FDA Approves Vandetanib on April 6, 2011
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved vandetanib to treat adult patients with late-stage (metastatic) medullary thyroid cancer who are ineligible for surgery and who have disease that is growing or causing symptoms.
Thyroid cancer is a cancerous growth of the thyroid gland, which is located in the neck. Medullary thyroid cancer involves specific types of cells that are found in the thyroid gland and can occur spontaneously, or be part of a genetic syndrome.
About 44,600 new thyroid cancer cases were diagnosed in the United States during 2010, and about 1,690 people died from the disease, according to the National Cancer Institute. Medullary thyroid cancer is estimated to represent 3 to 5 percent of all thyroid cancer; its estimated incidence in the United States for 2010 is about 1,300 to 2,200 patients, making it one of the rarer forms of thyroid cancer.
Common symptoms of medullary thyroid cancer may include coughing, difficulty swallowing, enlargement of the thyroid gland, swelling of the neck, a lump on the thyroid, and changes in a person’s voice or hoarseness.
Vandetanib targets medullary thyroid cancer’s ability to grow and expand. There are currently no FDA-approved treatments for this type of cancer. Vandetanib is administered orally on a daily basis.
Vandetanib’s safety and effectiveness were established in a single, randomized international study of 331 patients with late-stage medullary thyroid cancer. Patients in the study were selected to receive vandetanib or placebo (sugar pill).
The study was designed to measure the length of time a patient lived without the individual’s cancer progressing (progression-free survival). Patients who received vandetanib had a longer period of time without disease progression when compared to patients receiving placebo. Median progression-free survival was 16.4 months in the placebo arm and at least 22.6 months in the vandetanib arm. It is too early to determine the median progression-free survival in patients treated with vandetanib or to tell whether they will live longer (overall survival) compared to patients treated with placebo.
“Vandetanib’s approval underscores FDA’s commitment to approving treatments for patients with rare and difficult to treat diseases,” said Richard Pazdur, M.D., director of the Office of Oncology Drug Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
Common side effects occurring from vandetanib use include diarrhea, rash, nausea, high blood pressure, headache, fatigue, decreased appetite, and stomach (abdominal) pain. Serious side effects reported during the study resulted in five deaths in patients treated with vandetanib. Causes of death included breathing complications, heart failure, and a bacterial infection in the blood (sepsis).
Vandetanib was shown to affect the electrical activity of the heart, which in some cases can cause irregular heart beats that could lead to death. Vandetanib is being approved with a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) to inform health care professionals about these serious heart-related risks. Only health care professionals and pharmacies certified through the vandetanib REMS program, a restricted distribution program, will be able to prescribe and dispense the drug. Patients will also receive an FDA-approved Medication Guide informing them of the potential risks.
Vandetanib is marketed by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP of Wilmington, Del. There is no trade name established for this drug at this time.
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Added from ThyCa, April 6, 2011:
Many people in ThyCa, including people in ThyCa’s Medullary Thyroid Cancer E-Mail Support Group wrote to the FDA in support of approval, and these efforts were greatly appreciated.
In This Issue:
- FDA Approves Vandetanib
- Learn from Experts at 4 More Free Workshops in April, May, and June
- Radiation Exposure and Chernobyl 25th Anniversary Draw Media Attention
- FAQ: How Common Is a Change in Taste after Radioactive Iodine (RAI)?
- Where Do ThyCa Support Groups Meet?
- A Recent E-Mail…
- ThyCa Exhibits at National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Meeting
- Would You Like Free Materials for Raising Awareness?
- Twenty-Nine Medical Professionals Confirmed for Los Angeles!
- Dinner/Auction for Research Seeks Auction Item Donations
- Hypoparathyroidism Association (HPTH) Conference in June
- Cancer Legal Rights Conferences
- University of Pennsylvania Sponsors Free Thyroid Cancer Meeting
- Endocrinologists Speak at Support Group Meetings in Nevada
- What’s New on www.thyca.org?
- Low-Iodine Recipe of the Month
- Follow ThyCa on Facebook and Twitter
- Support the Rally for Research
- Join Us, Become a Member
- Every Day
- About ThyCa News Notes
On April 6, 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved vandetanib. It’s the first drug approved for Medullary Thyroid Cancer. FDA approved vandetanib to treat adults with metastatic medullary thyroid cancer who are ineligible for surgery and have disease that’s growing or causing symptoms.
Thank you to the more than 500 survivors and caregivers who wrote to the FDA in support of approval of this new drug, and to those who came from long distances to speak at the FDA meeting in December 2010. Articles in ThyCa’s November, December, & January newsletters give background. ThyCa’s web site has added further information.
Learn From Experts at 4 More Free Workshops in April, May, and June
Register on our website or onsite at the Workshop.
These four events are in addition to the workshops held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 9 and in St. Louis, Missouri,on April 16.
- Friday, April 29 (evening) and Saturday, April 30, 2011 (all day). Stowe, Vermont.
New England Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop in conjunction with the Stowe Weekend of Hope. Speakers include Beatriz Tendler, M.D., Endocrinologist, University of Connecticut Medical Center; Ming-Kai Chen, M.D., Yale University Medical Center; Anthony Sena on Thyrogen; Survivors’ Panel; and Free Saturday Evening Thyroid Cancer Dinner and Social Time for those who reserve their dinner space with Jaime Toth, Facilitator, ThyCa Southern Connecticut Support Group. Workshop sponsored by Stowe Weekend of Hope and ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. - Monday, May 2, 2011, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Chicago, Illinois.
Free Dinner Symposium: Midwest Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop in Chicago. Speakers include Peter Kopp, M.D., Endocrinologist; Dina Elaraj, M.D., Surgeon; Jose Dutra, M.D., Surgeon; Gary Dillehay, M.D., Nuclear Medicine Physician; and Cord Sturgeon, M.D., Surgeon. Co-sponsored by Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center of Northwestern University and ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. Refreshments provided to those who pre-register. - Saturday, May 28, 2011, 8:30 a.m. — 3:15 p.m. St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Free Newfoundland and Labrador Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop/Information Day. Featured topics and speakers include New Imaging Techniques for the Detection of Thyroid Cancer in Nuclear Medicine with P eter Hollett, M.D., FRCPC, Chief, Division of Nuclear Medicine; New Guidelines From the American Thyroid Association – Individualized Treatment and Follow-up Using Staging and Prognostic Systems with Vikram Chandurkar, M.D., FRCPC, Assistant Professor, Division of Endocrinology; Nutrition, Low Iodine Diet, & Thyroid Cancer with Gerri Anne Devereaux, Dietitian; and Roundtable: Challenges of Coping with Thyroid Cancer and Handling Full Time Work, Family Responsibilities, or Both with Joanie Bruce, Ida Marrie, & Grace Dean, ThyCa Newfoundland and Labrador Thyroid Cancer Support Group. Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. - Saturday, June 11, 2011, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Silver Spring, Maryland.
