Strokes for Hope Scramble, June 6, 2015
Are you ready to swing your golf clubs after a long cold and snowy winter?
Well, spring has arrived here in Pennsylvania, and warmer weather will soon be here as well, as we get out on the golf course. Come support and promote thyroid cancer awareness and research while shooting a round of golf!
The 3rd Annual Strokes for Hope Scramble is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, 2015 at the Grand View Golf Club in North Braddock, Pennsylvania. A great day of golf, food and raising Thyroid Cancer Awareness is planned. Proceeds will benefit ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association.
Whether or not you can attend, you can support this great event! If you’d like to sign up for the golf scramble, please e-mail se.jordan@hotmail.com and reference “Strokes For Hope Scramble” in the subject line of the e-mail. Registration and entry fees are due by May 23.
Click Here, for the flyer with details.
Or visit our Rally for Research Page, for the donation link (and note that your donation is in honor of Strokes for Hope), plus more ways to support the Rally for Research. Or go to our Donate page connected from our Home page.
Thank you!
- Thyroid Cancer Diagnoses To Stay About the Same and Deaths To Rise in 2015
- 2015 Is ThyCa’s 20th Anniversary Year!
- FDA Approves Natpara® for Hypoparathyroidism
- Proposals Due by January 31 2015, for ThyCa’s New Thyroid Cancer Research Grants
- From the E-Mail Inbox
- A 20th Anniversary Memory: The World’s First Local Support Group
- ThyCa Inspire Online Support Community Grows to More than 15,000!
- Conference Videos Now on ThyCa YouTube Channel
- Thyroid Cancer Support Groups Meet and Provide Phone, E-Mail Support
- The Power of Togetherness – Share Your Story
- January Is Thyroid Awareness Month, for all Thyroid Diseases
- Thyroid Infographic Describes all Thyroid Disorders
- Free Seminar in Albuquerque
- Visit our One-Click Events Calendar
- Invitation: Become a Member
- Nonprofit Triage Cancer Helps Patients and Caregivers
- Yoga and More, a Fundraiser for ThyCa
- Did you know?
- Low-Iodine Recipe of the Month—Peanut Butter Popcorn
- Follow Us
- Every Day
- Get Involved
- About this Newsletter and ThyCa
Thyroid Cancer Diagnoses To Stay About the Same and Deaths To Rise in 2015
ThyCa Urges Neck Checks, Provides Free Services, Materials in 7 Languages
A total of 62,450 people will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2015 in the United States, slightly fewer than the 62,980 in 2014, while deaths from thyroid cancer will increase by 3% to 1,950, up from 1,890 in 2014, ThyCa reports based on information from the American Cancer Society and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Thyroid cancer is now the fifth most common cancer in women, and three of every four people diagnosed with thyroid cancer are women. The disease affects people of all ages, from young children to seniors. About half of people diagnosed are under age 50. The incidence of thyroid cancer has increased rapidly over the past two decades.
Read more on our website, linked from our home page.
2015 Is ThyCa’s 20th Anniversary Year!
Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who provide support, lead support groups, host events, and do much more to help everyone affected by thyroid cancer, and raise awareness and research funds.
Help us celebrate our 20th Anniversary Year. Share your suggestions at publications@thyca.org and we’ll include them in upcoming bulletins and on our web site.
FDA Approves Natpara® for Hypoparathyroidism
January 23, 2015—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Natpara® (parathyroid hormone) as an adjunct to calcium and vitamin D to control hypocalcemia in patients with hypoparathyroidism. Hypoparathyroidism is a rare endocrine disorder characterized by insufficient levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH).
About three-quarters of the people with hypoparathyroidism had thyroid surgery, usually for thyroid cancer, and experienced loss or damage to their parathyroid glands, significantly affecting their calcium levels.
Natpara® is expected to be available in the second quarter of 2015 in the United States. In Europe, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has validated and initiated its review of NPS Pharma’s marketing authorization application for Natpar™.
Natpara® is a bioengineered replica of human PTH. It is manufactured by NPS Pharma. It is recommended only for patients who cannot be well controlled on calcium supplements and active forms of vitamin D alone.
At the FDA hearing on Natpara® in 2014, ThyCa Executive Director Gary Bloom spoke in support of the FDA approval of Natpara®. Each ThyCa Conference has sessions on hypoparathyroidism, a challenging disorder requiring lifelong management.
ThyCa’s web site will add more information about Natpara® in the future.
Proposals Due by January 31 2015, for ThyCa’s New Thyroid Cancer Research Grants
ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association Inc. is proud to announce the 14th year of our research grants program, with grants open to researchers and institutions worldwide.
We have already awarded 47 grants totaling more than $1.3 million to researchers in 5 countries: France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, and United States.
ThyCa will award six research grants in 2015, three new grants plus three continuation grants.
One new grant is for research on follicular-cell-derived thyroid cancer (papillary, follicular, anaplastic, variants).
Another new grant is for research on medullary thyroid cancer.
For the third grant, research on any type of thyroid cancer is eligible. This grant is named The Ric Blake Memorial Thyroid Cancer Research Grant, in memory and honor of ThyCa co-founder Ric Blake.
Proposals are due by January 31, 2015. Click Here for the grant proposal web site, which has more details and information on how to submit proposals.
An independent expert panel of the American Thyroid Association will select the grant recipients. Our thanks to ATA for your support.
ThyCa invites everyone to join us in our quest to find cures and new treatments for all thyroid cancer.
Thank you to everyone who contributes to our Research Funds. Together, we’re making progress toward our dream of cures for all thyroid cancer.
To find out more about the ThyCa Research Funds, the annual Rally for Research, and how to donate, click here.
From Virginia
I would like to request some of your Thyroid Cancer Basics handbooks. I am an endocrinologist and see quite a few thyroid cancer patients. I recently got a copy of your handbook from the thyroid course at Washington Medstar and it looks like an excellent patient resource.
From Massachusetts
I was wondering if you could mail me some information on thyroid cancer and anything you think may be helpful. I was just diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer about 2 weeks ago. Thank you.
