Lunch & Learn

This month’s special call-in program honoring Blood Cancer Awareness Month, will feature Dr. Stephanie Lee, Professor and Section Head of Hematologic Malignancies, Fred Hutch and the University of Washington, who will share her honest, straightforward ideas and expertise regarding clinical trials. Dr. Lee will break it all down for us, offering practical knowledge and advice that will dispel some of the myths and help listeners understand why clinical trials are not to be feared or discounted. Two-time survivor Loriana Hernandez, global patient advocate and journalist will share her real life trial experiences so that others can learn where to find them and better navigate the many options. Jennifer Gillette, our licensed staff social worker, will host this call. There will be plenty of time for live questions.

This month’s special call-in program will feature Meredith Cowden, a longtime survivor who still experiences chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease (cGVHD). Meredith will share her personal journey as well as summarize a recent study she co-authored, along with an impressive group of doctors and clinicians in the cGVHD space. The study is featured in an article, “Impact of Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease on Patient and Caregiver Experiences in the United States: A Retrospective Social Media Analysis.” This analysis used social media listening to analyze more than 12,000 posts from patients and caregivers living with chronic GVHD — capturing the kind of unfiltered, realworld experience that clinical trials rarely reach. What emerged was both validating and sobering—there were four themes that rose to the surface and Meredith will share all of this, including the profound physical, mental, and emotional burden of the disease. The noteworthy impact on caregivers will also be shared. 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 will focus on myelofibrosis, a rare diagnosis that is often curative through a well-timed stem cell transplant. We will cover advancements in the field, non-transplant treatments and the current landscape of transplantation, including referrals to transplant center, eligibility, and time to transplant. Arpita Gandhi, M.D., M.S. of Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Knight Cancer Institute will share her expertise. As well, Mark H, of Portland, Oregon, a myelofibrosis survivor, who recently underwent an allogeneic stem cell transplant, will share his story, offering 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’s call-in program will focus on the role of occupational therapy related to transplantation. Krysten Chadwick, OTD, OTR/L, CLT-LANA at the James, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center will share her expertise regarding the creative restoration of functional impairments due to the side effects of oncologic treatment, modification and the compensation of activities with the goal of promoting independence. As well, Karen Lord, of New Hampshire, a thriving MDS survivor will share what works for her six years posttransplant, offering 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’s call-in program will focus on multiple myeloma. Dr. Hong De Sa of the Northside Hospital Cancer Institute in Atlanta will share the latest options available for treatment and the many innovative resources available. Dr. De Sa will talk about CAR T cellular therapy as an option for relapsed refractory multiple myeloma, exciting new immunotherapies and sequencing treatment. As well, Eva Podstata, a multiple myeloma survivor will share her story, offering inspiration, insight and coping strategies.

This month’s call-in Lunch & Learn program will focus on lab results post-transplant. Phyllis McKiernan, APN, MSN, OCN, Advanced Practice Nurse in the Blood and Marrow Stem Division at the John Theurer Cancer Center will cover why these tests are so important to survivorship, including how these results help to track progress posttransplant, and guide adjustments to necessary medications. Phyllis will educate us regarding the importance of monitoring chimerism studies, viral reactivation, vital organ function and much more. As well, Mendya Griffith, a survivor of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) from Augusta, Georgia will share her story and experience in understanding lab results and more

This special month’s call-in program will feature Teresa and Bruce Steele of California. Teresa was diagnosed with high risk MDS and had a lifesaving stem cell transplant almost three years ago. Bruce is her husband and caregiver during her transplant. Teresa also works hard managing her GVHD. Together, they will share their incredible story—it began ten years ago with a horrible car on bicycle incident. Teresa’s ability to adapt and learn to adjust will inspire. Determined to live their best life despite unimaginable obstacles, this dynamic duo will empower listeners to reflect and grow in survivorship. Additionally, Jennifer Gillette, LMSW and our program host, will share her professional pearls of wisdom and effective coping skills. There will be plenty of time for live questions.

This month’s call-in program will feature Dr. Areej El-Jawahri, Co-Director, Cancer Outcomes Research and Education Program; Director of the Bone Marrow Transplant Survivorship Program and Professor of Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. El-Jawahri will share valuable information regarding what survivors and their loved ones can expect post-transplant in the first several years, focusing on physical, mental, cognitive, and emotional health. Nancy Wines-DeWan, of Maine, a survivor of high risk MDS who is about three years out, will share her incredibly inspiring story and how she has no plans to slow down anytime soon.

This month’s call-in program will feature Dr. Sandeep Jain, B.A Professor of Ophthalmology, Dept. of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Dr. Jain will share game changing proactive actions that are resulting in a significant reduction of the development of chronic ocular graft versus host disease (oGVHD). Dr. Jain will share how these better outcomes require regular follow ups at the beginning of the transplant journey. Additionally, for those chronically inflicted, Dr. Jain will share best practices, tips and ways to lessen your symptoms. Paul Altman, a survivor from Chicago, IL, will share his transplant story, what has worked for him and life today.

This month’s call-in program will cover holiday eating—ideas for enjoying and surviving the holidays without sabotaging good habits and personal health goals post-transplant. Heather Knutson MS, RD, CSO, LD, of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, now Blood Cancer United, will share her vast expertise about foods that will provide energy while keeping you healthy and feeling less sluggish and fatigued. Heather will also focus on good nutrition as it relates to the immune system. Peter Feinberg, a survivor of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), will share what works for him and how he balances servings of healthy and joyful.

November 19, 2025

In recognition of National Family Caregiver’s Month, November’s Lunch & Learn will focus on the adjustment to life after transplant, with a special emphasis on the perspective of the family/spouse caregiver and the impact on the couple. Michelle Bishop, PhD, a licensed psychologist and founder of Coping with Cancer & Caregiving, LLC will describe some of the challenges common after transplant as the survivor, the caregiver, and the couple adjust to the new reality of survivorship. These include learning to live with fear of recurrence, navigating physical, emotional, and role changes, and negotiating changes to lifestyle and quality of life. Sue Stanek, a caregiver to her husband Stan, who was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and received a transplant in February 2018, will share her experiences as a caregiver and best tips for how she and her husband have navigated survivorship.

This month’s call-in program will feature Courtney Bush, a Physical Therapist and Certified Lymphedema Therapist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, Washington. Courtney is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Oncologic Physical Therapy and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the American Physical Therapy Association’s Academy of Oncology Physical Therapy. Courtney works with patients receiving stem cell and bone marrow transplantation, both inpatient and outpatient. Courtney sees patients both pre- and post-transplant, helping them optimize functional mobility, independence and physical recovery. Courtney will focus on rebuilding and regaining stamina and physical challenges such as fatigue, steroid myopathy, and chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy. Laurie Perkins, a recent multiple myeloma survivor will share her story, and how she implemented physical therapy before and after transplant and how she is enjoying life today with extensive travel plans, energy, and strength.