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

Free Patient Education Event: The 3 F's of Cancer

Please make plans to join us for the FREE Patient Education Event on April 7th. 

Register here

Eating & Cancer Prevention: 5 Questions With Patricia R. Thomson, Ph.D.

North Texas Executive Director Patricia R. Thomson, Ph.D. is hosting four free classes centered around how your diet can play a role in cancer prevention and survival.  She sat down and answered five questions about the connection between cancer prevention and what you put on your plate.  

What peaked your interest to learn more and get a Plant Based Nutrition certification to teach others about healthy eating?

I began eating healthy over 7 years ago as the result of a radio show I heard.  Dr. Joel Fuhrman was talking about the wonders of eating a plant-based diet.  I had been on blood pressure and cholesterol medicine and thought I was a victim of my genetics.  Everything changed for me after that.  Because of the results I have seen I want to share what I know with others who may not have heard that you can take control of your health.  Empowerment is the key to great health.

What is the most common misconception you’ve heard about healthy eating?

When people hear that I eat a plant-based diet they think I eat lettuce for every meal.  While greens are important they are just one component of such a varied diet.  I eat more now than I ever have and I have stacks and files of recipes.  There are so many options.  Pizza, pastas, tacos, chilis, soups, wraps, the list goes on.   I think people will get excited when they see all of the delicious food you can eat and not adversely affect their health or weight.

What is the top take-away you would like session participants to learn?

You have the power to control what goes on your plate- the power to determine if you live a healthy life.  By filling your plate with healthy options you leave less and less room for the unhealthy foods.  Soon you will not want to have those unhealthy foods around because you will feel so good eating all of your new healthy choices.  We are not victims of our genetics – you can overcome your genetic destiny and chart a new healthy course for your life.

Some worry that eating healthy can be too expensive to maintain.  How do you address that?

While you can spend all of your money buying exotic foods, eating healthy can be very basic.  Buying frozen fruits and vegetables, dried pastas and rice and canned goods is a great way to start out. I buy a lot of my groceries at Costco or Kroger.  Good healthy food does not have to cost a lot.  Making rice or pasta bowls filled with veggies, rice, beans, sauces, and pastas is a quick way to prepare a healthy meal that everyone will love.  The key to eating healthy is to make it easy and great tasting.  Plus, it can be a way for families to plan the menu together and have fun putting the meals together.  Teaching healthy eating habits at an early age sets children up for a lifetime of success.

Say someone would like to learn more about healthy eating.  Where should they go?

Well, first I would suggest that they come to my classes.  Even if they can only make one or two I will be providing a ton of resources, recipes and information to get them on their way.  Plus, I have a website that everyone can access to find out more about healthy eating.  Two hours on a Saturday will be well worth the investment.  

Learn more about her classes and how you can sign up for them by clicking here.

NTX Blood Cancer Conference: We Want to Know What You Think!

As September Blood Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, we think back to two of the North Texas Chapter's largest patient-focused events: the 11th Annual North Texas Blood Cancer Conference and the Inaugural North Texas Cancer Expo.

If you attended either event, we want to know what you thought!  

Below are the links to three different 10-question surveys.
Please select the survey that applies to you.

I attended the NTX Blood Cancer Conference - General Session CLICK HERE
I attended the NTX Blood Cancer Conference - Health Care Professional CLICK HERE
I attended the NTX Cancer Expo  CLICK HERE

Your participation in filling out this survey will help us continue to make this event one that helps patients, survivors, caregivers and healthcare professionals better equipped to handle a cancer diagnosis.

Thank you for your continued support.

NTX Blood Cancer Conference: Pediatric-Focused Sessions

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND: The North Texas Blood Cancer Conference is pleased to re-introduce a number of pediatric-focused elements to the break-out session line-up.  These sessions are filling quickly so do not delay in securing your seat in one of these sessions:

Too Young for This: Talking to Children about Cancer

Caitlin Arndt, CCLS, Children's Health

9:45 a.m. - 10:25 a.m. Session

A Zone of Our Own: Adolescent & Young Adult Panel Discussion

Fort Worth Adolescent & Young Adult Oncology Council

10:30 a.m. - 11:10 a.m. Session

What's New in Pediatric Blood Cancers?