From California
I am the HR Generalist at my company. I would like to receive some free brochures to spread awareness to our employees regarding the thyroid.
From Texas
Please send 50 cards to pass out to staff members at our school. My husband passed away with Papillary thyroid cancer. He was 54 years old. I like to keep his memory alive by educating people about Thyroid Cancer. Thank you.
From South Africa
Good day. Kindly send me information re thyroid cancer. In November last year I had a right thyroid lobectomy and it was discovered that I have papillary thyroid carcinoma
A 20th Anniversary Memory: The World’s First Local Support Group
In 1996, Ric Blake of New Hampshire started a face-to-face thyroid cancer support group in Massachusetts. Ric had been a member of ThyCa’s first online thyroid cancer group for more than a year.
This group was the first face-to-face thyroid cancer support group. Today, there are more than 120 Local ThyCa Support Groups in communities in 7 countries.
Ric was one of ThyCa’s 17 co-founders. We are honored to remember him through one of our annual thyroid cancer research grants, described above in the first article.
The photo shows Ric and Diane Blake at the 2009 Conference. Read more about Ric and his many contributions.
ThyCa Inspire Online Support Community Grows to More than 15,000!
We’re excited to report that the ThyCa Inspire Online Support Community has grown to more than 15,000 members! This is a great place to share experiences with your thyroid cancer, wherever you live.
Get details about the ThyCa Inspire Group and all our support services on our Support Groups page.
Conference Videos Now on ThyCa YouTube Channel
We’re excited to announce that videos from the 17th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference are now available on the ThyCa YouTube Channel. Click here for these videos, and more ThyCa videos.
Presentations by seven distinguished speakers are now available. We’ll add more soon!
- Preventing and Solving Issues for Your Mouth, Salivary Glands, and Teeth from Radiation Treatment, Both Radioactive Iodine and External Beam Radiation. Richard C. Cardoso, D.D.S., M.S., Oral Medicine Specialist, University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
- Thyroid Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy: What Do I Do After a Malignant or Indeterminate Result, Either During Diagnosis or Recurrence? When Do I Need a Second Opinion from a Pathologist? Sharon Sams, M.D., Pathologist, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
- Thyroid Surgery Including Minimally Invasive Techniques presented by Christopher D. Raeburn, M.D., Surgeon, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
- Medullary Thyroid Cancer: Ask a Doctor Your Questions. Steven I. Sherman, M.D., Endocrinologist, University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
- Understanding the Biology of Medullary Thyroid Cancer. Gilbert Cote, Ph.D., Molecular Geneticist, University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
- Complexity in Thyroid Cancer: Recent Research Results and Studies at the Center for Personalized Cancer Therapeutics. Peter Smibert, Ph.D., Regenerative Biologist, Center for Personalized Cancer Therapeutics at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City
- New Targeted Therapies for Treatment and Management of Progressing Metastatic Thyroid Cancer. Rebecca Schweppe, Ph. D., Researcher, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
- Afirma Thyroid FNA Analysis: Giving More Doctors a More Complete Story from Thyroid Nodules. Ryan Hungerford, M.D., Endocrinologist, Southern Oregon Internal Medicine
Thyroid Cancer Support Groups Meet and Provide Phone, E-Mail Support
In ThyCa’s local support groups, patients and caregivers meet in person, share thyroid cancer information, their experiences with their thyroid cancer, insights on how they are coping with thyroid cancer, and support one another.
ThyCa Portland, Maine, will start meeting on March 21, 2015. This group and ThyCa Essex, United Kingdom, join our network of more than 120 support groups in 7 countries—around the United States and in Australia, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Philippines, and the United Kingdom.
To see if there is a group in your area, go to the Support Groups page.
Our support groups are free and open to any and all survivors and their families and friends.
Want to start a group in your area? Either contact the ThyCa Support Group Coordinator at support_coord@thyca.org or else fill out the form (available in Microsoft Word or PDF) on our Support Groups page.
The Power of Togetherness – Share Your Story
ThyCa supporters, members, and visitors, it’s your chance to share your story!
Tell us, the ThyCa community, how ThyCa has helped you or how you’ve helped others.
Maybe you joined one of our support groups and met some endearing people who have inspired you.
Maybe you attended one of our conferences and learned something that has heightened your awareness of yourself in some way, thyroid cancer, or a potential new treatment.
Maybe you shared information with someone in need. Maybe you helped connect someone else to ThyCa.
So many possibilities!
We’d love to hear from you. Your story might inspire others to seek out help or information or get involved.
Please send us your story and we’ll share as many as we can in future publications.
Photos are welcome, too! Send them in JPEG format and tell us who or what they show.
It’s our 20th Anniversary Year, and we’re eager to hear from you. To share your story, e-mail us at publications@thyca.org.
January Is Thyroid Awareness Month, for all Thyroid Diseases
Millions of people have thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, in addition to the people who are living with thyroid cancer.
January is Thyroid Awareness Month, sponsored by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE). This is AACE’s thyroid awareness web site.
ThyCa is pleased to cooperate in support of this observance, and to provide free thyroid cancer awareness materials. You may download thyroid cancer materials from our home page and our Raise Awareness page. Or e-mail us at thyca@thyca.org to ask for materials by mail.
We also invite medical professionals to request free awareness and educational materials in bulk for your patients. Use our online order form, or fax or mail the printed form. Both forms are available on our Medical Professionals page. http://www.thyca.org
Thyroid Infographic Describes all Thyroid Disorders
A new Thyroid Disease Infographic gives a quick overview of all types of thyroid disorders, including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer.
View it here: http://thyca.org Thank you very much to the Hormone Health Network, the patient education group of The Endocrine Society for developing this informative resource and sharing it with us.
On Tuesday, January 13, 2015, the ThyCa Albuquerque, New Mexico, Support Group is hosting a discussion on hormones, prescription drugs, and supplements with pharmacist Frank Latino, R.Ph., M.S. Details are on the group’s web page.
Visit our One-Click Events Calendar
For 2015 Thyroid Cancer Events, reach this handy page with all the future events with just one click from our Home Page.
