New Thyroid Cancer Support Group forms in Solano County, California

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. is pleased to announce the formation of the ThyCa Solano County, California Support Group.

The free support group will meet on the third Saturday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to Noon (except November 2008, when the meeting will take place on Saturday, November 22). The meetings are held at Fire Station #2 in the Community Service Room at 601 Hastings Drive, Benicia, CA 94510.

The group welcomes people at all phases of testing, treatment, and follow-up for thyroid cancer, as well as their family members and friends. Karla Santiago is the group’s volunteer facilitator. For more information about the group, e-mail solanocty-ca@thyca.org, call 707-567-4806.

“These free support groups offer wonderful opportunities to share experiences, receive and give support, and learn from others who are coping with thyroid cancer,” said ThyCa’s Support Groups Coordinator Sara Brenner. We thank Karla Santiago for facilitating the new Solano County support group.”

Free thyroid cancer support groups are available in several other areas of California, as well as coast to coast in the United States, and in Costa Rica and Philippines.

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. is a national nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization of thyroid cancer survivors, families, and health care professionals, advised by internationally recognized thyroid cancer specialists.

For more information about ThyCa’s free year-round support services, education, publications, 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 USA, or visit the ThyCa web site.

IN THIS ISSUE:

Another Great ThyCa Conference!
Annual ThyCa Conference Draws Thyroid Cancer Survivors, Caregivers, and Leading Thyroid Cancer Experts from 31 States, Canada, and Netherlands — 2009 Conference To Be Held in Boston, Massachusetts
A Few Conference Session Notes
Dinner/Auction Raises More than $30,000 for Thyroid Cancer Research
Mrs. New Jersey American Beauty 2008 Raises Funds for Thyroid Cancer Research
ThyCa Is In Combined Federal Campaign
Low-Iodine Recipe of the Month
Have You Visited the Web Site Lately?
Want To Volunteer?
Become a ThyCa Member!
Thank You From ThyCa
Every Day
Calendar of Coming Events
About ThyCa News Notes

The 2008 ThyCa Conference: Another Great ExperienceBy Pat Paillard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

After last year’s conference I was eager to attend this one. ThyCa did not let me down!

I arrived at Lambert Airport in St. Louis, got the hotel shuttle right on time, and proceeded to the beautiful Sheraton Westport Chalet. This hotel had everything right within our reach. The room was exceptionally comfortable and clean, the staff was friendly, and I felt eager to get on with my learning experience.

This year all those who registered were given a bag to carry all the materials they received while going to and from the sessions and I think that was a nice touch. We were also given a floor plan of the hotel so we would know where to find each session, as well as the Program Booklet that explained who each speaker was, and sheets with the time and location of each talk.

This was my second conference, and I have been extremely impressed each time with the knowledge of the speakers, their ease in communicating the information to us, their ability to speak to the thyroid cancer survivors and their caregivers in a way we can all understand, and their patience with all attending their sessions. Also, after each session the speakers would stay and answer individual questions. They take the time to care for people.

Everyone there: the ThyCa committee, the volunteers, the doctors, the other specialists, and the hotel staff made each participant feel welcome, comfortable, and cared for. This was truly a very rewarding experience. All through the weekend I heard nothing but good, positive comments about this conference.

While in the hotel shuttle back to the airport on Monday morning two ladies were sitting across from me talking about thyroid cancer. I couldn’t help but ask them if they enjoyed the conference, and, of course, they did. They received a lot of information, I was told. But, would they return next year? Yes, they said they found it helpful. They were from Canada.

My thought — another wonderful conference! Thank you, ThyCa. Special thanks to the Conference Planning Committee for organizing this event. Great job!

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Annual ThyCa Conference Draws Thyroid Cancer Survivors, Caregivers, and Leading Thyroid Cancer Experts from 31 States, Canada, and Netherlands — 2009 Conference To Be Held in Boston, Massachusetts

Once again, hundreds of thyroid cancer survivors, family members, friends, and health care professionals came together for the annual International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference. The 11th annual conference, held in St. Louis, Missouri, October 17 through 19, 2008, was sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.

“We are honored that so many thyroid cancer survivors and their families attended and that so many distinguished experts took part,” said ThyCa Executive Director Gary Bloom, a 13-year thyroid cancer survivor.

Attendees came from 31 states, Canada, and Netherlands. Participants covered a wide range of situations with every type of thyroid cancer — papillary, follicular, medullary, anaplastic, and variants. Attendees ranged from children through seniors. They included people being tested for possible thyroid cancer, people diagnosed and treated within the past few years, some with metastatic disease and in clinical trials or seeking clinical trials of new treatments, survivors successfully treated in clinical trials, and children coping with thyroid cancer and their parents, and long-term survivors.

Highlights of the conference’s 110 sessions included 40 sessions led by 25 physicians who explained the latest advances in treatment, long-term testing and follow-up, the potential use of messenger RNA as a marker, recent advances in targeted therapies, and clinical trials testing new treatments.

Physician specialists came from leading medical centers around the country, including the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Mayo Clinic, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Ohio State University Medical School, University of Chicago Medical Center, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Washington University at St. Louis Medical School, Yale University Medical Center, and other major centers.

“We greatly appreciate the experts who gave of their time and knowledge for the well-being of patients,” said Bloom. “Thyroid cancer brings many challenges, and requires lifelong monitoring, and both survivors and caregivers benefit tremendously from these interactions with leading clinicians and researchers.”

More than 35 additional speakers included two dentists, two psychologists, nurses, social workers, a pharmacist, a nurse, mental health professionals, specialists in complementary approaches to well-being such as Reiki, the Labyrinth, QiGong, Humor and Healing, and general coping skills. Leading peer-support roundtables were survivors of each type of thyroid cancer, as well as caregivers.

Additional sessions led by a social worker, a financial planner, and three attorneys focused on financial and legal issues that can come with coping with cancer or another illness. Session topics included Financial Wellness During Cancer, Choosing and Using Financial and Insurance Advisors, Legal Issues Related to Employment, Legal Issues Related to Financial and Estate Planning, and Legal Issues Related to Social Security and Disability.

For the second year in a row, the conference offered continuing education credits to nurses. More than twelve nurses took advantage of this opportunity, and earned more than 50 cumulative education credits.

Attendees gave high praise, both during and after the conference.

“Amazing that I’ve learned more in one day here than in 2 years of doctor appointments! Thank You!” wrote one thyroid cancer survivor.

“Great conference, great speakers, with lots of diversity,” wrote another.

“Excellent. Thank you so much to all the committee members, presenters. Affordable. Met great people. See you in Boston 2009,” wrote another.

Another e-mailed to her online support group after the conference, “I also went to the conference and had a wonderful time. It is not fair that any of us have thyroid cancer, but I must say that you all are the nicest, most caring and interesting group of people yo\u could ever meet.”

“Thyroid cancer is one of the few cancers where the incidence rate is increasing,” explained Bloom. “In fact, it’s now number 6 in women in number of cases diagnosed in the United States. If detected early, it’s usually treatable. However, in some patients it can be aggressive and difficult to treat. It’s crucial that we provide patient education and support, as well as information about the latest advances in treatment, testing, and clinical trials.”

The 12th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference will be held in Boston, Massachusetts, on October 16 – 18, 2009.

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 about thyroid cancer and ThyCa’s free year-round support services, education, and publications, e-mail to thyca@thyca.org, call toll-free 1-877-588-7904, write to PO Box 1545, New York, NY 10159-1545, or visit the ThyCa web site.

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A Few Notes From 2008 Conference Sessions

Increasing Incidence of Thyroid Cancer:

87% of thyroid tumors are under 2 centimeters in size
An increase has not occurred in large thyroid tumors
Most increase has been in females; although, also a slight increase in males
Possible reasons for increase: radiation (for example, increased CT scans), increased diagnostic scrutiny (CT, MRI, ultrasound), unidentified risk factors

Diagnosing Thyroid Cancer:

Family history
Physical
Blood test for TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)
Fine needle aspiration: palpate if it’s a large nodule; ultrasound guided if it’s a small nodule.
Ultrasound
Thyroid scan

Fine Needle Aspiration Results Possibilities:

Nondiagnostic (re-do the test)
Benign (most nodules)
Suspicious or indeterminate (microfollociular or cellular adenomas –follicular neoplasm)
Malignant

Papillary versus Follicular:

Follicular usually presents later and usually is larger (over 2 centimeters)
Delay in diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer can lead to larger tumors, higher rates of metastases, vascular invasion, persistence

Radioactive Iodine (RAI) Decision Following Surgery for Papillary or Follicular Thyroid Cancer:

Patients in Stage I do not have reduced mortality after RAI; patients in Stage II or higher who receive RAI do have reduced mortality
Factors considered in the RAI decision include whether the tumor is larger than 1 centimeter, where there are multiple tumors, whether there is tumor spread out of the capsule, whether there are lymph node metastases, whether the tumor is an aggressive subtype, and the patient’s history of radiation or family cancer.

How To Raise TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) Before Radioactive Iodine:

Thyroid hormone withdrawal: Effective; however, hypothyroidism is constipating and the gut absorbs more RAI
or
Thyrogen injections (recombinant TSH): FDA approved for ablation after surgery; no hypothyroidism; reduced radiation in blood; longer exposure of tumor to RAI; less exposure of bone marrow to RAI.

