Tampa’s First Thyroid Cancer Support Group To Begin Meeting

On January 8, 2005, Tampa, Florida, will welcome its first Support Group for thyroid cancer survivors and their families. The ThyCa Tampa Support Group will meet at the Tampa Hope Lodge, 12810 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, Florida, located next to Moffitt Cancer Center. The meeting will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will run until noon. Meetings for ThyCa Tampa will be held on the second Saturday of each month thereafter. Cherry Brown will facilitate the group.

The ThyCa Tampa Support Group is part of a national network of thyroid cancer support groups organized by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. <www.thyca.org>. ThyCa Tampa is free and open to all thyroid cancer survivors, their families, friends, and caregivers. For more information about ThyCa Tampa, please contact the support group facilitator, Cherry Brown, by phone at 863-687-3821 or e-mail to Tampa-FL@thyca.org.

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. is a national all-volunteer nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. ThyCa provides thyroid cancer survivors and their families with free year-round services such as person-to-person and e-mail support groups, a free low-iodine cookbook, free newsletters, and other educational resources. ThyCa also sponsors free regional workshops and an annual international conference. ThyCa is dedicated to providing a supportive and educational community for thyroid cancer survivors, their families, and friends.

For more information about ThyCa’s free services and special events, please visit the ThyCa web site, call toll-free at 1-877-588-7904, write PO Box 1545, New York, NY 10159-1545, or e-mail to thyca@thyca.org.

In 2005, for the third year in a row, a thyroid cancer research grant will be sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc., ThyCa Board Chair Gary Bloom has announced.

The American Thyroid Association(ATA), the professional association of clinicians and researchers concerned with thyroid diseases, will select the recipient of the ThyCa grant. The Call for Proposals and eligibility requirements are available on the ATA web site. Deadline for submission of a proposal summary is January 31, 2005. Authors of selected proposals will be notified by late February and invited to submit complete grant applications that will be due by April 1, 2005,

“Our grants are an important step in ThyCa’s growing efforts to raise funds for research to cure all types of thyroid cancer, which is the most common endocrine cancer. More research on this challenging disease is urgently needed, because it’s one of the few cancers that is increasing in its incidence as well as numbers of deaths. We appreciate the concern and support of everyone in ATA for patients and families who are dealing with thyroid cancer,” said ThyCa Board Chair Gary Bloom.

“We feel excited and honored to support advances in thyroid cancer research,” said ThyCa Board Member and Fundraising Chair Joni Eskenazi. “The funds for our grants are made possible by the generous contributions of our members, families, friends and volunteers, in support of our sponsored Fundraising for Research Events held during the year.”

The first two grants funded by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc., in 2003 and 2004, were awarded to Xiulong Xu, Ph.D., of Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, and Sareh Parangi, M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

ThyCa is an all-volunteer, national nonprofit 501 (c)(3) service organization of thyroid cancer survivors, families, and health care professionals guided by nationally recognized experts on thyroid cancer. ThyCa’s mission is education, support, and communication for people at all stages of testing, treatment, and follow-up for all types of thyroid cancer, as well as for their families and friends.

Free support services and resources include ThyCa’s award-winning educational web site, seven e-mail support groups, local support groups coast to coast, a Person To Person Network, a toll-free survivors’ telephone number, a free online newsletter, a free downloadable low-iodine cookbook, and regional one-day workshops.

In addition, ThyCa’s annual international conference brings together thyroid cancer survivors, families, and experts in thyroid cancer treatment and research. The 8th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference will take place October 21-23, 2005, in Denver, Colorado, at the Sheraton Denver West Hotel.

Information about thyroid cancer, ThyCa’s free support services, and the annual conference is available by writing to PO Box 1545, New York, NY 10159-1545, e-mailing to thyca@thyca.org, or visiting the ThyCa web site.