No one should have to face a diagnosis of thyroid cancer alone. Your membership dues help support ThyCa’s efforts to provide our services to survivors and their families around the world. You may join as a 1-year, 2-year, or lifetime member of ThyCa.
Membership is open to anyone interested in thyroid cancer and supporting ThyCa’s efforts. To join, online or by mail, visit our Membership page.
Nonprofit Triage Cancer Helps Patients and Caregivers
Health insurance, personal finance, workplace and disability issues. These are among the many practical challenges that come with a diagnosis of thyroid cancer.
At the ThyCa conferences, attorneys and other specialists speak and answer questions about these important topics.
We are pleased to partner with the nonprofit Triage Cancer and thank Monica Bryant, Esq., one of its principals, for speaking at our last two conferences. The organization’s informative web site offers further information and resources.
Yoga and More, a Fundraiser for ThyCa
You’re invited to join Donna Sherman, M.S.W., Yoga Teacher for a fun afternoon of yoga, music, snacks, and thyroid cancer awareness, from 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. in New Paltz, New York. Help raise awareness and money for thyroid cancer research while polishing your yoga glow.
This event will benefit ThyCa’s Rally for Research). Donna was a speaker at the 16th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference. Click here for the details about the March 14 event.
Thank you, Donna!
Before 1995, there were no support groups for thyroid cancer anywhere in the world. Early that year, Karen Ferguson, who began her follicular thyroid cancer journey in 1994, connected with a few AOL thyroid cancer survivors and created the world’s first online thyroid cancer support group. That was how ThyCa started.
Karen still actively volunteers for ThyCa in this, our 20th Anniversary Year. Thank you, Karen!
We’ll have more details about ThyCa’s 20th Anniversary in our bulletins and on our web site.
Low-Iodine Recipe of the Month
Contributed by Ruth C.
Peanut Butter Popcorn
makes 16 cups popped corn
Mix and boil the following ingredients for 2 minutes:
1 cup corn syrup
½ cup unsalted peanut butter
1 cup brown sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon vanilla
Pour the mixture over the popcorn.
Ruth writes, “This is my go-to sweet during my low iodine diet times… Delicious!”
Thank you, Ruth! We will include your recipe in the next edition of ThyCa’s FREE Downloadable Low-Iodine Cookbook.
Free and Downloadable: Click on the Cookbook link on our home page to download the 7th edition of the Low-Iodine Cookbook in English for free, with more than 340 favorite recipes from more than 150 generous volunteers.
The Cookbook is also available in Spanish and French.
Please remember, while you’re welcome to download and print the entire free low-iodine cookbook, you can also print just the pages you need.
This free cookbook is a wonderful help when you’re preparing to receive radioactive iodine for treatment or testing.
All the recipes are favorites of some of our ThyCa volunteers, who are sharing them with everyone, to make the low-iodine diet easy and tasty. The recipes are also great for family meals and for potlucks, any time.
To contribute your favorite recipe or tip, send it to recipes@thyca.org.
Joining together online, through our webinars, or face-to-face in our support groups, workshops, and conferences is empowering.
To all of you, our friends, fans, followers, volunteers, advisors, supporters…Thank You!
Our support of each other — whether giving or receiving — is an incredible gift. Thank you for joining us.
Every day, thousands of people with thyroid cancer, and their families, receive support, education, and hope from ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. Your generous support makes it possible to sustain, strengthen, and expand our services and outreach.
It only takes a minute to make a donation online in support of ThyCa’s work (or you are welcome to donate by mail to ThyCa, P.O. Box 1102, Olney, MD 20830-1102).
This weekly bulletin and ThyCa’s many other free services, events, publications, and thyroid cancer research grants are made possible through the generous financial and service contributions of our donors and volunteers. Thank you!
We invite everyone’s contributions, small or large. Together we make a difference!
Please share this Bulletin with your family and friends. If you would like to suggest topics or contribute an article, please contact us at publications@thyca.org.
About this Newsletter and ThyCa
Copyright (c) 2015 ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
This newsletter and ThyCa’s many other services and thyroid cancer research grants are made possible through the generous contributions from our donors and volunteers. Thank you!
We invite everyone’s contributions, small or large, financial and volunteer service. Together we make a difference!
Thank you to our writing, editing, and proofreading team for this issue: Lisa Cole, Ruth C., Kristy F., Leah Guljord, Pat Paillard, Barb Statas, Theresa Wickerham, Cherry Wunderlich, and Gary Bloom.
You’re invited to share this Bulletin with your family and friends. If you would like to suggest further topics or contribute an article, please contact us at publications@thyca.org.
The information is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended, nor should it be interpreted, as medical advice or directions of any kind. Readers are advised to consult their own medical doctor(s) for all matters involving their health and medical care.
ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization (tax ID #52-2169434) of thyroid cancer survivors, family members, and health care professionals serving people worldwide and dedicated to education, support, communication, awareness for early detection through Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month and year-round campaigns, and fundraising for thyroid cancer research.
Visit our website for information about thyroid cancer, events, and how to help. Ask us for free materials and information. E-mail to thyca@thyca.org call toll-free at 1-877-588-7904, fax 1-630-604-6078, write PO Box 1102, Olney, MD 20830-1102, or visit our website.
- Thank You to all our Volunteers!
- Thank You to our Medical Advisors
- Letters from a Parent
- Raising Awareness and Support
- Local Support Groups Grow to More Than 120 Groups in 7 Countries
- Support Groups Offer Many Benefits
- ThyCa Online Support Communities Grow
- Free Thyroid Cancer Publications for Patients, Caregivers, and Medical Professionals
- Free Seminar with Endocrinologist on December 16 in Brockville, Ontario
- ThyCa to Award New Research Grants in 2015, Open to Researchers Worldwide
- Use AmazonSmile To Support ThyCa When You Shop Through Amazon
- ThyCa Friends
- Free Information Packets Go Around the World
- If You’re Preparing To Receive Radioactive Iodine, Here Are LID Tips
- Follow Us
- Give the Gift of Hope
- About this Newsletter and ThyCa
Thank You to all our Volunteers!