More Sensitive Testing Now Available for Follow-up Surveillance:

It’s not always necessary to take action to do more treatment when a test shows something
Surveillance technology is sometimes outstripping what’s logical to do
Many patients outlive their disease

Surgery Issues:

In Maryland, 75% of the thyroid surgeries are done by surgeons who do fewer than 5 thyroid surgeries per year.

Assessment of Surgeons:

Does the hospital have a tumor board? (endocrinologists, pathologists, surgeons, radiation specialists who meet to review patient treatmen*t options)
Plans for long-term surveillance
Overall comfort with the surgeon and the logic of the opinion and the recommended plan
Recovery? Ask the surgeon beforehand so there are no surprises.
Length of hospital stay
Drain versus no drain
Postoperative activity restrictions (lifting, driving, other
Postoperative diet
Postoperative medications, calcium, etc.
Postoperative follow-up schedule.
“Minimally invasive procedures” — not necessarily an advantage. Procedure used depends on tumor size and extent. Minimally invasive surgery is possible only for 15-20% of patients even with surgeons who recommend it.
Surgical training: a 6- year residency followed by one year of advanced training. Training starts with a lot of observing.

Thank you to everyone who gave us your session notes. If you would like to share your notes, please e-mail them to publications@thyca.org.

For more information about thyroid cancer, visit www.thyca.org.

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Dinner/Auction Raises More than $30,000 for Thyroid Cancer Research

Our 7th Annual Dinner/Auction Fundraiser, held in St. Louis Saturday evening, October 18, was a big success!

Together, we raised more than $30,000 for thyroid cancer research.

Many thanks to all the donors of wonderful items for the auction, to our inspiring speakers Cheri Lindle, Sherryl Pascal, and Rose Twigg, and to everyone who helped plan and organize this wonderful evening. We’d like to especially acknowledge the tremendous contribution of the host St. Louis volunteers, who solicited for numerous auction donations, and contributed greatly to the night’s setup, and checkout process. The night wouldn’t have been complete with your wonderful effort.

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Mrs. New Jersey American Beauty 2008, Thyroid Cancer Survivor, Raises Funds for Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association (www.thyca.org) expresses our deep
appreciation to Sherryl Pascal, Mrs. New Jersey American Beauty 2008 and thyroid cancer survivor, for your wonderful awareness and fundraising efforts for Thyroid Cancer Research. Pascal put up a yard sign on her front yard fence for Thyroid Cancer Awareness and Research Fundraising, and presented ThyCa with a check for $10,000 for the Research Funds.

Pascal also attended and participated in the 11th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, co-facilitated a session on raising awareness, and spoke at the Dinner/Auction Fundraiser.

Thank you so much, Sherryl!

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ThyCa Is In 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 Survivor’s Association has once again been accepted into the world’s largest workplace giving campaign. Federal civilian, postal, and military employees are again 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.

“Being part of 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 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, ten 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, including two new 2-year research grants in 2008.

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Low-Iodine Recipe of the MonthContributed by Laura C.

Easy and Tasty

Tomato-Basil Pasta Salad

3 large ripe tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup chopped red onion
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon minced garlic
½ teaspoon non-iodized salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon oregano
12 ounces Rotini Pasta
1 cup fresh basil leaves cut into thin strips

1. Put tomatoes, onion, olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano in a large bowl; toss. Let stand at room temperature at least 30 minutes or until tomatoes release their juices, tossing occasionally.

2. Cook pasta as package directions. Drain and add to bowl with tomatoes; lightly toss.

3. Let come to room temperature. Add basil; toss.

Serve immediately or refrigerate.

Thank you, Laura! Your recipe will be added to the next edition of the FREE Downloadable Low-Iodine Cookbook. Download the cookbook, with more than 250 favorite recipes from more than 100 generous volunteers.

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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Have You Visited the Web Site Lately?

Our web site has more than 650 pages. More than 50 distinguished physicians plus numerous other specialists give ongoing input and review. We greatly appreciate the wonderful support of these medical specialists.

The web site expands nearly every week. Visit www.thyca.org often for the latest information updates and news about special events.

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Want To Volunteer?

We welcome new volunteers at any time. To learn about volunteer opportunities, visit our Volunteer page.

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Become a ThyCa Member!

We invite you to join ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc., to help us sustain, strengthen, and extend our services.

Your membership dues will support ThyCa’s efforts to reach other survivors and their families around the world.

You may join as a one-year member, two-year member, or lifetime member.

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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 support services and 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.

Your generous support is what makes this possible. 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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You’re Invited To These Thyroid Cancer Events!

Thyroid Cancer Support Group Meetings in Your Community
Free One-Day Regional Workshops. Watch the web site for details. Workshops already being planned for Texas/Southwest in Dallas, Texas, and the Mid-Atlantic (near Washington, DC).
The 12th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference
October 16-18, 2009
Boston, Massachusetts
Sheraton Ferncroft Hotel in Danvers
Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.

Visit our website for details.

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ThyCa NEWS NOTES
Copyright (c) 2008 ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.

Thank you to Pat Palliard, editor, and Gary Bloom, Laura C., and Cherry Wunderlich for writing, editing, and proofreading this newsletter.

Deadline for articles and news items is the first day of each month. Your suggestions for articles are welcome.

We invite you to send News Notes to your family and friends. News Notes are also published here. 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 the web site.

Sherryl Pascal Also Promotes Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, October 17-19, 2008

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association (www.thyca.org) is delighted to welcome Sherryl Pascal, Mrs. New Jersey American Beauty 2008 and thyroid cancer survivor, to its outreach for Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month. She will also speak at the 11th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, October 17-19, 2008.

Pascal highlights Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month and its sponsor, ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, on her web site’s home page.

She speaks out to raise awareness of thyroid cancer, one of the few cancers that is increasing in incidence, and promotes early detection through neck checks as well as expert treatment, lifelong management, and research to find cures for all thyroid cancer.

Residents of Westfield, New Jersey, Pascal and her husband of 15 years, Roy, are parents of three children, ages 11, 12 and 14. Sherryl is an accomplished interior designer whose home has been featured in several magazines. Once a ballerina, she now holds the seat of Board President of the New Jersey Ballet Guild. She has been cast in film and TV productions and considers her greatest privilege to be a stay-at home mother and raise their children.

For more information about Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, visit our Awareness page..

For information about the 11th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference, visit our Conferences page.

For more information about ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, visit our website, call 1-877-588-7904, or e-mail thyca@thyca.org.

IN THIS ISSUE

Latest 2008 Conference News
Come to the 2008 Dinner/Auction Research Fundraiser
Mrs. New Jersey American Beauty 2008, Thyroid Cancer Survivor, Raises Awareness
ThyCa Volunteers in National Television Broadcasts
From Our E-Mail Inbox – Raising Awareness
New ThyCa Support Group Meets in Solano County, California
Low-Iodine Recipe of the Month
Have You Visited the Web Site Lately?
Are You a ThyCa Member?
Want To Volunteer?
Thank You From ThyCa
Every Day…
Calendar of Events
About ThyCa News Notes

Latest 2008 Conference News

Come to the 11th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference
October 17-19, 2008
St. Louis, Missouri
Sheraton Westport Hotel/Lakeside Chalet, 191 Westport Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63146
Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.

Visit our Conferences page for the complete Program Schedule, Registration, and Reservations at the conference hotel and the overflow hotel (Doubletree Hotel St. Louis at Westport)

Conference Features

More than 60 Speakers
More than 100 Session Choices
Register either in advance (online or by mail) or onsite at the conference.
Walk-in attendees welcome.
Scholarships for the registration fee available on request.

Conference Details

We’re honored that 26 distinguished physicians plus more than 40 other specialists, survivors of every type of thyroid cancer, and caregivers, will be speaking. The physicians come from these centers:

Cleveland Clinic
Mayo Clinic
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
New York University Cancer Center
Ohio State University College of Medicine
St. John’s Mercy Medical Center St. Louis
University of Chicago Medical Center
University of Cincinnati Medical School
University of Connecticut
University of Florida Shands Cancer Center at Gainesville
University of Missouri
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Washington University St. Louis School of Medicine
Yale University School of Medicine
and other leading institutions.

Speakers also include

Pharmacist
Nurses
Mental Health Professionals;
3 Attorneys
Financial Specialists
Specialists in coping skills and complementary approaches to well-being
Long-term Survivors of papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic thyroid cancer
Caregivers.

The hotel has free parking. It also provides free shuttle service from and to the St. Louis Airport.

We’re pleased to announce that we’ve also arranged a nearby Overflow Hotel (Doubletree Hotel St. Louis at Westport) at a $99 rate for sleeping rooms reserved by October 14th.

Our web site has the complete Program Schedule, registration, and hotel details.

JOIN US:
October 17-19, 2008
St. Louis, Missouri
The 11th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference

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 in thyroid cancer.
SKILLS. Through numerous sessions that offer tools and strategies to survivors, volunteers, advocates, and family members.
UNDERSTANDING, DISCOVERY, and LAUGHTER. 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 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 our Conferences page for details and registration.

We hope to see you at the Conference!

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Come to the 2008 Dinner/Auction Research Fundraiser

A wonderful evening of camaraderie, inspiration, and hope

Saturday Evening, October 18, 2008, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
At the Sheraton Westport Hotel/Lakeside Chalet (The conference hotel)
Auction Items Preview on the web site!

