Annual ThyCa Conference Draws Record Numbers

Over 400 thyroid cancer survivors, family members, and health care professionals participated in the 7th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference held in Chicago, Illinois, October 22 through 24, 2004. The conference was sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.

The record number of attendees came from 37 states (also a new record), as well as the District of Columbia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Thyroid cancer survivors attending ranged from people newly diagnosed to survivors of more than 30 years, from children through seniors.

Highlights of the conference’s 100-plus sessions included more than 30 physician presentations and Ask-a-Doctor sessions. The 18 physician speakers came from Duke University, major medical centers in Illinois, Mayo Clinic, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, National Cancer Institute, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and many other major centers. Many stayed for two days to answer attendees’ questions both in and between sessions. Speakers also included pharmacists, nurses, mental health professionals, attorneys, specialists in complementary approaches to well-being, survivors of
each type of thyroid cancer (papillary, follicular, medullary, anaplastic, and variants), and caregivers.

“I was able to learn more about thyroid cancer in two and a half days than I would have learned in two and a half years on my own,” a Michigan attendee ommented. Another attendee wrote, “Great conference! Only wish I could have split my body into more than one to attend multiple sessions simultaneously. Medical professionals have been superb!” Another commented, “The doctors gave great broad and personal help. They have been terrific. The volunteers are fabulous!!!
” Another participant wrote, “Such helpful people…presenters, volunteers, everyone is very welcoming and warm.”

“We are honored that so many thyroid cancer survivors and their families attended the conference,” said ThyCa Board Chair Gary Bloom of Olney, Maryland, a nine-year thyroid cancer survivor. “Thyroid cancer requires lifelong management, and this conference is designed to help patients manage their care and quality of life long term,” continued Bloom.

“Thyroid cancer is one of the few cancers where the incidence rate is increasing. In fact, it’s had the fastest rate of incidence increase in women and the third fastest in men. It’s crucial that we provide education and support for patients and survivors,” said Bloom. “We are grateful to the dedicated thyroid cancer specialist physicians who so generously gave of their time in support of patient education and well-being.”

“We invite everyone to attend the 8th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference in Denver, Colorado, October 21-23, 2005,” concluded Bloom, “and throughout the year we welcome everyone to our local support groups coast to coast, as well as our one-day spring workshops already being planned.”

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. is a national all-volunteer nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization of thyroid cancer survivors, families, and health care professionals, advised by nationally recognized thyroid cancer specialists and dedicated to support, education, and communication for thyroid cancer survivors, their families, and friends. For more information about 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.

On Saturday, November 20, 2004, Gilbert H. Daniels, M.D., Endocrinologist, Co-Director of the Thyroid Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital and a specialist in thyroid cancer, will be the guest speaker at the ThyCa Boston Support Group meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Daniels also was a speaker at ThyCa’s Second Annual Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference conference, held in 1999.

The free support group meeting takes place from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the Wellman Conference Room, Wellman Building, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, Mass. The event is open to thyroid cancer survivors, their families, and their friends.

In this Ask A Doctor program, Dr. Daniels will discuss current research, management, and treatment of all types of thyroid cancer in an informal question and answer format.

For more information about the program or for directions, call Jessica Jones at 781-721-7799 or Judy Kaplan at 781-488-3135, e-mail to Boston_MA@thyca.org, or visit the web site of ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association at www.thyca.org.

Free services and resources for thyroid cancer survivors are organized by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. ThyCa is a national nonprofit, volunteer organization providing person-to-person and e-mail support groups, a free low-iodine cookbook, a free newsletter, and other educational services and resources to thyroid cancer survivors and their families at no charge.

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

Beginning on Saturday, November 13, 2004, the first support group for thyroid cancer survivors and families in Tennessee and the Midsouth will meet from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Baptist Memorial Hospital, 6019 Walnut Grove Road, Memphis, Tennessee. The ThyCa Midsouth Support Group will meet at 11 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month thereafter.

Organized by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc., the ThyCa Midsouth support group is free and open to all thyroid cancer survivors, their families, friends, and caregivers. For information about ThyCa Midsouth, contact the support group facilitator, Sheila Becker, by phone at 901-301-2377 or e-mail tomidsouth@thyca.org.

Free support groups for thyroid cancer survivors are organized across the United States by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. ThyCa is a national nonprofit, volunteer organization providing person-to-person and e-mail support groups, a free downloadable low-iodine cookbook, a free newsletter, an award-winning educational web site, conferences and workshops, and other resources to thyroid cancer survivors and their families at no charge.

