Everything You Need to Know About CAR T-Cell Therapy
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.
How the Reconstitution of the Immune System After Transplantation Influences Outcomes
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.
Ocular GVHD: Expert Tips and Treatments Discussed
Sandeep Jain, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology, and the Director of the UIC Dry Eye & Ocular GVHD clinic at the Univ. of Chicago will share treatment options including a step-down approach sure to bring relief and improve quality of life. As well, Marilyn Wroblewski, a patient, will share her personal experience and best tips.
Updates and Inspiration Regarding Multiple Myeloma
Featuring Sherilyn A. Tuazon, MD, MS of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center/Seattle Cancer Care Alliance & Todd Brown, a two-time stem cell transplant recipient with multiple myeloma.
Let’s Get Real About Caregiving
Featuring Jennifer Gillette, our licensed staff social worker, and Jim Bulger, a spouse and caregiver to his wife Nancy.
Mindfulness in the New Year
Featuring Ailey Armstrong, Oncology Social Worker, MSW, LICSW at SCCA and Tracy Jolly, BMT Survivor & AML Survivor.
Best Tips to Combat Fatigue
Featuring Stacey Prieur RN and Jennifer Gillette
Humor Therapy
Featuring Richard Satterwhite and John Costin.
Pediatric Blood Cancer Initiatives
Featuring Dr. Gwen Nichols, MD; Dr. Kevin Curran, MD; and Michelle Marks, mother of a childhood cancer survivor.
What Every Cancer Patient Needs to Know About COVID-19
Featuring Dr. Susan DeWolf and John McCaffrey
All Things GVHD
Featuring Dr. Annie Im, MD, asst. professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Meredith Cowden, a survivor/advocate/clinical counselor with chronic GVHD.
Living and Thriving with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
Featuring Dr. Harry P. Erba, MD, PhD of Duke University Medical Center and his patient Debbie Beavers, in remission.
Managing Oral Health Issues Before, During and After a Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant with a Focus on GVHD
Featuring Jacqueline W. Mays, DDS, MHSc, PhD, Chief, Oral Immunobiology Unit, National Institutes of Health and Cathy Spence, a patient.
Moving Forward: How to Live, Thrive and Stay Safe with COVID-19
Featuring Dr. Laura Connelly-Smith, Associate Professor of Medicine and the Assistant Medical Director of Apheresis and Cellular Therapy at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, who will share her expertise and wisdom. Jennifer Gillette, our LINK licensed staff social worker.
Anxiety and Despair Addressed – I’m Always Worried My Cancer Will Come Back
Dawn Speckhart, PhD, Clinical Health Psychologist at the Bone Marrow Transplant/Leukemia Program at Northside Hospital and Juanita McReynolds, a long-time survivor.
COVID-19: Guidelines and Coping Strategies for Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant Patients & their Loved Ones During the Pandemic
Featuring Christina Ferraro, MSN, APRN-CNP, BMTCN, Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at Cleveland Clinic and Jennifer Gillette, our LINK licensed staff social worker.
How Do I Prepare and Make the Most of My Medical Appointments?
Featuring Costa Herbert, Transplant Nurse at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and Patient Barbara Ginsberg
Survivor Martha Nielsen on Moving Forward
By: Martha Nielsen
Martha conquered “the beast called Cancer.” Facing B-cell NHL, multiple approaches to treatment and ultimately a BMT, she contacted the nbmtLINK, especially for the peer-support program. She has celebrated over fifteen “second birthdays” and volunteers in the LINK’s peer-support program. You will be uplifted by her victory.
Reproductive Health and Fertility Options Before and After a Cancer Diagnosis
Featuring Kristin N. Smith, Program Manager for Fertility Preservation at Northwestern Medicine
Reclaiming Sexuality After Cancer Treatment
By: Jennifer Gillette, LMSW of the nbmtLINK
A tender topic, Jen Gillette shares the truth about sexuality post-transplant. She will make you feel less alone, comforted with ideas sure to please.
Post-Transplant Nutrition: Eating Well for Life
Featuring Peter Adintori, MS, RD of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and survivor Lew Christie
Cancer Fatigue and Getting Through the Holidays
Featuring Christina Ferraro, MSN,CNP, BMTCN, of the Cleveland Clinic Blood & Marrow Transplant Program and survivor Spin Tucker
Mindfulness Matters
Featuring Genne Geraghty, PA, Ascension Providence in Michigan and survivor, Peter Thomason
Blood Cancers and CAR T-Cell Therapy, A Discussion with Dr. Sergio Giralt
Featuring: Dr. Sergio Giralt, Chief, Adult Bone Marrow Transplant Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and patient Jacelyn Herman
The Unique Needs of Adolescent Young Adult (AYA) Oncology Patients
Featuring: Dr. James Connelly of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and patient Sharde Fultz
Improving Quality of Life with Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease (cGVHD)
Improving the Quality of Life and Care for Patients Living with Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease (cGVHD). This presentation will focus on the unmet needs, barriers and supportive care for patients with cGVHD. It will include information on palliative care This will be presented by Areej El-Jawahri, MD, Assist. Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Director of the Bone Marrow Transplant Survivorship Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital, and Associate Director of Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center Survivorship Program. Additionally, Barbara Ginsberg will share her wisdom as a patient with cGVHD.
Light Intervention to Reduce Fatigue and Depression
The Use of Light Intervention to Reduce Fatigue and Depression in Individuals Undergoing Cancer Treatment or in Survivorship. This month’s speakers are William H. Redd, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Katherine N. DuHamel, Ph.D., Attending Psychologist,Director, MSK Psycho-oncology Education & Training Institute, Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Psychiatry Service & Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College, Department of Psychiatry.
The Power and Support of an Online Community
The Power and Support of an Online Community During the Bone Marrow Transplant Journey. Our professional speaker is Shona Lovie, MPH, Online Community Engagement Manager of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Our patient speaker is Jack Aiello, a multiple myeloma survivor who has had endured several transplants over the decades.
Emotional Challenges
Emotional challenges that accompany a cancer diagnosis and a bone marrow transplant journey. Licensed clinical social worker, Shirley Otis-Green, is the speaker. Additionally, Rhonda Kokot, an Acute Myeloid Leukemia survivor, will share her personal story. The nbmtLINK’s licensed social worker, Jennifer Gillette, LMSW, will facilitate the program.
Treating Multiple Myeloma
A better understanding of the role played by bone marrow/stem cell transplant and minimal residual disease in treating multiple myeloma.
The call featured Dr. Stephanie Williams, Division Chief, Adult Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, Spectrum Health Cancer Center along with Multiple Myeloma Journey Partner and survivor Barbara Hanson.