Beat AML Master Clinical Trial in North Texas

LLS Investing in Cures

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is at the center of the Food & Drug Administration's (FDA) innovative decision to allow a nonprofit organization to lead its own clinical trial.  The target: acute myeloid leukemia (AML).  It is the deadliest form of leukemia and has not seen a new treatment option in more than 40 years.

LLS Investing in Patients

LLS is dedicating more than $125 million to the Beat AML initiative, which is focused on creating new treatment options for AML patients.  LLS is harnessing the efforts of geneticists, pharmaceutical companies, government agencies and healthcare facilities in this revolutionary approach to creating new therapies.

LLS Investing in North Texas

Dr. Robert Collins, Jr., a member of the North Texas LLS Medical Advisory Board and LLS-funded researcher, has been charged with the task of leading the ONLY Beat AML trial in the south at UT Southwestern Medical Center Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center.  Dr. Collins is currently accepting newly diagnosed AML patients as part of the Beat AML Master Trial.  Click here to learn more.

Hear More From Dr. Collins

Intrigued?  You can hear more about the Beat AML trial from Dr. Collins at the FREE North Texas Cancer Expo on Saturday, September 16th.  Registration for this session is limited and expected to fill quickly.

www.ntxcancerexpo.org

 Click on the image below to hear Dr. Collins talk about the Master Trial

Volunteer Spotlight: Kendall Childers

Kendall Childers is a key volunteer leader in organizing this September's 11th Annual North Texas Blood Cancer Conference and inaugural NTX Cancer Expo.  She wears many hats but her key focus is on creating a seamless registration process for conference and expo participants and volunteers.  Kendall has also held two very successful third party fundraising events for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).  Below she explains why she dedicates her time to our organization:

"My paternal grandfather had leukemia for almost all of my childhood. He fought hard for 13 years and passed away the summer after I turned 21.  I have almost no memories of him without cancer, and my younger brother has none.

I remember exactly where I was when my parents sat us down to tell us the Poppa Tubby was sick. It was surreal. I remember hearing good news and bad news, visiting him in the hospital, visiting him at home and watching him hide some of his pills in the ottoman cushion because he had to take so many. What I remember most was that no matter what he always had a smile on his face and he always wanted to talk about his grandkids and what was going on in our life.

Cancer made him weaker than he was before and it took away his ability to play a full round of golf, but it never once took his spirit. His doctor told him to stop drinking so he switched to singles instead of doubles, maybe not the best thing, but it was his way of holding on to normalcy, his way of saying cancer can have my body but it can't have my mind. Poppa Tubby was my hero, he quickly became the strongest, most brave man I knew, and still is in my eyes today.

He got almost all of his treatment at the City of Hope in California and told his doctors to make him a guinea pig. He was open to any new experimental treatment he could qualify for and for several of those he was the only or one of only a handful that made it through treatment. I think that spirit is what attracted me most to LLS. The amount of money the organization dedicates to research is amazing and it's that research that allowed my grandpa to make it to my high school graduation and buy me a legal drink (two goals he set for himself). Someday is today...this speaks to me because I want more than ever for there to be a day where no one else has to lose their hero."

Registration for the North Texas Blood Cancer Conference and Cancer Expo will open later this month.  Both events are full of pertinent information to ALL cancer patients, survivors caregivers, nurses and social workers.  The events are free but registration is required.  Learn more about both events and the topics that will be covered here. 

Patient Education: Making Informed Choices about Standard Care and Clinical Trials

How are the best cancer treatment decisions made?  While doctors are experts on malignancies and treatments, it is important to remember that survivors are the experts on themselves and their journey.  The best decisions are made when both groups are involved.  

Come hear Dr. Alan Miller, Director of the Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center and Chief of Oncology for the Baylor Health Care System, talk about steps you should take to make informed treatment decisions.  Dr. Miller is a leading researcher who can help remove the mystery surrounding clinical trials and give you a framework to evaluate standard care vs. clinical trial options for your own treatment.   The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session with Dr. Miller, an oncology nurse, and a survivor familiar with clinical trials so you can get your own burning questions answered.  

Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity to hear from one of our premiere local experts and learn more about all the ways The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society can support you.  This free event is open to the public, but space is limited.  Register today: https://www.llsform.org/0110FS01/patienteducation/index.html

I hope to see you there!

Your friend, 

Seetha

___________________________________________________________________________________

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

Did You Know: Information Resource Center

North Texas Deputy Executive Director
Stacey Russell (left) with Executive Director
Patricia Thomson (right).

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) offers a number of support services for blood cancer patients and their families, one of which is the Information Resource Center.  Stacey Russell, the North Texas Deputy Executive Director, recently took advantage of the system and sent the following email out to the North Texas Staff.

"Hi everyone,

If you did not know or have not utilized the Information Resource Center (IRC) yourself, you should!  I called today to ask for assistance in finding out about a new clinical trial option for one of our long time supporters whose husband is battling myeloma.  I started with the IRC because they have an amazing clinical trial search right there online.  I tried navigating the website myself, however, it asks for personal information about the patient for eligibility and I did not have that information.  So I picked up the phone and called the IRC.  I have worked at LLS for 13 years and this is the first time I have ever called this line and I don't know why I waited - it was incredible!  

I spoke with Beatrice at the IRC about a couple clinical trial options.  She didn't have the exact information I needed (start date, application process, etc.) but said she would find out and get back to me.  She did and sent me two emails with two different clinical trial options and an article about more information on immunotherapy for myeloma.  Absolutely amazing!  Part of what we do everyday makes the IRC possible and what if, just what if, it works for them!  Miracles in the making, at least let’s hope!  

Thank you all!

Stacey"

We encourage you to reach out to the IRC if you have questions about any of the following:
- Clinical Trials
- Updated disease information
- Financial matters
- Education materials
- Patient education programs
- LLS discussion boards
- Help communicating with a member of your healthcare team

The IRC is open from 9:00 am - 9:00 pm EST for calls at (800) 955-4572.  If you don't feel like talking on the phone, you can chat online or send an email.  Interpreters are available in 170 different languages.

We encourage you to take advantage of this resource.

Patient Education: Making Informed Choices about Standard Care and Clinical Trials

Hello North Texas,

Clinical Trials can be a mysterious medical term that people don’t really understand.  They are a very important part of medical advancement because they pave the way for new treatments and medications. Come and spend some time with Dr. Robert Collins, an LLS-funded researcher right here in North Texas, who is involved in conducting Clinical Trials at U.T. Southwestern and learn more about the process of finding the next step in treating and curing  cancer.

Your friend, 

Susan

_______________________________________________________________________________

Susan Allen is the Patient Access Manager of the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and author of this monthly blog series.  She is a 22-year Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor, registered nurse and a Certified Nurse Navigator.

Contact Susan:
Susan.Allen@lls.org
(972) 996-5905