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

October 25, 2004

Contact: Cherry Wunderlich, thyca@thyca.org, cw.kc@his.com, 301-493-8810
Outreach Coordinator, ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.

ThyCa Urges Individuals to Receive “Neck Checks” for Possible Thyroid Cancer

In response to the news that U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association (www.thyca.org) urges everyone to learn about thyroid cancer and have a neck check at their next doctor’s appointment. Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer and is one of the few cancers that is increasing in incidence. It is number one among women and number three among men in the rate at which its incidence has increased in recent years.”

“Early detection is a key to treating thyroid cancer, and lifelong follow-up is just as important” said ThyCa Board Chair Gary Bloom of Olney, Maryland, a thyroid cancer survivor. “Many thyroid cancer survivors first become aware that they may have cancer when they notice a nodule on their lower neck. While most are benign, we want everyone with thyroid cancer to benefit from early detection and treatment.”

“Doctors are also essential to the detection of thyroid cancer,” continued Bloom. “It only takes a few minutes for doctors to examine a patient’s thyroid, but those few minutes could make all the difference in the world when it comes to thyroid cancer.”

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. is a national, all-volunteer nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization of thyroid cancer survivors, family members, and health care professionals dedicated to support, education, and communication for thyroid cancer survivors, their families and friends, as well as to thyroid cancer awareness and research. ThyCa is the sponsor of the national Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month and provides free awareness and educational materials, including the Thyroid Cancer Awareness brochure featuring actress Catherine Bell, co-star of the hit TV series J.A.G. and thyroid cancer survivor.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Contact: Cherry Wunderlich, conference@thyca.org, thyca@thyca.org , 
301-493-8810 
ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. www.thyca.org

Media Alert: Thyroid cancer experts present latest research in thyroid cancer care
at international conference for thyroid cancer survivors and families

Thyroid cancer survivors and families from 35 states, DC, Canada, and the United Kingdom will be gathering in Deerfield, Illinois, near Chicago, on October 22-24, 2004, to learn from physician specialists about the latest research in thyroid cancer, during the 7th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference.

The conference is sponsored by the nonprofit voluntary organization ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer and was recently ranked the number one cancer in incidence growth in women and number three in men.

Speakers at the more than 100 sessions at the Hyatt Deerfield Hotel, 1750 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, Illinois, include 18 physicians who will lead more than 30 sessions, plus 2 pharmacists, a dentist, nurses, mental health professionals, 2 attorneys, fitness and nutrition specialists, a music therapist, other specialists in coping skills and well-being, thyroid cancer survivors, and caregivers.

There are sessions about each type of thyroid cancer (papillary, follicular, medullary, anaplastic, and variants), for people of all ages at all phases of testing, treatment, and follow-up.

This educational and supportive event is Free to anyone who requests a scholarship. Walk-in attendees are welcome.