Mid-Atlantic Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop. Speakers include Andrew J. Bauer, M.D., COL MC USA, Endocrinologist, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, and The Thyroid Center, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA; Kenneth D. Burman, M.D., Endocrinologist, Washington Hospital Center, DC; Bruce Davidson, M.D., Otolaryngologist (Surgeon), Georgetown University Medical Center, DC; Gary L. Francis, M.D., Ph.D., Endocrinologist, Virginia Commonwealth University, VA; Jacqueline Jonklaas, M.D., Endocrinologist, Georgetown University Medical Center, DC; Gigi Meinecke, D.M.D., F.A.G.D., Dentist, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, MD; Douglas Van Nostrand, M.D., Nuclear Medicine Physician, Washington Hospital Center, DC. Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
At these events, you’lllearn the latest information about treatment and research and get answers to your questions about thyroid cancer care, both short-term and over the long term. You’ll also have the opportunity for peer discussion roundtables with other thyroid cancer survivors and caregivers.
Thyroid cancer survivors, their families, caregivers, and friends are invited to attend. These six free educational events this spring are sponsored or co-sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. Thank you to everyone involved in these workshops, as well as all who organized and spoke at the workshops in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 9 and St. Louis, Missouri, on April 16.
These events are all free. Come for all or part of the day. You may register either through our web site on our Conferences/Workshops page or onsite at the workshops.
Visit ThyCa’s web site for further details about the speakers, programs, and directions to the meetings.
Radiation Exposure and Chernobyl 25th Anniversary Draw Media Attention
Since early March, the news from Japan about the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear power plants in the area have focused attention on many issues related to radiation, including radioactive iodine and the thyroid gland.
In addition, April 26, 2011, marks the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear accident. In last month’s newsletter, we provided a link to an interview with ThyCa medical advisor Kenneth D. Burman, M.D.
To provide further education regarding radiation exposure and the thyroid gland, ThyCa has added links to statements by medical professional associations and an article by endocrinologist Glenn Braunstein, M.D., in the Radiation Exposure section of the web site.
FAQ: How Common Is a Change in Taste after Radioactive Iodine (RAI)?
This question comes up often in ThyCa’s face-to-face and electronic support group discussions. The answer:
“As many as a third of all patients will experience changes in taste after their first I-131 therapy,” notes Douglas Van Nostrand, M.D., Nuclear Medicine Physician at the Washington Hospital Center in DC, and ThyCa Medical Advisor, in the reference book “Thyroid Cancer: A Guide for Patients” (Second Edition, 2010).
He continues, “Food may taste metallic or like cardboard, or it may not have any flavor at all. This side effect may begin a few days to weeks after the I-131 therapy and lasts typically for several weeks and rarely for several months. Permanent changes in taste after the first I-131 therapy are rare, but the risk increases with higher individual dosages or total accumulated dosages.”
Dr. Van Nostrand details the possible side effects of RAI, as well as ways to prevent or treat them, in Chapter 26 of “Thyroid Cancer: A Guide for Patients.”
Where Do ThyCa Support Groups Meet?
Face-to-face ThyCa Support Groups meet across the United States and in Canada, Costa Rica, and Philippines. These are wonderful places to meet others in your community who are coping with thyroid cancer.
Find out whether there is a ThyCa Support Group near you, and attend meetings if you can. If you’d like information about starting a group in your community, contact the Support Group Team coordinator.
Hello, folks. I was diagnosed with early stage thyroid cancer and got a full thyroidectomy in mid-December and radioactive iodine a month later. I am also a Type 1 diabetic, which made it especially difficult to stick to the low iodine diet. So I just want to thank you for your Low Iodine Cookbook. I cooked a few of the recipes. They were delicious. Without them, I would have muddled
through on a diet of almond butter, egg whites, rice cakes, matzo and unimaginative chicken cutlets and ground beef/pasta. With them, my wife and I had satisfying meals. Thanks!
(Editor’s note: The Free Low-Iodine Cookbook is available in English, French and Spanish.
ThyCa Exhibits at National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Meeting
At the recent Annual Meeting of the NCCN, held in Florida, three ThyCa volunteers handled ThyCa’s exhibit and met numerous physicians involved in treatment and research for all types of cancer. Thank you very much to Christine Ciletti, Lori Grossman, and Linda Leibovici for representing ThyCa at this important event for medical professionals involved in cancer care and research.
Would You Like Free Materials for Raising Awareness?
We’ll be happy to mail you free awareness and outreach materials for your community event or for giving and sending to your friends, relatives, and community networks? Just send your complete mailing address, with a note about what materials you’d like as well as quantities, to thyca@thyca.org. Thank you for your help in spreading the word about awareness.
Twenty-Nine Medical Professionals Confirmed for Los Angeles!
It’s 6 months till the 14th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference, October 14-16, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. We’re excited to have already confirmed 29 distinguished medical professionals who will come from a wide range of leading medical centers to speak at the conference.
This unique weekend brings a tremendous opportunity to learn the latest about thyroid cancer treatment, long-term monitoring, and research advances from numerous outstanding leaders in thyroid cancer care. It’s also a place to see old friends and meet new friends in the world of thyroid cancer.
This unique event will take place at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport Hotel, with free transportation from the Los Angeles International Airport. We’ve arranged a special sleeping room rate of $99 plus tax per night.
Mark your calendars and plan to attend. We hope to see you there. Details and updates are continually being added to our website.
Dinner/Auction for Research Seeks Auction Item Donations
The annual Dinner/Auction Fundraiser for Thyroid Cancer will take place in Los Angeles on Saturday evening, October 15 at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport Hotel. The funds raised help make possible ThyCa’s research grants, now in our 9th consecutive year.
Would you like to donate an auction item to this important event? Details and the donation form are now on the web site, in the Conference and Rally for Research pages.
Hypoparathyroidism Association (HPTH) Conference in June
The 5th International Hypoparathyroidism Conference will take place in Rockville, Maryland, on June 2-4, 2011. This informative event will have presentations by physicians and other specialists. For more information and registration, visit www.hpth.org.
Hypoparathyroidism can result from the removal of or damage to the parathyroid glands during thyroid surgery, and those affected need to take calcium daily for the rest of their lives. There are other causes of hypoparathyroidism as well. The nonprofit Hypoparathyroidism Association (HPTH) offers education and support services for people affected by hypoparathyroidism. ThyCa and HPTH are collaborating in an effort to reduce the incidence of this potential complication of thyroid surgery.
Cancer Legal Rights Conferences
Free one-day conferences will take place in three cities (Chicago, IL, Washington, DC, and Ann Arbor, MI) during 2011, sponsored by the Cancer Legal Resource Center with ThyCa’s support in publicity. Visit our Calendar page for details.
University of Pennsylvania Sponsors Free Thyroid Cancer Meeting
On Friday, April 8, 2011, ThyCa exhibited at the Focus on Thyroid Cancer Meeting, sponsored by Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania. ThyCa also received a special award for thyroid cancer advocacy at this event. The next newsletter will have details.