During 2014, hundreds of dedicated volunteers helped people around the world —
- In our local thyroid cancer support groups, online groups, and one-to-one support
- Through our educational seminars, workshops, and the 17th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference
- By raising awareness of thyroid cancer in their communities
- By expanding our web site and our handbooks, videos, and other helpful free resources in 7 languages
- By supporting our Pediatric Backpacks for children and teens with thyroid cancer
- By raising funds to support ThyCa’s thyroid cancer research grants, on all types of thyroid cancer
… and in many more ways
Thank you, one and all!
Thank You to our Medical Advisors
ThyCa is fortunate to have a distinguished Medical Advisory Council of 47 members, who are world recognized experts in the field of thyroid cancer.
Our advisors provide valuable counsel and support ThyCa’s goals in education, treatment and research.
More than 50 distinguished specialists provide ongoing review and input for our web site and materials.
ThyCa is grateful for the outstanding contributions and leadership of our advisors to our educational programs.
Click here for more about these outstanding experts.
November 2014 — My teenage daughter was recently diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer, and I was just on your website reading about Tim’s backpack project…I thought that would be something my daughter would enjoy receiving as a resource.
You have already sent us the information packet, which was such a great help!
Follow-up Note — I am so happy to have found ThyCa and all of its wonderful resources. At the stage we are at, we just need lots of information and we are finding it through the site. I just signed up for the e-mail support group; thanks for the link to that.
Another Note — I just wanted to let you know the backpack arrived today; wow that was fast! My daughter is not home from school yet but she will see it when she gets home.
Thanks so much!
(Editor’s Note: For more about the backpack project, Read This Page.
As reported previously, Lauren was diagnosed with thyroid cancer earlier this year. Because of her experience, she and her friends are now raising thyroid cancer awareness and support at Bradley Central Middle School in Illinois. Thank You!
Local Support Groups Grow to More Than 120 Groups in 7 Countries
The world’s first face-to-face thyroid cancer support group started meeting 18 years ago, in Massachusetts. Ric Blake, ThyCa Volunteer and Co-Founder, started this group in 1996.
Today, there are more than 120 local ThyCa Support Groups, all started and led by ThyCa volunteers. They’re available around the United States and in Australia, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Philippines, and our newest group in the United Kingdom.
Find a group near you, or help start one in your community. We’re happy to help new groups get started.
Each group has its own page on our web site, with contact information for the facilitator, and meeting locations, dates, and times.
Visit our Local Support Groups pages for details.
Support Groups Offer Many Benefits
At a support group meeting you will find people with challenges similar to yours. You will meet and talk face to face with others in your community.
Participants in a support group share personal experiences with thyroid cancer, offer practical tips to help you cope with your situation, and provide emotional comfort and moral support.
Some of the benefits of taking part in support groups may include:
- Improved coping skills
- Clearer understanding of what to expect with your situation
- An opportunity to talk openly and honestly about your feelings
- Feeling less lonely, isolated, or judged
- Gaining a sense of empowerment and control
- Getting practical information about treatment options and local resources
ThyCa Online Support Communities Grow
In 1995, ThyCa Volunteer and Co-Founder Karen Ferguson reached out over the Internet, and started the world’s first online support group for people with thyroid cancer.
More than 14,600 people now give and receive support and information in our ThyCa Inspire Online Community.
Our 11 E-Mail Support Groups for different types and situations with thyroid cancer have grown to over 13,000 participants.
Free Thyroid Cancer Publications for Patients, Caregivers, and Medical Professionals
One of our goals is free education and support for everyone touched by thyroid cancer.
In addition to our web site, support groups, one-to-one support, and educational events and webinars, we provide dozens of free thyroid cancer publications.
The medical information is all reviewed by numerous thyroid cancer physician specialists and researchers. We thank all these distinguished medical professionals for their wonderful support.
Our handbooks, awareness brochures, low-iodine cookbook, fine needle aspiration booklet, and more are all free to people worldwide. The free handbooks include Thyroid Cancer Basics, Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer, and Medullary Thyroid Cancer.
Materials are available in 7 languages: English, Chinese, French, Italian, Japanese Russian, and Spanish.
Our publications are available in single copies and in bulk to medical professionals to give to your patients.
You can obtain our handbooks and Low-Iodine Cookbook in any of three convenient formats: downloadable PDFs, as ePubs through these links:
and in printed form mailed anywhere in the world. top of page
Free Seminar with Endocrinologist on December 16 in Brockville, Ontario
Clara Irobi, M.D., Endocrinologist, will speak and answer questions about the types of thyroid cancer and other thyroid diseases on Tuesday, December 16th, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the meeting of the ThyCa Ontario, Canada, Support Group. Judy Fielding and Lee Ann Irwin, R.P.N. facilitate this group. Details are on the group’s web page.
ThyCa to Award New Research Grants in 2015, Open to Researchers Worldwide
We’ll soon announce details on how to apply for ThyCa’s 2015 Thyroid Cancer Research Grants. This will be our 14th year of our research grants program, with grants open to researchers and institutions worldwide. We have already awarded 47 grants totaling more than $1.3 million to researchers in 5 countries.
Proposals for the new research grants will be due by January 31, 2014, and an independent expert panel of the American Thyroid Association will select the winning proposals.
To find out more about the ThyCa Research Funds, the annual Rally for Research, and how to donate, Click Here.
Use AmazonSmile To Support ThyCa When You Shop Through Amazon
When you shop at AmazonSmile, Amazon makes a donation to ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. Bookmark this link and support us every time you shop through AmazonSmile.
Free Information Packets Go Around the World
Have you received our free Thyroid Cancer Information Packet? It includes fact sheets, the free handbook Thyroid Cancer Basics, a Preview of Thyroid Cancer Events, and more.
Get your packet by signing up through our Guestbook.
Medical professionals can also request our free materials in bulk to give to patients. Visit our Medical Professionals Page for details and the publications request form.
Friends Lee Bard, Joni Eskenazi, Michael Bard, and Norma Huppin (Joni’s sister) recently met up in Palm Springs, California, for their annual get together.