World-renowned memory expert and thyroid cancer survivor Scott Hagwood has been added to the lineup of speakers scheduled to appear at the 7th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference on October 22-24, 2004, near Chicago at the Hyatt Deerfield Hotel, 1750 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, Illinois. The conference is sponsored by the nonprofit organization ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association.

Hagwood, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, learned extensive memory techniques in response to the side effects of medical treatments he received for his thyroid cancer. As a result, he became a four- time USA Memoriad Champion and was the first American to be named Grandmaster of Memory at the 2003 World Competition in Malaysia. He has been featured in national publications and on television. He also has a weekly radio show.

He now holds four national memory records, including remembering random words, audio numbers, and remembering a shuffled deck of playing cards in 2 minutes. At the competition in Malaysia, he memorized 9 decks of cards in order in an hour.

Hagwood’s session at the ThyCa Conference will focus on turning a negative into a positive. He will also share some of his memory techniques with the hundreds of thyroid cancer survivors and caregivers in attendance.

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. is dedicated to support, education, and communication for thyroid cancer survivors, their families and friends. For more information about the conference and ThyCa’s free year-round support services, education, and publications, e-mail to thyca@thyca.org, call toll-free 1-877-588-7904, write to PO Box 1545, New York, NY 10159-1545, or visit the web site atwww.thyca.org.

Beginning on Tuesday, August 10, 2004, 2004, South Carolina’s first support group for thyroid cancer survivors will meet from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. Radiational Oncology Conference Center Room, 101 East Wood Street, Spartanburg, S.C. The ThyCa Spartanburg support group will meet at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month thereafter.

Organized by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc., the ThyCa Spartanburg support group is free and open to all thyroid cancer survivors, their families, friends, and caregivers. For information about ThyCa Spartanburg, contact the support group facilitator, Dr. Donna Smith, by phone at 864-583-6673 or e-mail to Spartanburg-SC@thyca.org.

Free support groups for thyroid cancer survivors are organized across the United States by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. ThyCa is a nonprofit, volunteer organization providing person-to-person and e-mail support groups, a free low-iodine cookbook, a free newsletter, and other educational services and resources to thyroid cancer survivors and their families at no charge. ThyCa’s 7th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference takes place on October 22-24, 2004, in Chicago, Illinois.

For more information about ThyCa’s free services, visit the web site, call toll-free 1-877-588-7904, write PO Box 1545, New York, NY 10159-1545, or e-mail to thyca@thyca.org.

On Saturday, February 21 and Saturday, March 20, 2004, Idaho’s first support group for thyroid cancer survivors will meet from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Idaho Falls Cancer Center, 3245 Channing Way, Idaho Falls, Idaho (at the corner of Sunnyside Road). The ThyCa Southeastern Idaho thyroid cancer support group will meet at 10:30 a.m. on the third Saturday morning each month thereafter.

Organized by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc., the ThyCa Southeastern Idaho support group is free and open to all thyroid cancer survivors, their families, friends, and caregivers. For information about ThyCa Southeastern Idaho, contact the support group facilitator, Alyssa Dodd, by phone at 208-589-4756 or e-mail to idahofalls-id@thyca.org.

Free support groups for thyroid cancer survivors are organized across the United States by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. ThyCa is a nonprofit, volunteer organization providing person-to-person and e-mail support groups, a free low-iodine cookbook, a free newsletter, and other educational services and resources to thyroid cancer survivors and their families at no charge. ThyCa’s 7th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference takes place on October 22-24, 2004, in Chicago, Illinois.

For more information about ThyCa’s free services, visit the web site, call toll-free 1-877-588-7904, write PO Box 1545, New York, NY 10159-1545, or e-mail to thyca@thyca.org.

Beginning on Saturday, March 6, 2004, Southwest Virginia’s first support group for thyroid cancer survivors will meet from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Lewis-Gale Medical Center Oncology Center (Reception Area near the cafeteria), 1900 Electric Road, Salem, Va. The ThyCa Roanoke support group will meet at 10:30 a.m. on the first Saturday morning each month thereafter.

