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Category Archives: Lunch & Learn

Feeling Left Behind with a Cancer Diagnosis

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February 15, 2023

UPCOMING:

Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Noon to 1 pm EST

Feeling Left Behind with a Cancer Diagnosis

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This month’s call-in program will focus on feeling left behind when diagnosed with cancer with an emphasis on young adults. Juliane Belisle is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with 25 years’ experience and a specialization in serving the psycho-social needs of cancer patients and will share her expertise. Additionally, Alique Topalian, PhD, MPH, Research Scientist Survivorship and Supportive Services, University of Cincinnati Cancer Center is also a two-time cancer survivor, first diagnosed with AML in 1998 at the age of four and relapsed in March of 2021 at 27 years old. Alique is now in remission and will share her experience, insight, inspiration and coping strategies. Jennifer Gillette, our licensed staff social worker will host this call. There will be plenty of time for live questions.

If you have any technical issues related to registering, please email peggyburkhard@nbmtlink.org or call (248) 770-5172. The call-in information is contained in the form you use to register. Note: YOU call in participate. (We do not call you.) This program is recorded and available on our website one week after airing live.

This FREE program is intended to provide psychosocial and emotional support along with health information from national experts regarding critical topics surrounding cancer and treatments.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:

  • The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
  • Incyte Corporation
  • Pharmacyclics & Janssen
  • Omeros Corporation


We acknowledge and thank the following Link Partners for their ongoing support.

American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) • Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center • Blood Marrow Transplant Program at Northside Hospital • Center for International Blood & Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) • Corewell Health • Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center • DKMS • Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center • Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Network • Henry Ford Health – Cancer • Incyte • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center • Meredith A. Cowden Foundation • Nebraska Medicine • Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cancer Center • Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center • Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University School of Medicine • Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Program, John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center • The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society • University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center • University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center • Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

Multiple Myeloma Updates

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Upcoming Lunch & Learn.
Wednesday, March 15, 2023.

This month’s call in program will focus on Multiple Myeloma featuring Dr. C. Ola Landgren, M.D., PhD, Professor of Medicine, Chief of Myeloma Division, Director of the Sylvester Myeloma Institute. Dr. Landgren’s clinical interests include novel therapeutics, cellular therapy, innate immunity, and tumor microenvironment. Dr. Landgren will share his expertise, sure to offer hope and more options to those diagnosed with MM. Additionally, Gregory O. Proctor, of San Antonio, Texas, a Multiple Myeloma survivor, who was transplanted in Feb. 2022, will offer insight, inspiration and coping strategies. Jennifer Gillette, our licensed staff social worker will host this call. There will be plenty of time for live questions.

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Let’s Beat the Blues and Address Isolation, Diet, Exercise, Nutrition and More

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This month Melissa Logue, a Nurse Practitioner (NP) at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center who works with hematologic patients, will focus on isolation, beating the winter blues, diet, nutrition, exercise, interaction through social media and more. As well, DeAnn Miller, a vibrant survivor of Myelodysplastic Syndrome with Excess Blasts (MDS-EB2) was transplanted in 2019 and will share the many ways she stays busy, sharp and actively embraces her new normal. The nbmtLINK’s licensed staff social worker, Jennifer Gillette, will facilitate the program. There will also be plenty of time for live questions.

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Acute Graft Versus Host Disease and Its Many Challenges

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Dr. Phuong Vo, an Assistant Professor at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center will help the newly transplanted and their loved ones better understand the potential complications that can take place in the first 100 days post-transplant focusing on acute GVHD. Dr. Vo will cover the common symptoms, how to diagnose, how to treat and what you need to do to prevent this complication. As well, Lisa Loutzenhiser, an AML survivor since early 2020 will share her personal experience and valuable tips regarding acute issues.

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Preparing for the Holidays Your Mindset Matters

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Dr. Felicity Harper will share her expertise and provide tools to cope with the pressure and stress that can sometimes come with the holiday season. Learn more about developing resilience and adjusting your mindset as you create a game plan that will result in restful, peaceful and happy holidays. Nancy Dana, a very recent survivor of mantle cell lymphoma and her husband and caregiver Tom, will share their newfound feelings on managing expectations and adjusting their mindset together this season.

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We are What We Eat – Foods That Build Stamina, Beat Fatigue, and Much More

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This month, we will focus on food and how it relates to fatigue, how to avoid empty calories, how sugar affects our bodies, anti-inflammatory dietary suggestions and much more. Zach Gossman, MS, RD, dietitian at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center will share his expertise and best tips for good nutrition in survivorship. As well, Donald Long, a survivor will share his personal experiences and best tips. The nbmtLINK’s licensed staff social worker, Jennifer Gillette will facilitate the program. There will also be plenty of time for live questions.

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Let’s Talk About Resources to Save Money, Your Sanity and Much More!

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This month, we will focus on resources you need to know about— financial, emotional, mental, and more. Stephanie Samolovitch, MSW, the Founder and Executive Director of Young Adult Survivors United (YASU) will share her vast knowledge about apps, websites and organizations that will make a difference as you navigate the transplant journey. As well, Britta Wolfarth, a survivor of AML will share her personal experience and valuable tips regarding worthwhile resources. The nbmtLINK’s licensed staff social worker, Jennifer Gillette will facilitate the program. There will also be plenty of time for live questions.

