Thyroid Cancer Experts to Speak at 10th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference
Top thyroid cancer experts will present the latest research and advances in treatment at the 10th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference, October 19 – 21, 2007 in San Francisco, California.
More than 80 sessions, including presentations on the latest medical research, insurance and employment issues, coping with the disease, and sharing with others living with thyroid cancer, will be held at the Sofitel San Francisco Bay Hotel in Redwood City.
Sponsor is the nonprofit ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
Ernest L. Mazzaferri, M.D., thyroid cancer specialist who is past President of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) and member of the ATA’s Guidelines Task Force that developed ATA’s 2006 official clinical guidelines (2006) will be one of more than 25 physician speakers.
Speakers will also include attorneys as well as specialists in coping skills and well-being. In addition, support group roundtables will give opportunities survivors and caregivers to share their experiences and hear from others coping with thyroid cancer.
Anyone whose life has been touched by thyroid cancer is encouraged to attend. Early registration, through September 19, 2007, is $45 (less for ThyCa members). Scholarships are available on request. The hotel is offering special rates for conference attendees, for single, double, triple, or quad rooms.
For more information, e-mail thyca@thyca.org or conference@thyca.org, call 1-877-588-7904, or go to www.thyca.org.
Thyroid cancer continues to increase in incidence, and a new thyroid cancer support group will begin meeting on the second Saturday of every month starting on August 11, 2007, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, at Wesley Long Medical Center,
Education Building, Classroom 2, 501 North Elam Avenue, Greensboro, North Carolina.
Meetings are free and open to people at all phases of testing, treatment, and follow-up for thyroid cancer, as well as their family members and friends.
The ThyCa Piedmont/Greensboro Support Group is affiliated with the national nonprofit organization ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. (www.thyca.org). The support group has its own page on the ThyCa web site, with meeting information and transportation directions. The group will meet each month.
Emilie Gilstrap, the volunteer facilitator of the ThyCa Piedmont Support Group, invites thyroid cancer patients, families, and friends to attend meetings. To find out more about the new group, contact Emilie Gilstrap at piedmont-nc@thyca.org or 336-430-8066.
“We thank Emilie Gilstrap for starting this group,” said Sara Brenner, Director of ThyCa Support Groups. “Our groups meet throughout the United States, as well as in Costa Rica and the Philippines, to help families coping with the many challenges of thyroid cancer.”
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 thyroid cancer specialists.
ThyCa sponsors national Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month in September, as well as year-round awareness programs and numerous free support services and publications, including its free downloadable low-iodine cookbook. Its 10th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference will take place in San Francisco, California, on October 19-21, 2007.
For free brochures and more information about ThyCa’s free year-round support services, publications, and events, e-mail to thyca@thyca.org, call toll-free 1-877-588-7904, write to PO Box 1545, New York, NY 10159-1545, or visit the ThyCa web site.
In This Issue:
New Support Group Begins Meeting in North Carolina
Story of Hope: My Dad’s (Bill B.) Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Journey
Thank You, John!
Research Advocacy: ThyCa and the 2007 AACR Scientist-Survivor Program
September Is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month
Conference Preview
Have You Visited the Web Site Lately?
Coming Soon—The 6th Edition of ThyCa’s Free Low-Iodine Cookbook
From the Mailbox
Coming Events
Are You a ThyCa Member?
Thank You From ThyCa
Every Day…
About ThyCa News Notes
Newest Thyroid Cancer Support Group Begins Meeting in North Carolina
Welcome to ThyCa Volunteer Emilie Gilstrap and the newest ThyCa local support group, in North Carolina.
The new group will begin meeting on the second Saturday of every month starting on August 11, 2007, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, at Wesley Long Medical Center, Education Building, Classroom 2, 501 North Elam Avenue, Greensboro, North Carolina. Meetings are free and open to people at all phases of testing, treatment, and follow-up for thyroid cancer, as well as their family members and friends. To find out more about the new group, contact Emilie Gilstrap at piedmont-nc@thyca.org or 336-430-8066.
The ThyCa Piedmont/Greensboro Support Group has its own page on the ThyCa web site with meeting information and transportation directions. This is the second North Carolina group. Another ThyCa support group meets in Raleigh.
Groups meet throughout the United States, as well as in Costa Rica and Philippines.