Paul Bowman, M.D., Cook Children's Medical Center

11:15 a.m. - 12:25 p.m. Session

Why, Mommy?  Parenting a Child With Cancer

Brittany Blake, M.S., CCLS, Medical City Children's Hospital

2:45 p.m. - 3:25 p.m. Session

The North Texas Cancer Expo is also hosting a number of events designed for children, including a kid zone, arts and craft area and a pet therapy center.

www.ntxbloodcancerconference.org

Patient Education: Survivorship Panel

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society invites you to join us for an evening of open conversation about the many faces of survivorship.  Survivors can be people who watch and wait, people who are on maintenance therapy, people who have experienced relapse, and people who have only known remission.  Hear how people across the survivorship spectrum have dealt with life after a cancer diagnosis. Tracy Mazour, RN, MSN, OCN will lead the discussion and make sure you get YOUR questions answered. Join us for a Dinner and Dialogue on June 22nd from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at The Reata in Fort Worth.

This free event is open to the public, but space is limited.  Register online here.  

I hope to see you there!

Your friend, 

Seetha

Registration and More Details Here

_______________________________________________________________________________

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

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

National Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week

This week is National Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week.  This is a very important demographic of cancer patients for a number of reasons. Read below as we highlight the challenges this underserved group faces during and after treatment. 

Why are AYAs (adolescents & young adults) an underserved population? 

AYAs are defined by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as people diagnosed with cancer when they are 15-39 years old.  This range covers a specific biological and developmental time frame that encompasses different needs than young children or older adults.   This is important because cancer is the leading disease-related cause of death in 15-39 year-olds.  Since this group is in such a critical growth & reproductive phase they face a unique set of medical issues when faced with cancer.  A few examples include delays in diagnosis, limited access to required specialists, unknown responsiveness to treatments since they do not fit pediatric or adult models, concerns about the impact on future fertility/sexuality and psychological issues.  Despite this great need, AYAs have low enrollment in clinical trials due to restricted access and options.  

  

How prevalent are blood cancers in this demographic?

Cancer is the leading disease-related cause of death in adolescents and young adults (AYAs).  About 70,000 young people (ages 15-39) are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States – accounting for about 5 percent of cancer diagnoses in the United States. Leukemias and  lymphomas are the most common cancers among 15-24-year-olds.  

How is this group unique?

Adolescents and young adults are at a unique stage in their emotional, cognitive, and social development, which cancer often disrupts. Many younger AYAs are in the midst of taking steps to establish independence from their parents and to complete school or enter a desired career. Older AYAs are focused on ways to progress in the workforce toward a desired career goal, to find a life partner, and to raise a family. A cancer diagnosis often temporarily, and sometimes permanently, derails these plans.  

What resources do adults and young adults with cancer have at their disposal?

While there are resources for pediatric and adult oncology patients, the resources tailored to the AYA population are lacking.  This population faces many short- and long-term health and psychosocial consequences of cancer diagnosis and treatment, but many programs for cancer treatment, survivorship care, and psychosocial support do not focus on the specific needs of AYA cancer patients.  The need is noteworthy, so much so that The Institute of Medicine’s National Cancer Policy Forum convened a public workshop to identify the unique care requirements for this population.  

How is LLS helping address these needs?

The North Texas Chapter Patient Access team is currently planning an educational event this spring for this demographic.  It will provide an overview of current research geared towards AYAs and discuss how oncology programs can best suit their needs.  Additional information about this program will be released shortly.  Contact Seetha Modi with any questions.

Patient Access Manager: National Social Worker Month

March is National Social Worker Month and we salute the more than 25,000 social workers in the North Texas community.  This year's theme  "Forging Solutions out of Challenges" perfectly encapsulates the work that these individuals do for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and our patients on a daily basis.  Social workers are critical to a patient who is looking for help and guidance while trying to juggle a cancer diagnosis, arduous treatment regimen, financial and legal concerns, just to name a few.

While most people think of social workers as support during treatment, they are truly a part of the entire cancer journey.  This is why LLS is dedicated to help these dedicated individuals stay up to date on the latest treatments, therapies and support services for these patients.  LLS offers 4.5 FREE CEUs to social workers as part of the Blood Cancer Conference & Cancer Expo.

We work closely with the social workers and case management teams to ensure that LLS resources are available to all who can benefit from our services.  Every day there are men and women right here in our community who go above and beyond the call of duty to help families during their blood cancer journey.  

In honor of national social work month, I invite you to thank a social worker who has touched your life.  My heartfelt gratitude to all the providers who are dedicated to serving our blood cancer community every day! 

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

LLS/Baylor Patient Advocate: Myeloma Support Group

March is Myeloma Awareness Month and the perfect time to highlight a free support group that is open to everybody at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. 

Every second Saturday, the North Texas Myeloma Support Group meets at Baylor on the 10th floor of the Sammons Cancer Center from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. This group is a wonderful group of men and women that are patients and caregivers; some of whom are 10+ year survivors, some are newly diagnosed, and everywhere in between. The group has speakers who discuss new drug therapies, nutrition, caregiver support, and many other topics specific to their disease.

