Free Midwest Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop To Be Held Saturday, April 17, 2010

On Saturday, April 17, 2010, thyroid cancer survivors, caregivers, and friends are invited to the 6th Midwest Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop. The workshop is sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc., a national organization that provides information and support to people with thyroid cancer, and its local affiliates.

This free education and support event takes place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Community Center for Health and Education, St. Joseph Medical Center, 1000 Carondelet Drive (I-435 and State Line), Kansas City, Missouri.

Speakers include:

  • Uzma Khan, M.D., Endocrinologist, University of Missouri Hospital, Columbia, Missouri
  • Paul Ladenson, M.D., Endocrinologist, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
  • Debbie Ritchie, M.S.N., A.P.R.N., B.C., F.N..P, Advanced ENT Nurse Practitioner, University of Missouri Hospital, Columbia, Missouri
  • Lisa Shnayder, M.D.,F.A.C.S., Otolaryngologist, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.

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. Nursing contact hours will be provided by Carondelet Health.

This event is free. You are invited to come for all or part of the day. Register either online at www.thyca.org/conferences.htm(form to be made available) or onsite at the workshop. For more information, e-mail kc-mo@thyca.org or thyca@thyca.org, or call 816-529-6643.

The ThyCa Kansas City Support Group is the primary organizer of the event, with help from the ThyCa Central Missouri and ThyCa St. Louis Support Groups. Visit ThyCa’s web site at www.thyca.org for more details about the program and directionsto St. Joseph Medical Center.

In This Issue

Dr. Daniel Caruso To Speak on March 9, 2010

We are pleased to announce that Daniel R. Caruso, M.D., Endocrinologist, will speak and answer questions about thyroid cancer treatment and testing on Tuesday, March 9, 2010, from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. at the meeting of the ThyCa Reno, Nevada, Support Group.

The free program and meeting take place at Renown Regional Medical Center, Sierra Tower, First Floor, Cafeteria Board Room, 1155 Mill Street, Reno, Nevada.

The host group is a free support group for thyroid cancer survivors, family members, and friends. Attendees share information, experiences, and coping strategies at the meetings on the second Tuesday of each month, starting at noon.

The seminar on March 9th is open to the public. The volunteer facilitators of the meeting and support group are Marta Brown and Marion Hammond. For more information, e-mail to reno-nv@thyca.org. Or visit the group’s web page: www.thyca.org/sg/nv_reno/

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Surveys Receiving Lots of Responses: Have You Taken Part?

We’re excited to report that large numbers of thyroid cancer survivors have already completed the 3 online surveys developed by four of ThyCa’s Medical Advisors.

If you haven’t yet taken part, you’re invited to complete each of the 3 different surveys about your experiences with your thyroid cancer.

It will just take a few minutes for you to complete each survey.

If you’re reading this, and you’re thinking, “It won’t matter if I participate,” you do matter. The more of us who participate, the louder our voice becomes.

These surveys are a form of thyroid cancer research. We all have a chance to impact our care going forward. Help us make a difference.

  • Voice Following Thyroid Cancer Surgery, survey sponsored by David Myssiorek, M.D., Otolaryngologist
  • Radioactive Iodine Treatment, survey sponsored by Douglas Van Nostrand, M.D., Nuclear Medicine Physician, and Matthew Ringel, M.D., Endocrinologist
  • Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use, survey sponsored by Stephanie Lee, M.D., Ph.D., Endocrinologist

You can get to all three surveys by going to our Surveys page.:

Please take part. Make a difference. Thank you very much.

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Partnering with NORD for Rare Disease Day

Rare Disease Day, February 28, 2010, is a grassroots awareness effort, with events and activities taking place across the U.S. and online. Sponsor is the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).

ThyCa is proud to be a Rare Disease Day Partner with NORD, and greatly appreciates NORD’s efforts in advocacy for research and patient care.

Anaplastic thyroid cancer and medullary thyroid cancer are the two rarest types of thyroid cancer. Both urgently need more research for cures. Pediatric thyroid cancer (typically papillary or follicular, and sometimes medullary) is also rare. ThyCa sponsors free online support groups as well as providing web site content devoted to each of these types of thyroid cancer.

For Rare Disease Day, NORD and Discovery Health developed on-air and online messages, to provide information about rare diseases and voice the themes of the day—

  • .that rare diseases are an important public health concern
  • that additional research is needed to develop new treatments for these diseases.

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ThyCa Is Now on Facebook

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. is now on Facebook (Group Name: THYCA)!

Become a fan of THYCA, message us, and send us your suggestions!

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Free Spring Workshops To Feature Physician Speakers

  • Saturday, April 17, 2010. Kansas City, Missouri. The 6th Midwest Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Worksho
  • Saturday, May 22, 2010. Baltimore, Maryland. The 9th Annual Mid-Atlantic Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop
  • Saturday, May 29, 2010. St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. The Newfoundland-Labrador Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop

These free one-day educational events are sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. Thyroid cancer survivors, their families, caregivers, and friends are invited to attend.

On Saturday, April 17, 2010, you’re invited to the 6th Midwest Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop. This educational and supportive event will take place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Community Center for Health and Education, St. Joseph Medical Center, 1000 Carondelet Drive (I-435 and State Line), Kansas City, Missouri.

Speakers include Uzma Khan, M.D., Endocrinologist, University of Missouri Hospital, Columbia, Missouri; Paul Ladenson, M.D., Endocrinologist, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Debbie Ritchie, M.S.N., A.P.R.N., BC, FNP, Advanced ENT Nurse Practitioner, University of Missouri Hospital, Columbia, Missouri; Lisa Shnayder, M.D.,F.A.C.S., Otolaryngologist, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas; and more being confirmed.

These events are free. Come for all or part of the day. You may register either online on our Conferencespage (form to be made available soon) or onsite at the workshop. Visit ThyCa’s web site for further details about the speakers, programs, and directions to the meetings.

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Cancer-Related Legal Issues Are Focus of Events

The Cancer Legal Resource Center (CLRC) is hosting two one-day educational conferences in 2010 for patients, caregivers, and health care professionals on cancer-related legal issues.

The free events will take place in Chicago, Illinois, on Friday, June 18, 2010, at Loyola University Chicago School of Law, and in Los Angeles, California, on Friday, October 8, 2010, at UCLA Medical Center. These events are dedicated to educating people coping with cancer, caregivers, advocates, and health care professionals.

Topics include employment and taking time off work, getting and keeping health insurance, navigating managed care, estate planning, disability and life insurance options, government benefits, and legislative advocacy and cancer community resources.

Details are available at www.CancerLegalResourceCenter.org. ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association is pleased to partner with CLRC in connection with these events.

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Volunteer in the Spotlight: Meet Brian Madeleine

In November 2009, Brian Madeleine of Michigan came forward to volunteer for ThyCa. He has already made a big difference.

Thanks to Brian, ThyCa now has a Facebook presence (Group Name: THYCA). Brian created ThyCa’s Facebook Wall, Information, and Events pages. He has also developed press releases, plus a plan for further outreach and communications nationally, and internationally.

Brian doesn’t have thyroid cancer, nor does anyone else in his family. His connection that led him to ThyCa is a family friendship with ThyCa Troy, Michigan, Support Group Facilitator Gwynne Bambach. This winter, when Brian offered his services, Gwynne connected him with ThyCa. Thank you, Gwynne.

Brian is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a focus in journalism and public relations.

Brian is one of the volunteers we’re honored to call Friends when we say that ThyCa volunteers are thyroid cancer survivors, family members, and friends. Thank you, Brian!

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Readers’ Ideas for Quarters for the Cure

From Regina F.
I read in the newsletter about the quarter per week idea—Good Idea! Suggestion: design and provide a container/bank/envelope which could be used for this purpose. It could be put on one’s dresser /desk / kitchen counter /car dashboard / gym locker / nightstand / TV to remind a person to put the quarter in every week at a particular time (right before going to church…on payday…when going to a weekly club meeting…on the way to a weekly hair/nail appointment…before going to a weekly social event…on the way to the gym….whatever one does on a regular basis). This would make it easier to accumulate the quarter a week….just a suggestion.

P.S. Thank you for all your work and help.

(Editor’s Note: ThyCa will provide donation envelopes for this purpose. Just send your mailing address tofundraising@thyca.org or call 877-588-7904. To find out more about Quarters for the Cure, visit our Rally for Research page.

From Louise S., ThyCa Local Support Group Facilitator
We’ve discussed the Quarters for ThyCa campaign at our recent support group meeting. The group likes it and has decided to keep a piggy bank on the table with our coffee. We are now emptying our pockets of change when we come to the meetings.

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From the E-Mail Box

My dad is a thyroid cancer survivor. He starts his low iodine diet next week. Thank you for this website. I have learned so much. I have sent my dad the information. This is very useful information. Thank you very much! I loved the cookbook! And it’s free! You are the best.
—Christy C.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! After downloading the Cookbook and information that came with it, I was very prepared for the surgery, diet and recuperation. It is so important to be prepared and have your meals on hand because you just can’t grab just anything. I have been so grateful for the suggestions for snacks to bring with me where ever I go. I would have been in a bad way if I had been unprepared.
— Rebecca S.

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What’s New on the Web Site?

Some of the latest additions to www.thyca.org include added events in the Calendar, pages for each new Local Support Group, the current list of 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 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 ideas 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!

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My Butterfliesby Marie Cecile Trujillo of Nevada

My pretty butterflies fly here and there and everywhere,
Where are you going my little busy butterflies?
Here and there and everywhere
Going from flower to flower.
Where are you going little butterflies?
Fly away, fly away, my pretty butterflies.

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Mrs. Pennsylvania International Contestant Raises Awareness of Thyroid Cancer and ThyCa

Sherri Xanthopoulos Russo, Mrs. Collegeville Pennsylvania, is competing in the Mrs. Pennsylvania International Pageant with a platform on thyroid cancer awareness in women.

She reports that her gynecologist found her nodule, and had begun doing neck checks as part of the regular examinations. She was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2008. She hopes that all gynecologists will do neck checks during routine exams.

In addition to helping ThyCa with outreach and awareness, of both thyroid cancer and ThyCa, Sherri is also donating a portion of her sponsorship proceeds to ThyCa.

Thank you, Sherri, for raising awareness of thyroid cancer!

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Welcome to the Newest Local Support Groups
Groups Form in Seven States

Welcome to our six newest local support groups, as well as a returning group, and thank you to the volunteer facilitators. Each group has its own web page.