Joni lives near Seattle, Washington, and the Bards live in Tennessee. They first met at the 4th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference in Los Angeles, California, in 2002.
Joni is a past ThyCa Board Member, and Lee has donated many beautiful handmade garments to our dinner/auction fundraiser.
Share your long-term ThyCa-inspired friendship story—write us at publications@thyca.org.
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If You’re Preparing To Receive Radioactive Iodine, Here Are Tips for the Low-Iodine Diet
To help our fellow thyroid cancer survivors who will be preparing for radioactive iodine treatment over the holidays, or any time, get our Free Low-Iodine Cookbook (more than 340 recipes, plus guidelines and tips, linked on our home page.
Here are suggestions shared by some of our Facebook friends.
- Make bread in a bread machine. – Laura D.
- The cinnamon bread is so good and is great with breakfast or any meal. – Shannon N. and Crystal M.
- Load up on fruits and veggies and such. – Lisa H.
- I lived on almond butter (no salt) and matzo. Amy W. S.
- I ate a lot of nuts and dried fruit. – Tara P-C.
- I made lots of salsa and put it on almost everything – lots of onions, garlic and mushrooms! – Stacey P. B.
- I liked chicken with peppers and lime chicken. Almond milk was fun and easy. – Lissie A. A.
- The pork roast and roasted veggies are an excellent choice for a family dinner. The bread recipe is very easy and can be made into dinner rolls. – Kelley L.
- The Spaghetti sauce was AMAZING. –Alison J.
- Used a variety of recipes for Thanksgiving including chicken with cranberry gravy (chicken in crockpot instead of fried and added sugar to gravy), cornbread muffins, biscuits, apple pie with the oil crust. Also, converted a recipe of cornbread apple stuffing by using unsalted broth and the cornbread I had made before. Mashed potatoes had unsalted broth and non-iodized salt and pepper. Green beans had toasted almonds and garlic and kosher salt and pepper. – Dory J.
- The oatmeal pork chops I make now as a healthy alternative. I will be making them tonight and I am 8 years out. – Nicola P.
The power of joining together online, or face-to-face in our support groups, workshops, conferences, and webinars is immeasurable.
To all of you, our friends, fans, followers, volunteers, advisors, supporters…Thank You!
Our support of each other — whether giving or receiving — is an incredible gift. Thank you for joining us.
Through our thyroid cancer research fundraising and research grants, together, we work toward our dream of cures for all thyroid cancer. So far, we have awarded 47 grants to researchers in 5 countries.
Your donations, small and large, make possible our research grants, free support services, free publications, and Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month and year-round awareness campaigns.
If ThyCa is helpful to you or someone you know, please take a minute to help sustain, strengthen, and extend our services and research support.
Visit our Donations page. Or you are welcome to donate by mail to ThyCa, P.O. Box 1102, Olney, MD 20830-1102.
Thank you very much for your support! Your donations all year long make a difference to the more than 60,000 thyroid cancer survivors we reach worldwide!
About this Newsletter and ThyCa
Copyright (c) 2014 ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
This newsletter and ThyCa’s many other services and thyroid cancer research grants are made possible through the generous contributions from our donors and volunteers. Thank you!
We invite everyone’s contributions, small or large, financial and volunteer service. Together we make a difference!
Thank you to our writing, editing, and proofreading team for this issue: Kristy F., Leah Guljord, Pat Paillard, Barb Statas, Theresa Wickerham, Cherry Wunderlich, and Gary Bloom.
You’re invited to share this Bulletin with your family and friends. If you would like to suggest further topics or contribute an article, please contact us at publications@thyca.org.The information is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended, nor should it be interpreted, as medical advice or directions of any kind. Readers are advised to consult their own medical doctor(s) for all matters involving their health and medical care.
ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization (tax ID #52-2169434) of thyroid cancer survivors, family members, and health care professionals serving people worldwide and dedicated to education, support, communication, awareness for early detection through Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month and year-round campaigns, and fundraising for thyroid cancer research.
Visit our website for information about thyroid cancer, events, and how to help. Ask us for free materials and information. E-mail to thyca@thyca.org call toll-free at 1-877-588-7904, fax 1-630-604-6078, write PO Box 1102, Olney, MD 20830-1102.
This is the title of an article by Anna Almendala, Huffington Post Healthy Living Editor, published on February 6, 2015, in the Huffington Post and already shared, by February 14, by more than 2,450 people through Facebook and Twitter.
She interviewed Gary Bloom, thyroid cancer survivor, ThyCa Co-Founder, and Executive Director, and Alan Ho, M.D., Ph.D., medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Earlier, hundreds of thyroid cancer survivors had challenged a cancer survivor’s column in the Huffington Post expressing the opinion that thyroid cancer is an easy cancer to have. They made clear how difficult a thyroid cancer journey can be, and fatal for some.
“Especially for this disease, the survival numbers don’t really tell the entire story about what patients have to go through,” said Dr. Ho. He explained some of the “true hardships and costs” that patients experience.
“We don’t see cancer as a competition from disease to disease,” said Gary Bloom. “The only competition we would see is against the disease — all of us as survivors are trying to live.”
Read the complete article here.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/06/thyroid-cancer-misconceptions_n_6617862.html
Video: Living With Thyroid Cancer: There Is No Such Thing as a Good Cancer
Thyroid cancer patients in ThyCa’s support communities speak out in this new video from Vital Options.
Watch and listen here.
http://www.vitaloptions.org/living-with-thyroid-cancer-there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-good-cancer/
Patients Write…
Here are a few of the comments by patients in ThyCa’s Facebook and Inspire communities, and through an article shared with ThyCa, in response to the Huffington Post article suggesting that thyroid cancer is easy to have.
- I had many people tell me it was “the good cancer,” while others basically dismissed it as not even being a cancer. But for me and my family, the illness was both significant and real. The surgery, treatment and follow-up affected all of us. – Melissa G. S.
- I often avoid talking about it because I feel like people think I’m playing up the effects it had (and still has) in me because it’s the “good” one. – Beth D. H.
