patients in the North Texas community.  To the facility administrators who don’t know how they can improve blood cancer care: Hear me.  LLS is here for you.  To the legislator trying to make the system better: Hear me.  LLS is here for you.  To the oncology professionals that guide so many through their journeys with care: Hear me.  LLS is here for you.  To those who are fighting for their lives and refuse to let a diagnosis define them: Hear me.  LLS is here for you.  To the friend who wants to help, but doesn’t know what to say or do: Hear me. LLS is here for you.  To the family members sleeping on hospital couches and living off cafeteria food: Hear me.  LLS is here for you.  I am here for you. 

Throughout this blog series, I will highlight some of our most popular services so you can learn more about the ways LLS is here for you.  On a personal note, thank you to the North Texas community for welcoming me with open arms.  I started this job thinking I would be the one supporting you, yet I am the one who is continually inspired by the love, strength, and hope I see every day in all of you. 

Looking forward to meeting you.

Seetha

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Seetha Modi is the Patient Access Manager of the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and author of this monthly blog series.  She has an Masters in Public Health and has experience working with varied aspects of the healthcare industry, including hospitals, the CDC and other health-related nonprofit organizations.

Contact Seetha:

Seetha.Modi@lls.org

(972) 996-5905

North Texas Patients Need YOUR Help

The North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) continuously strives to improve the patient experience for those diagnosed with blood cancers.  Recent feedback from a number of local patients has revealed a need for a resource packet at the point of diagnosis.  Here is where WE NEED YOU.  We need your feedback and advice to best arm newly diagnosed blood cancer patients with questions they should ask, resources they should seek out, products that help combat the impact of chemotherapy treatments, and more.

Please take this short 10 question survey  and share your knowledge with people who desperately need your help right now.

Share this survey with other blood cancer patients who may also be able to add advice for others.

Thank you for taking time to help fellow patients in North Texas.

Light The Night: Team Texas Oncology

The North Texas Light The Night Walks (LTN) are filled with inspiring teams, incredible stories and motivated fundraisers.  The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) feels that it is important to highlight some of the teams that made a real impact this year.

Texas Oncology Fort Worth is a longtime supporter of LLS, our patients and the Light The Night Walk.  This year the 16-person team raised nearly $3,300 before and during the event for LLS and its goal to create a world without blood cancers.

Pattie and Lori, co-captains of Team Texas Oncology Fort Worth, answered a couple questions about their team and its motivation to participate.

Why did you create a team to participate in the 2014 Light The Night Walk?
To fundraise for a charity that gives directly back to the patients that we serve.

Tell us about your walk experience.
The walk was wonderful.  It was perfect weather to take a walk through Trinity Park.  What an awesome sight it was to see all the red, gold and white lanterns illuminating our way.  It is truly something to see.

How did your company/employees benefit from this event?
All coming together for one purpose - to give back to our patients.

What was your favorite part/parts of the event?
Being able to interact with fellow employees and patients with their families outside of the clinic setting.

Team Texas Oncology Fort Worth was one of several medical facilities that participated in the 2014 Light The Night Walks that helped to raise more than $1.3 million in North Texas alone.  Thank you to all who supported the event.