  • ThyCa San Diego, California – Teri Baird and Mary Finley, Co-Facilitators
  • ThyCa North Miami Dade, Florida – Maxine Poupko and Fran Goodstat, Co-Facilitators
  • ThyCa Atlanta Georgia – Liz White, Facilitator
  • ThyCa Sante Fe, New Mexico – Melissa Pickett, Facilitator
  • ThyCa Manhattan, New York – Arlene Bregman, Facilitator
  • ThyCa Charlotte, North Carolina — Ardith Allen, Facilitator
  • ThyCa Northwest Philadelphia — Pat Paillard, Facilitator

More than 80 ThyCa thyroid cancer support groups are available in communities around the United States and in Canada, Costa Rica, and Philippines. ThyCa support groups are free and open to any and all survivors and their families, students, and others interested. You may either contact the facilitator by e-mail or telephone, or simply show up at the meeting. Friends and family are always welcome.

Go to our Support Groups page for a complete list of groups, contact information, and meeting schedules. This page also has information about starting a group in your area. If you don’t have Internet access, call (toll-free): 1-877-588-7904.

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Cancer Is Not Funny, But…By Stacey Feeney

I am a thyroid cancer survivor for the past 11 years! As with everyone who is diagnosed with cancer … when I heard the word “cancer,” the number of emotions that emerged was overwhelming, and left my head spinning.

I was diagnosed on my and my husband’s wedding anniversary, and scheduled the surgery for four days later. Things were moving very fast, to say the least … so much information, so many questions, so much uncertainty.

What I did find to be the most overpowering of thoughts was how was I going to tell my 9-year-old son how was this all going to turn out. What if it came back, etc.

My husband and I decided that honesty would be best … not too much information, but nonetheless, to be honest and upfront was the best thing to do. Two days before my surgery, my husband and I told our son the very basics of what was going to happen. We wanted to explain what my neck would look like when I came home, as we did not want him to be shocked or frightened when he saw me. He asked a couple of questions and seemed to be satisfied with the answers.

The day before my surgery, I had not gone to work. I wanted to get some stuff together and organized. I picked my son up from school and came home so we could spend some time together.

Funny, as we sat on couch, I looked at him and it seemed like I could actually see him thinking as to what he was going to ask me. I did not know what, but I could see something forming in his mind.

And then he asked, and his exact words were, and I will never forget, “So, Mom … hmmm … You said that you are going into the hospital and the doctor is going to cut your neck from here to here (he motioned with his finger a cutting motion from ear to ear) to take that lump out that is making you sick. SO ARE YOU GOING TO LOOK LIKE A PEZ DISPENSER?”

Let me tell you, I laughed so hard and gave him a big hug. And I answered him very honestly, and with a big smile, “Yes, I guess I am, but only for a little while.” Then we had some ice cream. Thank you for allowing me to share my story.

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Low-Iodine Recipe of the MonthContributed by Jane G. of Oregon

Orange Oat Muffins

¼ cup oat bran
½ cup quick-cooking oats
1/3 cup orange juice concentrate
½ cup water

Combine oat bran, oats, juice concentrate, and water in medium bowl and set aside for 20 minutes.

1 egg white (see note)
2 Tbsp. canola or other oil

Add to oat/juice mixture after 20 minutes.

3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 cup sugar (half Splenda okay)
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 Tbsp. grated orange peel (optional)

Mix dry ingredients together in small bowl.Add to oat/juice mixture and stir only until combined. Divide batter equally into 6 greased muffin cups.

Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool in pans; then remove to wire rack. Freeze for longer storage. These taste great slightly warmed in a microwave.

Note: 1 Tablespoon ground flax seed soaked in 2 Tablespoons boiling water may be substituted for the egg white.

Thank you, Jane! We’ll include this recipe in the next edition of the FREE Downloadable Low-Iodine Cookbook.

Download the 6th edition of the Low-Iodine Cookbook for free, with more than 250 favorite recipes from more than 100 generous volunteers.

The Cookbook is also available in Spanish and in 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 to the cookbook’s next edition, send it torecipes@thyca.org.

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You’re Invited To Become a Member

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. You may join as a 1-year member ($25), 2-year member ($45), or lifetime member ($225).

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Events Preview 2010

  • Every Month in 2010. ThyCa’s Thyroid Cancer Support Group Meetings in Your Community. More than 80 local support groups in the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, and Philippines. For the complete list of groups, contact information, and more details, visit our Support Groups page.
  • Tuesday, March 9, 2010, from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. Free talk and question and answer session with Daniel R. Caruso, M.D., Endocrinologist, at the meeting of the ThyCa Reno, Nevada, Support Group. For more information, e-mail to reno-nv@thyca.org. Or visit the group’s web page.
  • Saturday, April 17, 2010. Kansas City, Missouri. The 6th Midwest Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop with Physician Speakers. Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. At St. Joseph Medical Center, Community Center for Health and Education, 1000 Carondelet Drive, Kansas City, Missouri. Free.
  • Saturday, May 15, 2010, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Thyroid Disease and You. Free educational forum about all thyroid disorders. Physician speakers. Held in conjunction with the American Thyroid Association meeting. ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. is a co-sponsor of the forum. Location: Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, 1300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403. Reservations requested; Walk-ins welcome. E-mail thyca@thyca.org to RSVP. (Please indicate in your message the thyroid condition you are most concerned about.)
  • Saturday, May 22, 2010 (Baltimore, Maryland. The 9th Annual Mid-Atlantic Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop with Physician Speakers. Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. Free.
  • aturday, May 29, 2010. St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. Newfoundland and Labrador Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop with Physician Speakers. Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. Free.
  • 2010. More Free Seminars and Workshops with Physician Speakers, sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. Details will be posted on our website.
  • June 4-5, 2010. Rockville, Maryland. Hypoparathyroidism Patient Conference, sponsored by the nonprofit Hypoparathyroidism Association (www.hypoparathyroidism.org), which is listed on the Links page on the ThyCa site. There will be physician speakers. Conference Location: Rockville Hilton Hotel. For details, visit the Hypoparathyroidism Association web site.
  • Friday, June 18, 2010, Chicago, Illinois. Cancer-Related Legal Issues. Free educational conference sponsored by the Cancer Legal Resource Center (CLRC for patients, caregivers, and health care professionals on cancer-related legal issues. At Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Details atwww.disabilityrightslegalcenter.org/about/CRLCconference.cfm.
  • September 2010. Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month. Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. Plus year-round awareness campaigns. Visit the Raise Awareness Page on our website to download free flyers, or request free awareness materials.
  • Friday, October 8, 2010, Los Angeles, California, at UCLA Medical Center. Cancer-Related Legal Issues. Free educational conference sponsored by the Cancer Legal Resource Center (CLRC) for patients, caregivers, and health care professionals. Details atwww.disabilityrightslegalcenter.org/about/CRLCconference.cfm.
  • The 13th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference
    October 15-17, 2010 in Dallas, Texas
    Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid 7Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
  • • The 9th Annual Dinner/Auction Fundraiser for Thyroid Cancer Research.
    October 16, 2009 in Dallas, Texas
    Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.

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Thank You From ThyCa!

We believe that no one should have to be alone when facing thyroid cancer.

Our free support services are offered with this as our main goal. We thank everyone for giving your time and talents to making possible our free services, publications, and events.

We’re grateful to you for reaching out to others worldwide, to help connect them with ThyCa’s many free support services and educational resources.

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Every Day…

Every day, thousands of people with thyroid cancer, and their families, receive support, education, and hope from ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.

Every day, numerous people distribute ThyCa outreach materials to their physicians, making them aware of a resource that can benefit their patients dealing with a thyroid cancer diagnosis.

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 secure donation online in support of ThyCa’s work (or you are welcome to donate by mail), so click here to give.

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Ask ThyCa

If you have questions about thyroid cancer, please send them to thyca@thyca.org and we’ll answer your question in an upcoming newsletter as well as adding to our web site content.

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Your Ideas?

What sections of ThyCa’s web site do you find most helpful? What suggestions do you have for ThyCa’s web site? E-mail your answers and ideas to publications@thyca.org.

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About ThyCa NEWS NOTES
Copyright (c) 2010 ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.

Thank you to our writing, editing, and proofreading team for this issue of the newsletter: Stacey Feeney, Jane G., Leah Guljord, Pat Paillard, Barbara Statas, Marie Cecile Trujillo, 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.

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-mail thyca@thyca.org, call 1-877-588-7904, fax 1-630-604-6078, write PO Box 1102, Olney, MD 20830-1102, or visit our website.

In This Issue

Dr. Michael Karl To Speak on February 13, 2010

We are pleased to announce that Michael Karl, M.D., will speak and answer questions about thyroid cancer treatment and testing on February 13, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the first meeting of the new North Miami Dade ThyCa Support Group.

The free program and meeting take place at Jackson North Medical Center, Second Floor Auditorium, 160 Northwest 170th Street, North Miami Beach, Florida.

Dr. Karl is Associate Professor of Medicine and Chief of Endocrinology at Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. He is an active member of the Center for Endocrine Diseases and Endocrine Tumors at Jackson North Medical Center. His areas of clinical expertise include the treatment of thyroid cancers.

Before joining FIU, Dr. Karl was a physician-scientist at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He is a longtime supporter of ThyCa, and was a speaker at ThyCa’s 9th Conference, held in Orlando, Florida, in October 2006.

The seminar is open to the public. The volunteer facilitators of the meeting and support group are Maxine Poupko and Fran Goodstat. For information about the group and meeting, e-mail northmiamibeach-fl@thyca.org or visit the group’s web page.

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ThyCa To Award Two New Research Grants in 2010

In 2010, for the eighth year in a row, ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. will award new grants for thyroid cancer research.

Each new grant will be for 2 years. One grant will support research on follicular-cell-derived thyroid cancer, including papillary, follicular, anaplastic, and variants. The other grant will support research on medullary thyroid cancer.

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. ATA is the professional association of clinicians and researchers concerned with thyroid diseases. Deadline for the initial applications was January 31, 2010. The review and selection process will continue for the next several months.

Our generous donors make these grants possible. More research for cures is urgently needed, You are helping us all move toward our goal of a future free of thyroid cancer.

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My StoryBy Vivian Scott of Seattle, Washington

In late 1999 I had my annual appointment with my gynecologist, who did the obligatory feel around the neck and then said, “You have a nodule on your thyroid.”

Okay. I had two fine needle biopsies, and was told I was okay, not to worry about anything, probably nothing.

A few months went by and I had this nagging feeling… so I went back and insisted that the nodule be removed.

The first surgery removed half the thyroid. When I went back in for my post-operative appointment on April 6th, 2000, the surgeon hadn’t received the pathology results. He asked me to wait in an examining room while he asked the lab to fax the information. I heard the fax machine. I heard him walk into his office next to the examining room. Then I heard pages being frantically turned.

He then came in and told me I had medullary thyroid cancer and that I needed to have my teenage daughter tested immediately because many cases are familial. We immediately scheduled the second surgery for the complete thyroidectomy and neck dissection for four days later. I went to pick up my daughter from school, shocked and stunned.