Endocrinologists Speak at Support Group Meetings in Nevada
Thank you very much to:
- Dr. W. Reid Litchfield, Endocrinologist, for leading a question and answer session at the March meeting of the ThyCa Southern Nevada Support Group. Kathy Cannon and Leigh Ann Hinote are the group’s volunteer facilitators. For future meeting schedules, visit www.thyca.org/sg/nv_lasvegas/.
- • Dr. Lisa Abbott, Endocrinologist, for speaking about thyroid cancer care at the April meeting of the ThyCa Reno Support Group. Marta Brown and Marion Hammond are the group’s volunteer facilitators. For future meeting schedules, visit www.thyca.org/sg/nv_reno/.
Among the additions to the website are links to recent articles about treatment and research advances and about radiation exposure, additional workshops added to the Calendar page, the complete March newsletter, new local support groups, and more.
Our web site has more than 650 pages of content. More than 50 distinguished physicians plus numerous other specialists provide ongoing input and review of the medical information. We greatly appreciate the wonderful support of these medical specialists.
We update and expand the web site at least once a week. Thank you to our Web team, consisting of our webmasters: Betty Solbjor and Joel Amromin; our Publications Committee members; and our Medical Reviewers.
Visit www.thyca.org often for the latest information updates, the schedules of local support group meetings, and news about special events, or to get involved.
Let us know if you have suggestions for additional web site content, as well as additional questions to be answered by physicians. E-mail your ideas to publications@thyca.org. This is our web site, and it benefits from everyone’s contribution. It’s also a great way to get involved!
Low-Iodine Recipe of the Month
Contributed by Melissa M.
Chicken Stir-Fry
3 ounces Natural Chicken Breast, cubed (no broth injected)
Canola Oil
¾ cup zucchini – cut up
¾ cup mushrooms – sliced
1 large carrot sliced into thin disks
Sauce:
½ cup honey
1 clementine or ½ an orange
½ cup chopped unsalted cashews (I used food processor to chop)
Cracked Red Pepper – to taste
Cook chicken in skillet in a small amount of oil (I use canola) until fully cooked.
Add in zucchini, mushroom and carrots and cook until vegetables begin to cook.
In a separate bowl, combine honey and squeeze the juice of one whole Clementine or about ½ an orange into the honey. Mix thoroughly. Stir the chopped unsalted cashews into the sauce. Add in cracked red pepper to taste, I like things spicy, so I added quite a bit.
Pour the sauce into pan with the chicken and veggies and simmer for several minutes.
I served over basmati rice – YUM!
Melissa writes, “I want to say thank you SO much for this WONDERFUL resource you provide to all of us living with and through Thyroid Cancer. I am very grateful for the time and effort it took to compile such a wonderful book of recipes and diet guidelines, and can tell you that it has been such a help for me!”
Editor’s Note: Thank you, Melissa, for contributing this recipe, as well as a second recipe. We will include them in the next edition of ThyCa’s FREE Downloadable Low-Iodine Cookbook.
Free and Downloadable
Download the 7th edition of the Low-Iodine Cookbook in English for free, with more than 340 favorite recipes from more than 150 generous volunteers.
The Cookbook is also available in Spanish and French.
Please remember, while you’re welcome to download and print the entire free low-iodine cookbook, you can also print just the pages you need.
This free cookbook is a wonderful help when you’re preparing to receive radioactive iodine for treatment or testing. All the recipes are favorites of some of our ThyCa volunteers, who are sharing them with everyone, to make the low-iodine diet easy and tasty. The recipes are also great for family meals and for potlucks, any time.
If you’d like to contribute your favorite recipe or tip, send it to recipes@thyca.org.
Follow ThyCa on Facebook and Twitter
http://www.facebook.com/pages/THYCA/231492537404?ref=mf
On Twitter, at ThyCaInc.
Support the Rally for Research
Thanks to generous contributions and special fundraising events, ThyCa has awarded new thyroid cancer research grants every year starting in 2003. These grants support our goal of cures for all thyroid cancer and a future free of thyroid cancer. We will again award new research grants in 2011.
You’re invited to help support the Rally for Research. For details about the Rally for Research, donation opportunities, special events, Quarters for a Cure, and information about ThyCa’s past and future Research Grants, visit the Rally for Research page.
Help us sustain, strengthen, and extend our services. We invite you to become a member of ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
Your membership dues will support ThyCa’s efforts to reach and serve other survivors and their families around the world. Members receive our quarterly Membership Messenger newsletter.
Membership is open to everyone worldwide. You may become a 1-year ThyCa member ($25), 2-year member ($45), or lifetime member ($225). For our online Membership Form and our mailed Membership Form, go to our Membership page.
Every day, thousands of people with thyroid cancer, and their families, receive support, education, and hope from ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. Your generous support is what makes it possible to sustain, strengthen, and expand our services and outreach.
It only takes a minute to make a donation online in support of ThyCa’s work (or you are welcome to donate by mail to ThyCa, P.O. Box 964, Chesterfield, MO 63006-0964), so click here to give.
About ThyCa NEWS NOTES
Copyright (c) 2011 ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
Please share ThyCa News Notes with your family and friends. For permission to reprint in another electronic or print publication, please contact us at publications@thyca.org.
The information in this newsletter is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended, nor should it be interpreted, as medical advice or directions of any kind. Readers are advised to consult their own medical doctor(s) for all matters involving their health and medical care.
Your suggestions for articles are welcome. The deadline for articles and news items is the first day of each month.
Thank you to our writing, editing, and proofreading team for this issue: Leah Guljord, Melissa M., Pat Paillard, Barbara Status, Cherry Wunderlich, and Gary Bloom.
ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. is a national non- profit 501(c)(3) organization (tax ID #52-2169434) of thyroid cancer survivors, family members, and health care professionals. Contact us for free awareness materials and information about our free services and special events. E-mail thyca@thyca.org, call toll-free at 1-877-588-7904, fax 1-630-604-6078, write PO Box 1102, Olney, MD 20830-1102, or visit our website.
On Saturday, April 30, 2011, thyroid cancer survivors, caregivers, and friends are invited to the Vermont/New England Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Symposium.
The symposium is co-sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc., a national nonprofit organization that provides information and support to people with thyroid cancer, its local affiliates, and Stowe Weekend of Hope.
This educational and supportive event takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Executive Boardroom at the Stoweflake Resort and Spa, Stowe, Vermont.
Speakers include:
- Ming-Kai Chen, M.D., Nuclear Medicine/Dept. of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University and Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT
- Beatriz Tendler, M.D., Endocrinologist and Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT
People at all phases of testing, treatment, and follow-up for thyroid cancer, as well as family members, friends, and everyone interested in learning from experts about thyroid cancer are welcome.
You are invited to come for all or part of Saturday’s thyroid cancer symposium, and the Stowe Weekend of Hope, April 29 – May 1, 2011.
Stowe Weekend of Hope has additional seminar choices. Registration is free for first-time attendees, and $15 for returning attendees. The program schedule and advance registration are available at www.stowehope.org.
Added optional events include a Friday, April 29, Dessert Social and Speaker from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The discussion on Understanding Thyrogen will be led by Anthony Sena of Genzyme; this event has a fee with registration online at www.stowehope.org.
