Lunch & Learn

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.