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Mrs. New Jersey American Beauty 2008, Thyroid Cancer Survivor, Raises Awareness for Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month

Sherryl Pascal Also Promotes Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, October 17-19, 2008

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association (www.thyca.org) is delighted to welcome Sherryl Pascal, Mrs. New Jersey American Beauty 2008 and thyroid cancer survivor, to its outreach for Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month and beyond. She will also speak at the 11th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, October 17-19, 2008.

Pascal highlights Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month and its sponsor, ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, on her web site’s home page.

Residents of Westfield, New Jersey, Pascal and her husband of 15 years, Roy, are parents of three children, ages 11, 12, and 14. Sherryl is an accomplished interior designer whose home has been featured in several magazines. Once a ballerina, she now holds the seat of Board President of the New Jersey Ballet Guild. She has been cast in film and TV productions and considers her greatest privilege to be a stay-at home mother and raise their children.

For more information about Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, visit our Awareness page.

For information about the 11th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference, visit our Conferences page.

For more information about ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, visit our website, call 1-877-588-7904, or e-mail thyca@thyca.org.

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ThyCa Volunteers in National Television Broadcasts

Thank you to the ThyCa volunteers who helped raise awareness of thyroid cancer on national television broadcasts in September.

Four California ThyCa volunteers took part in Stand Up To Cancer’s networking luncheon and nationally televised program in Los Angeles on September 5.

Eight ThyCa volunteers from Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York were part of the invited VIP studio audience during two broadcasts of Good Morning America in New York City. They met and were photographed with hosts Robin Roberts and Diane Sawyer and guest Richard Gere.

We greatly appreciate your support, and the support of the program hosts, for thyroid cancer awareness.

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From Our E-Mail Inbox – Raising Awareness

From Denise in Oklahoma:
“Please send me free brochures to distribute to coworkers. My diagnosis of papillary carcinoma last December shocked many people. I am doing fine now.”

From Jackie in South Carolina:
“ I am a thyroid cancer survivor. I am giving a presentation on thyroid cancer awareness. I was wondering if you could mail some brochures to hand out at this event. I would need 50-75 brochures.”

From Karen in New York:
“If you can I would love it if you could send me some free brocures to raise thyroid cancer awareness. I have been recently diagnosed, and being a young individual, I want everyone to know that it can happen early in life as well.”

From Bonnie in Virginia:
“I was diagnosed and treated (successfully) for thyroid cancer this past spring. It has been a life-changing experience. I have had much support from my family, friends, and workplace. I am a teacher and would love to be able to help in any way that I can to raise awareness here at my school. Can you please send me any free handouts, brochures, etc. you have that I can distribute?”

From Leslie in Kansas:
“I was wondering if it would be possible for you to send me some Thyroid Cancer brochures to set out in my staff room at work. I did not know that thyroid cancer existed until I was diagnosed. I would like to try and make my colleagues a work more aware, so that they will have a ‘neck check’ at their annual exams. I always enjoy my contact with fellow thycans and everyone at ThyCa is always so very nice.

“I am almost at my 2-year marker and last year I did not have the courage to place brochures in the work place. This year I want to try and make my colleagues aware. I guess it is my way of trying to give back.”

From Brenda in Indiana:
“I am interested in distributing flyers to community organizations. Our cancer center is in need of brochures and flyers, along with other area doctors’ offices.”

From Lola in West Virginia:
“I’m looking for brochures or any information I can give out at my town’s celebration. I am a thyroid cancer survivor and I would like to inform others about it. We get about 5,000 people coming in town and I think it would be good to give this information out if it would save a life.”

From Tracy in Washington:
“I am in need of free thyroid cancer awareness materials. I would love anything and everything you could send me. I want to help spread the word and raise awareness at my community picnic.”

To learn how you can help raise awareness, e-mail to thyca@thyca.org.

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New ThyCa Support Group Meets in Solano County, California

Welcome to ThyCa’s newest local support group: Solano County, California. The group meets on the third Saturday each month from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Community Service Room, Fire Station #2, 601 Hastings Drive, Benicia, California.

Karla Santiago is the group’s volunteer facilitator. Thank you, Karla. For meeting and contact details, visit the group’s web page.

For the locations, meeting dates, and facilitators of all the local support groups around the United States and in Costa Rica and Philippines, go to our Support Groups page..

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Low-Iodine Recipe of the MonthContributed by Terri Y.

Rosemary Turkey

2 Turkey legs
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 Tablespoons dried rosemary or fresh to taste
1 Tablespoon parsley flakes
Coarse ground pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients in pan, and roll turkey legs in mixture, coating well. Cover with aluminum foil. Cook for 1 1/2 hours at 350 degrees. This can be used for chicken also. Serve with steamed veggies and it’s great.

Terri writes, “Hello, l wanted to send this as I am a new cancer patient and have had a time eating since I am from the south and everything I really cooked was fried, had gravy on it, and so on. But this turkey is very good.”

Thank you, Terri! Your recipe will be added to the next edition of the FREE Downloadable Low-Iodine Cookbook. Download the cookbook, with more than 250 favorite recipes from more than 100 generous volunteers.

If you’d like to contribute your favorite recipe or tip to the cookbook’s next edition, send it to recipes@thyca.org.

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Have You Visited the Web Site Lately?

The web site expands nearly every week. Visit www.thyca.org often for the latest information updates and news about special events.

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Are You a ThyCa Member?

We invite you to join ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. Your membership dues will support ThyCa’s efforts to reach other survivors and their families around the world. You may join as a one-year member, two-year member, or lifetime member.

For the online and mailed membership forms, go to our Membership page.

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Want To Volunteer?

We welcome new volunteers at any time. To learn about volunteer opportunities, visit our Volunteer page.

top of page

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.

top of page

Every Day…

Every day, thousands of people with thyroid cancer, and their families, are offered support, education, and hope by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association. Your generous support is what makes this possible. 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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Calendar of Events

Visit our Calendar page to learn about coming events for October and beyond. These include meetings of Local Support Groups, the International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference, the 2008 Dinner/Auction Fundraiser for Thyroid Cancer Research, the Graves’ Disease Foundation Conference, the Pittsburgh Thyroid Cancer Seminar, and a 2009 Preview.

ThyCa NEWS NOTES
Copyright (c) 2008 ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.

Thank you to Pat Palliard, Gary Bloom, Karen (NY), Jill W., and Cherry Wunderlich, for writing, editing, and proofreading this newsletter.

The deadline for articles and news items is the first day of each month. Suggestions for articles are welcome.

We invite you to send News Notes to your family and friend. For permission to reprint in another electronic or print publication, please contact us at outreach@thyca.org.

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 our website..

ThyCa Invites You To Help Raise Awareness for Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, September 2008
Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association

Thyroid Cancer Survivors Urge Neck Checks for Early Detection
Free Downloadable Tools and Tips Available at www.thyca.org

Although many cancers have decreased in incidence, thyroid cancer is one of the few cancers continuing to increase, with a new record total of 37,340 people expected to be diagnosed in the United States in 2008. When detected early, most thyroid cancers are treatable; however, some are aggressive and difficult to treat. These are some of the many reasons why ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. sponsors Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month each September.

This month will highlight the year-round activities of ThyCa volunteers to:

increase thyroid cancer education;
raise awareness of the importance of early detection, treatment, and lifelong monitoring;
inform the public about ThyCa’s free information, resources and support; and
raise awareness of the need for more thyroid cancer research.

The message for Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month is “Find It Early.” When detected early, most thyroid cancers are treatable. Early detection is the key to improving outcomes. Patient and caregiver education is also important, because thyroid cancer requires lifelong monitoring as recurrences can occur even decades after the diagnosis and initial treatment.

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. (www.thyca.org) encourages people to ask for a neck check each time they visit their doctor. Signs to discuss with the physician include a lump or fullness in the neck, lymph node swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or voice changes.

“Health care professionals are essential to the detection of thyroid cancer,” says ThyCa Executive Director Gary Bloom of Olney, Maryland, himself a thyroid cancer survivor. “Done properly, a neck check can be as simple as touching the neck and watching the patient swallow. This can be done very quickly and won’t cause any delays for the medical office, but that minute could make all the difference in the world when it comes to diagnosing thyroid cancer. Most thyroid cancer is treatable if found early, but some types are very aggressive and difficult to treat.”

ThyCa invites everyone interested to help with thyroid cancer awareness efforts in their communities. A few of the activities already organized:

In Virginia, a ThyCa volunteer is organizing a thyroid cancer awareness exhibit for her workplace.
• In South Carolina, a thyroid cancer survivor who is a dental hygienist will give awareness materials to accompany the neck checks that the dentist routinely does for thyroid nodules and other conditions.
In Colorado, Linda and Carl Allphin, facilitators of the ThyCa Southern Colorado Support Group, sent public service announcements and a press release, available on ThyCa’s web site, to radio stations and newspapers.
In New Jersey, Michael Dubrow, volunteer facilitator of the ThyCa Central New Jersey Support Group, organized an awareness materials display in conjunction with a physician’s talk on “Troubled Thyroid” at the Robert Wood Johnson Center for Health and Wellness in Hamilton.
In California, Joel Amromin, Bart Bartlett, Shilo Bartlett, and Riva Goldman are representing ThyCa at the nationally televised Stand Up To Cancer event being broadcast Friday, September 5th on ABC, CBS and NBC.
In West Virginia, John Breen of WDTV News Channel 5, recorded public service announcements, available on www.thyca.org, for thyroid cancer awareness as well as for the 11th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference.
In the District of Columbia, a nursing instructor and students are distributing awareness materials to health corners and bulletin boards in apartment complexes.
In Ohio, a volunteer is passing out brochures at her office, a housing organization.
In South Carolina, a thyroid cancer survivor plans to give a presentation on thyroid cancer awareness and distribute awareness materials to the attendees in the community group.
Throughout the United States, volunteers in ThyCa-affiliated thyroid cancer support groups are reaching out to local media to spread the message of early detection and lifetime monitoring,
Around the world, around the year, people are requesting free materials from ThyCa to raise awareness in their countries.