On Saturday Evening, April 30, following the Workshop, there will be a Thyroid Cancer Survivors/Caregivers Dinner Social. This event is free for thyroid cancer survivors, caregivers, and friends. For details, contact Jaime Toth at Southern-CT@thyca.org.
For more information about the thyroid cancer events, e-mail to thyca@thyca.org or Southern-CT@thyca.org,or phone Jaime Toth at 203-243-7866.
The ThyCa Southern Connecticut Support Group is the organizer and host of the Thyroid Cancer Symposium, Dessert Social, and Saturday Dinner. Visit ThyCa’s web site at www.thyca.org for more details about this and other coming events, and the numerous free year-round support services, educational resources, awareness campaigns, and thyroid cancer research fundraising of the national nonprofit ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
Genzyme Corporation is reporting that the global supply of Thyrogen will fluctuate through July 2011, causing temporary shortages in certain countries.
Genzyme anticipates a shortage in the United States beginning in mid-April and extending through mid-June and is notifying health care providers of the supply interruption so that they may schedule individual patient treatments appropriately during this time.
Communications about supplies in other countries are being managed by Genzyme affiliates at the regional level.
Regional disparities in supply are expected to continue to occur due to the logistical complexities of managing global demand with limited inventory.
Genzyme continues to work toward obtaining regulatory approvals worldwide for the fill/finish transfer to a third party contract manufacturing facility. All Thyrogen released from both Genzyme’s Allston, Massachusetts, plant and from the third party contract manufacturing facility has met all applicable quality standards and is safe for use in patients for whom it is indicated.
Genzyme also announced that it remains focused on restoring normal supply of Thyrogen globally as soon as possible.
For more information and articles about Thyrogen, which is given by injection to increase TSH prior to RAI testing or treatment for differentiated thyroid cancer (papillary, follicular, and their variants), visit www.thyca.org/links/#thyrogen
In This Issue:
- Free Spring Workshops To Feature Physician Speakers
- Endocrinologist To Speak at Reno, Nevada, Support Group Meeting
- “Miles for Matt” Raises Funds for ThyCa
- Why Attend a Local ThyCa Support Group?
- Where Do ThyCa Support Groups Meet?
- How Can I Start a Local ThyCa Support Group?
- Introducing the Leaders of ThyCa’s Support Group Coordination Team
- Latest News on Thyrogen Global Supply
- Potassium Iodide—ThyCa Medical Advisor Interview
- What’s New on our Website?
- New Online Forms
- New Local Support Groups Starting in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Tacoma, Washington
- Extra Los Angeles Support Group Meeting on March 26
- Part of the Human Heart
- Low-Iodine Recipe of the Month
- Follow ThyCa on Facebook and Twitter
- Support the Rally for Research
- Join Us, Become a Member
- Every Day
- About ThyCa News Notes
Free Spring Workshops To Feature Physician SpeakersOnline Registration Now Open
- Saturday, April 9, 2011, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 3rd New Jersey / Philadelphia Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop, co-sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. and The Cancer Support Community of Philadelphia. Saturday, April 16, 2011, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. St. Louis, Missouri. Midwest Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop in St. Louis. Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
- Friday, April 29 (evening) and Saturday, April 30, 2011. Stowe, Vermont. New England Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop in conjunction with the Stowe Weekend of Hope. Sponsored by Stowe Weekend of Hope and ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
- Monday, May 2, 2011, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Chicago, Illinois. Free Dinner Symposium: Midwest Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop in Chicago. Co-sponsored by Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center of Northwestern University and ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
- Saturday, June 11, 2011, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Silver Spring, Maryland. 10th Annual Mid-Atlantic Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop. Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
Physician speakers will share the latest information about treatment and research. They’ll answer your questions about thyroid cancer care, both short-term and over the long term. You’ll also have the opportunity for peer discussion roundtables with other thyroid cancer survivors and caregivers.
Thyroid cancer survivors, their families, caregivers, and friends are invited to attend. These one-day educational events are sponsored or, as noted, co-sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
These events are all free. Come for all or part of the day. You may register either online on our Conferences/Workshops page (for the workshops in Philadelphia, PA, St. Louis, MO, and Silver Spring, MD), through the co-sponsors’ online forms (on the flyers posted on our website), or onsite at any of the workshops.
Visit our web site for further details about the speakers, programs, and directions to the meetings.
Endocrinologist To Speak at Reno, Nevada, Support Group Meeting
On Tuesday, April 12, 2011, from 12 noon until 1:30 p.m., Dr. Lisa Abbott, Endocrinologist, will speak and answer questions about thyroid cancer care at Renown Regional Medical Center (Sierra Tower, First Floor, Cafeteria Board Room), 1155 Mill Street, Reno, Nevada.
This free event is organized and hosted by the ThyCa Reno Support Group. Marta Brown and Marion Hammond are the group’s volunteer co-facilitators. For more information, visitwww.thyca.org/sg/nv_reno/.
“Miles for Matt” Raises Funds for ThyCa
Our special thank you to Megan Forgie for organizing the second annual “Miles for Matt” fundraiser to raise funds for ThyCa. Megan will again run in the Broad Street Run in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to increase awareness of thyroid cancer and raise funds for ThyCa. This year’s run will take place on Sunday, May 1, 2011.
Megan is running in honor of her husband Matt, a thyroid cancer survivor. Megan invites everyone to stop by in support of her effort, and become part of the team! If you can’t make it to Philadelphia, but would like to support Megan’s fundraising effort, go to: www.active.com/donate/milesformatt.
Thank you, Megan!
Why Attend a Local ThyCa Support Group?
At a support group meeting you will find people with challenges similar to yours. You will meet and talk face to face with others in your community.
Participants in a support group share personal experiences with thyroid cancer, offer practical tips to help you cope with your situation, and provide emotional comfort and moral support.
Benefits of participating in support groups may include:
- Feeling less lonely, isolated, or judged
- Gaining a sense of empowerment and control
- Improved coping skills and adjustment
- An opportunity to talk openly and honestly about your feelings
- Reduction in distress, depression, or anxiety
- Clearer understanding of what to expect with your situation
- Learning about new medical research
- Getting practical information about treatment options
- Comparing notes about resources, such as doctors and options
(From information from Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, and Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, Rockville, MD)
Where Do ThyCa Support Groups Meet?
ThyCa has helped start face-to-face support groups across the United States and in Canada, Costa Rica, and Philippines.
Find out whether there is a ThyCa Support Group near you.
How Can I Start a Local ThyCa Support Group?
Don’t see a support group near you? Find out how you can help start a new group. Just e-mailsupport_coord@thyca.org. We’ll help you so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel!
Introducing the Leaders of ThyCa’s Support Group Coordination Team
We are pleased to introduce two longtime ThyCa volunteers who are now the coordinators of ThyCa Local Support Groups.
If you’re interested in starting a new ThyCa support group, Kathryn Wall will help you, in her role as Coordinator of ThyCa’s Support Group Development. Kathryn is Facilitator of the ThyCa Raleigh, North Carolina Support Group, and has been a ThyCa volunteer for over 10 years.