I found ThyCa on the Internet and, even better, I found ThyCa’s Medullary Thyroid Cancer E-Mail Group. Heaven! I heard from other “meddies” how to get genetic testing, what to look for, what to ignore, and basically how to take control of my own destiny.

Well, here I am nearly 10 years later. I still suffer from lupus, I still get my calcitonin draws, and I still check the box about cancer on forms at the doctor’s office, but none of that is my main focus. I focus on well-being and being well.

I also know that when I was newly diagnosed and feeling stressed, having any sort of trouble at work was simply overwhelming. I am a certified mediator, and recently I wrote a book, “Conflict Resolution At Work For Dummies.” In a future newsletter, I’ll share some workplace tips based on the book.

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Megan Forgie To Run for Thyroid Cancer Awareness

On Sunday, May 2, 2010, Megan Forgie will run in the Broad Street Run in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to increase awareness of thyroid cancer and raise funds for ThyCa. Megan is running in honor of her husband Matt, a thyroid cancer survivor.

“Our goal is to raise awareness!!” Megan writes. She adds, “Annual physicals are so important in detection. That is how Matt’s cancer was initially discovered. We are so blessed his was caught at an early stage due to a simple annual physical. As you know, he had his entire thyroid removed and underwent the Radioactive Iodine Treatment (RAI), which gave successful results. Now it is a matter of regulating his thyroid hormone replacement levels and getting through his scans.”

Thank you for your terrific efforts and support, Megan and Matt.

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Thank You for the Gold’s Gym Fundraiser

Thank you very much to Michelle Dougan of New York for organizing the Gold’s Gym Thyroid Cancer Day to raise Awareness and Funds in Liverpool, New York, on January 23. And also for organizing the dinner fundraiser the next day. Your effort on behalf of all people dealing with a thyroid cancer diagnosis is greatly appreciated.

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Volunteer in the Spotlight:Meet Natalie Pegg

Natalie Pegg is new to ThyCa but not to thyroid cancer. She was treated for thyroid cancer six years ago. Originally from North Dakota, she lived in Nebraska for eight years. Two years ago, she and her husband, who serves in the Air Force, moved to Dallas, Texas. She works for a food broker, in customer service.

Natalie discovered ThyCa’s web site through a link on a Facebook page. She was pleased to learn that there was a local support group near her. She was also excited to hear that the 2010 Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference will take place in Dallas, Texas, on October 15-17, 2010.

She attended the January meeting of the ThyCa Dallas Support Group. At the meeting, she picked up flyers to publicize the 2010 Conference, as well as flyers for the support group. She plans to give the flyers to her doctor at her next appointment, as well as to others in her community.

She also contacted ThyCa by e-mail and offered to volunteer in further ways. She’s now helping with the advance publicity for the conference, by compiling contact lists of faith communities in the Dallas area so that they will receive announcements about the conference. Many people hear about ThyCa through their clergy and congregations.

Welcome and thank you, Natalie!

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Coming Soon: Free ThyCa Cookbook’s Expanded 7th Edition

We’re starting to put together the next edition of the Free Low-Iodine Cookbook. We’re excited to have so many delicious recipes to share. Thanks very much to everyone who’s already contributed such great new recipes! Your recipes will be available to everyone around the world. To everyone who hasn’t yet contributed, if you’d like to share a new recipe (your own, or a family favorite, not from a copyrighted source), please send your recipe to recipes@thyca.org or publications@thyca.org.

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What’s New on the Web Site?

Some of the latest additions to www.thyca.org include the Young Adults E-Mail Group signup instructions, the 2010 Rally for Research letter, Quarters for a Cure, the 2010 ThyCa Fact Sheet, Spring Workshop dates and locations, more Conference 2010 information, the 2009 Conference Report, and links to two more thyroid-related organizations in the United Kingdom.

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, 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 ideas 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!

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Cancer Is Not Funny, But –By Pat Paillard

If you have an amusing or not-so-serious story about something that happened to you on your journey with thyroid cancer, just send it via e-mail to publications@thyca.org. We may publish it in a future newsletter. Maybe we can all benefit from a little laughter and sharing our experiences with others.

My Experience

I had a very interesting ride with my thyroid cancer. I live in Roxborough, a suburb of Philadelphia, and decided I would go to a hospital in Center City. It was December when I had to go and have my radioiodine scan. I had to go by bus to downtown Philadelphia.

My tracer dose of RAI was given to me on December 7, 2005. I was scheduled for a whole-body RAI scan two days later. Well, wouldn’t you know it, just my luck, the day of the scan we had a big snowstorm. Thankfully, my sister works downtown and knows her way around. She insisted on accompanying me on the ride downtown. Thank goodness!

The trip is normally about a half hour. But with the snow and ice it was quite different. We had to take a detour. At one intersection, another bus was stuck on the ice. It blocked the whole intersection. There we sat!

All I kept thinking was that I would be late for my appointment at 8 a.m. and wouldn’t be able to have the scan. After quite a while just sitting there, my sister suggested that we get off the bus and walk to the next bus stop.

We walked through deep snow and found the next bus stop. It turned out to be 8 long blocks away. I don’t know how I managed it, because I was very tired, had no energy, was very hypothyroid (TSH of 100), and very cold.

After the ride on the next bus and a short walk, I made it to the hospital. I was almost 2 hours late. However, due to the weather the staff understood and did the scan. Everything else went as planned and I was able to enjoy the holiday.

I can laugh now when I think of us trudging through the snow, but at the time it wasn’t at all funny.

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Low-Iodine Recipe of the MonthContributed by Nancy K.

Pecan-Crusted Chicken

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 egg white
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp sage
Pinches of noniodized salt, garlic, and pepper
1 Cup finely chopped pecans

Lightly beat the egg whites and spices together. Experiment with the spices — I really liked the ginger with the pecans, but you may have another spice that you like better. Dip the chicken breasts into the egg whites and then coat with the pecans. Place the chicken on a foil-lined cookie sheet that has been sprayed with vegetable oil spray. Cook in a 350 degree oven for one hour. Enjoy with your favorite pasta or veggies.

Nancy writes, “This is a recipe that I made up for myself. My whole family really enjoyed it. I’m really thankful for the cookbook — it is a true gift!”

Thank you, Nancy! We’ll include this recipe in the next edition of the FREE Downloadable Low-Iodine Cookbook.

Download the 6th edition of the Low-Iodine Cookbook for free, with more than 250 favorite recipes from more than 100 generous volunteers. The Cookbook is also available in Spanish and in 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 to the cookbook’s next edition, send it torecipes@thyca.org.

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Do You Live in the Greater Dallas Area?

As you know, your community is hosting the 2010 Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference. We hope that you will come, and look forward to meeting you there.

And we’d like to extend another special invitation to you, and your family and friends.

From now until the start of the conference, we need your help in spreading the word to everyone in your local community about the 2010 Conference. Reaching everyone in the community is especially important, because this year’s conference will have easy access for everyone nearby.

Please help spread the word! We’ll mail you free flyers, or you can download them from www.thyca.org. We’ll send you tips on how to share them, to help publicize the conference.

We also have model announcements and other publicity aids, for e-mail, blogs, Facebook pages, newsletters, and other communication pathways.

To volunteer to help, just e-mail to conference@thyca.org. Or fill out the form on our Conferences page. . We look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you!

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You’re Invited To Become a Member

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. You may join as a 1-year member ($25), 2-year member ($45), or lifetime member ($225). For our secure online Membership Form and our mailed Membership Form, go to our Membership page.

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Events Preview 2010

  • Every Month in 2010. ThyCa’s Thyroid Cancer Support Group Meetings in Your Community. More than 80 local support groups in the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, and Philippines.
  • Saturday, February 13, 2010, North Miami Beach, Florida. Dr. Michael Karl will speak about thyroid cancer care and will answer questions at the meeting of the ThyCa North Miami Dade Support Group, starting at 10 a.m. Free. For details, read the article at the beginning of this newsletter, and visit the group’s web page:
    http://www.thyca.org/sg/fl_n-miami-beach/
      
  • Saturday, April 17, 2010. Kansas City, Missouri. 6th Midwest Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop with Physician Speakers. Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. At St. Joseph Medical Center, Community Center for Health and Education, 1000 Carondelet Drive, Kansas City, Missouri. Free.
       
  • Saturday, May 22, 2010 (date still subject to change). Baltimore, Maryland. 9th Annual Mid-Atlantic Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop with Physician Speakers. Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. Free.
       
  • Saturday, May 29, 2010. St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. Newfoundland and Labrador Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop with Physician Speakers. Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. Free.
       
  • ‘2010. More Free Seminars and Workshops with Physician Speakers, sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. Details will be posted on www.thyca.org  
       
  • June 4-5, 2010. Rockville, Maryland. Hypoparathyroidism Patient Conference, sponsored by the nonprofit Hypoparathyroidism Association (www.hypoparathyroidism.org), which is listed on the Links page on the ThyCa site. There will be physician speakers. Conference Location: Rockville Hilton Hotel. For details, visit the Hypoparathyroidism Association web site.
       
  • September 2010. Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month. Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. Plus year-round awareness campaigns. Visit the Raise Awareness Page onwww.thyca.org to download free flyers, or request free awareness materials.
       
  • The 13th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference
    October 15-17, 2010 in Dallas, Texas
    Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
       
  • The 9th Annual Dinner/Auction Fundraiser for Thyroid Cancer Research.
    October 16, 2009 in Dallas, Texas
    Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.

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Thank You From ThyCa!

We believe that no one should have to be alone when facing thyroid cancer.

Our free support services are offered with this as our main goal. We thank everyone for giving your time and talents to making possible our free services, publications, and events.

We’re grateful to you for reaching out to others worldwide, to help connect them with ThyCa’s many free support services and educational resources.

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Every Day…

Every day, thousands of people with thyroid cancer, and their families, receive support, education, and hope from ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.

Every day, numerous people distribute ThyCa outreach materials to their physicians, making them aware of a resource that can benefit their patients dealing with a thyroid cancer diagnosis.

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 secure donation online in support of ThyCa’s work (or you are welcome to donate by mail), so click here to give.

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Ask ThyCa

If you have questions about thyroid cancer, please send them to thyca@thyca.org and we’ll answer your question in an upcoming newsletter as well as adding to our web site content.

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Your Ideas?

What sections of ThyCa’s web site do you find most helpful?
What suggestions do you have for ThyCa’s web site?
E-mail your answers and ideas to publications@thyca.org.

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About ThyCa NEWS NOTES
Copyright (c) 2010 ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.

Thank you to our writing, editing, and proofreading team for this issue of the newsletter: Leah Guljord, Nancy K., Pat Paillard, Vivian Scott, 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.

