Category Archives: Lunch & Learn

UPCOMING: Wednesday, October 18, 2023

This month’s call-in program will focus on BMT care partners. Michelle M. Bishop, PhD, a licensed psychologist specialized in coping with cancer and caregiving, will talk about what the BMT survivorship road is like for many family caregivers, noting that it can be lengthy, isolating and lonely at times, offering valuable insight and advice. Additionally, Monica Coello, a seasoned professional in international trade and customer relations work, and a cancer survivor herself, will talk of her recent experience as a caregiver to her husband Greg. Jennifer Gillette, our licensed staff social worker will host this call. There will be plenty of time for live questions.

This month, as we recognize Pediatric Cancer and Blood Cancer Awareness Month, this call-in program will focus on supportive, patient-centered care that focuses on collaboration and innovative ways to serve children (who will undergo a transplant) and their families as well as new treatments which help lower the risk of Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD). Our speaker, Alix Seif, MD, MPH, is a pediatric oncologist with clinical interests in pediatric leukemia and stem cell transplantation at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Leila Zengel, a parent caregiver, will share her daughter Julie’s transplant experience five years ago, sure to inspire. Jennifer Gillette, our licensed staff social worker will host this program. There will be plenty of time for live questions.

This month’s call-in program will focus on employment related concerns and considerations while managing the bone marrow/stem cell transplant journey. Nicole Jarvis, LMSW of Cancer and Careers, will highlight how to best approach decisions around work and the evolving employment landscape post COVID. Additionally, Christine Sherman, a survivor, will share her story, challenges, lessons learned and more. Jennifer Gillette, our licensed staff social worker will host this call. There will be plenty of time for live questions.

This month’s call-in program will focus on finding your new normal post-transplant. Rita Abdallah, LISW-S, ACSW, Speaker & Wellness Coach, will break it all down and cover post traumatic growth, depression, isolation, transition, fears, mental health, PTSD and more. Additionally, Lela Prewitt, a survivor of Acute myeloid leukemia, AML, transplanted in June of 2021 will share her story, challenges, lessons learned and best tips as she navigates her survivorship. Jennifer Gillette, our licensed staff social worker will host this call. There will be plenty of time for live questions.

This month’s call-in program will focus on Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Dr. Arpita Gandhi, of Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cancer will cover transplant indications in patients with MDS, caregiver support needed for transplant, the challenges of Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) and survivorship. Additionally, Jana Kirkwood, a thriving survivor of MDS who was transplanted just a few years ago, will share her story, challenges, and best tips. Jennifer Gillette, our licensed staff social worker will host this call. There will be plenty of time for live questions.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.