ThyCa’s web site has several hundred pages of information about all types of thyroid cancer, diagnosis, treatment, research, clinical trials, questions to ask your doctor, local support groups, e-mail support groups, a calendar of coming events, the Rally for Research, and the only annual thyroid cancer survivors’ conference in the world, to be held this year on October 17-19, 2008, in St. Louis, Missouri. Web site visitors can also download ThyCa’s free publications, including awareness flyers, a Low Iodine Cookbook, fact sheets, and online newsletters.

In addition, ThyCa’s web site has a section titled Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month with downloadable flyers entitled, “Find It Early” and “Know the Signs,” a fact sheet titled “About Thyroid Cancer” and more materials. Free awareness brochures featuring actress and thyroid cancer survivor, Catherine Bell, co-star of two hit TV series, “Army Wives” and “J.A.G.,” are also available.

For information and free materials about thyroid cancer, ThyCa’s free support services, and the annual conference, e-mail to thyca@thyca.org, call toll free 1-877-588-7904, fax to 1-630-604-6078, write to PO Box 1545, New York, NY 10159-1545, or visit the web site.

In This Issue

September Is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month: Help Raise Awareness!
Clinical Trials News: Another Clinical Trial for Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
Tap Into the Power of Peers
Conference Preview: Speaker Introductions
What’s New on the Web Site?
Help Support the Rally for Research 2008
Awareness Story: How My Thyroid Cancer Was Found
Low-Iodine Recipe of the Month
Coming Events
Every Day
Do You Want To Make More People Aware of Thyroid Cancer?
More Ways to Get Involved

September Is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month: Help Raise Awareness!

Free Downloadable Tools and Tips Available at www.thyca.org

While many cancers are decreasing in incidence, thyroid cancer is one of the few cancers continuing to increase, with a new record total of 37,340 people expected to be diagnosed in the United States in 2008. When detected early, most thyroid cancers are treatable; however, some are aggressive and difficult to treat. These are some of the many reasons why ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. sponsors Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month each September.

This month will highlight the year-round activities of ThyCa volunteers to:

increase thyroid cancer education;
raise awareness of the importance of early detection, treatment, and lifelong monitoring;
inform the public about ThyCa’s free information, resources and support; and
raise awareness of the need for more thyroid cancer research.

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. (www.thyca.org) encourages people to ask for a neck check each time they visit their doctor.. Signs to discuss with the physician include a lump or fullness in the neck, lymph node swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or voice changes.

ThyCa invites everyone interested to help with thyroid cancer awareness efforts in their communities. A few of the activities already organized:

In Virginia, a ThyCa volunteer is organizing a thyroid cancer awareness exhibit for her workplace.
In South Carolina, a thyroid cancer survivor who is a dental hygienist will give awareness materials to accompany the neck checks that the dentist routinely does for thyroid nodules and other conditions.
In Colorado, Linda and Carl Allphin, facilitators of the ThyCa Southern Colorado Support Group, sent public service announcements and a press release, available on ThyCa’s web site, to radio stations and newspapers.
In New Jersey, Michael Dubrow, facilitator of the ThyCa Central New Jersey Support Group, organized a thyroid cancer awareness materials display in conjunction with a physician’s talk on “Troubled Thyroid” at the Robert Wood Johnson Center for Health and Wellness in Hamilton.
In California, Joel Amromin, Bart and Shilo Bartlett, and Riva Goldman are representing ThyCa at the nationally televised Stand Up To Cancer event being broadcast Friday, September 5th on ABC, CBS and NBC.
In West Virginia, thyroid cancer survivor, John Breen of WDTV News Channel 5, recorded public service announcements, available on www.thyca.org, for thyroid cancer awareness as well as for the 11th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference.
In the District of Columbia, a nursing instructor and students are distributing awareness materials to health displays and bulletin boards in apartment complexes.
In Ohio, a volunteer is passing out brochures at her office, a housing organization.
In South Carolina, a thyroid cancer survivor plans to give a presentation on thyroid cancer awareness and distribute awareness materials to the attendees in the community group.
Throughout the United States, volunteers in ThyCa-affiliated thyroid cancer support groups are reaching out to local media to spread the message of early detection and lifetime monitoring,
Around the world, throughout the year, people are requesting free materials from ThyCa to raise awareness in their countries.

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Clinical Trials News: Another Clinical Trial for Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

ThyCa’s web site has now added information about a second clinical trial for Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer (ATC). The study title is Phase 1/2 Study of CS-7017, an Oral PPAR Agonist, in Combination with Paclitaxel in Subjects with Advanced Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer.

Our web site also has information about a Phase III ATC Clinical Trial.

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Tap into the Power of Peers

Tap into the “Power of Peers” this October as ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association presents a 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.

JOIN US:
October 17-19, 2008
St. Louis, Missouri
The 11th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference

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 in thyroid cancer.

SKILLS. Through numerous sessions that offer tools and strategies to survivors, volunteers, advocates, and family members.

UNDERSTANDING, DISCOVERY, and LAUGHTER. 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 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 and registration.

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Conference Preview: Speaker Introductions

We’re honored to introduce 28 distinguished medical professionals plus numerous other specialists already confirmed for the 11th Annual International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference, to be held in St. Louis, Missouri on October 17-19, 2008.

This educational and supportive weekend offers more than 100 session choices on the latest in thyroid cancer testing, treatment, and research, plus coping skills sessions and survivor-caregiver peer support roundtables.

MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND OTHER SPECIALISTS
Oralia V. Bazaldua, Pharm.D., FCCP, BCPS, Pharmacist, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX
James H. Boyd, M.D., Surgeon, St. John’s Mercy Medical Ctr, St. Louis, MO
Marcia S. Brose, M.D., Ph.D., Medical Oncologist, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Rebecca Brown, M.D., Endocrinologist, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL
A. Cahid Civelek, M.D., Nuclear Medicine Physician, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
Kevin Ferris, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., C.M.C.,Wellness Community, St. Louis, MO
Perry W. Grigsby, M.D., Nuclear Medicine Physician, Washington Univ. School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
Elizabeth Grubbs, M.D., Surgeon, University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Ian D. Hay, M.D., Ph.D., Endocrinologist, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Mimi Hu, M.D., Endocrinologist, University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Uzma Khan, M.D., Endocrinologist, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Paul R. Krakovitz, M.D., Otolaryngologist, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH
Bryan McIver, M.D., Ph.D., F.R.C.P., Endocrinologist, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Mira Milas, M.D., Endocrine Surgeon, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH
Jeffrey F. Moley, M.D., Surgeon, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
David Myssiorek, M.D., F.A.C.S., Otolaryngologist, New York University Cancer Center, New York, NY
Robert G. Oesch, Esq., Attorney, Riezman Berger, P.C.,Clayton, MO
Ron Rain, D.Min., Wellness Community, St. Louis, MO
Elizabeth Reinsch, Ph.D., A.C.S.W./ L.C.S.W., University of Missouri Extension, St. Louis, MO
Scot C. Remick, M.D., Medical Oncologist, Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, Morgantown, WV
Matthew D. Ringel, M.D., Endocrinologist, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH
Joseph Scharpf, M.D., Surgeon, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH
Pamela Schultz, R.N., Ph.D., Endocrine Research Nurse/Educator, New Mexico State Univ, Las Cruces, NM
Steven I. Sherman, M.D., Endocrinologist, Univ. of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Edward B. Silberstein, M..D., Nuclear Medicine Physician, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Jennifer A. Sipos, M.D., Endocrinologist, University of Florida Shands Cancer Center, Gainesville, FL
Julie Ann Sosa, M.D., M.A., Surgeon, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
Beatriz Tendler, M.D., Endocrinologist, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT
R. Michael Tuttle, M.D., Endocrinologist, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Irini E. Veronikis, M.D., Endocrinologist, St. Johns Mercy Medical Center, St. Louis, MO
Steven G. Waguespack, M.D., Endocrinologist, Univ. of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Christopher Wolken, D.D.S., Dentist, St. Louis, MO
and more to be confirmed

For conference questions, or to volunteer, e-mail to conference@thyca.org.

We look forward to seeing you in St. Louis!

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What’s New on the Web Site?

Our award-winning web site www.thyca.org received more than 330,000 hits in July.

Every week, and sometimes more often, our web site adds information pages and free resources for survivors, caregivers, professionals, and the public. Thank you to Webmistress Betty Solbjor of Massachusetts, Webmaster Joel Amromin of California, the members of ThyCa’s Publications Committee, and the more than 50 thyroid cancer experts who give review and input to the web site.

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Help Support the Rally for Research 2008

More research for cures for all thyroid cancer is urgently needed. We are proud to have awarded new research grants in 2008, as well as continuation grants.