• The following are selected sessions at the conference. For details, write to thyca@thyca.org or call Cherry Wunderlich at 301-493-8810.
• Thyroid Surgery Including Minimally Invasive Techniques. Peter Angelos, M.D., Ph.D., Surgeon, Northwestern University Medical School, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL.
• Future Treatment Strategies for All Types of Advanced Thyroid Cancer. Robert C. Smallridge, M.D., Endocrinologist, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL.
• Imaging Techniques in Thyroid Cancer Management. Daniel E. Appelbaum, M.D., Nuclear Medicine Physician and Radiologist, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
• Ask about Nuclear Medicine: Radioactive Iodine for Scans and Treatment, Dosimetry for Papillary, Follicular, and Variants. Donald Margouleff, M.D., Nuclear Medicine Physician, North Shore University Hospital, Long Island, NY.
• Ask a Doctor about Thyroid Cancer Care. Arthur B. Schneider, M.D., Endocrinologist, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL.
• Medullary Thyroid Cancer Research Update. Samuel A. Wells, M.D., Surgeon, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC.
• . What’s on the Horizon for Advanced Papillary and Follicular Thyroid Cancer.
  R. Michael Tuttle, M.D., Endocrinologist, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.
• Communicating with the Medical Team and Coping with Fears about Testing, Treatment, Recurrence. David H. Sarne, M.D., Endocrinologist, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL.
• If You’re New to Thyroid Cancer: Things You Need To Know, Questions and Answers. Leonard D. Kohn, M.D., Endocrinologist. Ohio University Medical School, Athens, OH.
• Voice Issues: Prevention and Solutions. David Myssiorek, M.D., Surgeon, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, NY
• Thyroid Cancer Pathology with Old and New Molecular Genetic Correlates.
  Todd G. Kroll, M.D., Ph.D., Pathologist, University of Chicago School of Medicine and University of Chicago Hospitals, IL.
• Thyrogen Update and the Role of Thyroglobulin Monitoring With or Without RAI Scans. Nicholas J. Sarlis, M.D., Ph.D., Endocrinologist, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
• Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. R. Michael Tuttle, M.D., Endocrinologist, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.
• Ask A Pathologist about Diagnostic Issues and When to Get a Second Opinion. Mark Dieterich, M.D., Pathologist, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare-Evanston Hospital, Evanston, IL.
• Thyroid Cancer Care and Research. Ernest L. Mazzaferri, M.D., Endocrinologist, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
• Childhood and Adolescent Thyroid Cancer: Treatment Issues. Nicholas J. Sarlis, M.D., Ph.D., Endocrinologist, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
• Ask a Doctor about Medullary Thyroid Cancer. R. Michael Tuttle, M.D., Endocrinologist, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.
• Thyroglobulin Measurement and Testing. Carole A. Spencer, Ph.D., Researcher, Laboratory Director, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
• Ask a Pharmacist: Questions about Medications and Interactions. Suzanne M. Rabi, Pharm.D., Pharmacist, Chicago, IL.
• Ask an Attorney about Health Insurance Issues, Disability, Workplace Issues. Mark D. DeBofsky, Esq., Attorney, Chicago, IL.
• Ask an Attorney about Legal Issues: Employment, Workplace, Disability. Elizabeth Hubbard, Esq., Attorney, Chicago, IL.
• From a Negative to a Positive: How Having Thyroid Cancer Helped Me Become the National Memory Champion; Ways to Enhance Your Memory Skills. Scott Hagwood, Four-Time National Memory Champion, Fayetteville, NC.
• Understanding the Low-Iodine Diet and Making Delicious Meals. Leah Guljord, Editor and Lead Author of ThyCa’s Free Downloadable Low-Iodine Cookbook.
• Complementary Approach: Stress, Dis-Ease, and Relaxation Techniques. Betty Fagerman, R.N, B.S., Clinical Specialist at Wellness Place.
• Remaining Strong in Trying Times: Skills for Coping During Illness. Betty Lou Barsley-Marra, M.S.Ed., Family Life Educator, University of Illinois Extension, Matteson, IL.

Plus more than 70 additional session choices during the three days.

Scott Bruder, M.D., Ph.D., ran in the Chicago Marathon in October on behalf of ThyCa’s Research Fundraising. Bruder’s wife is a thyroid cancer survivor.

“I am so grateful to ThyCa for the support they have given my wife during her battle against thyroid cancer,” said Bruder. “It is my privilege to run in the Chicago Marathon on behalf of ThyCa in their quest to cure all thyroid cancer.”

An estimated 23,600 new cases of thyroid cancer will be diagnosed in 2004 in the United States alone. Approximately 1,460 people will die of thyroid cancer this year.

“We are thrilled that Scott has dedicated his marathon run to Thyca’s Research Fundraising,” said ThyCa Board Chair Gary Bloom. “Thyroid cancer research is underfunded and we hope that Scott’s run will bring much needed attention to ThyCa’s efforts.”

The Chicago Marathon took place October 10th, 2004. Later that month, on October 22-24, 2004, ThyCa will hold its annual conference at the Hyatt Deerfield Hotel in nearby Deerfield, Illinois.

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. is an all-volunteer, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization 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. Details about ThyCa’s free services and the conference are on the web site.

Catherine Bell, her thyroid cancer, and her support of the awareness and education efforts of ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association are featured on the web site of Parade Magazine, as a followup to a feature item in the magazine’s Personality Parade page on September 5, 2004.

The longer article is archived at the web site www.parade.comin the Personality Parade page for September 5, 2004, in its Bonus Online Content at the bottom of the page. The page is http://archive.parade.com/2004/0905/0905_personality.html.

In addition, ThyCa is excited to announce that physicians across the United States have requested large quantities of our new Thyroid Cancer Awareness Brochure for their patients. The brochure features actress Catherine Bell, co-star of the hit CBS TV series JAG, and thyroid cancer survivor.

This free brochure presents information about thyroid cancer types, symptoms to discuss with your physician, as well as ThyCa’s free support and education services available worldwide.