Story of Hope: My Dad’s (Bill’s) Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer JourneyBy Mary Catherine Bassett Petermann, June 2007
It started in October 2006 as a tremendous whirlwind and rollercoaster that I never hope to ride again. A rollercoaster that we’re all looking forward to jumping off soon when my Dad is healthy and well again.
On October 9, 2006, My Dad (the greatest man I ever met – William (Bill) B.) goes to the Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) doctor in Mississippi to see about finally getting rid of this “cold” he’s had off and on for a few months (accompanied by hoarseness, difficulty swallowing and drainage/phlegm). We never expected what was to come of this ENT visit — not in a million years. They found a lump on his thyroid — and the doctor immediately took a Fine Needle Aspiration. And the waiting begins –
Results of the biopsy come in on October 13 (Friday the 13th no less!!) and suddenly our worst nightmare comes true – it’s malignant. We were all in a state of shock but also comforted somewhat by the thought that thyroid cancer is one of the least aggressive cancers and has a high rate of successful management.
As the days went by, we had done a little research and all of a sudden it was clear to us that there are in fact multiple TYPES of thyroid cancers, and they run the FULL spectrum of outcomes (yes, still one of them enjoys a high rate of success when diagnosed early, yet one type is one of the most aggressive and difficult to cure of ”all” cancers). I’m constantly praying…”PLEASE let it be one of the easy-to-cure ones.”
The preliminary biopsy results showed undifferentiated. I later learn that’s a nice way of saying Anaplastic (i.e., another hurdle to cross). I’m terrified. Thankfully, the doctor agrees to put us in touch with a team of doctors at a thyroid cancer treatment center in another state. We flew over as soon as they could see us and tried to remain positive and have faith that through God, our doctors, and prayers — we will continue to move mountains and have Daddy well and home soon.
Thank You, John! Gold Tournament Supports ThyCa Services, Outreach, and Research
The most recent Hangin’ Tree Golf Tournament in Texas was a big success. The event resulted in a generous donation to support ThyCa’s services, outreach, and research funds. Our special thanks to John Oaks, organizer and host of this wonderful event. We are all most grateful!
ThyCa’s free support services and awareness programs, and our thyroid cancer research grants, are all made possible through the generosity of our wonderful supporters. We thank you for your support.
Research Advocacy: ThyCa and the 2007 AACR Scientist-Survivor Program: An Experience in Collaboration, Education, and Inspiration
By Joel Amromin, ThyCa Los Angeles Support Group Co-Facilitator and Board Member, ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association
For the last few years, I have represented ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association at a number of forums, ranging from local health fairs to the International Conference of the American Thyroid Association. At those functions, I worked in our booth, distributing ThyCa literature, answering questions from physicians and patients, and fielding requests for more information.
So I was ready to answer the call when asked to represent ThyCa in the Scientist«Survivor Program (SSP) at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), being held in Los Angeles in April 2007.
I received an extensive prerequisite reading list that included one book (Genome by Matt Ridley) and several journal articles.
AACR and SSP Background
The AACR Annual Meeting is an opportunity for clinical and laboratory cancer researchers to get together and present papers on their work. The papers range from initial theoretical presentations to detailed results of clinical trials. There were about 6,000 such papers presented in the five days. There were also thousands of posters describing the work of various researchers.
The Annual Meeting is an opportunity for the researchers to exchange ideas and data in the rapidly changing field of cancer detections, prevention, and treatment. The meeting also celebrated the 100th anniversary of the AACR.
The Scientist«Survivor Program (SSP), now in its ninth year, is held concurrently with the AACR Annual Meeting. The approximately 40 SSP attendees represented patient advocates, survivors, and support groups from wide ranges of cancer types, group types (support, advocacy, etc.), and locations, including representatives from Uganda, Israel, and South Africa.
Active participation in the program provided a wealth of opportunities:
- Learning about the latest cancer research advances by attending both AACR technical presentations and special presentations to the SSP attendees.
- Learning from each other through informal discussions and moderated forums. A special SSP dining room and headquarters guaranteed that we would have ample opportunity to talk.
- Learning about and contributing opinions to government meetings on medical privacy issues.
- Obtaining access to the extensive AACR online library of cancer research publications for our respective organizations.
A Better Understanding of What This Thing Called “Cancer” Is
We thyroid cancer patients are generally pretty good at learning about our disease, getting the right diagnostics and treatments, and managing our relatively simple (for most of us) follow-on testing.