Organized by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc., the ThyCa Roanoke support group is free and open to all thyroid cancer survivors, their families, friends, and caregivers. For information about ThyCa Roanoke, contact the support group facilitator, Patrick Alberti, by phone at 434-258-7717 or e-mail toRoanoke-VA@thyca.org.

Free support groups for thyroid cancer survivors are organized across the United States by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. ThyCa is a nonprofit, volunteer organization providing person-to-person and e-mail support groups, a free low-iodine cookbook, a free newsletter, and other educational services and resources to thyroid cancer survivors and their families at no charge. ThyCa’s 7th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference takes place on October 22-24, 2004, in Chicago, Illinois.

For more information about ThyCa’s free services, visit the web site, call toll-free 1-877-588-7904, write PO Box 1545, New York, NY 10159-1545, or e-mail to thyca@thyca.org.

Beginning on Thursday, January 15, 2004, Southwest Michigan’s first support group for thyroid cancer survivors will meet from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Gilda’s Club, 1806 Bridge Street NW, Grand Rapids, Mich. The ThyCa Southwest Michigan support group will meet at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday evening each month thereafter.

Organized by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc., the ThyCa Southwest Michigan support group is free and open to all thyroid cancer survivors, their families, friends, and caregivers. For information about ThyCa Southwest Michigan, contact the support group facilitator, Mary Van Diepenbos, by phone at 616-457-9258 or e-mail to sw-mi@thyca.org.

Free support groups for thyroid cancer survivors are organized across the United States by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. ThyCa is a nonprofit, volunteer organization providing person-to-person and e-mail support groups, a free low-iodine cookbook, a free newsletter, and other educational services and resources to thyroid cancer survivors and their families at no charge. ThyCa’s 7th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference takes place on October 22-24, 2004, in Chicago, Illinois.

For more information about ThyCa’s free services, visit the web site at www.thyca.org, write PO Box 1545, New York, NY 10159-1545, or e-mail to thyca@thyca.org.

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. held its 6th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference in Houston, Texas on October 24-26, 2003, bringing together more than 330 participants from 32 states, 2 Canadian provinces, and the United Kingdom.

Attendees included survivors of every type of thyroid cancer (papillary, follicular, medullary, anaplastic, and variants), from those newly diagnosed and awaiting surgery to survivors of more than 30 years, as well as caregivers and friends. Participants ranged in age from children under age 10 to seniors.

The 19 physician speakers included specialists in endocrinology, surgery, pathology, nuclear medicine, and medical oncology from M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Washington University School of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati Medical School, and additional centers.

Endocrinologists speaking included Douglas Ball, M.D., James A. Fagin, M.D., Robert F. Gagel, M.D., Carlos R. Hamilton, Jr., M.D., Ana O. Hoff, M.D., Sheldon Rubenfeld, M.D., Nicholas J. Sarlis, M.D., Ph.D., Steven I. Sherman, M.D., and Steven G. Waguespack, M.D. Physician speakers also included specialists in surgery, pathology, nuclear medicine, and medical oncology. Dr. Rubenfeld donated copies of the second edition of his book Could It Be My Thyroid to each conference attendee as well as to ThyCa’s volunteer support group facilitators unable to attend.

Facilitators of the more than 90 sessions over the three days also included research nurses, a pharmacist, mental health professionals, a chaplain, an attorney specializing in employment and workplace issues, specialists in complementary approaches and coping skills for well-being, and many long-term survivors as well as caregivers.

Next year’s 7th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference will be held in Chicago, Illinois at the Hyatt Deerfield Hotel, on October 22-24, 2004. ThyCa invites thyroid cancer survivors, families, and friends to tell their friends and relatives about ThyCa’s free year-round support services and publications, including its award-winning educational web site, as well as about next year’s conference and free spring workshops.

Information about thyroid cancer care and research and about ThyCa’s free services, publications, and special events is available on the ThyCa web site, by writing to P.O. Box 1545, New York, NY 10159-1545, by calling toll free 1-877-588-7904, or by e-mailing.