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Pediatric Blood Cancers Treatment Updates

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This month, as we recognize Pediatric Cancer and Blood Cancer Awareness Month, this call-in educational support program will focus
on updates and innovative treatments as they relate to blood cancer diagnoses in children. Dr. Rayne Rouce is physician at Texas Children’s
Cancer Center where she is a member of the Bone Marrow Transplant/Stem Cell Transplant Program. Her clinical time is spent seeing leukemia and lymphoma patients. As well, the nbmtLINK’s licensed staff social worker and program facilitator, Jennifer Gillette will share coping skills and best tips from parents. There will also be plenty of time for live questions.

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The Emotional and Psychosocial Needs of Transplant Patients

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This month’s call in program will focus on the many emotional needs of cancer survivors—how to ask for help, including therapy and support from friends and family. Hailey Hassel, is a Senior BMT Social Worker at Be The Match who will share how integral this support is to your survivorship and quality of life. Additionally, Kate Arnold, a survivor will share her personal experiences and reinforce the importance of getting the help you need to thrive. Jennifer Gillette, our licensed staff social worker will host this call. There will be plenty of time for live questions.

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GVHD and the Liver

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This month’s call in program will address liver graft-versus-host disease. Dr. Theo Heller and Dr. Alexander Yang, hepatologists of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will discuss liver dysfunction after hematopoietic stem cell transplant with a focus on the importance and difficulty of diagnosing liver GVHD. Angie Kuhlman, acute myeloid leukemia and liver GVHD survivor will share how she coped and what she found helpful on her journey. Jennifer Gillette, our license staff social worker will host this call.

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All Things Financial Regarding the Cancer Journey

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This month’s call in program will address financial toxicity, understanding your medical bills and explanation of benefits, addressing insurance denials, reviewing financial bills for accuracy and more. Nicole Jolicoeur, Staff Attorney for Triage Cancer will help us all break it all down and feel more empowered to reduce stress and avoid financial toxicity. Additionally, Tina Masters Odum, a caregiver to her husband, will share what she has learned along the way—practical experiences sure to help listeners navigate the financial journey. Jennifer Gillette, our licensed staff social worker will host this call. There will be plenty of time for live questions.

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The Who, What, When and Why Regarding CAR T-Cell Therapy

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This month’s telephone educational and support program will focus on the latest and greatest updates regarding CAR T-cell therapy. Dr. David G. Maloney, MD, PhD, Professor, Clinical Research Division, Medical Director, Cellular Immunotherapy at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, will share which disease states are using CAR-T cell therapy, what is evolving and the latest approvals for this life-saving treatment. Kristin Kleinhofer, a leukemia survivor, will share her personal experience and details regarding her success with a CAR-T cell clinical trial. The nbmtLINK’s licensed staff social worker, Jennifer Gillette, will facilitate the program. There will also be plenty of time for live questions.

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Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease and How It Affects the Lungs

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This month’s call in program will address cGHVD of the lungs. Dr. Carrie Kitko, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Medical Director of the Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center will enlighten us on the challenges of diagnosing chronic lung GVHD, the potential novel treatments available and how these newer agents may be able to go beyond stabilization of the disease by targeting fibrosis, the main culprit. Additionally, Whitney Davis will share her experience with lung GVHD and the relief she is experiencing firsthand. Jennifer Gillette, our licensed staff social worker will host this call. There will be plenty of time for live questions.

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Multiple Myeloma Updates

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This month’s call in program will feature Dr. Clifton Mo, Physician and Director of Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma at Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center. Dr. Mo’s clinical interests include novel therapeutics, cellular therapy, innate immunity, and
tumor microenvironment. Dr. Mo will share his expertise, sure to offer hope and more options to those diagnosed
with MM. Additionally, a patient voice will follow offering insight and coping strategies. Jennifer Gillette, our licensed
staff social worker will host this call. There will be plenty of time for live questions.

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Caregiving and How It Affects the Entire Family

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This month’s call in program will address how cancer affects the entire family unit. It will address emotional needs of the “secondary survivors”, both the children and siblings of cancer patients. Dr. Matt De Young, a dad of nine will share how his family supported daughter Lola and how they acknowledged and managed her illness while trying to support and parent the rest of the family. Laura Weinger Housley, an adult survivor will also share how she and her husband parented their children through her cancer journey. This program is a must listen for anyone trying to navigate this challenging part of the diagnosis.

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Good Nutrition in the New Year

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This month’s call in program will focus on focus on nutrition—what to eat, what to skip, relevant information on guidelines and more. Amy Carion, Registered Dietician, Henry Ford Cancer Institute-Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program will share her expertise. Amy is passionate about chronic disease prevention, living a healthy, active lifestyle and sports nutrition. Rhonda Kokot, a long-time survivor will also let us know what she does to stay on track, offering best tips and practices. JenniferGillette, our licensed staff social worker will host this call. There will be plenty of time for live questions.