- …this is not only something we live with forever but it affects us daily. 11 years later, and yes, I too still get anxious every time I see my doc! – Vanessa G.
- Every single day is a struggle. – Jill G.
- Yes cancer in any form is not good but I think the doctors are just trying to allay any fears. I was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer last year and had my thyroid removed. So far everything is good. – Jerry P.
- Rare forms of thyroid cancer can actually be among the most deadly of all cancers. We totally underestimated thyroid cancer until my dad died from anaplastic thyroid cancer, which is almost always fatal. – Ashley F.
- I was diagnosed in late November. Had a TT in early January. I’m now awaiting RAI. I had a lot of support here early on with a post I wrote about lack of support at home. This site [ThyCa Inspire Online Support Community] has made this experience a whole lot easier. – G.
- I’m one of the lucky ones who has had a relatively easy time of it. – A.K.
- I appear to be a normal, healthy woman but it’s always on my mind. I was diagnosed 4 1/2 years ago and just had a recurrence in the fall. I have side effects to the meds too as mentioned in the article. People do forget we are dealing with cancer. – Kathleen O. R.
A Physician Comments…
by Ernest L. Mazzaferri, M.D.
(Editor’s Note: Dr. Mazzaferri was a thyroid cancer specialist, past president of the American Thyroid Association, and longtime ThyCa medical advisor. He spoke at many ThyCa conferences. We’re saddened to say that Dr. Mazzaferri passed away in 2013. His comments below are excerpted from the Foreword to the reference book Thyroid Cancer: A Guide for Patients. It is reprinted with permission from the publisher.)
When you hear that you have cancer, your world starts spinning, not for a moment or two, but for what feels like an eternity.
Then in a short time, it often comes crashing down around you, as well as upon those who love you and care for you, leaving you depressed, frightened, and in deep anguish…
After you think about this for more than a heart beat the question is always, “How do I deal with this bad news right now?” The answer is astonishingly simple for most people. You need reliable information about your problem.
This is not to mean a pat on the head and the trite words, “Don’t worry, this is a good cancer.”
It always breaks my heart to hear this. There is no good cancer – at least not according to any patient or family that I ever met. If it’s your cancer, how on earth can it be “good”?
(Read the complete foreword, plus more excerpts from the book, here. http://www.thyca.org/about/TCGuide/ …)
February 13, 2015— The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today granted approval to Lenvima (lenvatinib) to treat patients with progressive, differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC, including papillary, follicular, and variants) whose disease progressed despite receiving radioactive iodine therapy (radioactive iodine refractory disease).
Lenvima is a kinase inhibitor, which works by blocking certain proteins from helping cancer cells grow and divide. Lenvima is marketed by Eisai Inc.
“The development of new therapies to assist patients with refractory disease is of high importance to the FDA,” said Richard Pazdur, M.D., director of the Office of Hematology and Oncology Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Today’s approval gives patients and healthcare professionals a new therapy to help slow the progression of DTC.”
Lenvima was reviewed under the FDA’s priority review program, which provides for an expedited review of drugs that, if approved, would provide significant improvement in safety or effectiveness in the treatment of a serious condition.
The drug also received orphan product designation because it is intended to treat a rare disease. Lenvima is being approved approximately two months ahead of the prescription drug user fee goal date of April 14, 2015, the date when the agency was scheduled to complete its review of the application.
Lenvima’s efficacy was demonstrated in 392 participants with progressive, radioactive iodine-refractory DTC who were randomly assigned to receive either Lenvima or a placebo. Study results showed Lenvima-treated participants lived a median of 18.3 months without their disease progressing (progression-free survival), compared to a median of 3.6 months for participants who received a placebo.
Additionally, 65 percent of participants treated with Lenvima saw a reduction in tumor size, compared to the two percent of participants who received a placebo. A majority of participants randomly assigned to receive the placebo were treated with Lenvima upon disease progression.
ThyCa will add more information to the web site in the future.
We’re excited to announce that videos from the 17th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference are now available on the ThyCa YouTube Channel.
Click Here for these videos, and more ThyCa videos.
Presentations by eight distinguished speakers are now available. We’ll add more soon!
- Preventing and Solving Issues for Your Mouth, Salivary Glands, and Teeth from Radiation Treatment, Both Radioactive Iodine and External Beam Radiation. Richard C. Cardoso, D.D.S., M.S., Oral Medicine Specialist, University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
- Thyroid Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy: What Do I Do After a Malignant or Indeterminate Result, Either During Diagnosis or Recurrence? When Do I Need a Second Opinion from a Pathologist? Sharon Sams, M.D., Pathologist, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
- Thyroid Surgery Including Minimally Invasive Techniques. Christopher D. Raeburn, M.D., Surgeon, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
- Medullary Thyroid Cancer: Ask a Doctor Your Questions. Steven I. Sherman, M.D., Endocrinologist, University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
- Understanding the Biology of Medullary Thyroid Cancer. Gilbert Cote, Ph.D., Molecular Geneticist, University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
- Complexity in Thyroid Cancer: Recent Research Results and Studies at the Center for Personalized Cancer Therapeutics. Peter Smibert, Ph.D., Regenerative Biologist, Center for Personalized Cancer Therapeutics at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City
• New Targeted Therapies for Treatment and Management of Progressing Metastatic Thyroid Cancer. Rebecca Schweppe, Ph. D., Researcher, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
• Afirma Thyroid FNA Analysis: Giving More Doctors a More Complete Story from Thyroid Nodules. Ryan Hungerford, M.D., Endocrinologist, Southern Oregon Internal Medicine
January 23, 2015—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Natpara® (parathyroid hormone) as an adjunct to calcium and vitamin D to control hypocalcemia in patients with hypoparathyroidism. Hypoparathyroidism is a rare endocrine disorder characterized by insufficient levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH).
About three-quarters of the people with hypoparathyroidism had thyroid surgery, usually for thyroid cancer, and experienced loss or damage to their parathyroid glands, significantly affecting their calcium levels.
Natpara® is expected to be available in the second quarter of 2015 in the United States.
In Europe, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has validated and initiated its review of NPS Pharma’s marketing authorization application for Natpar™.