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-mail thyca@thyca.org, call 1-877-588-7904, fax 1-630-604-6078, write PO Box 1102, Olney, MD 20830-1102, or visit our website.

ThyCa’s CFC # is 11675

Funds Raised Will Provide Education, Support, Resources and Research To Benefit Those with the Most Common Endocrine Cancer

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivor’s Association has been accepted into the world’s largest workplace giving campaign.

Federal civilian, postal, and military employees are able to choose ThyCa as a recipient of their workplace donations through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). This federal employees’ charitable giving campaign raises millions of dollars each year for thousands of nonprofits providing health and human services throughout the world.

“Joining the ranks of the Combined Federal Campaign helps ThyCa provide needed services and research funding to support those who are touched by this life-altering cancer,” said Gary Bloom, Executive Director. “Thyroid cancer is one of the few cancers that is increasing in incidence. It’s extremely important to strengthen and expand support services for those affected by it, as well as to increase research to find cures for all thyroid cancer.”

ThyCa; Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc., is a national nonprofit 501 (c)(3) service organization of thyroid cancer survivors, families, and health care professionals advised by nationally recognized experts on thyroid cancer and dedicated to education, communication, support, awareness for early detection, and thyroid cancer research fundraising and research grants.

Free year-round support services and resources include ThyCa’s award-winning educational web site, a Person To Person Network, local support groups coast to coast, regional one-day workshops, nine e-mail support groups, a toll-free survivors’ telephone number, an online newsletter, and the expanded 6th edition of the free downloadable Low-Iodine Cookbook. Free ThyCa materials, including the Cookbook, are also available in Spanish.

ThyCa began awarding grants to fund thyroid cancer research in 2003, and has awarded grants each year since then.

In addition, ThyCa’s annual international conference brings together hundreds of thyroid cancer survivors, families, and experts in thyroid cancer treatment and research.

Information about thyroid cancer, ThyCa’s free support services and publications, awareness outreach materials, and the annual workshops and conference is available by writing to PO Box 1545, New York, NY 10159-1545, e- mailing to thyca@thyca.org, calling toll free 1-877-588-7904, or visiting our website..

In 2010, for the eighth year in a row, ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. will award new grants for thyroid cancer research.

ThyCa will award two new grants in 2010. Each grant will be for 2 years. One grant will support research on follicular-cell-derived thyroid cancer, including papillary, follicular, anaplastic, and variants. The other grant will support research on medullary thyroid cancer.

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. ATA is the professional association of clinicians and researchers concerned with thyroid diseases.

The Call for Proposals and eligibility requirements will be available on the ATA web site. The deadline for submission of a proposal summary to the ATA is January 31, 2010. The ATA Research Committee will rank proposals according to their scientific merit. ATA will notify the authors of selected proposals by early March and will invite them to submit complete grant applications.

“We are grateful all our generous donors and volunteers for making these grants possible,” said ThyCa Executive Director Gary Bloom. “More thyroid cancer research is urgently needed, to better understand thyroid cancer and find cures for all thyroid cancer. We greatly appreciate the ATA’s support in our research grant process.”

The ThyCa grants, begun in 2003, are the first-ever thyroid cancer research grants to be funded entirely by thyroid cancer patients, caregivers, and friends.

ThyCa has awarded its grants to researchers at the following institutions:

  • Cochin Institut, Paris, France
  • Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
  • Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
  • Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio and Medical University of Gdansk, Poland
  • Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
  • Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
  • University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • University Hospital Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
  • University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)/Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles Health Care System, Los Angeles, California.
  • University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas

ThyCa has two Research Funds. One fund supports research of follicular-cell-derived thyroid cancer, including papillary, follicular, anaplastic, and variants. The other research fund supports research of medullary thyroid cancer.

ThyCa invites everyone to join us in our quest to find a cure for all thyroid cancer.

In This Issue:

Newest E-Mail Support Group Serves Young Adults with Thyroid Cancer

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. is pleased to announce our newest e-mail support group, designed for young adults coping with thyroid cancer.

The ThyCa Young Adults Support Group is now active. The moderators of this new group are ThyCa volunteers Julia McGuire and Trish Schwarz. Thank you, Julia and Trish!

This group’s goal is provide a support forum for young adults dealing with thyroid cancer, as well as for their caregivers.

ThyCa also sponsors 10 other e-mail support group discussion lists. Each is for a different type of thyroid cancer, or situation with thyroid cancer. The groups are all free.

  • Advanced Thyroid Cancer Support Group
  • Anaplastic Support Group
  • Caregivers Support Group
  • Childbearing and Thyroid Cancer Group
  • Long-Term Survivors Support Group
  • Love, Loss, & Legacy Group
  • Medullary Support Group
  • Pediatric Support Group
  • Thyca – Thyroid Cancer Support Group (mainly papillary and follicular)
  • ThyCa Mental Challenges Support Group

Click here to find out how to join a group:

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Quarters for a Cure

How many quarters will it take to offer hope for a cure of thyroid cancer?

Please join us in keeping that hope alive by collecting quarters (that’s right, just 25 cents) that will further research of our disease. Together, our quarters can really make a difference!

A quarter a week translates to $13 a year. If we all participate and invite family and friends to join in, we will raise a very sizable amount to support additional research grants.

Presently, we have a research fund that includes Papillary, Follicular, Anaplastic Thyroid Cancers and variants, and a separate Research Fund for Medullary Thyroid Cancer.

ThyCa is proud to:

  • Participate with fellow thyroid cancer survivors in research funding of thyroid cancer.
  • Offer annual research grants. In the past seven years, ThyCa has awarded grants totaling $550,000. These grants are open to researchers and institutions worldwide and awarded by an independent expert review panel of the American Thyroid Association (ATA).
  • Announce that advances continue to be made in the treatment of all thyroid cancer, in part because of our research grants.

What a difference a quarter can make. Every single quarter goes directly to thyroid cancer research. Please join in and send a check in lieu of heavy quarters, to:

ThyCa
P.O. Box 2327
Allen, TX 75013

Or donate online.

Please designate your Research Fund of choice. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.

Quarters = Research Research = Hope for a Cure

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Take Part in Three Different Surveys for Thyroid Cancer Patients

Thyroid cancer patients with all types of thyroid cancer are invited and encouraged to take part in three different surveys on thyroid cancer management and patients’ experiences.

The surveys were developed by ThyCa Medical Advisors. Each survey takes just a few minutes to complete. This is a chance for all of us to impact our care going forward.

  • Voice Following Thyroid Cancer Surgery
  • Radioactive Iodine Treatment
  • Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use

Please complete the surveys as soon as possible. Thank you for your participation.

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Our Free Guestbook

It’s quick and easy to sign up to receive our free online newsletter, as well as announcements of ThyCa events, news about recent developments in thyroid cancer management, and more. It’s a great way to stay connected to the thyroid cancer community, and to stay up to date on changes in treatments and testing methods, especially if you’re a long-term survivor.

If you move, or change your e-mail address or phone number, you can also use the Guestbook to let us know. Just check the “update” box on the form, and we’ll be able to maintain our connection. Stay connected. Help strengthen the voice of thyroid cancer survivors … it will help us be heard.

Just fill out our Guestbook form.

To protect each person’s privacy, the mailing list is for the sole use of ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc., and its affiliates. ThyCa does not ever sell, share, or give away any contact information.

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ThyCa Again Accepted into the Combined Federal Campaign
ThyCa’s CFC # is 11675

Funds Raised Will Provide Education, Support, Resources and Research To Benefit Those with the Most Common Endocrine Cancer

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association has again been accepted into the world’s largest workplace giving campaign.

Federal civilian, postal, and military employees are able to choose ThyCa as a recipient of their workplace donations through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). This federal employees’ charitable giving campaign raises millions of dollars each year for thousands of nonprofits providing health and human services throughout the world.

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From Our E-Mailbox
December 22, 2009

I am no doubt, one of MANY grateful thyroid cancer survivors who is pleased to know that there is a place that I can access information about Thyroid Cancer!

I was diagnosed and had a total thyroidectomy in 1997 and did not know of any resource center! I had no idea who to talk to or where to look for reliable information! To be true, I initially didn’t even want to know anything! I was sure if I just pretended there wasn’t anything to worry about….it would all be good and I’d be okay.

I’ve just been looking for more and more info over the past several years! Mostly, I have questions about metastases rates/risks etc…Can’t get enough information now!

Just learned about some things on your website (in your end of year letter!) that I didn’t know and will be checking out the chat/communication sites.

Again, thank you all for hard work and dedicated commitment to this much needed support network!

Sincerely,
Brenda-Lee B.

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Low-Iodine Recipe of the MonthContributed by Dian Belanger

Apple-Smothered Pork Chops

6 pork chops, thick
Salt, pepper, sage to taste
Canola oil
2 Tbsp. flour
1 cup hot water
1 Tbsp. vinegar
1 cup raisins
3 tart apples, cored and sliced
3 Tbsp. brown sugar

Brown seasoned chops in oil. Remove from skillet. Stir in flour, then water, vinegar, raisins. Cook and stir to thicken. Arrange chops in casserole. Top with apples. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Pour raisin mix over.

Bake covered 350° about an hour.

Thank you, Dian! We’ll include this recipe in the next edition of the FREE Downloadable Low-Iodine Cookbook.

Download the 6th edition of the Low-Iodine Cookbook for free, with more than 250 favorite recipes from more than 100 generous volunteers. The Cookbook is also available in Spanish and in 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 the 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 to the cookbook’s next edition, send it torecipes@thyca.org.

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You’re Invited To Become a Member

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. You may join as a 1-year member ($25), 2-year member ($45), or lifetime member ($225).Click here for our secure online Membership form and our mailed Membership form

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Thank You From ThyCa!

We believe that no one should have to be alone when facing thyroid cancer.

Our free support services are offered with this as our main goal. We thank everyone for giving your time and talents to making possible our free services, publications, and events.

We’re grateful to you for reaching out to others worldwide, to help connect them with ThyCa’s many free support services and educational resources.

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Upcoming Events

  • Every Month. ThyCa’s Thyroid Cancer Support Group Meetings in Your Community.
  • Saturday, April 17, 2010. Kansas City, Missouri. 6th Midwest Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop. At St. Joseph Medical Center, Community Center for Health and Education, 1000 Carondelet Drive, Kansas City, Missouri. Free.
  • Saturday, May 29, 2010. St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. Newfoundland and Labrador Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop. Free.
  • 2010. More Free Spring Workshops sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. Details will be posted onthe website.
  • 2010 Spring Date to be announced. Washington, DC, Area. 9th Annual Mid-Atlantic Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop. Free.
  • September 2010. Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month. Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. Plus year-round awareness campaigns. Visit the Raise Awareness page to download free flyers, or request free awareness materials.
  • The 13th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference
    October 15-17, 2010 in Dallas, Texas
    Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
    Details on the website
  • The 9th Annual Dinner/Auction Fundraiser for Thyroid Cancer Research.
    October 16, 2009 in Dallas, Texas
    Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
    Details on the website

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Every Day…

Every day, thousands of people with thyroid cancer, and their families, receive support, education, and hope from ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.