Karen Ferguson of South Carolina is Coordinator of ThyCa’s Existing Support Groups. Karen is ThyCa’s first volunteer. Early in 1995, she began bringing thyroid cancer survivors together over the Internet. She is one of ThyCa’s Co-Founders, originator of the first online support group, and currently the coordinator of ThyCa’s Toll-Free Number Team. Karen has worked with numerous support group facilitators during her more than 15 years of ThyCa volunteering.
We’d like to take this opportunity to again thank ThyCa’s Support Group Team Coordinators during the past 12 years:
- Ric Blake of New Hampshire started the first-ever face-to-face thyroid cancer support group, in 1996, is one of ThyCa’s Co-Founders, developed the ThyCa Support Group Program as well as the original Support Group Facilitator Manual, and is currently Co-Facilitator of the ThyCa Boston Support Group.
- Sara Brenner of Virginia started the ThyCa Northern Virginia Support Group and currently Co-Facilitates it.
- Leah Guljord of Florida started the ThyCa Space Coast Florida Support Group, which still provides telephone and e-mail support, as well as serving as ThyCa Membership Coordinator, ThyCa Spirit Items Coordinator, and editor of the free Low-Iodine Cookbook.
- Sandy Triplett of Missouri started the ThyCa Central Missouri Support Group and currently Co-Facilitates it.
- Theresa Wickerham of Missouri started the ThyCa St. Louis Support Group and currently Co-Facilitates it.
If you’d like to find out more about starting a local group, e-mail to support_coord@thyca.org. You will find the Support Group Facilitator Application form, as well as the web pages of all the current groups, at http://www.thyca.org/sg/.
Latest News on Thyrogen Global Supply
March 16, 2011 — Genzyme Corporation is reporting that the global supply of Thyrogen will fluctuate through July 2011, causing temporary shortages in certain countries.
Genzyme anticipates a shortage in the United States beginning in mid-April and extending through mid-June and is notifying health care providers of the supply interruption so that they may schedule individual patient treatments appropriately during this time.
Communications about supplies in other countries are being managed by Genzyme affiliates at the regional level.
Regional disparities in supply are expected to continue to occur due to the logistical complexities of managing global demand with limited inventory.
Genzyme continues to work toward obtaining regulatory approvals worldwide for the fill/finish transfer to a third party contract manufacturing facility. All Thyrogen released from both Genzyme’s Allston, Massachusetts, plant and from the third party contract manufacturing facility has met all applicable quality standards and is safe for use in patients for whom it is indicated.
Genzyme also announced that it remains focused on restoring normal supply of Thyrogen globally as soon as possible.
Potassium Iodide—ThyCa Medical Advisor Interview
The recent news from Japan has mentioned potassium iodide and the thyroid gland.
ThyCa Medical Advisor Kenneth D. Burman, M.D., gave helpful information on this topic several years ago.
Dr. Burman is Director of Endocrinology at the Washington Hospital Center in DC, a past president of the American Thyroid Association, a ThyCa Medical Advisor, and a contributing author of the patients’ reference book Thyroid Cancer: A Guide for Patients, now in its expanded second edition (2010).
Among the additions to www.thyca.org are a link to the recent study on treating Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer, additional details about all the Research Grants awarded by ThyCa since 2003, more coming events on the Calendar page, and more.
Our web site has more than 650 pages of content. More than 50 distinguished physicians plus numerous other specialists provide ongoing input and review of the medical information. We greatly appreciate the wonderful support of these medical specialists.
We update and expand the web site every week. Thank you to our Web team, consisting of our webmasters: Betty Solbjor and Joel Amromin; our Publications Committee members; and our Medical Reviewers.
Visit www.thyca.org often for the latest information updates, the schedules of local support group meetings, and news about special events, or to get involved.
Let us know if you have suggestions for additional web site content, as well as additional questions to be answered by physicians. E-mail your ideas to publications@thyca.org. This is our web site, and it benefits from everyone’s contribution. It’s also a great way to start being involved!
We’ve posted new online signup forms for our Free Guestbook and our Free Workshop Registration. If you’re already on our e-mail list, you’ve received 2 individual e-mails with information on how to access these new forms, if you choose to use one or both of them. If you’re new to ThyCa, you’ll find instructions on the forms themselves. These technology enhancements are designed to streamline ThyCa recordkeeping. As always, no identifying information will be shared, sold, or loaned to any individual or organization outside of ThyCa. If you have questions or comments about the new forms, please forward them to forms@thyca.org.
Thank you for helping with this transition.
New Local Support Groups Starting in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Tacoma, Washington
Thank you to the volunteers who stepped forward to form these new support groups:
- ThyCa Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Support Group
Wendy Garland, Facilitator - ThyCa Tacoma, Washington Support Group
Nancy Joyner, Facilitator
For locations, contact details, and web pages for all the local ThyCa Support Groups, visit www.thyca.org/sg/.
Extra Los Angeles Support Group Meeting on March 26
The ThyCa Los Angeles Support Group is holding two meetings in March. The extra meeting will take place on March 26. For details, visit www.thyca.org/sg/ca_losangeles/.
Part of the Human Heart
By Lorna Brunelle
(Excerpted with permission from pages 243-244 of Lorna’s book telling her personal story, “Dirty Bomb Shell: From Thyroid Cancer Back to Fabulous,” Authorhouse, 2010. Lorna is an actor, singer, writer, director, and teacher and has attended meetings of both the ThyCa Boston, Massachusetts, Support Group and the ThyCa Brockton, Massachusetts, Support Group.)
That Saturday, I attended my first (ThyCa) meeting in Boston. Since my diagnosis, I had become very familiar with their web site www.thyca.org. It wasn’t until I noticed a posting about the Chernobyl Anniversary Convocation in Boston that I actually wrote to one of the local members. Thrilled to have an educated person to chat with about thyroid cancer, I sent her daily emails about my life pre and post-cancer. She was a great resource. I could hardly wait to meet her in person.
As I walked through the court yard of the huge hospital in Boston I saw the face of the woman whose emails I had been drinking in for weeks. “You must be Lorna!” she said. “Come on in, Love. We are just about to get started.” Her Aussie/English accent (as she calls it) was both charming and entertaining.
The meeting opened with each person sharing their name, their type of thyroid cancer and how many years they were out. I’ll never forget how initially exhilarating it was to sit with a group of people who truly understand my new normal. Suddenly, typical salutations turned into group members using numbers and formulas to explain their health status.….My head was spinning. Just then it was my turn to speak.
“Hello, my name is Lorna Brunelle. I’m 35 years old. I am a year and a few months out. I had radioactive iodine radiation therapy on March 17th, 2005. I am ashamed to say I do not know my exact dosage. It was under 100. Maybe around 50? Was it 53? I completed Thyrogen injections this week. Forgive me. I am still a little foggy. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you any of my numbers….”