Natpara® is a bioengineered replica of human PTH. It is manufactured by NPS Pharma. It is recommended only for patients who cannot be well controlled on calcium supplements and active forms of vitamin D alone.
At the FDA hearing on Natpara® in 2014, ThyCa Executive Director Gary Bloom spoke in support of the FDA approval of Natpara®. Each ThyCa Conference has sessions on hypoparathyroidism, a challenging disorder requiring lifelong management.
ThyCa’s web site will add more information about Natpara® in the future.
ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association Inc. is proud to announce the 14th year of our research grants program, with grants open to researchers and institutions worldwide.
We have already awarded 47 grants totaling more than $1.3 million to researchers in 5 countries: France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, and United States.
ThyCa will award six research grants in 2015, three new grants plus three continuation grants.
One new grant is for research on follicular-cell-derived thyroid cancer (papillary, follicular, anaplastic, variants).
Another new grant is for research on medullary thyroid cancer.
For the third grant, research on any type of thyroid cancer is eligible. This grant is named The Ric Blake Memorial Thyroid Cancer Research Grant, in memory and honor of ThyCa co-founder Ric Blake.
Proposals are due by January 31, 2015. Click here for the grant proposal web site, which has more details and information on how to submit proposals.
An independent expert panel of the American Thyroid Association will select the grant recipients. Our thanks to ATA for your support.
ThyCa invites everyone to join us in our quest to find cures and new treatments for all thyroid cancer.
Thank you to everyone who contributes to our Research Funds. Together, we’re making progress toward our dream of cures for all thyroid cancer.
To find out more about the ThyCa Research Funds, the annual Rally for Research, and how to donate, click here.
ThyCa Urges Neck Checks, Provides Free Services, Materials in 7 Languages
A total of 62,450 people will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2015 in the United States, slightly fewer than the 62,980 in 2014, while deaths from thyroid cancer will increase by 3% to 1,950, up from 1,890 in 2014, reports the nonprofit ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. (“ThyCa”) based on information from the American Cancer Society and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Thyroid cancer is now the fifth most common cancer in women, and three of every four people diagnosed with thyroid cancer are women. The disease affects people of all ages, from young children to seniors. About half of people diagnosed are under age 50. The incidence of thyroid cancer has increased rapidly over the past two decades.
“Early detection is a key to improving outcomes, because thyroid cancer is usually treatable when found early, and is often difficult to treat if it has spread widely or is one of the rare types or variants. A simple neck check by a medical professional during a routine appointment takes only a few seconds and can make all the difference when it comes to thyroid cancer,” says ThyCa Executive Gary Bloom, a thyroid cancer survivor.
ThyCa urges everyone to learn about thyroid cancer and ask for a neck check at doctor’s appointments. Signs of a nodule can include voice changes, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a bulge on the lower neck.
ThyCa provides free educational and awareness materials, support services, events, and a weekly newsletter to patients, professionals, and the public around the world, by mail and by download. The web site has materials in seven languages: English, Chinese, French, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish.
ThyCa also sponsors Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, the worldwide observance, each September, plus year-round awareness campaigns. Details, tools, and tips are on our Raise Awareness page.
The 18h International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference will take place on October 2 – 4, 2015, in St. Louis, Missouri, where dozens of thyroid cancer experts and other specialists will speak and answer questions. ThyCa also raises funds for thyroid cancer research and will award new research grants in 2015, its 13th year of awarding grants toward its goal of cures for all thyroid cancers.
ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc., is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization of thyroid cancer survivors, family members, and health care professionals and is advised by thyroid cancer experts. For information and free materials, e-mail to thyca@thyca.org, call toll-free 1-877-588-7904, write to PO Box 1545, New York, NY 10159-1545, or visit our website..\
- ThyCa to Award New Thyroid Cancer Research Grants in 2015: Open to Researchers Worldwide
- The Story of the Thyroid Cancer Colors
- Get Free Thyroid Cancer Handbooks & Low-Iodine Cookbook by Download, ePub, or Mail from ThyCa
- FDA Plans Priority Review of Lenvantinib for RAI-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (Papillary, Follicular, Variants)
- Priscilla’s Salsa and a Donation in her Memory
- ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association Accepted into the Combined Federal Campaign
- ThyCa Spirit Items Make Great Gifts
- Students Raise Thyroid Cancer Awareness
- Cancer Gave Me Grace
- Free Materials Now in 7 Languages
- Thank You to our Toll-Free Number Volunteers!
- Shopping through AmazonSmile Benefits ThyCa
- Free Seminar in New York on November 9
- Free Seminars in Brockville, Ontario on November 18 and December 16
- Welcome to the New Support Groups in Maine and Texas
- Low-Iodine Recipe of the Month: Microwave Brownie-in-a-Mug
- Follow Us on Facebook and Twitter
- Your Donations at Work
- About this Newsletter and ThyCa
ThyCa to Award New Thyroid Cancer Research Grants in 2015: Open to Researchers Worldwide
ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association Inc. is proud to announce the 14th year of our research grants program, with grants open to researchers and institutions worldwide. We have already awarded 47 grants to researchers in 5 countries.
ThyCa will award new grants for thyroid cancer research in 2015. One new grant is for research on follicular-cell-derived thyroid cancer (papillary, follicular, anaplastic, variants). Another new grant is for research on medullary thyroid cancer.
The third new grant is for research on any type of thyroid cancer. It is named The Ric Blake Memorial Thyroid Cancer Research Grant, in memory and honor of ThyCa co-founder Ric Blake.
ThyCa invites everyone to join us in our quest to find cures and new treatments for all thyroid cancer. Thank you to everyone who contributes to our Research Funds. Together, we’re making progress toward our dream of cures for all thyroid cancer.
To find out more about the ThyCa Research Funds, the annual Rally for Research, and how to donate, Click Here. www.thyca.org/how-to-help/rally/
The Story of the Thyroid Cancer Colors
Why do we represent thyroid cancer with three colors?
The Awareness Ribbon Pins, Magnet Ribbons, and ThyCa graphic all display the three colors: deep blue-purple, pink, and teal. The Pantone Colors and numbers for the ThyCa logo are pink (238), blue-purple (266), and teal (3252).