Every day, numerous people distribute ThyCa outreach materials to their physicians, making them aware of a resource that can benefit their patients dealing with a thyroid cancer diagnosis.

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 secure donation online in support of ThyCa’s work (or you are welcome to donate by mail).

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Ask ThyCa

If you have questions about thyroid cancer, please send them to thyca@thyca.org and we’ll answer your question in an upcoming newsletter as well as adding to our web site content.

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About ThyCa NEWS NOTES
Copyright (c) 2009 ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.

Thank you to our writing, editing, and proofreading team for this issue of the newsletter: Dian Belanger, Brenda-Lee B., Joni Eskenazi, Leah Guljord, Pat Paillard, 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.

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 1-877-588-7904, fax 1-630-604-6078, write PO Box 1102, Olney, MD 20830-1102, or visit the website.

More than 450 thyroid cancer survivors, family members, friends, and health care professionals took part in the 12th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference in Boston, Massachusetts, on October 16-18, 2009. The annual 3-day conference was sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. <www.thyca.org>.

Attendees came from 36 states, Puerto Rico, Brazil, 5 provinces of Canada, and United Kingdom. They included people from children through seniors, from people awaiting diagnosis to long-term survivors of every type of thyroid cancer: papillary, follicular, medullary, anaplastic, and variants.

Highlights of the conference’s 100-plus sessions included more than 45 physician presentations and Ask-a-Doctor sessions covering treatment, initial and long-term follow-up, as well as recent advances in targeted therapies and clinical trials testing new treatments.

The more than 25 physician specialists included several past presidents and current board members of the American Thyroid Association. They came from leading cancer and medical centers around the country, including Boston University School of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Massachusetts General Hospital, Mayo Clinic, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Washington Hospital Center, and many other centers.

“We are grateful to the dedicated thyroid cancer specialist physicians who so generously gave of their time in support of patient education, said Gary Bloom, ThyCa Executive Director and a 14-year survivor of thyroid cancer. “Thyroid cancer requires lifelong management, and this conference is designed to help patients manage their care and quality of life over the long term.”

More than 30 additional speakers included nurses, mental health professionals, specialists in complementary approaches to well-being, survivors of each type of thyroid cancer, and caregivers.

“It was truly an empowering experience to meet all other people who are touched by thyroid cancer one way or another, as a patient, a medical professional, or a caregiver,” wrote one thyroid cancer survivor, adding, “Also, it was just amazing to see how a disease like cancer could bring out so much positive energy from people.” Another participant wrote, “I just wanted to thank you for an enlightening and informative Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference!” Another wrote, “That was a fanstastic conference. So much info.”

On the weekend’s Saturday evening, the 8th Annual Dinner/Auction Research Fundraiser raised more than $35,000 for thyroid cancer research. Thyroid cancer survivor Ken Pelt of Wisconsin gave an inspiring appeal for more thyroid cancer research.

ThyCa also announced that it will award new grants for thyroid cancer research in 2010, for the 8th consecutive year. Grant recipients will be selected by an independent expert panel of the American Thyroid Association and the grants are open to researchers and institutions worldwide.

For 2010, ThyCa has scheduled educational and supportive events every month. More than 60 communities have monthly ThyCa Support Group meetings in the United States, Canada, Costa Rica and Philippines; each group has its own web page on www.thyca.org. In addition, during spring 2010, ThyCa will sponsor free one-day educational workshops in locations around the United States, and in Canada. Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, sponsored by ThyCa, takes place during September, together with year-round awareness campaigns for early detection and treatment of all thyroid cancer.

The 13th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference will take place in Dallas, Texas, on October 15-17, 2010. Details are available on our website..

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. is an international nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization of thyroid cancer survivors, family members, and health professionals, dedicated to education, communication, support, awareness for early detection, and thyroid cancer research fundraising and research grants. For more information and free materials about thyroid cancer and ThyCa’s free year-round support services, education, research fundraising, and special events, 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 our website.

In This Issue

Five Specialists Named to ThyCa’s Medical Advisory Council

We are honored to announce the addition of five distinguished thyroid cancer specialists to our Medical Advisory Council.

We thank the following physicians for becoming ThyCa medical advisors.

  • Douglas W. Ball, M.D.
    Endocrinologist, Specialist in Medullary Thyroid Cancer Management
    The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
    Baltimore, MD
       
  • Gary L. Francis, M.D., Ph.D.
    Endocrinologist, Specialist in Pediatric Thyroid Cancer Management
    VCU Children’s Medical Center
    Richmond, VA
       
  • Gregory Randolph, M.D.
    Otolaryngologist
    Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
    Boston, Massachusetts
       
  • Steven G. Waguespack, M.D.
    Endocrinologist, Specialist in Pediatric Thyroid Cancer Management
    University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
    Houston, Texas
       
  • Leonard Wartofsky, M.D.
    Endocrinologist
    Washington Hospital Center
    Washington, DC

Thank you very much to all the members of our Medical Advisory Council. We greatly appreciate your commitment to the well-being of everyone with thyroid cancer, and the time and expertise you provide to ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.

  • Kenneth D. Burman, M.D., Endocrinologist, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC
  • Mark S. Chambers, D.M.D., M.S., Dentist/Oral Oncologist, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
  • Jeffrey A. Cooper, M.D., Nuclear Medicine Physician, Huron Consulting Group, Washington, DC
  • Robert F. Gagel, M.D., Endocrinologist, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
  • Janis I. Halzel, Pharm.D., Pharmacist, Halzel and Associates, Denver, CO
  • Bryan R. Haugen M.D., Endocrinologist, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO
  • Paul W. Ladenson, M.D., Endocrinologist, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD
  • Stephanie L. Lee, M.D., Ph.D., Endocrinologist, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA
  • Donald Margouleff, M.D., Nuclear Medicine Physician, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, NY
  • Ernest L. Mazzaferri, M.D., Endocrinologist, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
  • Bryan McIver, M.B., Ch.B., Ph.D., Endocrinologist, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
  • Mira Milas, M.D., Endocrine Surgeon, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH
  • Jeffrey F. Moley, M.D., Surgeon, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
  • David Myssiorek, M.D., Otolaryngologist, New York University Clinical Cancer Center, New York, NY
  • Yolanda C. Oertel, M.D., Cytopathologist, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC
  • Scot C. Remick, M.D., Medical Oncologist, Babb Randolph Cancer Center, Morgantown, WV
  • Matthew D. Ringel, M.D., Endocrinologist, Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH
  • Arturo R. Rolla, M.D., Endocrinologist, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
  • Pamela Schultz, Ph.D., R.N., M.S., Nursing Professor/Researcher, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
  • Martin Schlumberger, M.D., Endocrinologist, Institute Gustave Roussy, Paris, France
  • Manisha H. Shah, M.D., Oncologist and Hematologist, Ohio State College of Medicine, Columbus, OH
  • Steven I. Sherman, M.D., Endocrinologist University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
  • Peter A. Singer, M.D., Endocrinologist, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
  • Monica C. Skarulis, M.D., Endocrinologist, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
  • Carole A. Spencer, Ph.D., F.A.C.B., Thyroglobulin Researcher, University of Southern California Endocrine Services Laboratory, Los Angeles, CA
  • R. Michael Tuttle, M.D., Endocrinologist, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
  • Douglas Van Nostrand, M.D., Nuclear Medicine Physician, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC
  • Samuel A. Wells, M.D., Surgeon, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD

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ThyCa To Award Two New Research Grants in 2010

In 2010, for the eighth year in a row, ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. will award new grants for thyroid cancer research, ThyCa Executive Director Gary Bloom has announced.

ThyCa will award two new grants in 2010. Each grant will be for 2 years. One grant will support research on follicular-cell-derived thyroid cancer, including papillary, follicular, anaplastic, and variants. The other grant will support research on medullary thyroid cancer.

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. ATA is the professional association of clinicians and researchers concerned with thyroid diseases.

The Call for Proposals and eligibility requirements will be available on the ATA web site. The deadline for submission of a proposal summary to the ATA is January 31, 2010. The ATA Research Committee will rank proposals according to their scientific merit. ATA will notify the authors of selected proposals by early March and will invite them to submit complete grant applications.

“We are grateful all our generous donors and volunteers for making these grants possible,” said ThyCa Executive Director Gary Bloom. “More thyroid cancer research is urgently needed, to better understand thyroid cancer and find cures for all thyroid cancer. We greatly appreciate the ATA’s support in our research grant process.”

The ThyCa grants, begun in 2003, are the first-ever thyroid cancer research grants to be funded entirely by thyroid cancer patients, caregivers, and friends.

ThyCa has awarded its grants to researchers at the following institutions:

  • Cochin Institut, Paris, France
  • Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
  • Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
  • Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio and Medical University of Gdansk, Poland
  • Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
  • Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
  • University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • University Hospital Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
  • University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)/Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles Health Care System, Los Angeles, California.
  • University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas

ThyCa has two Research Funds. One fund supports research of follicular-cell-derived thyroid cancer, including papillary, follicular, anaplastic, and variants. The other research fund supports research of medullary thyroid cancer.

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Quarters for a Cure

How many quarters will it take to offer hope for a cure of thyroid cancer?

Please join us in keeping that hope alive by collecting quarters that will further research of our disease. Together, we can really make a difference!

A quarter a week would mean that each of us could donate $12 a year to our Research Funds…we have a Research Fund that includes Papillary, Follicular, Aniplastic and variants, and a separate Research Fund for Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma.

If we all participate, inviting family and friends to join in, we would have a very sizable amount to offer additional Research Grants.

ThyCa is proud to:

  • Be the unique group of thyroid survivors and caregivers who participate in research funding of our own disease.
  • Have offered research grants for the past 7 years totaling $550,000. ThyCa Research grants are open to researchers and institutions worldwide, with awards made by an independent expert review panel of the American Thyroid Association.
  • Announce that advances continue to be made in the treatment of all Thyroid Cancer, in part because of our Research Grants.
  • Every single quarter, meaning 100% of all money received for Research, goes directly to Research.

What a difference a quarter can make. Please join in and send a check in lieu of heavy quarters, to:

ThyCa
P.O. Box 2327
Allen, TX 75013

Designate which Research Fund you are donating to. Donations are tax deductible.