ThyCa’s research grants are open to researchers and institutions worldwide.

Wherever you are, you can help. If you’re coming to St. Louis for the Conference, you are cordially invited to join us at our annual Dinner/Auction Research Fundraiser. The reservation form is on our web site.

Or, if you can’t come to St. Louis, you’re welcome to donate an item for the auction, or sponsor someone to attend, or make a direct donation to ThyCa’s Research Funds.

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Awareness Story: How My Thyroid Cancer Was DiscoveredBy Karen, New York, New York

In early 2008 I was suffering from post-concussion syndrome and my neurologist sent me for a routine MRI. That’s when I found out I had multiple nodules on my thyroid.

In May 2008 I had a biopsy done and was told I had papillary cancer. I never thought a 23-year-old, athletic female with no history of thyroid cancer in her family could get it. True, I have been hypothyroid in the past, but this…this is cancer.

In June 2008 I had a total thyroidectomy and during that surgery my right vocal cord nerve was cut. Since then I have had a very difficult time speaking. Soon I will have radioactive iodine treatments to eliminate the cancer. I want to urge everyone to get routine checks done and don’t wait. You don’t have to have a history of cancer in your family to get it. This can happen at 0any age!

Thank you, ThyCa
!by Pat Paillard

I was at work when I got my diagnosis. My doctor had called and I had to ask what the biopsy showed. I was told, “Suspicious for Papillary Carcinoma.” That was all, no explanation, just that “it” needed to come out. I asked, “The nodule or the whole thyroid?” and was told the entire thyroid.

Well, I had never even heard of thyroid cancer, didn’t know the thyroid could get cancer, and never heard of anyone having this disease.

When I got home I went on the Internet and the first site that came up was ThyCa. Wow, what a lot of information I now had. I wanted to know everything about this thyroid cancer and was very informed when I left the Internet.

I subsequently joined ThyCa and am very glad I did. I continue to be amazed at how much is offered from this group. I attended the conference last year and was very pleased with the sessions and speakers and how friendly everyone was. I encourage everybody to attend this year’s conference, because you will come away from it with information you never knew existed and perhaps some new friendships as well.

Don’t be alone with this disease. Share your experience with it, either by the Internet or in person at the conferences or at the monthly support group meetings. You are not alone, and with ThyCa you will never be alone. Come and join us!

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Low-Iodine Recipe of the MonthBy Jill W., New Orleans, Louisiana

I am on a low-iodine diet to prepare for the radioiodine treatment (I am having it in 1 1/2 weeks). This is a recipe that I really liked to make previously, and I made some modifications to make it low-iodine friendly. It is really tasty – even my non-thyroid impaired boyfriend loved it!

Charlie’s Chicken Salad

Non-iodized (non-sea) salt
3 or 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3/4 Cup chopped celery
1 1/2 Cups seedless red grapes, halved
1/2 Cup unsalted, raw pine nuts
3/4 Cup Russ’s Blender Mayonnaise (on page 18 of the www.thyca.org free low-iodine cookbook)
Mrs. Dash brand seasoning blend (I used the original blend, but any one would work)

Poach the chicken breasts in water seasoned with non-iodized salt. Once chicken breasts have cooled, shred chicken into small pieces. Season chicken with Mrs. Dash brand seasoning blend (whichever you prefer) and salt to taste. Coat chicken with Russ’s Blender Mayonnaise. Combine with celery, grapes, and pine nuts. Refrigerate until cool for best results. Eat “as is,” or on Matzo crackers, or with No-Yolks brand egg white pasta. Makes 4-6 servings.

Thank you, Jill! Your recipe will be added to the next edition of the FREE Downloadable Low-Iodine Cookbook. Download the cookbook, with more than 250 favorite recipes from more than 100 generous volunteers.

If you’d like to contribute your favorite recipe or tip to the cookbook’s next edition, send it to recipes@thyca.org.

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Coming Events

– Each Month: Meetings of Local Thyroid Cancer Support Groups. More than 70 groups. Meetings are held in states coast to coast, as well as Costa Rica and Philippines.. Each group has its own web page. These meetings are wonderful ways to talk with other survivors and caregivers face to face.

September 2008: Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month. Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. Find out how you can help raise awareness for early detection, and connect others with ThyCa’s free services, resources, and events.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, October 17, 18, and 19, 2008: St. Louis, Missouri. The 11th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference. Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. Conference location: Sheraton Westport Hotel, 191 Westport Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63146. Learn from experts and share experiences with others coping with thyroid cancer. More than 80 session choices: The latest research, advances in treatment and follow-up, insurance and employment issues, and coping skills for well-being. More than 50 speakers will include leading physicians and other specialists. The hotel has arranged special room rates of $99 for conference attendees for single, double, triple, or quad rooms.
Saturday, October 18, 2008 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.: St. Louis, Missouri.
ThyCa’s 7th Annual Dinner/Auction to Support Research. Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. To be held in conjunction with the 11th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference. At the Sheraton Westport Hotel, 191 Westport Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63146.

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Every Day….

Thousands of people receive help and hope from ThyCa.

What ThyCa Can Do For You:

Give free information and numerous downloadable publications on thyroid cancer
Offer support via the Internet, local support group meetings, and person-to-person contacts
Supply materials on thyroid cancer that you can’t find elsewhere
Offer you an annual conference and regional workshops where you can meet other survivors, get answers to your questions about thyroid cancer, treatments, medications, and more, from doctors who are approachable and experts in thyroid cancer
Make available to you, via the internet, printable flyers, articles, and newsletters that give the latest information on thyroid cancer
Have people available who have been through this disease and are very willing to share their experiences and help you out

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Do You Want To Make More People Aware of Thyroid Cancer?

We encourage you to share your story/experience since your diagnosis of thyroid cancer with us. We will include short vignettes in upcoming issues of the Newsletter in recognition of Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month and our year-round awareness activities.

Help ThyCa raise awareness in this way. You will become someone who is informing others about a disease that is rarely discussed in the media but should be because it is one of the cancers that is on the rise. Its number is growing.

If everyone knew the signs; knew what to expect before, during and after treatment; and requested a thorough “neck check” from their physician, maybe everyone would be diagnosed at an early stage.

If community in general becomes more aware of thyroid cancer, perhaps we will also have more Thyroid Cancer Research.

Send your story to publications@thyca.org. Help us “get the word out!”

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Get Involved— Five More Ways You Can Help:

Tell others about www.thyca.org and our toll-free survivors’ line 1-877-588-7904
Raise Awareness of Thyroid Cancer—Get Free Materials
Volunteer: We’ll help you find an activity to match your time and talents!
Become a ThyCa Member: We welcome Annual, Two-Year, and Lifetime Members. Thank you to all.
Donate: Make your tax-deductible donation by mail or online, or give a tribute gift in honor of someone special.

Special Thanks to the hundreds of wonderful volunteers who help ThyCa throughout the year.

You are bringing help and hope to people worldwide by raising awareness, and sustaining and extending our outreach, support services, and special events, as well as fundraising to strengthen our services and support for thyroid cancer research for cures for all thyroid cancer.

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ThyCa NEWS NOTES
Copyright (c) 2008 ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.

Thank you to Pat Palliard, Gary Bloom, Karen (NY), Jill W., and Cherry Wunderlich, for writing, editing, and proofreading this newsletter.

The deadline for articles and news items is the first day of each month. Suggestions for articles are welcome.

We invite you to send News Notes to your family and friends. For permission to reprint in another electronic or print publication, please contact us at outreach@thyca.org.

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 our website..

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc., is proud to announce two new 2008 ThyCa Research Grants plus two continuation grants. The grant recipients were selected by an independent expert panel of the American Thyroid Association (ATA).

First awarded in 2003, and continuing every year since, ThyCa’s grants are the first-ever thyroid cancer research grants to be funded entirely by thyroid cancer patients, caregivers, and friends. The ThyCa grants are open to researchers and institutions worldwide. ThyCa has awarded more than $450,000 for thyroid cancer research.

The 2008 new ThyCa grant recipients are:

Mike S. Fenton, Ph.D., Assistant Researcher, Endocrinology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)/Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles Health Care System, Los Angeles, California.
Libero Santarpia, M.D., Ph.D., Instructor, Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.

Dr. Fenton’s research will focus on determining promoter gene regulation of the sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) gene expression in papillary thyroid cancer. This is an important issue because some differentiated thyroid cancers lose their NIS gene expression and cannot take up radioactive iodine I131, resulting in a poor prognosis.

Dr. Fenton received his Ph.D. from UCLA, and during his graduate and post-doctoral research, he developed expertise in regulation of gene transcription and was first author of four papers published in prestigious journals.

Dr. Santarpia’s research will focus on identifying the target genes of six microRNAs (miRNA) in human medullary thyroid cancer, examining a specific role of miRNAs to promote invasion and metastasis. The six miRNAs are specifically associated with medullary thyroid cancer metastasis.

Dr. Santarpia earned M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Medina, in Italy, where he also completed a medical residency, followed by fellowships at the University of Naples, Italy, and the Hospital Trial Pujon in Barcelona, Spain. He has been at M.D. Anderson Center since 2006. He received The Endocrine Society Young Investigator Travel Award in 2007.