In this brochure, Catherine Bell also shares her story and highlights the importance of learning about thyroid cancer and the resources available to those with the disease.

Everyone in ThyCa is proud of this new brochure and grateful to Catherine for her terrific support of our outreach and awareness efforts.

Free copies of the brochure are available by e-mailing to thyca@thyca.org, faxing to 630-604-6078, or writing to ThyCa Brochures, PO Box 1545, New York, NY 10159-1545.

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc., is pleased to announce the formation of its ninth e-mail support group to meet specific needs of people whose lives have been touched by thyroid cancer.

The Thyca Mental Challenges Support Group brings together anyone seeking support for coping with day-to-day challenges. The group description notes, “This e-mail group addresses the emotional issues that some thyroid cancer survivors deal with. These may or may not be related to our thyroid cancer or its treatment. However, they still affect our lives. Examples include day to day coping with life as a cancer survivor, learning to rely on hormone replacement instead of our body’s own thyroid hormone, and adapting to periodic testing and other life disruptions.”

In this group participants share experiences, give encouragement, and offer suggestions for coping positively with the mental challenges they cope.

This free support group is available 24 hours a day to people worldwide. Instructions for joining the group and a more detailed description are on the ThyCa web site in the ThyCa Support Groups Section.

ThyCa’s eight other free e-mail support groups include the general Thyroid Cancer Support Group, Advanced Thyroid Cancer Support Group, Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Support Group, Medullary Thyroid Cancer Support Group, Pediatric Thyroid Cancer Support Group, Long-Term Survivors’ Support Group, Caregivers’ Support Group, and Love, Loss, and Legacy Group. ThyCa volunteers also facilitate two live online thyroid cancer mutual support groups on America Online on Monday and Tuesday evenings.

For information about thyroid cancer, other free services and resources, and the annual Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference, contact ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc., a nonprofit, voluntary organization, call toll-free 1-877-588-7904, e-mail to thyca@thyca.org, or visit the web site at www.thyca.org.

Sponsored by ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association

Thyroid cancer is one of the few cancers that has increased in incidence over the past several years. This is one of many reasons why ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. sponsors Thyroid Cancer Awareness Week. Beginning September 13, 2004, this week 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; and
• inform the public about ThyCa’s free information, resources and support. ThyCa also seeks to raise awareness of the need for more thyroid cancer research.

ThyCa’s web site has hundreds of 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 conference in the US, to be held this year on October 22-24, 2004, near Chicago, Illinois. Web site visitors can also download ThyCa’s free publications, including a Low Iodine Cookbook, fact sheets, and online newsletters.

In addition, ThyCa’s web site has a section titled Thyroid Cancer Awareness Week with a downloadable flyer entitled, “Yes, it’s real;” a fact sheet titled “About Thyroid Cancer;” and information about other awareness materials. Free awareness brochures featuring actor and thyroid cancer survivor, Catherine Bell, co-star of the hit TV series J.A.G., are also available.

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

• In Florida, Frank Bireley, ThyCa Volunteer, and Jan Anderson, MPH, RD, LD/N,, Dietitian/Outreach Education Coordinator for Lee Cancer Care of Lee Memorial Health System, wrote articles for a community newspaper about thyroid cancer types, treatments, and ThyCa’s local thyroid cancer support group.
• In Oklahoma, newspapers will publish awareness articles sent by Cheri Wallace Lindle, founder of ThyCa’s Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer E-mail Support Group.
• In Pennsylvania, Catherine Rile is giving a dozen of the new Thyroid Cancer Awareness Ribbon Pins, available from ThyCa, to her friends and relatives.
• In the Carolinas, Karen Ferguson, ThyCa Co-Founder and greyhound owner as well as pet therapy volunteer, sponsored a quarter-page thyroid cancer awareness message in the membership directory of Greyhound Friends of North Carolina.
• In Colorado, a Charity Fun Run organized by the parents at Antelope Ridge Elementary School will honor thyroid cancer survivor C. J. Hartman, physical education teacher just retired from the school, and will raise funds for ThyCa’s Thyroid Cancer Research Funds.
• In Maryland, Susan and Phil Schmidt are sponsoring the 2nd Annual Schmidt Open Golf Tournament, in celebration of Susan’s successful thyroid cancer treatment, and are distributing information about ThyCa and donating the event’s proceeds to ThyCa’s Thyroid Cancer Research Fund.

For information and free materials about thyroid cancer, ThyCa’s free support services, and the 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.