Quarters = Research Research = Hope for a Cure

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Take Part in Three Different Surveys for Thyroid Cancer Patients

Thyroid cancer patients with all types of thyroid cancer are invited and encouraged to take part in three different surveys on thyroid cancer management and patients’ experiences.

The surveys were developed by ThyCa Medical Advisors. Each survey takes just a few minutes to complete. This is a chance for all of us to impact our care going forward.

  • Voice Following Thyroid Cancer Surgery.
  • Radioactive Iodine Treatment.
  • Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use.

Please complete the surveys as soon as possible. Thank you for your participation.

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Our Free Guestbook

It’s quick and easy to sign up to receive our free online newsletter, as well as announcements of ThyCa events, news about recent developments in thyroid cancer management, and more. It’s a great way to stay connected to the thyroid cancer community, and to stay up to date on changes in treatments and testing methods, especially if you’re a long-term survivor.

If you move, or change your e-mail address or phone number, you can also use the Guestbook to let us know. Just check the “update” box on the form, and we’ll be able to maintain our connection. Stay connected. Help strengthen the voice of thyroid cancer survivors … it will help us be heard.

Just fill out our Guestbook form.

To protect each person’s privacy, the mailing list is for the sole use of ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc., and its affiliates. ThyCa does not ever sell, share, or give away any contact information.

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Low-Iodine Recipe of the MonthContributed by Frances Stahl of Pennsylvania

Here is a great recipe for the holiday season.

Rice Pudding

3/4 cup raw rice (add 2 1/2 cups water); cook until tender
3 egg whites
1 1/4 cups nut milk (use the nut milk recipe provided on page 43 of ThyCa’s free Low-Iodine Cookbook)
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup raisins (soak them in water for about 15 minutes to half an hour to soften them)

Mix cooked rice along with other ingredients and put into casserole that has been sprayed with some type of acceptable vegetable oil and put casserole into a pan of water and place in oven for 350 degrees for approximately 40 minutes—it may take a bit longer depending upon how thick your nut milk is. Sprinkle cinnamon on top if you desire.

Frances writes, “I cannot thank you enough for providing the info in the Low Iodine Book; I don’t know how I would survived without the recipes. I am lactose intolerant so have avoided dairy products for decades and had become accustomed to soy milk. When I heard I couldn’t use soy milk for this diet, I got myself used to rice milk. Then I found that sea salt is not allowed, so the rice milk was out. The nut milk has been the answer for what to put on my cereal and what to put into many recipes.”

Thank you, Frances! We’ll include this recipe in the next edition of the FREE Downloadable Low-Iodine Cookbook.

Download the 6th edition of the Low-Iodine Cookbook for free, with more than 250 favorite recipes from more than 100 generous volunteers. The Cookbook is also available in Spanish and in 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 the 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 to the cookbook’s next edition, send it torecipes@thyca.org.

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You’re Invited To Become a Member

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. You may join as a 1-year member ($25), 2-year member ($45), or lifetime member ($225). For our secure online Membership form and our mailed Membership form, go to our Membership page.

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Thank You From ThyCa!

We believe that no one should have to be alone when facing thyroid cancer.

Our free support services are offered with this as our main goal. We thank everyone for giving your time and talents to making possible our free services, publications, and events. We’re grateful to you for reaching out to others worldwide, to help connect them with ThyCa’s many free support services and educational resources.

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Upcoming Events

  • Every Month. ThyCa’s Thyroid Cancer Support Group Meetings in Your Community.
  • 2010. Free Spring Workshops sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. Details will be posted on the website.
  • 2010 Spring Date to be announced. Washington, DC, Area. 9th Annual Mid-Atlantic Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop. Free.
  • Saturday, April 17, 2010. Kansas City, Missouri. 6th Midwest Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop. At St. Joseph Medical Center, Community Center for Health and Education, 1000 Carondelet Drive, Kansas City, Missouri. Free.
  • Saturday, May 29, 2010. St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. Newfoundland and Labrador Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop. Free.
  • September 2010. Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month. Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. Plus year-round awareness campaigns. Visit the Raise Awareness page to download free flyers, or request free awareness materials.
  • The 13th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference
    October 15-17, 2010 in Dallas, Texas
    Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
    Details on the website
  • The 9th Annual Dinner/Auction Fundraiser for Thyroid Cancer Research.
    Dallas, Texas.
    October 16, 2009 in Dallas, Texas
    Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
    Details on the website

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Every Day…

Every day, thousands of people with thyroid cancer, and their families, receive support, education, and hope from ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.

Every day, numerous people distribute ThyCa outreach materials to their physicians making them aware of a resource that can benefit their patients dealing with a thyroid cancer diagnosis.

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 secure donation online in support of ThyCa’s work (or you are welcome to donate by mail), so click here to give.

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Ask ThyCa

If you have questions about thyroid cancer, please send them to thyca@thyca.org and we’ll answer your question in an upcoming newsletter as well as adding to our web site content

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About ThyCa NEWS NOTES
Copyright (c) 2009 ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.

Thank you to our writing, editing, and proofreading team for this issue of the newsletter: Joni Eskenazi, Leah Guljord, Pat Paillard, Frances Stahl, 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 News Notes with your family and friends. For permission to reprint in another electronic or print publication, please contact us at outreach@thyca.org.

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-mail thyca@thyca.org, call 1-877-588-7904, fax 1-630-604-6078, write PO Box 1102, Olney, MD 20830-1102, or visit our website.

In This Issue

Take Part in Three Different Surveys for Thyroid Cancer Patients

Thyroid cancer patients with all types of thyroid cancer are invited and encouraged to take part in three different surveys on thyroid cancer management and patients’ experiences.

Each survey takes just a few minutes to complete.

The surveys were developed by teams led by four of ThyCa’s Medical Advisors:

  • Stephanie L. Lee, M.D., Ph.D., Endocrinologist of Boston Medical Center;
  • David Myssiorek, M.D., Otolaryngologist, of New York University Cancer Institute; and
  • Douglas Van Nostrand, M.D., Nuclear Medicine Physician of Washington Hospital Center, and Matthew D. Ringel, M.D., Endocrinologist, of The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

This is a chance for all thyroid cancer survivors to impact our care going forward. We all have a vested interest in our ongoing care since a thyroid cancer diagnosis brings with it a lifetime of follow-up management and potentially repeat treatment.

Take each survey, and hopefully, contribute to the continuing progress in our treatment. The physicians involved in these surveys hope to publish their findings. It is up to us to provide enough of a response. We encourage everyone to participate.

  • Voice Following Thyroid Cancer Surgery. This survey is for everyone who has had thyroid cancer surgery. The goal is to receive information from patients whose voices stayed the same, as well as those who experienced a voice disorder following their thyroid cancer surgery. Please complete this survey, whether your voice stayed the same or whether it changed after thyroid cancer surgery. The survey team is led by David Myssiorek, M.D., Otolaryngologist
  • Radioactive Iodine Treatment. Please complete the following survey regarding Radioiodine (I-131) Treatments. The survey team is led by Douglas Van Nostrand, M.D. and Matthew D. Ringel, M.D. Your responses will be very important to help determine data such as the frequency of radioiodine outpatient and inpatient treatments, the adequacy of the radiation safety instructions that you received, and areas involving I-131 treatments that may be improved.
  • Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use. Please complete the following survey regarding Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use. The survey team is led by Stephanie L. Lee, M.D., Ph.D., Endocrinologist.

Please complete the surveys as soon as possible. Thank you for your participation.

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New FNA Guide for Physicians Available from ThyCa

The new Fine Needle Aspiration Procedure Guide for Physicians, by Cytopathologist Yolanda Oertel, M.D., is now available free of charge. Physicians who would like a free copy should send their complete mailing address to ThyCa via e-mail to thyca@thyca.org, fax to 1-630-604-6078, or mail to ThyCa, PO. Box 1102, Olney, MD 20830-1102. Please indicate in your request which publication you are requesting.

This 19-page manual for physicians has 15 sections that detail the equipment and materials needed, physician-patient communications, and step-by-step instructions for performing a FNA.

Dr. Oertel is Director of the Fine Needle Aspiration Service at the Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC. She has been performing FNAs for more than 30 years. She has trained numerous other cytopathologists. She is a medical advisor of ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. ThyCa’s Publications Committee assisted in the production of the new FNA manual.

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Clinical Trials News

 

New Clinical Trial for Patients Who Have Failed Radioiodine and Are Candidates for Chemotherapy

A new clinical trial has just opened at Dana Farber Cancer Institute of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts. The trial is for patients who have failed radioiodine and are candidates for chemotherapy. It uses a targeted agent called everolimus (or RAD001), which blocks a signal molecule called mTOR.

This agent has activity in renal cell cancer and in neuroendocrine cancers of the gastrointestinal tract and in that sense resembles sorafenib, although molecularly it is completely different. It is also well tolerated and is taken by mouth. The trial is supported by Novartis. The principal investigator is Jochen Lorch, M.D. The trial will also open at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, and at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.

 

Clinical Trial Expands to More Locations

The clinical trial of XL184 for adults with medullary thyroid cancer has expanded to additional locations. The trial is now recruiting patients at centers in 19 states, the District of Columbia, and 12 other countries. The trial is supported by Exelixis. Details are available on this web page, on the National Cancer Institute site:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT00704730?term=thyroid+cancer&rank=12&show_locs=Y#locn

 

Lists of All Clinical Trials

Go to the ThyCa web site’s Clinical Trials section for the following:

  1. general information about clinical trials,
  2. suggestions from ThyCa volunteers about finding and participating in clinical trials, and
  3. the complete clinical trial database maintained by the National Center Institute. The clinical trials database now gives information about more than 50 current clinical trials for thyroid cancer testing and treatment.

As a reminder, ThyCa is an organization led by thyroid cancer survivors, and their loved ones. As such, ThyCa does not endorse one clinical trial over another. Instead, we see it as part of our mission to make all of us aware of the treatment/management opportunities for all types of thyroid cancer. Clinical trials can help people who don’t have other treatment options. Clinical trials can also benefit us by creating better treatment and testing plans. It benefits all of us when we become better informed.

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ThyCa Orange County, CA, Support Group To Host Speakers from Cancer Legal Resource Center

The ThyCa Orange County, California, Support Group Facilitators are excited to announce that they have arranged to have guest speakers for the meeting on Saturday, November 21, 2009, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The guest speakers will be from the Cancer Legal Resource Center. All support group participants and their guests are invited to this special event.

Attendees will learn about cancer-related legal issues, including employment issues, obtaining and keeping health insurance, access to quality care, navigating managed care, estate planning, disability and life insurance options, and government benefits.