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association has also awarded a second year of funding to its two 2007 grant recipients, also selected by ATA’s independent panel:

Krystian Jazdzewski, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland, and Visiting Scientist, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Jazdzewski’s research focuses on the role of miR146a in papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Mabel Ryder, M.D., Assistant Attending Physician, Division of Endocrinology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York. Dr. Ryder’s team is examining the role of Tumor-Associated Macrophages (TAMs) on thyroid cancer progression.

ThyCa’s grants, now in their sixth year, are made possible through the contributions from thousands of thyroid cancer survivors, family members, and friends who want to support increased research to find cures for all thyroid cancer, one of the few cancers increasing in incidence.

“ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association is proud to raise much-needed funds for thyroid cancer research, and grateful to our many donors,” said ThyCa Executive Director Gary Bloom. “We greatly appreciate the opportunity to work with the ATA. We’re especially pleased to support the best thyroid cancer research projects proposed by young investigators, with applications open to researchers and research centers worldwide.”

Grant recipients from 2003 through 2008 include researchers at these institutions:

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

Our thanks to all our generous donors and volunteers for making these grants possible. Together, we are able to accomplish what most of us cannot do individually—fund independently reviewed research toward cures for all thyroid cancers.

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

Both funds welcome contributions of any size. ThyCa is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

ThyCa invites everyone to join us in our quest to find a cure for all thyroid cancer, one of the few cancers increasing in incidence in recent years.

To find out more about our Research Funds, Rally for Research, and opportunities to contribute through the Combined Federal Campaign and other programs, visit http://www.thyca.org/how-to-help/research-funds/.

7th Annual Golf Tournament Celebrates the Life of Longtime ThyCa Volunteer and Sets Goal of Topping $100,000 Next Year

Olney, MD (July 14, 2008) — “Big” John Oaks, proprietor of the Hanging Tree Saloon in Bracken, Texas, announced that the 7th Annual Hanging Tree Saloon Golf Tournament for Thyroid Cancer Research, which has been renamed the 7th Annual Megan Stendebach Memorial Golf Tournament for Thyroid Cancer Research, raised more than $13,000 for ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association this past May 18th.

“It was a beautiful, sunny day for golf, as 109 golfers, and many more additional supporters got together to fondly remember Megan and share in great barbecue and refreshments, and raise much needed funds for Thyroid Cancer Research,” Oaks said. He donated the food and refreshments, ensuring that all net proceeds went for thyroid cancer research.

To date this fundraiser has raised more than $77,000 for thyroid cancer research. Oaks plans to continue this tribute event in honor of Megan Stendebach, who lived with her family in San Antonio and volunteered for ThyCa for 10 years until she passed away in March 2008. His immediate goal is to top $100,000 next year.

Thyroid cancer, one of the few cancers increasing in incidence, is expected to reach a new record of 37,340 people newly diagnosed in the United States in 2008. Research to find cures for all thyroid cancer is urgently needed, and ThyCa began funding research grants in 2003.

“Megan gave inspiration and hope to people worldwide,” said Gary Bloom, ThyCa Executive Director. “She was one of the first contributors to ThyCa’s web site, sharing her creative songs about coping with thyroid cancer. In addition, she co-coordinated several of our conferences and helped with outreach programs. She and Big John initiated the wonderful Hanging Tree Golf Tournaments for Thyroid Cancer Research. We all are grateful to Big John for continuing the golf tournament to celebrate Megan’s life and honor her memory as well as his devotion to the well-being of others with thyroid cancer.”

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 healthcare professionals. The organization is dedicated to support, education and communication for thyroid cancer survivors, their families and friends. ThyCa also sponsors Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, year-round awareness activities, and thyroid cancer research fundraising and research grants. For additional information, please visit www.thyca.org, call 1-877-588-7904, or e-mail thyca@thyca.org.

In This Issue

ThyCa Awards New Research Grants
Support and Awareness in Alaska
Kat’s Benefit Concert in Texas
Invitation To Support the Rally for Research 2008
Latest Conference Update
What’s New on the Web Site?
Clinical Trials Page
From the E-Mailbox
A ThyCa Volunteer— Sandy’s Story
Survivor-To-Survivor Tips
Low-Iodine Recipe of the Month
Coming Events
Help Spread the Word About Thyroid Cancer
Every Day

ThyCa Awards New Research Grants

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. is proud to announce the 2008 ThyCa Research Grant Recipients, including two new grants and two continuation grants. An independent expert panel of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) evaluated the proposals and selected the most promising projects to be funded.

The new 2008 grant recipients are:

Mike S. Fenton, Ph.D., Assistant Researcher, Endocrinology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)/Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles Health Care System, Los Angeles, California.
Libero Santarpia, M.D., Ph.D., Instructor, Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.

ThyCa also awarded a second year of grant funding to our two 2007 grant recipients:

Krystian Jazdzewski, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland, and Visiting Scientist, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
Mabel Ryder, M.D., Assistant Attending Physician, Division of Endocrinology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.

Our thanks to all our generous donors and volunteers for making these grants possible. Together, we are able to accomplish what most of us cannot do individually — fund independently reviewed research toward cures for all thyroid cancers.

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Support and Awareness in Alaska

In Anchorage, Alaska, a school staff member gave 90 Thyroid Cancer Awareness Wristbands to all the staff members at her school, to show support for their friend who was being treated for thyroid cancer, and to raise awareness.

Thank you so much.

See photos of the wristbands, pins, shirts, and other Spirit items here. These items help raise awareness and connect others with our free support services. The proceeds also help sustain and strengthen our support services, outreach, and research fundraising.

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Kat’s Benefit Concert in Texas on August 2nd

For the second year in a row, Kat Foster has organized a Cancer Benefit Concert in support of ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association and the American Cancer Society. She also will display thyroid cancer awareness materials. The concert is being held on Saturday, August 2, 2008, at the Rockstar Sports Bar, 7120 South Freeway, Fort Worth, Texas, starting at 7 p.m. Seven groups will perform. Thank you, You rock Kat!

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Invitation to Support the Rally for Research 2008

Please join our Rally for Research as we work toward our dream of cures for all thyroid cancer, one of the few cancers significantly increasing incidence.
Thank you for your support!

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Latest Conference Update

Our 2008 conference promises to be the best yet, and you’re cordially invited to attend.

The 11th Annual International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference, will take place in St. Louis, Missouri on October 17-19, 2008.

As of mid-July, people from around the United States as well as two other countries have registered.

We’re honored to announce that more than 25 distinguished medical professionals are already confirmed. Our confirmed speakers include 7 surgeons, 12 endocrinologists, 3 nuclear medicine and radiology specialists, 2 medical oncologists, a dentist, and an endocrine research nurse.

Specialists in coping skills and complementary approaches are also coming. The conference will also have roundtable peer support ses sions led by survivors of every type of thyroid cancer.

We’ve arranged a special hotel room rate of $99 plus tax for single, double, triple, or quad room.

For the speaker list, registration, hotel details, reservations for the Research Fundraising Dinner/Auction, and a flyer you’re welcome to print out and share with others, click here or call 1-877-588-7904.

For conference questions or to volunteer before or during the conference, e-mail to conference@thyca.org

We look forward to seeing you in St. Louis!

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What’s New on the Web Site?

Our web site www.thyca.org has more than 650 pages with information about all types of thyroid cancer, support services, and events, plus numerous free downloadable publications. In June, the web site received more than 310,000 hits.

Recent additions:

The latest conference speaker list and press release
The latest edition of ThyCa News Notes
Links lists additions

Our thanks to everyone whose teamwork helps produce this valuable resource, available to thyroid cancer survivors, caregivers, professionals, and the public. In developing web content, we are guided by the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation.

Special thanks to

Webmistress Betty Solbjor of Massachusetts and Webmaster Joel Amromin of California
ThyCa’s Publications Committee—researchers, writers, editors, reviewers, and proofreaders
More than 50 thyroid cancer experts who give ongoing review and input to the medical content on the web site

We greatly appreciate your wonderful support.

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Clinical Trials Page

Visit this page to find links to all the current clinical trials for advanced thyroid cancer of all types. This page also has helpful information for patients to know if you’re considering a clinical trial.

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From the E-Mailbox

July 20, 2008….”Just wanted to say….”

Thank you for all the information provided on your web site about the types of thyroid cancer, which treatments work and which don’t work, the different kinds of treatment and what to expect before, during, and after the treatments.

I was supposed to have the left side of my thyroid removed because of 2 nodules. But during the surgery, with what the doctor saw, he decided that a total thyroidectomy and a central neck dissection was best. I was, of course, in shock! Numerous doctors have told me that this condition is very common and more than 95% of the time it’s nothing to worry about. I never thought I would be in that less than 5% group for thyroid cancer.

Now that it’s been a few days and I’m done with the self-pity and ‘why me?’ stage, I had to know what was going to happen next. And of course, the web is a great place to find out information. I still don’t know what type of cancer it is— I’ll find out this week— but because of your web site I now know what to expect and what to do when I get that phone call.

I have already down-loaded your Low-Iodine Cookbook and I am getting prepared. (I’m hoping that this is the ‘common’ type and curable with radioiodine therapy.) If I can’t have control over the cancer, I will have the control dealing with it and preparing for it.

Your web site has given me a sense of ‘power and control’ over this situation and I just had to say THANK YOU!

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A ThyCa Volunteer— Sandy’s Story

By Sandy Triplett
Facilitator for the new Central Missouri ThyCa Support Group
(and retired on the Lake of the Ozarks in MO)

I happen to be a registered nurse and had taught physical assessment for the Visiting Nurse Association for over 10 years when I noticed my thyroid had “dropped” and the left side was larger than the right.