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Let’s End the Year with Strategies for Less Stress and More Peace

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This month’s call in program will focus on helping cancer survivors better handle family and holiday stressors. Katy LaLone,
MD, Psychiatrist at the Seidman Cancer Center, University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University will share her
expertise and provide tips to help ensure a more peaceful and joyful holiday season. As well, Diane Raab, a recent stem cell
transplant recipient, will talk about where she was just a year ago, newly diagnosed and how she is today. We’ll cover immunity
concerns as we return indoors, often with both vaccinated and non-vaccinated loved ones. As well, Jennifer Gillette, our
licensed staff social worker will host this call. There will be plenty of time for live questions.

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COVID Vaccine and Booster Updates

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This month’s call in program will help cancer survivors and their families better understand the COVID vaccine and important need for booster shots (and influenza shots) with the holidays soon upon us. Dr. Laura Connelly-Smith of Seattle Cancer Care Alliance will share her professional expertise and answer all your relevant questions and concerns. Jan Selvar, a thriving breast cancer and AML survivor, will share her story and encouraging thoughts on the vaccine. As well, Jennifer Gillette, our licensed staff social worker will host this call. There will be plenty of time for live questions.

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Donor Dad Shares AML Clinical Trial Success Story

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This month’s telephone educational and support program will highlight the story of a donor dad who stopped at nothing to save
his daughter, Kenza, diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at just nine months old. Dr. Omar Durani of Dallas, Texas will talk
about Kenza’s life-saving clinical trial five years ago, his family today, the need to spread the word to create much needed awareness
through DKMS, and his incredible haplo donor experience. Leah Szumita, MS, RN, CCRN, ACNS-BC, Director, Clinical Trials Support
Center of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will join Dr. Durani and further emphasize the importance of clinical trials and how to better
understand and navigate them. The nbmtLINK’s licensed staff social worker, Jennifer Gillette, will facilitate the program. There will also be
plenty of time for live questions.

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Adult and Pediatric Blood Cancer Updates and Advances

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This month, as we recognize Pediatric Cancer and Blood Cancer Awareness Month, this call-in educational support program will focus
on updates and innovative treatments as they relate to blood cancer diagnoses in adults and children. Dr. Maria Luisa Sulis is an oncologist
specializing in lymphomas and leukemias at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center who will share her expertise. As well, a parent to a
pediatric patient will share his/her experience, best tips and coping skills. The nbmtLINK’s licensed staff social worker, Jennifer Gillette
will facilitate the program. There will also be plenty of time for live questions.

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Cancer Survivor’s Guilt, Negative Feelings and Despair Addressed

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This month’s telephone educational and support program will focuson survivor’s guilt, the anxiety you may feel when a peer passes
away as well as how to handle well-intended positivity if you are experiencing negative feelings and despair. Shirley Otis-Green, MSW,
MA, ACSW, LCSW, OSW-CE, FNAP, FAOSW of Collaborative Caring will break it down for us. Two time bone marrow transplant recipient and
survivor Bridget Casey will share her personal experience and some valuable lessons learned along the way. The nbmtLINK’s licensed staff
social worker, Jennifer Gillette, will facilitate the program. There will also be plenty of time for live questions.

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GVHD and Steroids: Let’s Explore the Love/ Hate and Other Options

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This month’s telephone educational and support program will focus on the love/hate of steroids as they relate to chronic GVHD. Dr. Masumi Ueda Oshima, Assistant Professor and Assistant Medical Director for the Inpatient Adult BMT Program at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance/University of Washington will break it down for us and share her expertise. Sharde Fultz, a chronic GVHD survivor, will share her personal experience including details about how she has managed steroid use and GVHD through the years. The nbmtLINK’s licensed staff social worker, Jennifer Gillette, will facilitate the program. There will also be plenty of time for live questions.

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Everything You Need to Know About CAR T-Cell Therapy

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This month’s telephone educational and support program will focus on all things CAR T-cell Therapy. Dr. Lawrence E. Morris is a board certified oncologist at both the Northside Hospital Leukemia Program and Northside Hospital Inpatient BMT Unit, and the Apheresis Collection Facility Co-Director of Atlanta Blood Services. Dr. Morris will break it down for us and share his expertise. CAR T-cell patient, Ray Gillespie, an NHL survivor, now in full remission will share his personal experience including details about his life-saving clinical trial. The nbmtLINK’s licensed staff social worker, Jennifer Gillette, will facilitate the program. There will also be plenty of time for live questions.

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How the Reconstitution of the Immune System After Transplantation Influences Outcomes

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Jaap Jan Boelens, MD, PhD, Chief, Stem Cell Transplantation, MSKCC and Cellular Therapies and Professor of Pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University will break it down for us and help transplant patients learn about factors that influence the immunological situation post-transplant that will result in the best possible outcomes. As well, a young patient’s parent/caregiver will share their personal experience and best tips. The nbmtLINK’s licensed staff social worker, Jennifer Gillette, will facilitate the program. There will also be plenty of time for live questions.

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