But do we really understand what cancer is? Our cancer seems so different from many others. So what makes it cancer, just like the others?
One of the articles we read in preparation for the conference (“The Hallmarks of Cancer,” Hanshan and Weinberg, Cell, volume 100, 57-70, Jan. 7, 2000) described six traits exhibited by all cancers:
- evading programmed cell death (apoptosis)
- ability to generate their own growth signals
- insensitivity to anti-growth signals
- sustained development of abnormal vasculature (angiogenesis)
- ability to replicate without limit
- tissue invasion and metastasis
That’s a pretty straightforward list. Keeping such a list in mind as we study thyroid cancer and go to our own conferences can help organize the wealth of information we absorb. It can also help us see how information regarding other cancers can apply to our own cancer.
(To read the complete article, click here.)
September is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month — Encourage Your Friends and Relatives to Get a Neck Check
We’re happy to mail free awareness materials on request. For free downloadable awareness flyers, plus information on requesting free materials to be mailed to you, visit our Raise Awareness page.
Top thyroid cancer experts will present the latest research and advances in treatment at the 10th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference, October 19 – 21, 2007 in San Francisco, California.
More than 80 sessions, including presentations on the latest medical research, insurance and employment issues, coping with the disease, and sharing with others living with thyroid cancer, will be held at the Sofitel San Francisco Bay Hotel, 223 Twin Dolphin Drive, Redwood City, California.
Anyone whose life has been touched by thyroid cancer is encouraged to attend. Scholarships are available on request. Sponsor is the nonprofit ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
Early-bird registration is now available, either online or by mail. The web site also has details about the hotel’s special room rates for conference attendees.
For more information, e-mail thyca@thyca.org, call 1-877-588-7904, or or go to www.thyca.org.
Have You Visited the Web Site Lately?
Our web site received more than 275,000 visits in June 2007. Our web site now has more than 600 pages. More than 50 distinguished physicians and numerous other specialists give ongoing input and review.
The web site expands nearly every week. Visit F often for the latest updates.
Coming Soon: The 8th Edition of ThyCa’s Free Downloadable Low-Iodine Cookbook
We’re excited to tell you that the expanded 6th edition will soon be on our web site!
The latest edition has more than 250 delicious family-favorite recipes, plus many tips, contributed by more than 100 generous thyroid cancer survivors and caregivers.
The cookbook includes all the recipes from the 5th edition, plus lots of great new recipes.
Watch our web site for the new edition!
From Texas…
“Please send me any information available and thank you for this site. I would like to also help and give back in whatever way I am able to”
From Illinois…
“Thank you for providing a site that is a source of information and support.”
From Pennsylvania…
“I went to our company sponsored health fair and they detected it looking for thyroid nodules and blocked arteries. I did not have any symptoms at the time…. Please urge everyone to participate in a health fair if they have the chance to….I really enjoy your website! It really helped me understand more about my treatment options and the low iodine cookbook tips were great!!”
From South Dakota…
“I was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer in 2007 …. My father also had papillary thyroid cancer …(many years ago). As you can imagine this is a subject of great interest to me and I would like to help increase awareness of thyroid cancer detection. I’m writing to request some awareness brochures to distribute to local physician clinics.”
From New Jersey…
“My boyfriend was recently diagnosed with thyroid cancer…. needless to say, we have had an enormous amount of questions about what he will be going through for the rest of his life. I’m happy to say that we’ve found your Web site to be VERY helpful and informative, and it has been my primary source of information regarding just about everything – from his surgery to his low-iodine diet to his treatments. For that reason, I must first thank you so very much for everything that you have done and continue to do for those with thyroid cancer and their families and friends! The feeling that we are not alone has been so comforting through it all!”
From the daughter of a survivor….
“I love your low iodine cook book! So far most of the recipes I would totally use normally! I am helping my mom with her low iodine diet.”
Every Month:
Free meetings of local support groups. More than 70 groups throughout the United States, and in Costa Rica and Philippines. The newest local support groups have begun meeting in North Carolina, New Jersey, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Costa Rica.
September 2007.
Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month.
Plus year-round awareness campaigns and free materials.
September 8, 2007
Pittsburgh Thyroid Cancer Seminar.8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
October 19-21, 2007
The 10th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference.
San Francisco, California. Conference registration and hotel reservations now open.
October 20, 2007.