The meeting takes place at Hoag Memorial Hospital, Patty & George Hoag Cancer Center, Building 41, 2nd Level, Conference Room A, 4000 W. Pacific Coast Highway Newport Beach, CA 92663

If you plan to attend, please e-mail the Support Group Facilitators Shilo Bartlett, Anne MacPherson, and Bart Bartlett atOrangeCounty_CA@thyca.org. Advance registration will help ensure the meeting takes place in the right meeting room.

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Annual Conference Draws Large Attendance

The 12th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference brought together more than 450 thyroid cancer survivors, caregivers, and health care professionals on October 16-18, 2009 in Danvers, Massachusetts, near Boston.

People with every type and variant of thyroid cancer, from children through seniors, came from 36 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Brazil, 5 provinces of Canada, and United Kingdom. Over the three days of this unique annual event, they shared their experiences, and learned from experts as well as each other.

The speakers and program received enthusiastic praise from the attendees. The weekend featured more than 100 session choices. ThyCa’s web site will have a detailed report later this year.

Thank you very much to everyone who contributed your time and talents to the success of the conference.
We’re pleased to share a few of the many notes and comments received since the conference.

  • “I just wanted to thank you for an enlightening and informative Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference! I realize that a great deal of time and work went into making this such a successful event!”
  • “It was truly an empowering experience to meet all other people who are touched by thyroid cancer one way or another – as a patient, a medical professional, or a caregiver. Also, it was just amazing to see how a disease like cancer could bring out so much positive energy from people.”
  • “I attended the 12th Thyroid cancer conference this past weekend and thought it was great! Everyone worked so hard to make this happen and many thanks to all that helped to get this together. Was also so happy it was back here in my area as it originated from here 11yrs ago. It was really nice to meet up with all my old friends and meet so many new people. And thanks to all the doctors and speakers who gave up their time for us. As a 16 year survivor with stage 4 with widely metatastic disease I was relieved to see that there are so many new clinical trials available for those of us with this status. I just wanted to say thanks to all who participated and that my husband and I had a great weekend.”
  • “That was a fanstastic conference. So much info.”

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Dinner/Auction Raises More Than $35,000 for Thyroid Cancer Research

The 8th Annual Dinner/Auction Fundraiser was a big success, raising more than $35,000 for thyroid cancer research. Many thanks to our wonderful supporters through your donations of auction items, your bids on these items, and your help with planning and running this wonderful event. Special thanks to Ken Pelt of Wisconsin, thyroid cancer survivor, for your inspiring talk and appeal for more thyroid cancer research.

This wonderful support helps ThyCa continue to fund thyroid cancer research—now 7 straight years, 12 different grants (some 1 year, and some 2-year grants), and totaling more than $550,000.

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What’s New on the Web Site?

Some of the newest additions include downloadable PDF booklets from Genzyme on thyroid cancer and on Thyrogen, as well as information on further sources of financial support and in-kind assistance for cancer patients. These additions are in the Links section.

Our web site has more than 650 pages of content, including sections on the management of all types of thyroid cancer, information about clinical trials of new treatments, connections to one-to-one and group support, and much more. The web site also has numerous free downloadable publications in English, French, and Spanish.

More than 50 distinguished physicians plus numerous other specialists provide ongoing input and review. 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, Betty Solbjor and Joel Amromin; our Publications Committee members who develop the content; 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.

And let us know if you have ideas for additional web site content, as well as additional questions to be answered by physicians. E-mail your ideas to thyca@thyca.org. This is our web site, and it benefits from everyone’s contributions. It’s also a great way to start being involved!

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Newest Local Support Groups Form in Connecticut and New York

Welcome to our newest local support groups, in Waterbury, Connecticut, and Rochester, New York. Thank you to the volunteer facilitators, Dot Torretta and Adrienne Young Cohen.

Every month, more than 60 thyroid cancer support groups hold meetings. Go to our Support Groups page for a complete list of groups, contact information, and meeting schedules. This page also has information about starting a group in your area. If you don’t have internet access, call (toll-free): 1-877-588-7904.

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Our Free Guestbook

It’s quick and easy to sign up to receive our free online newsletter, as well as announcements of ThyCa events, news about recent developments in thyroid cancer management, and more. It’s a great way to stay connected to the thyroid cancer community, and to stay up to date on changes in treatments and testing methods, especially if you’re a long-term survivor.

If you move, or change your e-mail address or phone number, you can also use the Guestbook to let us know. Just check the “update” box on the form, and we’ll be able to maintain our connection. Stay connected. Help strengthen the voice of thyroid cancer survivors … it will help us be heard. Just fill out ourGuestbook form.

To protect each person’s privacy, the mailing list is for the sole use of ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc., and its affiliates. ThyCa does not ever sell, share, or give away any contact information.

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My Experience at ThyCa’s 2009 ConferenceBy Pat Paillard

I entered the Sheraton Ferncroft Hotel the way I always arrive for the conferences: eager to learn, anxious to make new friends, and ready to help others who have been touched by thyroid cancer.

ThyCa, once again, did not let me down. The speakers gave us a wealth of information and took the time to answer our questions in a way we could understand. The attendees were friendly and gave each other support, even if just helping someone find the next session.

Registration was easy for me, the handouts were great, and the Conference Committee should be very proud of the way things turned out.

Everyone I spoke with was in awe of the amount of information they received. There is always a feeling of camaraderie among those who attend these conferences. You can feel the concern, love, and support that is generated by such a large group of people, which in this day is unusual. But then again, we are bound by a common thread —thyroid cancer — and it sort of makes us part of a family and we want to take care of each other.

Another wonderful conference — Thank you, ThyCa!
Don’t miss Dallas in 2010!

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Low-Iodine Recipe of the MonthContributed by June C.

George’s Turkey Bolognese

1 to 1 1/2 lbs Lean Ground Turkey
1 Tablespoon onion powder
2 Tablespoons dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon thyme
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 Tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper

Mix all dry ingredients together first.
Add all the ingredients to the turkey meat, mixing thoroughly.
Add olive oil to frying pan, and sauté meat until thoroughly cooked.

Sauce
1 large can of crushed tomatoes
1 can of salt free tomato paste
Olive oil
2 cloves Garlic, chopped
1 small Onion, diced

Sauté garlic and onions in the olive oil, until translucent. Add Crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook on low flame for approx 10 minutes.
After meat is cooked, add it to the sauce.

Serve over rotelle or penne pasta.

***

Also, a Tip from June C. _ To add a little more flavor to the Apple Muffins (page 75 of the ThyCa Free Low-Iodine Cookbook, I add 2 Tablespoons of honey and 1/2 cup of raisins .

***

Thank you, June! We’ll include this recipe and your tip in the next edition of the FREE Downloadable Low-Iodine Cookbook.

Download the 6th edition of the Low-Iodine Cookbook for free, with more than 250 favorite recipes from more than 100 generous volunteer. The Cookbook is also available in Spanish and in 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 the 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 to the cookbook’s next edition, send it torecipes@thyca.org.

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You’re Invited To Become a Member

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. You may join as a 1-year member ($25), 2-year member ($45), or lifetime member ($225). For our secure online Membership form and our mailed Membership form, go to our Membership page.

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Thank You From ThyCa!

We believe that no one should have to be alone when facing thyroid cancer.

Our free support services are offered with this as our main goal. We thank everyone for giving your time and talents to making possible our free services, publications, and events. We’re grateful to you for reaching out to others worldwide, to help connect them with ThyCa’s many free support services and educational resources.

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Upcoming Events

  • Thyroid Cancer Support Group Meetings in Your Community. For groups and details, visit: our Support Groups page.
  • November 21, 2009. Speakers from Cancer Legal Resource Center at the Meeting of the ThyCa Orange County, California.
  • Free Spring Workshops. Already being planned in Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Details will be posted on on the Conferences page.
  • Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, September 2010.
  • The 13th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference
    October 15-17, 2010 in Dallas, Texas
    Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
  • The 9th Annual Dinner/Auction Fundraiser for Thyroid Cancer Research.
    Dallas, Texas.
    October 16, 2009 in Dallas, Texas
    Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.

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Every Day…

Every day, thousands of people with thyroid cancer, and their families, receive support, education, and hope from ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.

Every day, numerous people distribute ThyCa outreach materials to their physicians making them aware of a resource that can benefit their patients dealing with a thyroid cancer diagnosis.

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 secure donation online in support of ThyCa’s work (or you are welcome to donate by mail).

top of page

Ask ThyCa

If you have questions about thyroid cancer, please send them to thyca@thyca.org and we’ll answer your question in an upcoming newsletter as well as adding to our web site content

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Tell ThyCa

If you have a story or anecdote about your thyroid cancer journey that you would like to share, please send it to thyca@thyca.org and we’ll do our best to include it in an upcoming newsletter as well as adding to our web site content.

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About ThyCa NEWS NOTES
Copyright (c) 2009 ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.

Thank you to our writing, editing, and proofreading team for this issue of the newsletter: June C., Leah Guljord, Pat Paillard, 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 News Notes with your family and friends. For permission to reprint in another electronic or print publication, please contact us at outreach@thyca.org.

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-mail thyca@thyca.org, call 1-877-588-7904, fax 1-630-604-6078, write PO Box 1102, Olney, MD 20830-1102, or visit our web site.

In This Issue

New FNA Guide for Physicians Written by Yolanda Oertel, M.D., ThyCa Medical Advisor

A new manual by Cytopathologist Yolanda Oertel, M.D., gives step-by-step instructions to physicians for performing a key test to determine whether a thyroid nodule is benign or cancerous.

“Fine Needle Aspiration of the Thyroid: A Procedural Guide for the Physician” is a 19-page guide designed for physicians interested in learning the technique for the Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA). The manual details the equipment and materials needed, physician-patient communications, and step-by-step instructions for performing a FNA.

The manual’s 15 sections include the Introduction, Who Should Perform the FNA, The Aspiration Team, Where To Aspirate, Aspiration Room, Equipment and Materials Required, Etiquette in the Aspiration Room, Physical Examination, Preparing Patient for Procedure, Position of Pathologist (Or Aspirator), How To Perform Aspiration, Specific Instructions, Technical Hints for FNA, Ultrasound-Guided FNA by Non-Radiologists, and Summary.

In addition, it has a reference list, and an appendix lististing sources of supplies noted in the manual.

Dr. Oertel is Director of the Fine Needle Aspiration Service at the Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC. She has been performing FNAs for more than 30 years. She has trained numerous other cytopathologists. She also speaks at medical meetings and patient education conferences and seminars. She is a medical advisor of ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. ThyCa’s Publications Committee assisted in the production of the new FNA manual.

Dr. Oertel also authored the widely used patient education booklet “Fine Needle Aspiration of the Booklet: The Patient’s Guide.” She provides this booklet to all her patients, as do numerous other physicians. An excerpt is on ThyCa’s web site www.thyca.org. These booklets are available free, in bulk, to physicians, from ThyCa.