After a small speck of silence, a man in the group said, “Lorna, we will help you…. You need to watch your numbers and chart how you are feeling. You need to bring that information to your doctor…”
Low-Iodine Recipe of the Month
Contributed by Barbara P.
Bolivian Chicken
1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch strips
noniodized salt & pepper
2 Tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
2 large onions, chopped
2 sweet peppers, any colors, cut into 1/4 inch strips
2 minced or chopped garlic cloves
3 cups homemade chicken broth
3/4 cup peanut butter
1 (10 ounces) package petite frozen peas, thawed
1/4 cup bread crumbs (low-iodine)
Optional: Cayenne or jalapeno pepper, finely minced
Season chicken with salt and pepper. In a large frying pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add chicken strips and saute, stirring for about three minutes, until chicken turns opaque. Remove chicken and set aside.
Add onions, bell peppers, and garlic to pan. Saute about three minutes until onions are tender. For added heat, stir in hot pepper. Add broth and peanut butter. Simmer, stirring occasionally for about ten minutes.
Stir in chicken, peas, and bread crumbs. Cook gently 5 to 10 minutes more, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened and heated through. Serve over basmati rice.
Barbara writes, “Your cookbook is wonderful! I know there are already so many chicken recipes but this might be a little different. It’s delicious and freezes well.”
Thank you, Barbara, for contributing your recipe. We will include it in the next edition of the ThyCa FREE Downloadable Low-Iodine Cookbook.
Free and Downloadable
Download the 7th edition of the Low-Iodine Cookbook in English for free, with more than 340 favorite recipes from more than 150 generous volunteers.
The Cookbook is also available in Spanish and French.
Please remember, while you’re welcome to download and print the entire free low-iodine cookbook, you can also print just the pages you need.
This free cookbook is a wonderful help when you’re preparing to receive radioactive iodine for treatment or testing. All the recipes are favorites of some of our ThyCa volunteers, who are sharing them with everyone, to make the low-iodine diet easy and tasty. The recipes are also great for family meals and for potlucks, any time.
If you’d like to contribute your favorite recipe or tip, send it to recipes@thyca.org.
Follow ThyCa on Facebook and Twitter
http://www.facebook.com/pages/THYCA/231492537404?ref=mf
On Twitter, at ThyCaInc.
Support the Rally for Research
Thanks to generous contributions and special fundraising events, ThyCa has awarded new thyroid cancer research grants every year starting in 2003. These grants support our goal of cures for all thyroid cancer and a future free of thyroid cancer. We will again award new research grants in 2011.
You’re invited to help support the Rally for Research. For details about the Rally for Research, donation opportunities, special events, Quarters for a Cure, and information about ThyCa’s past and future Research Grants, visit the Rally for Research page.
Help us sustain, strengthen, and extend our services. We invite you to join ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
Your membership dues will support ThyCa’s efforts to reach and serve other survivors and their families around the world. Members receive our quarterly Membership Messenger newsletter.
Membership is open to people worldwide. You may become a 1-year ThyCa member ($25), 2-year member ($45), or lifetime member ($225).
Every day, thousands of people with thyroid cancer, and their families, receive support, education, and hope from ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. Your generous support is what makes it possible to sustain, strengthen, and expand our services and outreach.
It only takes a minute to make a donation online in support of ThyCa’s work (or you are welcome to donate by mail to ThyCa, P.O. Box 964, Chesterfield, MO 63006-0964), so click here to give.
About ThyCa NEWS NOTES
Copyright (c) 2011 ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
Please share ThyCa News Notes with your family and friends. For permission to reprint in another electronic or print publication, please contact us at publications@thyca.org.
The information in this newsletter is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended, nor should it be interpreted, as medical advice or directions of any kind. Readers are advised to consult their own medical doctor(s) for all matters involving their health and medical care.
Your suggestions for articles are welcome. The deadline for articles and news items is the first day of each month.
Thank you to our writing, editing, and proofreading team for this issue: Lorna Brunelle, Leah Guljord, Pat Paillard, Barbara P., Barbara Status, Cherry Wunderlich, and Gary Bloom.
ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. is a national non- profit 501(c)(3) organization (tax ID #52-2169434) of thyroid cancer survivors, family members, and health care professionals. Contact us for free awareness materials and information about our free services and special events. E-mail thyca@thyca.org, call toll-free at 1-877-588-7904, fax 1-630-604-6078, write PO Box 1102, Olney, MD 20830-1102, or visit our website.
On Saturday, February 12, 2011, from 2 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. Dr. Herbert Chen, Surgeon at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, will speak and answer questions about thyroid cancer care. The program will take place University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, Wisconsin Institute of Medical Research (WIMR) Building, Room 5001A 5th Floor Conference Room, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin.
This free event is open to the public. It is hosted by the ThyCa Madison Support Group, Tim Lau, facilitator. For more information visit www.thyca.org/sg/wi_madison/.
In This Issue:
- ThyCa Supports International Rare Diseases Day
- Hopeful Results from Recent Study of Treatment of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
- 10th Annual Megan Stendebach Memorial Golf Classic To Raise Funds for Research
- Free One-Day Regional Workshops Planned
- Take Part in these Online Surveys: Make Your Voice Heard
- Come to a Local Support Group Meeting in Your Community
- Newest Online Community Discusses Wide Range of Topics
- Free Packets for New Patients
- Free Seminars Educate Survivors and Caregivers
- Low-Iodine Recipe of the Month
- Press Room Gives Updates
- Follow ThyCa on Facebook and Twitter
- Support the Rally for Research
- Join Us, Become a Member
- Every Day
- About ThyCa NEWS NOTES
ThyCa Supports International Rare Diseases Day
February 28th brings an annual global event, International Rare Diseases Day, coordinated internationally by EURORDIS and in the U.S. by the National Organization for Rare Disorders. ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association is proud to again be a supporting partner for this important observance.
This event focuses attention on rare diseases as a public health concern. Patients, their families, caregivers and researchers show their support by posting stories, videos, and blogs or hosting or attending events to raise awareness about challenges associated with living with a rare disease.
The global theme for 2011 is “Health Inequalities.” This refers to the fact that more research and more treatments are needed. Also, people with rare diseases often have difficulty getting properly diagnosed, as well as accessing treatments or needed services.
While there are approximately 6,800 diseases considered rare in the U.S., only about 200 of these have FDA-approved treatments. Patients are often treated “off-label”, raising problems related to insurance. Most rare diseases are serious. Many are chronic or lifelong.
Learn about the rarest types and situations with thyroid cancer:
- Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
- Medullary Thyroid Cancer and
- Thyroid cancer in children and adolescents (differentiated (papillary, follicular) or medullary) .
- In addition, the reference book “Thyroid Cancer: A Guide for Patients” has a chapter on variants of well-differentiated thyroid cancer, including tall cell, columnar, insular, Hurthle cell, and other) (2nd edition, 2010, Keystone Press, more information).
Help raise awareness of thyroid cancer and the need for early detection. Help connect patients and families with the free support services and resources. Get the free AACE Neck Check Cards, downloadable flyers, and more, from ThyCa.