The 6th Annual Dinner/Auction to Support Thyroid Cancer Research,
San Francisco, California.
We invite you to join ThyCa. Your membership will support ThyCa’s efforts to reach other survivors and their families around the world.
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.
Every day, thousands of people with thyroid cancer, and their families, are offered support, education, and hope by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, and 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.
About ThyCa News Notes
Copyright (c) 2007 ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
We encourage you to send these News Notes to your family and friends. For permission to reprint in another electronic or print publication, please contact us.
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 public awareness for early detection, lifetime health monitoring, and thyroid cancer research fundraising and research grants.
E-mail thyca@thyca.org, call 1-877-588-7904, or visit www.thyca.org.
ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. is proud of our 12 years of tremendous growth in our support services, outreach, and research advocacy.
We now seek an Executive Director to work in concert with our volunteer Board, committee coordinators, and hundreds of dedicated volunteers to further ThyCa’s vision and strategic plan to grow support services, education, and outreach, especially for underserved populations, as well as to foster research advocacy, constituents, and alliances.
The Executive Director will be responsible for the successful day-to-day management of the Association according to the strategic direction of, and in collaboration with, the Board. This position includes duties and responsibilities in general, operational, and financial management. The Executive Director will report directly to the ThyCa Board.
The ideal candidate will have:
- Five or more years experience in volunteer-based non-profit management and development.
- Current or prior experience in a volunteer role within ThyCa.
- A passion for the ThyCa mission and volunteer services.
- Human relations skills, including but not limited to leadership, volunteer recruitment and coordination, strong verbal and written communication skills, negotiation and speaking skill, and an ability to relate to a diverse population.
- Experience in building positive, long-term relationships with professional and community organizations, grantors, and other stakeholders by e-mail, phone, letter, and in person.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills, including use of technology to streamline workflow and support volunteer effectiveness.
- Respect for lean financial operating environments, ongoing attention to cost efficiencies and balanced budgets. Comfort with managing priorities, despite competing agendas and voices, is very important.
The Executive Director will work at home or in donated office space. The position will include regular weekday hours, plus some evening and weekend hours. Some travel will be required.
Compensation will be determined commensurate with affordability for ThyCa and the individual’s experience, skills, and education. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
We invite everyone interested to apply for this position. However, any ThyCa Board Members involved in developing the position description and announcement and conducting the applicant review are not eligible to apply. Sara Brenner, ThyCa Board Member, is Search Director for this position.
To view the full job description, please click here.
To Apply
Please send a resume and cover letter to ThyCa, Attention Sara Brenner at resumes@thyca.org. If you would prefer to mail your resume and cover letter, please mail them to:
ThyCa, Attention Sara Brenner, PO Box 2327, Allen, TX 75013
Or fax to Sara Brenner at 1-972-384-1867
Deadline Information
The deadline for an e-mailed application is July 29, 2007. The postmark for a mailed application is July 25, 2007. Confidentiality will be maintained regarding applicants’ names and materials.
Please include an e-mail address in the cover letter. The application will be acknowledged by e-mail within a week of its receipt. Applicants selected for interviews or further inquiry will be notified by phone or e-mail.
Direct Your Questions
Please direct your questions about the position and application process to recruitingquestions@thyca.org.
ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc., is pleased to announce the start of Oklahoma’s first thyroid cancer support group.
The free group will meet on the first Monday of each month from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., starting July 2, 2007, at Mercy Health Center’s Cancer Resource Center, 4300 West Memorial Road, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The monthly meetings are free and open to people at all phases of testing, treatment, and follow-up for thyroid cancer, as well as their family members and friends.
Lara Gaston, facilitator of the ThyCa Oklahoma City Support Group, invites thyroid cancer patients, families, and friends to attend meetings. To find out more about the new group, contact Lara Gaston by phone at 405-752-3388 or e-mail to okcity-ok@thyca.org.
“Meeting other thyroid cancer survivors in person offers a wonderful opportunity to share experiences and receive and give support,” said ThyCa’s Support Groups Coordinator Sara Gorrell Brenner. “We thank Lara Gaston for starting the group in Oklahoma City.”
The thyroid cancer support group, along with more than 60 other ThyCa support groups, has its own web page on the support groups section of the ThyCa web.
Many more free services are also sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc., a 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 awareness materials, 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.