Seven years before, a physician had noticed an enlargement on the left side of my neck and a needle biopsy was negative. But now I noticed a change.

So went to my family physician, who said she didn’t notice any change but trusted my assessment and sent me for an ultrasound that showed three suspicious areas in the left lobe. She referred me to a surgeon, and I was told that this was most likely cancer.

With a strong family history of cancer, I requested him to remove my thyroid. The surgeon wanted to do a needle biopsy, and when I said, “Let’s remove the thyroid,” he suggested a biopsy. I repeated, “Let’s remove the thyroid.” He asked, “Why are you so adamant about removing your thyroid?” I explained my family cancer history. He offered a compromise. My husband was to be present during surgery and if a lab test during surgery showed cancer, then my husband could approve removing the entire thyroid. Otherwise, he would remove only the lobe with the suspicious spots.

During surgery the testing equipment in the O.R. was not working, so no contact with my husband and he removed the left lobe, isthmus, and as much of the right lobe as he could reach easily. I went back to work two days later and by early afternoon I couldn’t talk! I was lucky to have a job where I could carry a laptop computer around to communicate and did that for the almost 4 weeks it took to regain my voice.

RAI – My family physician referred me to the radiation department for the post-surgery body scan, and I was told a large thyroid tissue fragment remained and I needed to take RAI to ‘ablate’ (burn up) the tissue. No one told me about this before surgery or on my follow-up surgical visit. My family doctor had not put me on thyroid hormone as I had a small amount of thyroid left and the doctor assumed I wouldn’t need replacement therapy.

So now the radiologist was explaining RAI and the low iodine diet. My TSH was not increasing after several weeks and the radiologist decided to give me the RAI anyway, as he didn’t expect my TSH to get to the right level given the amount of thyroid tissue remaining. He told me I would probably need another dose next year. Well, I needed a total of four RAI doses for a total of 655 milliCuries, which left me with decreased salivation and an enlarged salivary gland.

Finally, after all of this, I called my family physician and asked for a referral to an endocrinologist. She said I didn’t need one and that she would manage my care. I wanted to put my faith in an endocrinologist who had thyroid cancer experience. At my first visit with the endocrinologist she asked why they hadn’t removed my whole thyroid (surprise!). Now I was on the right track. I had the normal ‘ups’ and ‘downs’ of thyroid replacement therapy but now I had the right doctor guiding my thyroid cancer treatment and follow-up.

As all thyroid cancer survivors’ stories are unique and have interesting twists and turns, I want to stress that being hyper made me paranoid and anxious. I thought if my Endo doesn’t tell me what’s wrong I will need a psychiatrist. Long ago, an Endocrinologist I worked with said that the endocrine glands affect so much of our mind that often family physicians leap over endocrine possibilities and assume a psychiatric diagnosis is the ‘cause’ of the behavior rather than a medical ‘cause.’

Thank goodness for ThyCa. Wish I had found it before my 2000 experience but since I found it through ‘surfing the net’ and started attending the St. Louis monthly support group meetings I have found sharing survivor stories invaluable. Now if I get any new body feeling, my first thought is to call my Endocrinologist.

Theresa, Facilitator of St. Louis ThyCa, and I attended the 2004 ThyCa Conference in Chicago and in 2005 the St. Louis ThyCa group organized the first all-day MidWest ThyCa Workshop. It became an annual event drawing 50-90 thyroid cancer survivors and caregivers from seven states.

(Note: In addition to being the Central Missouri ThyCa Contact, Sandy also serves on the Outreach Team for the 2008 Conference. From 2003-2007, Sandy served as Co-Facilitator of the ThyCa St. Louis Support Group.)

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Survivor-to-Survivor TipsBy Julia McGuire of Virginia

The anxiety after being first diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and as we look ahead to treatment and testing, are things all of us experience. It may not be until after our initial treatment that we realize that this diagnosis has become a pivotal event in our lives. We realize how much this disease will change the way we live our lives. It affects how we monitor our health and manage our relationships and expectations, and we learn to adjust accordingly.

Below is a list of Survivor-to-Survivor Tips that I have gathered these past five years as I have transitioned from being newly diagnosed to living with cancer. I hope that these can be of use to others:

Be Comfortable With Your Doctor – The doctor-patient relationship is incredibly important during your path to recovery and afterwards. In order to be educated about your own health, you need the ability to feel comfortable asking questions to your doctor. A lot of medical verbiage can become confusing. It’s important to have the type of relationship with all of your doctors where you feel that they are listening to your concerns and answering any of your questions. This may mean switching doctors until you find one that is the right one for you, but it will be well worth it in the long run.
Be Careful of the Internet – It is easy to rely on the Internet for all informational purposes in life, but be careful about the information you read on the Internet. Make sure that medical information has been reviewed by medical experts. Some of my information gathering activity after my diagnosis left me confused and upset. Consult with your doctor, not a stranger, for advice about your situation. (Editor’s Note: ThyCa’s web site content receives review by our Medical Advisors as well as numerous other physicians.)
Find Local Support Groups – When I was first diagnosed, I had been a young adult in a city away from my hometown during my undergraduate years. It would have been useful to have visited a local support group to get me through the initial years of diagnosis when the confusion and anxiety factors are high. Find your local support groups in your area through ThyCa to help connect you to others who are having similar experiences.
Use Online Communities for Support – It can be hard to find people with thyroid cancer to talk to in your local community. Use the Internet to find people who have symptoms or a diagnosis similar to your own, and find a support group to chat about your experiences. It can help your situation to feel less overwhelming if you talk to people who are in your same situation. (Editor’s Note: In addition to joining one of ThyCa’s E-Mail Groups, you can also contact ThyCa’s Person-To-Person Network to be matched with a ThyCa volunteer who has the same type of thyroid cancer, for one-to-one support online.)
Find your Outlet – Whether it’s exercise or a good book, having an outlet when life gets tough is necessary. As we have found out, life can be unpredictable, but it’s important to have that one reliable activity that gets you going and feeling good.
Be Aware of Changes – More often than not, the changes in your body will prove out to be harmless. However; it’s important to be aware of any subtle changes you notice on your body, whether it is a lump on your neck, a cough that won’t go away, or an abnormal mole on your back. These little quirks can be nothing or the start of something big. Early detection is the best cancer control technique.
Take a Break – Take time off from your busy life and relax at home or travel. Visit family or friends, or new places. It is easy to get caught up with your daily job duties and stress once your life gets back to normal, and a vacation is incredibly important to manage your own personal health and well-being.
Make Plans – When hardships occur, people tend to put everything else in their life on hold. It is time to press Play again. Make plans, set goals, and move on with your life. Trust me, you will be happy you did.
Be Proud – I like to tell myself that my new life began when I was diagnosed with cancer. After cancer, people have a newfound understanding of life. They learn how to appreciate each day, value their health, friends, and family, and prioritize their time. Be proud of your survival. As Lance Armstrong once said, “The truth is, if you asked me to choose between winning the Tour de France and cancer, I would choose cancer. Odd as it sounds, I would rather have the title of cancer survivor than winner of the Tour, because of what it has done for me as a human being, a man, a husband, a son and a father.”

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Low-Iodine Recipe of the Month

“Breaded” Chicken Cutlets
by Tracy H.

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, flattened to about ¼ inch thickness, and cut into 1 ½ inch strips
In three bowls:
Bowl 1: 1 ½ cup flour mixed with salt (noniodized, non-sea salt) and pepper (to taste)
Bowl 2: 5 egg whites
Bowl 3: 1 ½ cup unsalted matzo meal mixed with 1 Tablespoon Italian herb seasoning

Roll chicken strips in flour mixture then quickly submerge them in the egg whites. Next, roll them in the matzo meal mixture.

Coat the bottom of a frying pan with olive oil (about 3 Tablespoons). On medium high heat, fry the cutlets (covered) for approximately 3 minutes on each side. The breading will become crisp and golden. You will probably need to add oil and fry the chicken in two batches.

Serve warm or cold with freshly squeezed lemon.

This recipe takes some time, but the leftovers are great cold for lunch.

This is a recipe that Tracy adapted from one she has made in the past. The original recipe was not a low-iodine recipe. It called for whole eggs, regular breadcrumbs, and parmesan. So in exchange, she substituted egg whites, matzo meal, and Italian seasoning.

Tracy says “My husband actually prefers this low-iodine version. I like to make a bigger batch so that I have a quick lunch the following few days. It is just as delicious cold. Sometimes finding recipes for the low-iodine is as easy as going through your favorites and making some minor changes. Thanks for ThyCa’s great cookbook—it has been a huge help.”

Thank you very much, Tracy. Your recipe will be added to the next edition of the FREE Downloadable Low-Iodine Cookbook. Download the cookbook, with more than 250 favorite recipes from more than 100 generous volunteers.

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Coming Events

2008

Each Month: Meetings of Local Thyroid Cancer Support Groups.
September 2008: Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, October 17, 18, and 19, 2008: St. Louis, Missouri. The 11th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference. More than 100 session choices. Details and registration form available here.
Saturday, October 18, 2008 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.: St. Louis, Missouri. ThyCa’s 7th Annual Dinner/Auction to Support Research.