Visit the Raise Awareness page to get materials and find out how you can help.
Hopeful Results from Recent Study of Treatment of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
A recent report from researchers and clinicians at the Mayo Clinic described an aggressive multimodal treatment approach that offers hope for for people who newly diagnosed anaplastic thyroid cancer that is locoregionally confined rather than metastatic. Ten patients received the multimodal therapy. Their treatment included surgery if feasible, and, for all the patients, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and radiosensitizing plus adjuvant chemotherapy (docetaxel plus doxorubicin).
The research team, led by Robert L. Foote, M.D., concluded that “the aggressive multimodal therapy appears to improve outcomes, including survival in stages IVA and IVB regionally confined ATC, but remains of uncertain benefit in patients with stage IVC (metastatic) disease.” The researchers also noted, “also uncertain is the optimal chemotherapy regimen to use in conjunction with IMRT. Further multicenter randomized trials are required to define optimal therapy in this rare but deadly cancer.”
The article is titled “Enhanced survival in locoregionally confined anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: a single-institution experience using aggressive multimodal therapy.” It was published in Thyroid in January 2011. The authors are Foote RL, Molina JR, Kasperbauer JL, Lloyd RV, McIver B, Morris JC, Grant CS, Thompson GB, Richards ML, Hay ID, Smallridge RC, Bible KC. The abstract is available atwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21162687.
10th Annual Megan Stendebach Memorial Golf Classic To Raise Funds for Research
We are proud to announce that the 10th Annual Megan Stendebach Memorial Golf Classic is scheduled for Sunday, May 1, 2011, with a 9 a.m. start at the Northcliffe Golf Club in San Antonio, Texas. The Golf Tournament was originated by Megan Stendebach with the support of John Oaks and all the wonderful people of the Hangin’ Tree Saloon in San Antonio. More recently, the tournaments have been held in Megan’s memory. They have raised a total of more than $100,000 for thyroid cancer research.
Our special thanks to John Oaks, owner of the Hangin’ Tree Saloon, for your wonderful support of ThyCa through this event honoring the memory of longtime ThyCa volunteer Megan Stendebach.
Free One-Day Regional Workshops Planned
These FREE one-day events are highly educational, and a great chance to meet others who are coping with thyroid cancer.
- Saturday, April 9, 2011. New Jersey. Free 3rd Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop with Physician Speakers. Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. and The Wellness Community.
- Saturday, April 16, 2011. Missouri. Free 7th Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop with Physician Speakers. Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
- Spring, date to be announced. Maryland/Virginia near DC. Free 10th Mid-Atlantic Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop with physician speakers. Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
Watch the ThyCa web site for news about these and more free one-day thyroid cancer workshops, with physician speakers.
Take Part in these Online Surveys: Make Your Voice Heard
ThyCa Medical Advisors developed these surveys as part of their research aimed at improving knowledge and thyroid cancer care. It takes just a few minutes to complete each survey. Please take part.
- Survey about Radioactive Iodine and the Salivary Glands
- Survey about Thyroid Surgery and the Voice
Come to a Local Support Group Meeting in Your Community
These meetings are wonderful places to meet others in person, and share experiences, understanding, and encouragement.
ThyCa has helped start face-to-face support groups across the United States and in Canada, Costa Rica, and Philippines.
Find out whether there is a ThyCa Support Group near you: www.thyca.org/sg/.
Don’t see a support group near you? Find out how you can help start a new group. Just e-mailsupport_coord@thyca.org.
Newest Online Community Discusses Wide Range of Topics
Already people from eight countries have joined the new free ThyCa-Inspire Online Support Community—Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Philippines, United Kingdom, and United States,
This group now has a button and link on the right side of ThyCa’s home page. Or you can join by going tohttp://thyca.inspire.com. This online community connects patients, families, friends and caregivers for support and inspiration.
Some recent topics: “Newly found nodule,” “It’s been a long journey,” “Mom of thyca patient,” “What to tell children,” “New and grateful!,” “Meddies anywhere.”
You have the choice of 12 discussion categories for different types and situations with thyroid cancer. When you join (free), you also control your own privacy settings, as well as which topics to read and whether to respond.
Packets for newly diagnosed patients or patients new to ThyCa are free. Just send your name and address to thyca@thyca.org. The packets include the following:
- Thyroid Cancer Awareness Brochure featuring actress Catherine Bell
- Thyroid Cancer Fact Sheet
- “Do You Have Thyroid Cancer” Brochure
- ThyCa Patient Services Information wallet card
- Local Support Group list
- Know Your Pills Information Sheet
- Low Iodine Diet Guidelines
- ThyCa Resources List
- Events Preview
- and more.
Become an informed patient; send for your packet today.
Free Seminars Educate Survivors and Caregivers
Medical professionals in four states contributed their time and expertise to educate thyroid cancer survivors and caregivers at meetings of four ThyCa Local Support Groups in January and February.
Our thanks to:
Lisa Abbott, M.D., Endocrinologist, Reno, Nevada, for presenting and answering questions about thyroid cancer care on February 8th at Renown Regional Medical Center, Reno, Nevada. This free meeting was organized and hosted by the ThyCa Reno Support Group, Marta Brown and Marion Hammond, Co-Facilitators. www.thyca.org/sg/nv_reno/
Dr. Herbert Chen, Surgeon at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, Madison, Wisconsin, for presenting and answering questions about thyroid cancer care at University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics. This free meeting was organized and hosted by the ThyCa Madison Support Group, Tim Lau, Facilitator.
Cherly Long, Nuclear Medicine Department, Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, Rockville, Maryland, for explaining the hospital’s radiodine treatment and post-RAI procedures at the free January meeting of theThyCa Rockville Support Group, Ronni Emden and Sheldon Lehner, Co-Facilitators.
Dr. Alison Semrad, Endocrinologist, and John Linder, Social Worker, University of California Davis Medical Center, speakers at the free February meeting of the ThyCa Sacramento Valley Support Group, Karen Meeks Johnson, facilitator. h
Low-Iodine Recipe of the Month
Contributed by Angie K.
Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
8 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate (Baker’s or Hershey’s—Baker’s comes in handy little one-ounce wrapped squares)
¼ cup shortening
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cup powdered confectionary sugar
6 teaspoons (halved) unsalted, natural peanut butter (I liked Teddie Old-Fashioned All-Natural Peanut Butter best because the consistency of it was malleable enough for pouring and you didn’t really have to stir it up)
Mini-muffin pan (*I did not use paper/foil liners, but I’m sure you could if you wanted to.)
Melt chocolate and shortening in microwave in a large bowl for 1 ½ minutes and stir smooth.
Add vanilla and stir.
Add powdered sugar, taking care to make sure mixture remains easy to stir. Too much sugar will make the chocolate too stiff to put in the muffin pan.
Using a teaspoon, spoon chocolate mixture into bottoms of muffin cups*, just covering the bottoms, depending on how thick you like them. Tap tin to settle chocolate flat. Next, spoon a half-teaspoon of peanut butter into the chocolate in each muffin cup and tap the tin again to settle the peanut butter into the chocolate.