Three-Packs Include Two 7-Day Cases Plus a Pocket Case
Thyroid cancer patients, who range from young children through seniors, take a dose of levothyroxine, thyroid hormone replacement, every day for their lifetimes.
To help patients keep track of their daily pills, while raising awareness of thyroid cancer and the availability of free support services and education, ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. (www.thyca.org) is pleased to offer a handy three-pack of pill cases. Each package includes two seven-day pill cases with large lettering for each day of the week, plus a compact pocket pill case.
The packages of three pill cases are available for $5, and the proceeds benefit ThyCa’s outreach, support services, and thyroid cancer research grants. People who join ThyCa as lifetime members receive the package of pill cases at no charge.
With each order or membership, ThyCa also includes free thyroid cancer awareness brochures and plastic wallet cards listing ThyCa’s free services and contact information. ThyCa’s web site has photos of the pill cases, wristbands, pins, and other thyroid cancer awareness items, plus the order form.
“We heard many people ask for something to help remember their pills, and we’re here to help,” said Leah Guljord, ThyCa Spirit Items Coordinator and thyroid cancer survivor of West Melbourne, Florida.
“ThyCa raises awareness year-round to increase early detection, because thyroid cancer is usually treatable when found early. We encourage everyone to ask their doctor for a neck check,” said Gary Bloom, ThyCa Board Chair and thyroid cancer survivor of Olney, Maryland.
ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc., is a national nonprofit organization of thyroid cancer survivors, families, and health care professionals. ThyCa’s free support services to cancer patients, their families, friends, and caregivers, includes a network of more than 60 support groups, one-to-one support matched by diagnosis, an award-winning educational Web site (www.thyca.org) providing more than 600 pages about thyroid cancer, free educational materials, and a free downloadable low-iodine cookbook.
ThyCa also sponsors Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month each September, as well as the only annual conference for thyroid cancer patients, families, and friends—to be held October 19-21, 2007, in San Francisco, California—featuring top physicians in the field.
For more information visit www.thyca.org call toll-free 877-588-7904, or e-mail thyca@thyca.org.
In 2008, for the sixth year in a row, ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. will award new grants for thyroid cancer research, ThyCa Executive Director Gary Bloom has announced.
ThyCa will award two new grants in 2008. Each grant will be for 2 years. One grant will support research on follicular-cell-derived thyroid cancer, including papillary, follicular, anaplastic, and variants. The other grant will support research on medullary thyroid cancer.
The ThyCa Research grants are open to all researchers and institutions worldwide. An independent expert panel of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) will select the grant recipients. ATA is the professional association of clinicians and researchers concerned with thyroid diseases.
The Call for Proposals and eligibility requirements are available on the ATA web site on this page:http://thyroid.org/professionals/education/grants_thyca.html.
The deadline for submission of a proposal summary to the ATA is January 31, 2008. The ATA Research Committee will rank proposals according to their scientific merit. ATA will notify the authors of selected proposals by early March and will invite them to submit complete grant applications.
“Research offers hope for finding cures for all types of thyroid cancer, and more thyroid cancer research is urgently needed. We greatly appreciate the ATA’s support in our research grant process,” said ThyCa Executive Director Gary Bloom. “We are grateful all our generous donors and volunteers for making these grants possible.”
The ThyCa grants, begun in 2003, are the first-ever thyroid cancer research grants to be funded entirely by thyroid cancer patients, caregivers, and friends.
ThyCa has awarded its grants to researchers at the following institutions:
- Cochin Institut, Paris, France
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio and Medical University of Gdansk, Poland
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
- University Hospital Duesseldorf in Duesseldorf, Germany
- University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas
ThyCa has two Research Funds. One fund supports research of follicular-cell-derived thyroid cancer, including papillary, follicular, anaplastic, and variants. The other research fund supports research of medullary thyroid cancer.
ThyCa 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, support, communication, awareness for early detection, and thyroid cancer research fundraising and research grants.
ThyCa sponsors free support services and resources including ThyCa’s award-winning educational web site, the ThyCa Person To Person Network, more than 70 local support groups, ten e-mail support groups, a toll-free survivors’ telephone number, a free online newsletter, the free downloadable Low-Iodine Cookbook, the cookbook plus many other materials in Spanish, and regional one-day workshops. ThyCa also sponsors Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, as well as year-round awareness campaigns.
