Lunch & Learn

This month’s call-in program will recognize Blood Cancer Awareness Month with a focus on the practical needs before, during and after a bone marrow/stem cell transplant. This conversation will be helpful to both survivors and caregivers. Julie Larson, LCSW a psychotherapist and speaker-educator who has spent the entirety of her career working with survivors and family members will join us to share strategies for sharpening self-awareness, normalizing the understandable stressors felt along the way and tips for finding calm and clarity. Stephenie Perry, a survivor of Hodgkin lymphoma, who underwent both an auto and allogeneic transplant will share her story 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 skin issues related to chronic Graft Versus Host Disease (cGVHD). Dr. Rachel Rosenstein, a physician-scientist at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine with a clinical and research interest in chronic skin GVHD will discuss skin related issues, and treatment options, sharing her expertise and best practices. Additionally, Anne Fitzpatrick, a survivor of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with a myelofibrosis overlay, who knows all about skin related cGVHD, will share her transplant story 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, Kathryn M. Smolinski, MSW, JD Director, Legal Advocacy for People with Cancer Clinic, Associate Clinical Professor, Wayne State University Law School, will focus on what benefits, leave, accommodations and rights you have as you navigate a bone marrow or stem cell transplant and the recovery process. Jennifer Leal, Board Certified Patient Advocate, AML/Stem Cell Transplant Survivor, and Clinical Data Scientist, will share her personal experience and how she advocates to improve health equity for patients needing life-saving therapies. Jennifer Gillette, LMSW, Staff Social Worker at nbmtLINK will host this program.

This month, Sandra N. Gurrola, Financial Counselor, UCLA Health Bowyer Oncology Center will share her expertise regarding financial issues and considerations that surround a bone marrow/stem cell transplant. Sandra recently authored a new nbmtLINK book which focuses on all things finance, including insurance, unique costs related to transplant and a vast list of valuable resources. A transplant patient will also share their financial experiences and how they managed and navigated it all. Jennifer Gillette, LMSW, Staff Social Worker at nbmtLINK will host this program. There will be time for live questions.

This month, Dr. Annie Im of the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh will focus on how to navigate chronic Graft Versus Host Disease (cGVHD) and updates on treatment options. As clinical trials and treatments advance, we want to be sure you have everything needed to manage it all and get busy enjoying life. Lew Christie, a two-time AML transplant survivor with an extraordinary story, will share how he gets through the tough days as he manages his GVHD on a daily basis. Jennifer Gillette, LMSW, Staff Social Worker at nbmtLINK will host this program. There will be time for live questions.

This month’s program will focus on caregiver needs before, during and after a bone marrow/stem cell transplant. Dawn Speckhart, Ph.D., Clinical Health Psychologist, Cellular Therapy and Leukemia Program for Northside Hospital Cancer Institute will share her expertise, focusing on following instructions, including dietary and caregiver needs. She will also focus on minimizing stress post-transplant by having plans in place, frank communication, knowing when to call and “not sweating the small stuff.” Jennifer Gillette, LMSW, Staff Social Worker at nbmtLINK will share many seasoned caregiver tips and tricks conveyed to the LINK. There will also be time for live questions.

This month’s program will focus on nutritional needs led by an experienced professional at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Margaret Martin, RD, MS, LDN, CDCES, Manager, Nutrition Education will share tips and guidance on how to stay healthy and enjoy this special time of the year. Margaret will educate us about a wonderful free LLS one-on-one oncology nutrition consultation phone program through their Nutrition Education Services Center. Husband and caregiver, Dave Crosby, will also share his journey and best tips regarding the holidays and much more. Jennifer Gillette, LMSW, Staff Social Worker at nbmtLINK, will host this call. There will be time for live questions.