WHAT: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ 6th International Conference

WHO: Thyroid cancer survivors, family members, caregivers, friends, and over 50 speakers, including leading physicians from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Texas Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Washington University School of Medicine, and other institutions. Sessions on thyroid cancer care and research are for people at all phases of testing, treatment, and long-term follow-up for all types of thyroid cancer, as well as families and friends. Additional speakers include mental health professionals, attorneys specializing in health insurance and employment issues, specialists in complementary approaches to well-being, long-term thyroid cancer survivors, and caregivers.

WHEN: October 24-26, 2003
Conference Registration Opens at 8 a.m., Friday, October 24. Presentations, Workshops, and Roundtables take place all day Friday, October 24; Saturday, October 25; and Sunday, October 26. Sessions end at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.

WHERE: Wyndham Greenspoint Hotel, 12400 Greenspoint Drive, Houston, Texas

WHY: To provide a three-day educational, supportive, and networking opportunity for people with all types of thyroid cancer at all stages of testing, treatment, and follow-up, as well as their family members and friends, by providing them access to leading physicians involved in treatment and research, mental health professionals, attorneys, specialists in coping skills and well-being, and other thyroid cancer survivors and caregivers.

COST: $50. Family/guests $30. Register on site or in advance. Walk-in attendees welcome. Discounts for ThyCa members. FREE to anyone who requests a scholarship.

SPONSOR: ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. An all-volunteer national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. E-mail: thyca@thyca.org.

INFORMATION: Speaker list, program schedule, and registration materials are available on the web site <www.thyca.org>. For more information, e-mail to thyca@thyca.org , call toll free 1-877-588-7904, or visit the web site.

Media Contact: Cherry Wunderlich 301-493-8810 cwunderlich@thyca.org
ThyCa Corresponding Secretary

The first-ever thyroid cancer research grant to be sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. (ThyCa) will be awarded in early 2003, ThyCa Board Chair Gary Bloom has announced.

The American Thyroid Association (ATA), the professional association of clinicians and researchers concerned with thyroid diseases, will select the recipient of the ThyCa grant.

“This grant is an important first step in ThyCa’s growing effort to raise funds for research to improve the treatment of thyroid cancer, the most common endocrine cancer. More research on this challenging disease is urgently needed. We are grateful to everyone in the ATA for their concern and support for people dealing with thyroid cancer,” says ThyCa Board Chair Gary Bloom.

“We are proud and excited to support advances in thyroid cancer research,” says ThyCa Board Member and Fundraising Chair Joni Eskenazi. “The funds for our first-ever grant are the result of the dedicated volunteer efforts and generous contributions from thyroid cancer survivors, families, and friends.”

The ATA web site <www.thyroid.org> and professional journal Thyroid have announced the availability of the research funds and the eligibility guidelines. Applicants may be physicians or Ph.D.s involved in thyroid cancer research. The application deadline is January 31, 2003.

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc., is an all-volunteer, national nonprofit 501 (c)(3) service organization of thyroid cancer survivors, families, and health care professionals. ThyCa’s mission is education, support, and communication for people at all stages of testing, treatment, and follow-up for all types of thyroid cancer, as well as for their families and friends.

Free support services and resources include ThyCa’s award-winning educational web site, seven e-mail support groups, local support groups coast to coast, a Person To Person Network, a toll-free survivors’ telephone number, a free online newsletter, a free downloadable low-iodine cookbook, and regional one-day workshops.

In addition, ThyCa’s annual international conference brings together thyroid cancer survivors, families, and experts in thyroid cancer treatment and research. The 6th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference will take place October 24-26, 2003 in Houston, Texas, at the Wyndham Greenspoint Hotel.

Information about thyroid cancer, ThyCa’s free support services, and the annual conference is available by writing to PO Box 1545, New York, NY 10159-1545, e-mail thyca@thyca.org, or the ThyCa web sitewww.thyca.org.