In addition, ThyCa’s annual international conference brings together thyroid cancer survivors, families, and experts in thyroid cancer treatment and research. The 10th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference will take place October 17-19, 2008, in St. Louis, Missouri, at the Sheraton Westport Hotel.
Information about thyroid cancer, ThyCa’s free support services and publications, and its events is available by writing to P.O. Box 1102, Olney, MD 20830-1102, e-mailing to thyca@thyca.org, calling 877-588-7904, faxing to 630-604-6078, or visiting the ThyCa web site.
IN THIS ISSUE
Oklahoma’s First Thyroid Cancer Support Group Formed
Spring Workshops Draw Record Numbers
TSH Levels and TSH Suppression
From the Mailbox—New Volunteers Step Forward
Have You Visited the Web Site Lately?
Golf Tournament To Support Research Fund
Thank You From ThyCa
New Pill Cases From ThyCa
Coming Events
Every Day…
About ThyCa News Notes
OKLAHOMA’S FIRST THYROID CANCER SUPPORT GROUP FORMED
We are delighted to announce that Oklahoma now has a thyroid cancer support group. Lara Gaston, volunteer in Oklahoma City, has started ThyCa’s newest thyroid cancer support group. This new group will meet on the first Monday evening each month (from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.), starting on July 2nd.
We invite you to attend a ThyCa support group near you. If there isn’t a support group nearby, consider starting one. Contact support_coord@thyca.org for more information. These groups are a wonderful way to meet and share experiences with other thyroid cancer survivors and caregivers in your area.
Support groups are open to people at all phases of testing, treatment, and follow-up, along with caregivers and friends. Groups meet throughout the United States, as well as in Costa Rica and Philippines.
SPRING WORKSHOPS DRAW RECORD NUMBERS
ThyCa’s Five Spring Workshops, drew more than 400 attendees from 25 states and Washington, DC. The workshops took place in Arizona, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, and Texas.
Our thanks to the wonderful physicians, other specialists, survivors and caregivers who made these free events so informative and supportive.
TSH LEVELS AND TSH SUPPRESSION
A topic of great interest at our spring workshops, as well as at our conferences, is TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and what is recommended for different patients at different risk levels.
Physicians’ presentations and survivors’ and caregivers’ questions focused on TSH levels, and what specialists currently recommend. They discussed TSH levels for initial management as well as differences for long-term management, for patients with papillary or follicular thyroid cancer with different initial extent of disease and different follow-up test results.
To aid patient education, the TSH page added to ThyCa’s web site last year and expanded this year gives an overview, developed with extensive input and review from numerous thyroid cancer specialists.
As with all medical topics, it’s important to consult your own physician for guidance and recommendations tailored to your individual circumstances and medical needs.
New Volunteers Step Foward to Help Raise Awareness
From North Carolina…
“I am a two year Thyroid Cancer survivor. I was looking at your different posters you have and I am a true believer in early detection. I found a knot in my neck that ended up being a lymph node with cancer in it …… So I would like to know if you would send me your free brochures so I can read them and then pass them on to someone else.
“And one more quick question, too…. do ya’ll have any support groups in North Carolina? …… Thank you for the great website that ya’ll have and for the cookbook for the low iodine diet. It made the diet much easier to have that cookbook. Thank you.”
From Texas….
”This note is to request some materials that bring awareness to the issue of Thyroid Cancer.… My husband was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer ….. Our wonderful friends are preparing a benefit for our family, and we would like to provide this material to bring heightened awareness to this disease. My family is here to attest that this is not the “GOOD CANCER”. Please send whatever materials you feel would be helpful in bringing this disease to the forefront of public awareness….Your help is so appreciated!”
From Kansas….”We are going to have a “cancer awareness” display …. with presentation boards, brochures, etc. and I was wondering if you would be willing to donate …. brochures for this event.
“Your web site is very helpful and informative…keep up the great work!”
From Tennessee….
“I have been newly diagnosed with thyroid nodules and am in the process of getting scheduled for surgery to have it removed. I am the health educator at my church and am trying to raise awareness of this type of cancer and how prevalent it is in the female population.
“It would be great to have some information (brochures, pamphlets, etc.) to give out to my congregation on early detection. Thank you for any information that you can send.”
We’re grateful to these new volunteers, and the many others who contacted us, for your help in raising awareness and reaching out. We’re happy to mail free awareness materials on request.
HAVE YOU VISITED THE WEB SITE LATELY?