ThyCa extends our thanks to Dr. Oertel for this useful new reference manual for physicians, for her dedication to physician education and training, and for her commitment to patient well-being.

ThyCa’s web site www.thyca.org will soon post an announcement about how physicians can obtain the booklet.

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Newest Local Support Group Forms in New Mexico

Welcome to our newest local support group, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Melissa Pickett is the volunteer facilitator. The group’s first meeting takes place in February 2010. However, the group already has its ownweb page with Melissa’s contact information, for phone and e-mail support.

Every month, more than 60 thyroid cancer support groups hold meetings. Go to www.thyca.org/sg/ for a complete list of groups, contact information, and meeting schedules. This page also has information about starting a group in your area. If you don’t have internet access, call (toll-free): 1-877-588-7904.

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One-To-One Support Serves Survivors and Caregivers Around the World

Through our one-to-one support services, our volunteers are serving thyroid cancer survivors and caregivers around the world. Three ways to receive support one-to-one:

  • ThyCa Person-To-Person Network, where you’ll be matched with a ThyCa volunteer with the same type of thyroid cancer
  • ThyCa E-mail Response Team
  • Toll-Free Number, with volunteers handling calls in English and Spanish: 1-877-588-7904

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Conference Program on Web Site, Walk-In Attendees Welcome

On October 16-18, 2009, you are cordially invited to attend the 12th Annual International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference at the Sheraton Ferncroft Hotel near Boston, Massachusetts, at 50 Ferncroft Road, Danvers, Massachusetts. Some highlights:

  • Program Schedule Preview now on the website
  • 78 Speakers, including 33 medical specialists, 14 other specialists, and 31 roundtable facilitators including survivors and caregivers affected by every type of thyroid cancer.
  • More than 110 session choices.
  • Updates on the latest for every type of thyroid cancer.
  • Details and advance registration on www.thyca.org
  • \Walk-in attendees are welcome.

Tap into the “Power of Peers” this October16, 17, and 18 in Boston, Massachusetts as ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association presents the 12th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference of compelling educational sessions with a lineup of renowned thyroid cancer experts.

The Conference offers a unique perspective for individuals living with thyroid cancer as well as for family members or health care professionals looking for ways to best help their loved-ones and their patients by partnering with them on their thyroid cancer journey.

EXPERIENCE THE POWER OF —

  • INSPIRATION. Through the unique peer perspectives of fellow survivors and caregivers coping with all types of thyroid cancer.
  • KNOWLEDGE. Through EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS led by more than 25 internationally renowned experts.
  • SKILLS. Through numerous sessions that offer tools and strategies to survivors, volunteers, advocates, and family members.
  • UNDERSTANDING and DISCOVERY. Through special sessions led by specialists in coping and complementary approaches.
  • CONNECTION. Through PEER ROUNDTABLE SESSIONS where peers share ideas and personal strategies based on their experience in a variety of wellness- and coping-focused topics.
  • ENCOURAGEMENT. Through peer roundtable SUPPORT GROUPS held during the conference to provide a forum for mutual acceptance and self-discovery.
  • COMMUNITY. Through a conference weekend where you can connect with old and new friends to network and share stories, wellness tips and hope.

Go to www.thyca.org for details, registration, transportation directions, and information about continuing education credits for nurses. Scholarships for the registration are available on request. Walk-in attendees are welcome.

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Dinner/Auction Will Support Thyroid Cancer Research

On Saturday, October 17, 2009, at the Sheraton Ferncroft Hotel in Danvers, Massachusetts, we will hold the 8th Annual Saturday Evening Dinner/Auction to raise much-needed funds for thyroid cancer research.

This wonderful and inspiring event raises funds for Thyroid Cancer Research. It is also a lot of fun. Help ThyCa raise funds so we all can continue funding thyroid cancer research—now 7 straight years, and totaling more than $550,000. You can purchase tickets on line or by mail. The cost is $50 per ticket.
The web site has the reservation form.

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ThyCa Long Island Support Group Organizes Successful Fundraiser

Our congratulation and thanks to the ThyCa Long Island, New York, Support Group for organizing a successful fundraiser to support ThyCa. The fundraiser was called the Lord & Taylor Benefit Bash, organized in cooperation with the local store on Long Island. The Benefit Bash is a private day of shopping in support of not-for-profit organizations. The Support Group participants sold tickets at $5 each, and the ThyCa received all proceeds from the ticket sales. For a ticket, a shopper received a discount on everything they bought in the store on the day of the bash. Organizations selling large numbers of tickets also received some of the proceeds from tickets sold at the door on the day of the bash. Thanks to the hard work of the ThyCa Long Island Support Group they sold enough tickets to earn a portion of the proceeds from walk-in traffic.

Congratulations, and thank you, to all the volunteers of ThyCa Long Island!

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New Surveys for Thyroid Cancer Survivors

Dear Thyroid Cancer Survivor:

ThyCa; Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc., has been invited to help teams led by 3 of our Medical Advisors collect information on different aspects of thyroid cancer management.

Please complete the following ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.’s survey regarding your radioiodine (I-131) treatments: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=WSGISvMlLdtOtPSw24_2bLdQ_3d_3d

Your responses will be very important to help ThyCa determine data such as the frequency of radioiodine outpatient and inpatient treatments, the adequacy of the radiation safety instructions that you received, and areas involving I-131 treatments that may be improved.

Please complete the following survey regarding whether or not you had any vocal disorders following thyroid cancer surgery: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=ONB4eeG0_2bEygToyON5HaxA_3d_3d

Please complete the following survey regarding your use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=iZceZuCHUch7hYCcX8BZUQ_3d_3d

Please click on the links above. If your computer does not immediately go to the survey website, then copy and paste the link into your browser, and then go to the survey website. The survey will be self-explanatory.

These survey links also will be posted on ThyCa’s web site on the right side of the home page.

We encourage you to participate in all of the surveys. This is a chance for all of us to impact our care going forward.

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ThyCa Participates at Annual Meeting of American Thyroid Association

We are pleased to report that ThyCa representatives Gary Bloom and Leah Guljord exhibited and distributed ThyCa’s free materials and information at the Annual Meeting of the American Thyroid Association in Palm Beach, Florida, in September. This meeting brought thyroid cancer experts together to share the latest information about thyroid cancer treatment and research. ThyCa also participated in the Thyroid Disease Public Forum sponsored by the ATA’s Alliance for Patient Education. We greatly appreciate ATA’s efforts in professional education and its support of patient well-being.

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Thank You for Raising Awareness

Your outreach efforts help the public understand the need for early detection, treatment, and lifelong monitoring. September was Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month. Year-round, we invite you to help raise awareness. E-mail thyca@thyca.org or call 1-877-588-7904 to request free materials.

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Low-Iodine Recipe of the MonthContributed by Whitney Redding of Virginia

Low Iodine Granola

4 1/2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup slivered (or sliced) raw almonds
3/4 cup pecans (or pecan pieces)
1 cup dried coconut (read label carefully to find a brand without salt, such as at Whole Foods groceries)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
6 Tablespoon real maple syrup

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine oats, nuts, coconut, and oil in large bowl. When oil is well distributed, add maple syrup and combine again until well coated. Grease a 9×13 baking dish with a little vegetable oil. Bake granola 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure that it turns a nice, even golden brown. Remove from oven and transfer hot granola back to the large bowl to cool. Stir from time to time, to hasten the cooling process and to keep granola from sticking together. Transfer to an airtight container only after it has completely cooled; store granola at room temperature.

SERVING OPTIONS: This cereal is GREAT and very filling when drizzled with real maple syrup over sliced bananas or peaches. Also good mixed with unsweetened applesauce. For a dessert, you could serve it on top of banana “ice cream”: To make this low-iodine “ice cream,” freeze individual banana slices on a cookie sheet, then grind the frozen slices in a mixer with a touch of liquid if necessary.

VARIATIONS: If you don’t like pecans, use walnuts or hazelnuts. If you don’t like maple syrup, use honey. If you use honey, you might also want to add dried fruits such as cranberries or raisins, but only after the granola has cooled.

Whitney writes, “I love breakfast… Here’s one I developed and am happy to share.”

Thank you, Whitney! We’ll include your recipe in the next edition of the FREE Downloadable Low-Iodine Cookbook.

Download the 6th edition of the Low-Iodine Cookbook for free. It has more than 250 favorite recipes from more than 100 generous volunteers. The Cookbook is also available in Spanish and in 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 the favorites of some of our ThyCa volunteers, who are sharing them with everyone. Our goal is 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 to the cookbook’s next edition, send it torecipes@thyca.org.

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You’re Invited To Become a One-Year, Two-Year, or Lifetime Member

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. You may join as a 1-year member ($25), 2-year member ($45), or lifetime member ($225).

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Thank You From ThyCa!

We believe that no one should have to be alone when facing thyroid cancer.

Our free support services are offered with this as our main goal. We thank everyone for giving your time and talents to making possible our free services, publications, and events. We’re grateful to you for reaching out to others worldwide, to help connect them with ThyCa’s many free support services and educational resources.

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Coming Events

  • Thyroid Cancer Support Group Meetings in Your Community: For groups and details, visit: our Local Support Groups page.
  • The 12th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference
    October 16-18, 2009 starting at 8 a.m. each day with session choices all day.
    Boston, Massachusetts – Sheraton Ferncroft Hotel in Danvers
    Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
  • The 8th Annual Dinner-Auction To Support Thyroid Cancer Research.
    October 17, 2009 from 6 – 9 p.m.
    Boston, Massachusetts – Sheraton Ferncroft Hotel in Danvers
    Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
  • November 14, 2009. Pittsburgh Thyroid Cancer Seminar with physician speakers. Free. Further details about the seminar time and location will be posted on the website.

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Every Day…

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 secure donation online in support of ThyCa’s work (or you are welcome to donate by mail).

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Ask ThyCa

If you have questions about thyroid cancer, please send them to thyca@thyca.org and we’ll answer your question in an upcoming newsletter as well as adding to our web site content

top of page

Tell ThyCa

If you have a story or anecdote about your thyroid cancer journey that you would like to share, please send it to thyca@thyca.org and we’ll do our best to include it in an upcoming newsletter as well as adding to our web site content.

top of page

About ThyCa NEWS NOTES
Copyright (c) 2009 ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.

Thank you to our writing, editing, and proofreading team for this issue of the newsletter: Leah Guljord, Pat Paillard, Whitney Redding, 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 News Notes with your family and friends. For permission to reprint in another electronic or print publication, please contact us at outreach@thyca.org. ThyCa News Notes are also published here.

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-mail thyca@thyca.org, call 1-877-588-7904, fax 1-630-604-6078, write PO Box 1102, Olney, MD 20830-1102, or visit our website.