2009

Each Month: Meetings of Local Thyroid Cancer Support Groups.
ThyCa Spring Workshops 2009. Details to be added to the web site early in 2009.
September 2009: Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, October 16-18, 2009: Boston, Massachusetts. The 12th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference. The web site will add details after the 2008 ThyCa Conference.
Saturday, October 17, 2009. Boston, Massachusetts. ThyCa’s 8th Annual Dinner/Auction to Support Research. The web site www.thyca.org will add details.

For Calendar updates, visit our Calendar page, linked on the left side of our Home Page.

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Help Spread the Word About Thyroid Cancer:

September is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month
….but don’t wait for September to “get the word out.” Free awareness materials are available all through the year. Give the Thyroid Cancer Awareness Brochure featuring actress Catherine Bell, or the many other brochures/flyers (many downloadable from www.thyca.org) to others to let them know the signs, find it early, and learn about neck checks. You can also wear our wristband, the 3-colored awareness pin, or the ThyCa tee-shirt to help make others aware. Contact www.thyca.org for awareness materials.

The 11th International Thyroid Cancer Survivor’s Conference
…. is being held from Friday, October 17 through Sunday, October 19, 2008 at the Sheraton Westport Hotel, 191 Westport Plaza, St. Louis, Missouri 63146. If you have never attended a conference, don’t miss this one. You will meet the nicest people, get the information you need about thyroid cancer from the specialists who know it best, and have a very informative and fun time in Missouri. You will also come away from it an informed patient. Hope to see you there!

ThyCa always offers free year-round support services, awareness materials and education about thyroid cancer: You can find your local support group, an e-mail support group or a person-to-person support person who will help you through your journey with thyroid cancer. Don’t feel alone, seek out the help you need. We’re here to make sure you don’t “go it alone.”

To find out more about all of our many services, visit www.thyca.org for more details.

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Every Day…

…thousands of people receive help and hope from ThyCa.

Here are 5 ways you can help:

Tell others about www.thyca.org and our toll-free survivors’ line 1-877-588-7904
Raise Awareness of Thyroid Cancer—Get Free Materials
Volunteer: We’ll help you find an activity to match your time and talents!
Become a ThyCa Member: We welcome Annual, Two-Year, and Lifetime Members. Thank you to all.
Donate: Make your tax-deductible donation by mail or online, or give a tribute gift in honor of someone special.

Special Thanks to the hundreds of wonderful volunteers who help ThyCa throughout the year. You are bringing help and hope to people worldwide. You are raising awareness, and sustaining and extending our outreach, and support services. You are also helping with our special events, as well as with fundraising to strengthen our services and support for thyroid cancer research for cures for all thyroid cancer.

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ThyCa JOURNEYS NEWSLETTER
Copyright (c) 2008 ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.

Thank you to Pat Paillard, Gary Bloom, Tracy H., Julia McGuire, Barb Statas, Sandy Triplett, and Cherry Wunderlich, for gathering information, writing, editing, and proofreading this newsletter.

Deadline for articles and news items is the first day of each month. Suggestions for articles are welcome.

We invite you to send this newsletter to your family and friends. For permission to reprint in another electronic or print publication, please contact us at outreach@thyca.org.

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 www.thyca.org.

Round 2: Progress, Youth, and Hope

By Joel Amromin, ThyCa Los Angeles Support Group Co-Facilitator and Board Member for ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association
June 2008

This year was my second year representing ThyCa as a participant in the American Association for Cancer Research Scientist-Survivor Program (SSP). The SSP was held in connection with the 2008 AACR Annual Meeting. I saw many of the same people, the meeting had the same format, and I got the same pampering and tired feet.

But this year there was a difference. Last year I heard many speakers and learned a lot about cancer and cancer research. I got a snapshot and a few highlights of what was happening at that time. However, the SSP is a three-year program.

This time, because I was at last year’s meeting, I could sense the pace of progress in cancer research that was not obvious last year. Much of this progress has resulted from the mapping of the human genome and the associated understanding of chain reactions in normal and cancerous cells.

I also took a closer look at the demographics of research presenters. I came away with hope.

Progress

Last year, Dr. Jean-Pierre Issa from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center talked to us about epigenetics, which, in simplified terms, is the study of those parts of the DNA and associated cell mechanisms that are not genes. These play critical roles in the cell’s ability to translate the genes into instructions for building the right proteins at the right time.

Dr. Issa said that therapies based on epigenetics were still primarily applicable only to liquid tumors, but that Steven Sherman, M.D., also of M.D. Anderson, was starting to look into epigenetics in solid tumors. (Editor’s note: Dr. Sherman is a thyroid cancer specialist and is a ThyCa medical advisor.)

This year, Dr. Sherman spoke about New Directions and Targeted Therapies in a session on thyroid cancer. He described using Decitabine in Phase 1I clinical trials to see if it can restore radioactive iodine uptake in patients with metastatic papillary or follicular thyroid cancer that is unresponsive to radioactive iodine I 131.

Regardless of the trial outcomes, seeing this presentation highlighted the exciting progress being made as cutting-edge epigenetic research moves into the clinical arena, even if only in early trials.

Another area that showed significant progress from last year was the field of individualized therapy. Medicine has always looked for treatments that provide the most benefit to the most people. That made a lot of sense. If you’ve got a dollar, put it where you get the most results. That made sense for antibiotics, digestive disorders, analgesics, etc.

But broad-spectrum research hasn’t worked as well for many cancers and other rare conditions. A tumor isn’t a simple externally induced inflammation or infection. A tumor is a change in the base mechanisms of a single person’s cells.

These changes can be caused by many factors, but most of then are genetic or epigenetic changes and that allow cells to multiply uncontrollably. Not only is each type of tumor different from others; the cellular pathways and mutations can vary from person to person, even though they have the same type of cancer.

Traditionally, cancer has been treated by a broad spectrum of chemicals, along with radiation treatments and often surgery. Usually, the chemicals are combined in groups of two or three because we don’t know which one, if any, will work for a given patient.

At this year’s conference, there was a big emphasis on developing ways of treating patients with procedures that specifically target that patient’s tumors and only the tumors, thereby minimizing side effects. This has been made possible by DNA vaccination, which Dr. Ron Levy described to the SSP participants.

What is a vaccine? A vaccine is a preparation that improves immunity to a particular disease. Early vaccines were simply living or dead disease organisms, or key parts of those organisms, that triggered a response by the body’s immune system. When the real disease came around, that immune response was ready to attack it.

DNA vaccines are small bits of the patient’s own DNA that have been modified to attack that tumor or aid in its treatment. They are grown in the lab and injected back into the metastatic tumor. The cells incorporate themselves back into the patient’s DNA and replicate.

Once in the body, they proliferate, triggering the body’s own immune system to fight the tumor. Furthermore, they actually spread antigens throughout the body, enabling the body to fight the cancer at remote locations. This produces a lasting immunological response to the tumor.

DNA vaccines work only because we are able to identify specific genes, modify them, and reinsert them into the patient. The beauty is that the treatment is specific to that patient because it is made from that patient’s own DNA. The changes that produce the immunity are tested in the lab, instead of in the patient, with samples of that patient’s tumor.

The point here is that DNA vaccination doesn’t depend on the development of a broad-spectrum chemotherapy that can be used with many patients. Rather, it is the development of a general-purpose technology that allows specific treatment for each patient.

This is a radical paradigm shift that ultimately not only can reduce suffering, but also has the potential to reduce the cost of treatment and bring treatment to those for whom no broad-spectrum treatment is available.

Youth

Last year, as I wandered around the poster sessions, I concentrated on looking for specific topics that might relate to thyroid cancer. I found only one.

This year there were a few more. There was even an excellent session devoted to thyroid cancer.

But I also spent time looking at who was presenting the posters. These were almost universally young people (young from the standpoint of my seventh decade). I’d say the vast majority were graduate students. Their enthusiasm was palpable. Granted, there were many times when I saw people sitting in front of their posters with no visitors. But I also saw a lot of posters that generated animated discussions. People were truly excited about what they were seeing and were exchanging ideas about it, stimulating possible further research.

Many of these posters were studies dealing with just a tiny piece of a puzzle. No doubt, in most cases they were part of a larger project being run by a supervising professor or team leader.

But these young people are the future of cancer research. In a few years, they will be making the next major breakthroughs. They will be become the leaders and they will be making the major announcements and presentations at the AACR meeting and other conferences.

Which leads me to…

Hope

I don’t know if we will ever completely eliminate cancer. It’s a disease of mutation, which is random.

But as I sat through sessions and looked at posters, I saw significant progress. That progress is accelerating because of the new tools that have been created from our greater understanding of the human genome.

This is exciting medicine that I believe has the potential within our lifetimes to reduce cancer to a treatable condition.

For many people, cancer will be prevented or, if contracted, turned into a chronic, manageable disease.

Simple bacteria and viruses used to kill and maim thousands of people at a time. But today we understand them and have ways of preventing and treating them.

I don’t believe we will eliminate cancer, either. But we are getting tantalizingly close to real preventions and treatments.

I don’t believe most people see this progress. The only face of cancer that they see is family and friends suffering, dying, and occasionally beating cancer. They see the misleading headlines about cancer research and wonder why “we don’t get anywhere.”

They don’t have the opportunity to come to a conference such as AACR to see the “miracles” that the future holds.

I have seen them and the army of people making them, and that gives me hope.