At a recent meeting, we had a few newcomers to the group, some of whom had recently been diagnosed with multiple myeloma. There is so much information out there to sift through – which doctors specialize in treating myeloma, what treatment to do, what the numbers mean, and how to cope. These patients and caregivers who came to the meeting with a "deer in the headlights" look left  that afternoon with answers to their questions, acknowledgement of their fears, steps to move forward, and a sense of community. We were able to sign them up for the LLS First Connection program and get them plugged in with other resources to help them navigate through their diagnosis.

If you or a loved one have been touched by myeloma, I strongly encourage you to come to one of these groups. 

Blessings,

Kelsey __________________________________________________________________________________

Kelsey Thompson is a Patient Advocate for the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  She understands the patient experience as a blood and marrow transplant registered nurse.  She is based at Baylor University Medical Center in the Cvetko Center.  She meets with patients and their families after receiving a blood cancer diagnosis.  

Contact Kelsey:
(214) 818-7890 

Kelsey.Thompson@lls.org

FREE Education Program: Strategies for Treating AML

Strategies for Treating AML

Join us for a FREE telephone/web education program The latest information for patients and caregivers

Date: Tuesday, January 19, 2016 Time:   1:00 pm to   2:00 pm Eastern Time 12:00 pm to   1:00 pm Central Time 11:00 am to 12:00 pm Mountain Time 10:00 am to 11:00 am Pacific Time We invite you to learn more about: ·         How acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is diagnosed ·         The importance of AML subtypes in therapy selection ·         Current and emerging therapies for individuals with AML and atypical AML subtypes ·         Communication between patients and their healthcare teams

SPEAKER

Eytan M. Stein, MD Hematologist and Medical Oncologist   Leukemia Service Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York, New York

Participate via telephone or web: When you register for the program, you will be asked if you want to participate via: Telephone: a confirmation packet will be mailed or emailed to you. 888-510-9390 Web: you will receive a confirmation email with a link to participate. Register Now! Healthcare professionals are invited to participate. Assistance for people with disabilities, grievances, questions or for more information on LLS programs, please call an LLS Information Specialist toll-free at (800) 955-4572.

Support for this program provided by:

Other Programs Have a question? Information Specialists (800) 955-4572 M-F 9am-9pm ET Forward this activity to a friend.

LLS/Baylor Patient Advocate: Meet Kelsey Thompson

The North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is pleased to introduce Kelsey Thompson, the new LLS Patient Advocate at Baylor University Medical Center.  She is housed at the Cvetko Center and meets with patients and their families following a blood cancer diagnosis in order to determine the best way she and LLS can assist them during their treatment journey.  Below Kelsey introduces herself.

"I grew up, like many of us out there, exposed to cancer because someone close to me was going through it. Being diagnosed with cancer is a whirlwind. There are so many unknowns and so much information being thrown at you, not to mention the gamut of emotions to sift through and process. As a blood and marrow transplant registered nurse, I have seen firsthand what these patients and families go through and struggle with. Things happen so quickly after diagnosis that a lot of times there isn’t time to really understand what is going on or how to handle any of it; you just have to act.

That’s one of the reasons I am excited for this new role with LLS as the Patient Advocate Manager at Baylor. I have the opportunity to meet these patients wherever their greatest need is, whether it is financial resources, disease-specific information, support services, or just being there to listen. If I can make one little thing better for these patients and what they’re going through, then I’ve done my job. The physical and emotional part of cancer is hard enough, finding resources and support shouldn’t have to be.

I’m here in the Cvetko Center, Suite 200, of Baylor Sammons Cancer Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Come by and see me, I’d love to meet you!

Blessings,

Kelsey" 

Kelsey will be writing a monthly blog post in order to keep you informed of the different opportunities LLS and Baylor are co-sponsoring.  Introduce yourself to her the next time you are at Baylor.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Kelsey Thompson is a Patient Advocate for the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  She understands the patient experience as a blood and marrow transplant registered nurse.  She is based at Baylor University Medical Center in the Cvetko Center.  She meets with patients and their families after receiving a blood cancer diagnosis.  

Contact Kelsey:
(214) 818-7890 

Kelsey.Thompson@lls.org

Patient Education Opportunity Featuring Dr. Brian Berryman

Dr. Brian Berryman of Texas Oncology is a
member of the North Texas Chapter's Medical
Advisory Board.

The North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in partnership with The Cancer Support Community is pleased to present a talk by Dr. Brian Berryman.  A leading expert in hematology and blood/marrow transplant, Dr. Berryman will educate patients, caregivers and other medical professionals about the latest advancements in the treatment of blood cancers.
  This educational opportunity is open to the public.