Finally, go back and cover the peanut butter in each cup with the chocolate. I found it was easiest to spoon the chocolate on and then swirl it over with the underside of the spoon to cover the peanut butter.
Refrigerate until hardened (my husband and I kept watching the clock—it took about half an hour). The peanut butter cups will pop right out of the tin with a little gentle pressure from a butter knife. We found (after two or three) that if you let them sit for about two minutes after taking them out of the fridge, the chocolate will melt just enough so that you can bite in without breaking a tooth. Enjoy!
(There will be a little more than 12 mini-muffin cups’ worth of chocolate, so if you have another tin, you can make two or so more, depending on how thick you like the cups. I put the rest of my mixture into a small Dixie cup and mixed in about a teaspoon of peanut butter and make a little fudge-type creation that was quite tasty on its own.)
Thank you, Angie, for contributing your recipe. We will include it in the next edition of the ThyCa FREE Downloadable Low-Iodine Cookbook.
Free and Downloadable
Download the 7th edition of the Low-Iodine Cookbook in English for free, with more than 340 favorite recipes from more than 150 generous volunteers.
The Cookbook is also available in Spanish and French . Please remember, while you’re welcome to download and print the entire free low-iodine cookbook, you can also print just the pages you need.
This free cookbook is a wonderful help when you’re preparing to receive radioactive iodine for treatment or testing. All the recipes are favorites of some of our ThyCa volunteers, who are sharing them with everyone, to make the low-iodine diet easy and tasty. The recipes are also great for family meals and for potlucks, any time.
If you’d like to contribute your favorite recipe or tip, send it to recipes@thyca.org.
Visit ThyCa’s Online Press Room for fact sheets, press releases, details about Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, news about the 14th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference in October, and more.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/THYCA/231492537404?ref=mf
Follow ThyCa on Twitter, at http://twitter.com/ThyCaInc.
Support the Rally for Research
Thanks to generous contributions and special fundraising events, ThyCa has awarded new thyroid cancer research grants every year starting in 2003. These grants support our goal of cures for all thyroid cancer and a future free of thyroid cancer. We plan to award new research grants in 2011.
You’re invited to help support the Rally for Research. For details about the Rally for Research, donation opportunities, special events, Quarters for a Cure, and information about ThyCa’s past and future Research Grants, visit the Rally for Research page.
Help us sustain, strengthen, and extend our services. We invite you to join ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
Your membership dues will support ThyCa’s efforts to reach and serve other survivors and their families around the world. Members receive our quarterly Membership Messenger newsletter.
Membership is open to people worldwide. You may become a 1-year ThyCa member ($25), 2-year member ($45), or lifetime member ($225).
Every day, thousands of people with thyroid cancer, and their families, receive support, education, and hope from ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. Your generous support is what makes it possible to sustain, strengthen, and expand our services and outreach.
It only takes a minute to make a donation online in support of ThyCa’s work (or you are welcome to donate by mail to ThyCa, P.O. Box 964, Chesterfield, MO 63006-0964), so click here to give.
Copyright (c) 2011 ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
Thank you to our writing, editing, and proofreading team for this issue: Jacki E., Leah Guljord, Pat Paillard, Mary Seemueller, Barbara Statas, Cherry Wunderlich, and Gary Bloom.
Your suggestions for articles are welcome. The deadline for articles and news items is the first day of each month.
Please share ThyCa News Notes with your family and friends. For permission to reprint in another electronic or print publication, please contact us at publications@thyca.org.
The information in this newsletter is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended, nor should it be interpreted, as medical advice or directions of any kind. Readers are advised to consult their own medical doctor(s) for all matters involving their health and medical care.
ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. is a national non-profit 501(c)(3) organization (tax ID #52-2169434) of thyroid cancer survivors, family members, and health care professionals.
We are dedicated to support, education, and communication for thyroid cancer survivors, their families, and friends, as well as to public awareness for early detection, treatment, and lifetime health monitoring, and to thyroid cancer research fundraising and research grants.
Contact us for free awareness materials and information about our free services and special events. E-mailthyca@thyca.org, call toll-free at 1-877-588-7904, fax 1-630-604-6078, write PO Box 1102, Olney, MD 20830-1102, or visit our website.
On Tuesday, February 8, 2011, from 12 noon until 1:30 p.m. Dr. Lisa Abbott, Endocrinologist, will speak and answer questions about thyroid cancer care at Renown Regional Medical Center (Sierra Tower, First Floor, Cafeteria Board Room),1155 Mill Street, Reno, Nevada.
This free event is organized and hosted by the ThyCa Reno Support Group. Marta Brown and Marion Hammond are the group’s volunteer co-facilitators. For more information, visit www.thyca.org/sg/nv_reno/.
In 2011, for the ninth year in a row, ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. will award new grants for thyroid cancer research, open to researchers worldwide. Thanks to the generosity of all of our donors, ThyCa’s grants program is being expanded, and up to three new research projects will be funded in 2011 based on the decision of the selection committee. Each grant will be for 2 years. The ThyCa Research grants are open to all researchers and institutions worldwide.
An independent expert panel of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) will select the grant recipients. The Call for Proposals and eligibility requirements are available on the ATA web site (www.thyroid.org). The deadline for submission of a proposal summary to the ATA is January 31, 2011.
Past ThyCa research grants have been awarded to researchers in 11 medical centers in France, Germany, Switzerland, and the United States.
More information about ThyCa Research Funds and the annual Rally for Research, is available at http://www.thyca.org/about-us/medical-advisors/.
ThyCa invites everyone to join us in our quest to find cures for all thyroid cancer.
ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. has launched a new online support community for people coping with thyroid cancer, as well as their families, friends, and caregivers.
ThyCa created this new community in partnership with Inspire, a company that works with nonprofits to provide safe, online health and wellness communities.
Members of the community (http://thyca.inspire.com) can participate in moderated discussion groups and post personal journals. Registration is free. Upon joining, members will have complete control of their privacy options and can communicate with others in a safe, secure environment. Twelve discussion groups are available.
“We initiated this new online community to benefit people with thyroid cancer, wherever they live, as well as caregivers and friends, through Inspire’s resources,” said Gary Bloom, Executive Director of ThyCa.
“We are proud to partner with ThyCa and do our part to support everyone involved in thyroid cancer. We expect this community will be a trusted, thriving online space,” said Brian Loew, CEO of Inspire, which partners with nonprofits to create safe, moderated online communities organized by condition for patients to share information and to support each other.
The new community is open to people with any type of thyroid cancer, as well as caregivers and friends. Participants can take part in any of more than a dozen discussion groups. They also set up their own individual profile pages and privacy settings.
ThyCa is a non-profit organization of thyroid cancer survivors, family members, and health care professionals. ThyCa is dedicated to support, education, and communication for thyroid cancer survivors, their families and friends, as well as Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month and year-round awareness campaigns, plus thyroid cancer research fundraising and research grants.
For more information about the new online community, e-mail to outreach@thyca.org.