Our web site received more than 270,000 visits in April 2007. Our web site now has more than 600 pages. More than 50 distinguished physicians and the other specialists give ongoing input and review.
You’ll find information about treatment and follow-up for all types of thyroid cancer, web pages for each local support group, an article about the new pill cases, the volunteer opportunities page, the latest about our conference hotel and room reservations, and more.
Our web site coordinators Betty Solbjor of Massachusetts and Joel Amromin of California, our Publications Committee volunteers, and all our medical reviewers deserve special thanks for your wonderful contributions.
We invite everyone to visit www.thyca.org often for the latest updates.
GOLF TOURNAMENT TO SUPPORT RESEARCH FUND
The 5th Annual Schmidt Open Golf Tournament will take place on October 11, 2007.
Our thanks to the Schmidt Family for once again organizing this terrific benefit event to support ThyCa’s Thyroid Cancer Research Fund while raising awareness of thyroid cancer at the same time.
Our thyroid cancer Research Grants are open to all institutions and all researchers worldwide. Our research fundraising campaign unites survivors, family, friends, neighbors, and loved ones in an international effort to raise funds to combat thyroid cancer.
ThyCa’s free support services and awareness programs, and our thyroid cancer research grants, are all made possible through the generosity of our wonderful supporters. We thank you for your support.
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.
NEW PILL CASES FROM ThyCa HELP PATIENTS AND SUPPORT AWARENESS, SERVICES, AND OUTREACH
Three-Packs Include Two 7-Day Cases Plus a Pocket Case
Thyroid cancer patients, who range from young children through seniors, take a dose of levothyroxine, thyroid hormone replacement, every day for their lifetimes.
To help patients keep track of their daily pills, while raising awareness of thyroid cancer and the availability of free support services and education, ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. (www.thyca.org) is pleased to offer a handy three-pack of pill cases. Each package includes two seven-day pill cases with large lettering for each day of the week, plus a compact pocket pill case for daily use.
The packages of three pill cases are available for $5, and the proceeds benefit ThyCa’s outreach, support services, and thyroid cancer research grants. People who join ThyCa as lifetime members receive the three-pack of pill cases at no charge.
“We heard many people ask for something to help remember their pills, and we’re here to help,” said Leah Guljord, ThyCa Spirit Items Coordinator and thyroid cancer survivor of West Melbourne, Florida.
“ThyCa raises awareness year-round to increase early detection, because thyroid cancer is usually treatable when found early. We encourage everyone to ask their doctor for a neck check,” said Gary Bloom, ThyCa Board Chair and thyroid cancer survivor of Olney, Maryland.
With each order or membership, ThyCa also includes free thyroid cancer awareness brochures and plastic wallet cards listing ThyCa’s free services and contact information. ThyCa’s web site has photos of the pill cases, wristbands, pins, and other thyroid cancer awareness items, plus the order form.
Every Month:
Free meetings of local support groups. More than 70 groups throughout the United States, and in Costa Rica and Philippines. The newest support groups have begun in New Jersey, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Costa Rica.
September 2007:
Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month.
Plus year-round awareness campaigns and free materials.
October 19-21, 2007:
The 10th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference.
San Francisco, California. Hotel reservations now open.
October 20, 2007:
The 6th Annual Dinner/Auction to Support Thyroid Cancer Research,
San Francisco, California.
Every day, thousands of people with thyroid cancer, and their families, are offered support, education, and hope by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, and 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.
ThyCa NEWS NOTES
Copyright (c) 2007 ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
We encourage you to send these News Notes to your family and friends. For permission to reprint in another electronic or print publication, please contact us.
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 public awareness for early detection, lifetime health monitoring, and thyroid cancer research fundraising and research grants.
E-mail thyca@thyca.org, call 1-877-588-7904, or visit www.thyca.org.
On Saturday, May 12, 2007, ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association will offer a FREE one-day workshop for thyroid cancer survivors, their families, caregivers, and friends. The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Zamoiski Auditorium of the Hecht Building at Sinai Hospital, 2401 West Belvedere Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland.
The ThyCa Support Groups of Baltimore, Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia have organized the workshop. Attendees may register either in advance on the online form or on site at the workshop. Walk-in attendees are welcome.
This free educational and supportive day is open to people at all phases of testing, treatment, and follow-up for thyroid cancer, as well as their caregivers and everyone interested in learning about thyroid cancer.