Blood Cancer Update

Featuring Dr. Brian Berryman

Thursday, September 24th

Cancer Support Community's Dallas Clubhouse

8194 Walnut Hill Ln.  Dallas, TX 75231

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

RSVP HERE
(214) 345-8230

LLS is proud to sponsor the complimentary dinner that will be served at this free patient education event.

Dr. Berryman specializes in blood and marrow transplant and hematology at Baylor University Medical Center.  He is also an esteemed member of the North Texas Chapter's Medical Advisory Board.

Patient Access Manager: IWMF Educational Forum

May is an important month of firsts for me.  My first Mother’s Day.  My daughter’s first birthday.  And, my first International Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia Foundation (IWMF) Educational Forum!  Every year IWMF brings together the patient, caregiver, and support communities to learn about Waldenstrom’s.  Presentations are given by thought leaders in research and clinical practice, but aimed at a lay audience.  We were lucky enough to host this year’s Forum right here in Grapevine!

The day before the main Forum started, I attended a luncheon with support group leaders.  As a Patient Access Manager, I support the medical, nonprofit, and survivor/caregiver communities.  It was so interesting to talk to these leaders and learn from their experience.  A good majority of those who have now assumed leadership positions in their community actually started in groups as patients or caregivers themselves.  I love stories where people take challenging experiences and channel them into positive change for others.  This group did not disappoint!  They brought tears to my eyes and inspiration to my heart. 

The next three days were the sessions.  The speakers were clearly vetted well, because the caliber of these talks really blew me away.  Seriously-check out this lineup: 2015 Ed Forum Agenda!   I am going to tell you about my favorite two: Dr. Larry Anderson and Dr. Lee Greenberger.  Hey, I never said I wasn’t biased!  I made me proud to see these two LLS rock stars represent us so well. 

LLS sponsored Dr. Anderson’s session: I Need Treatment – First Line Treatments & Side Effects on Friday. Dr. Anderson reviewed diagnosis, first-line treatment options, the benefits of each option, and potential side-effects to consider before deciding on which option is right for you. His case study method highlighted various presentations of the disease and how treatment options vary based on the diagnostic profile. The interactive session let the audience apply the information themselves and showed me the importance of empowering patients.  These types of educational sessions go a long way in promoting patient/caregiver engagement and encouraging them to be their own advocates throughout treatment. 

When he is not educating the masses, seeing patients, or juggling the 13 clinical trials he is involved in, Dr. Anderson also finds time to be an LLS advocate.  This year, he is a Man of the Year candidate.  A special thanks to Dr. Anderson for the many ways he supports our North Texas community!

On Sunday, Dr. Lee Greenberger talked about The Strategic Research Roadmap for WM.  As our missions are so closely intertwined, LLS and IWMF have a long and rich partnership.  This talk was no exception, and served as a precursor to the joint Road Map session for WM that LLS and IWMF will be holding in New York City on May 16^th and 17^th.  I will provide a more detailed review of Dr. Greenberger’s presentation and some takeaways from this planning session in my next blog post.  Stay tuned. . . more to come! 

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

Patient Access Manager: Myeloma Awareness Month

Hello again, 

As I am sure you have heard, March is Myeloma Awareness Month.  Right now The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) has more than $38.5 million invested into the best and brightest researchers working specifically on finding cures and treatments for myeloma.  LLS invested $8 million of that just in the last year.  We are dedicated to the myeloma patients (and their families) that we serve.

Myeloma was a big topic at the annual American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting recently.  Right now there are a number of clinical trials underway for initial therapy or for relapsed myeloma.  Three specific treatments that involve monoclonal antibodies (elotuzumab, daratumumab, and SAR650984) are thought to be game changers in the treatment landscape.  It's definitely an exciting time to be part of the cancer community!

If you would like to attend a free education program on myeloma from LLS, we have one coming up next month that is focused on managing the side effects of these myeloma drugs.  Below is the information on the program:

Living with Myeloma - Managing Side Effects and Quality of Life
Date: April 8, 2015
Time: 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET
Location: Telephone/web
Register: Online by clicking here or by phone (855) 676-7723
Topics:  Current and emerging treatments for myeloma
              Monitoring disease progression
              Managing symptoms and treatment-related side effects
              Discussing quality-of-life issues with your healthcare team
Presenter:  Sagar Lonial, MD, FACP
                  Professor and Executive Vice Chair
                  Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology
                  Winship Cancer Institute
                  Emery University School of Medicine

I hope that you will join us for this free educational program.  If you can't make it but would like to discuss any of these topics, please reach out to me directly.  

I look forward to chatting with you!

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