Featured speakers include:
- Douglas W. Ball, M.D., Endocrinologist, Medullary Thyroid Cancer Specialist, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
- Henry G. Fein, M.D., F.A.C.P., Clinical Director of Endocrinology, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Maryland; Faculty, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Uniformed Services University School of Medicine
- David Goldenberg, M.D., Head and Neck Surgeon, Director of Head and Neck Surgery, and Associate Professor of Surgery, Pennsylvania State University, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania
- Janis I., Halzel, Pharm.D., Pharmacist, Consensus Medical Communications, Colorado; Co-Moderator, ThyCa Medullary Thyroid Cancer Support Group
- Matthew I. Kim, M.D., Endocrinologist, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Paul W. Ladenson, M.D., Endocrinologist, Director of Endocrinology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland; Past President, American Thyroid Association; Member, ThyCa Medical Advisory Council
- Heather Jacene, M.D., Nuclear Medicine Physician, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
Presentations and question-and-answer sessions will cover thyroid cancer diagnosis, treatment, lifelong monitoring, and research advances, including research on papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic thyroid cancer.
The workshop also offers survivor and caregiver roundtable support group sessions on skills for living with thyroid cancer.
For attendees needing overnight lodging, the workshop organizers have a list of nearby hotels.
For further workshop information, e-mail to Washington_DC@thyca.org, call Cherry Wunderlich at 301-493-8810, or visit www.thyca.org.
ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. is a national nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization providing person-to-person support, support groups, the free downloadable Low-Iodine Cookbook, free online newsletter, awareness materials, free one-day workshops, and other resources to thyroid cancer survivors, their families, and the public at no charge.
ThyCa also funds thyroid cancer research grants, sponsors Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month in September, and will hold the 10th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference in San Francisco, California, on October 19-21, 2007.
For more information, visit www.thyca.org, write PO Box 1545, New York, NY 10159-1545, call toll-free to 877-588-7904, fax to 630-604-6078, or e-mail to thyca@thyca.org.
On Saturday, April 28, 2007, ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association will offer a FREE one-day workshop for thyroid cancer survivors, their families, caregivers, and friends. This educational and supportive event will take place from 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the David C. Pratt Cancer Center, St John’s Mercy Cancer Center, 615 South New Ballas Road, St. Louis, Missouri.
The ThyCa St. Louis Thyroid Cancer Support Group has organized the free educational and supportive workshop. Attendees may register on site at the workshop.
This free day is open to people at all phases of testing, treatment, and follow-up for thyroid cancer, the fastest increasing cancer, as well as their caregivers and everyone interested in learning about thyroid cancer. Featured speakers include:
- James R. Etzkorn, M.D., Endocrinologist, St. Louis, Missouri, graduate of St. Louis University Medical School, Fellowship at Harvard Medical School
- Christopher M. Wolken, D.D.S., Dentist, St. Louis, Missouri
- Teresa L. Deshields, Ph.D., Psychologist, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Washington University St. Louis Medical School, Missouri
- Mary K. Debenedetti, R.N., B.S.N., Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Coordinator and Nurse Coordinator for Jeffrey F. Moley, M.D., Washington University St. Louis School of Medicine, Missouri
- Amy Siesennop, R.N., Pharmaceutical Clinical Trial Coordinator, St. John’s Mercy Medical Center, David C. Pratt Cancer Center, St. Louis, Missouri
Presentations and question-and-answer sessions will cover thyroid cancer treatment, lifelong monitoring, research advances, dental issues and radioactive iodine, clinical trials, and patient-physician communications. The day also includes survivor/caregiver support group roundtables.
For further workshop information, e-mail to thyca@thyca.org or StLouis-MO@thyca.org, call Theresa Wickerham at 314-974-5804, or visit www.thyca.org.
ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. is a national nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization providing person-to-person support, support groups, the free downloadable Low-Iodine Cookbook, free online newsletter, awareness materials, free one-day workshops, and other resources to thyroid cancer survivors, their families, and the public at no charge. ThyCa also funds thyroid cancer research grants, sponsors Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month in September, and will hold the 10th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference in San Francisco, California, on October 19-21, 2007.
For more information, visit www.thyca.org, write PO Box 1545, New York, NY 10159-1545, call toll-free to 877-588-7904, fax to 630-604-6078, or e-mail to thyca@thyca.org.