The 3 colors were selected more than 16 years ago by thyroid cancer survivor Cherie LC, a ThyCa volunteer. She chose the colors to represent the throat energy center, spiritual influences in healing, and teal as a healing color.
The 3-color combination emphasizes that there are different types and situations with thyroid cancer and that it affects people of all ages, from young children through seniors.
September is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month. Throughout the year, we can all show and wear our colors proudly. Get free materials and tips on our Raise Awareness page.
Thank you for raising awareness of thyroid cancer and helping connect people with our free support, events, and publications.
Get Free Thyroid Cancer Handbooks & Low-Iodine Cookbook by Download, ePub, or Mail from ThyCa
Our free medically reviewed thyroid cancer handbooks and Low-Iodine Cookbook are packed with helpful information. They’re available to you in three convenient formats.
Download them from our web site in PDF format, get them as ePubs (search “ThyCa” on iTunes or Googleplay), or ask us to mail you a copy.
We also mail them in bulk to medical professionals, free of charge, to give to their patients. Our web site has the order form.
Thank you very much to our Medical Advisors, other specialists, and thyroid cancer survivors and caregivers who wrote, edited, and reviewed these publications.
- Thyroid Cancer Basics. 50 pages on all types of thyroid cancer. Now available in 5 languages: English, Chinese, Italian, Russian, and Spanish.
- Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. 40 pages.
- Medullary Thyroid Cancer. 50 pages.
- Low-Iodine Cookbook, Available in English, 7th Edition. 120 pages with more than 340 recipes, plus guidelines for the temporary low-iodine diet provided by thyroid cancer specialists and research dietitians. Also available in French (3rd edition), and Spanish (5th edition).
FDA Plans Priority Review of Lenvantinib for RAI-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (Papillary, Follicular, Variants)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted a priority review designation to lenvatinib for treating differentiated thyroid cancer that does not respond to radioactive iodine. The FDA’s final decision regarding approval of lenvatinib will be made by April 14, 2015.
The FDA based its decision on data from the SELECT clinical trial.
Read more and listen to Marcia Brose, M.D., Ph.D., a ThyCa Medical Advisor, discuss this drug as well as sorafenib for treating advanced differentiated thyroid cancer.
Priscilla’s Salsa and a Donation in her MemoryBy Doug and Heather G.
(Priscilla was Heather’s Mother)
I found the Thyca.org site very helpful as my mother was going through her battle with Anaplastic thyroid cancer a year ago. The information pages on each type of cancer were helpful as I was educating myself, and also the letters/stories from other caregivers helped me have hope and prepared us for the processes to come…ThyCa was a big help, and is why I chose to donate. Thank you.
About our donation: We live in a small Iowa town 12 miles south of the capital. For the past three years we have had a small market stand at our local farmers market. We primarily sell produce, canned goods and honey.
I was always very close with my mother who was an old farm gal. Over the years I learned to garden, can, and cook from her, so, it was a natural choice to take her homemade salsa recipe and use our home grown produce to raise awareness about thyroid cancer.
We sold three different sizes of salsa to entice different customers. My mother’s cooking was well known in the area so it was an easy sell once they heard it was her recipe.
We sold the salsa the last week of August and all through September to recognize the awareness month. We donated 100% of the salsa sales.
Funny side story: My mother, as every good cook, has about a million places to hide recipes, so it took me 2-3 days to find the salsa recipe. I experienced lots of tears and great memories looking through something as small as a recipe box.
Thanks for letting me share our small story.
ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association Accepted into the Combined Federal CampaignThyCa’s CFC # is 11675
Funds Raised Will Support Research, Education, and Support
ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivor’s Association has again been accepted into the world’s largest workplace giving campaign.
Federal civilian, postal, and military employees are able to choose ThyCa as a recipient of their workplace donations through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC).
This federal employees’ charitable giving campaign raises millions of dollars each year for thousands of nonprofits providing health and human services throughout the world.
“Being part of the Combined Federal Campaign helps ThyCa provide needed services and research funding to support those who are touched by this life-altering cancer,” said Gary Bloom, Executive Director. “Thyroid cancer is one of the few cancers that is increasing in incidence. It’s extremely important to strengthen and expand support services for those affected by it, as well as to increase research to find cures for all thyroid cancer.”
ThyCa Spirit Items Make Great Gifts
Our pins, shirts, bracelets, notecards, and more make terrific holiday gifts! And, if you’re in need of more cold weather gear, our Spirit items include these hats pictured below and a cozy fleece lap blanket. Proceeds benefit our support services and Thyroid Cancer Research Grants. Click here to order.
Students Raise Thyroid Cancer Awareness
By Mary Sharp, Student Council Sponsor,
Bradley Central Middle School in Illinois
Thyroid cancer became part of Bradley Central’s world when one of our own was diagnosed this summer. Bradley Central Middle School is in Illinois.
Lauren, an excellent student, state champion cheerleader, student council vice president, and all-around great role model, is now in the midst of treatment for this often little-known cancer.
Lauren has maintained a great attitude throughout the initial thyroid removal, secondary surgeries to remove affected lymph nodes, and the low-iodine diet needed for preparation for her radioactive iodine treatment. Her true character has shone through it all.
She and one of her close friends, Kiley, planned an awareness night at one of the girls’ basketball games at Bradley Central. With the help of the student council, of which both girls are part, they raised funds for thyroid cancer research and awareness.
A committee formed from members of the student council met several times to get ready for the evening. They decorated the outer lobby and concession stand areas in teal, pink, and purple. They made a bulletin board called Colors for Lauren.
They distributed literature provided by ThyCa. They tie-dyed purple, pink, and teal shirts and threw them into the crowd during the game. They made special hair bows in the same colors for the girls’ basketball players to wear. A basket was put together and raffled off to raise money. The committee made t-shirts to wear that day with “colors for Lauren” on the back.
Throughout the week at school, they also sold cards to raise money for the cause. In addition, the student council sold teal, pink, and purple spirit beads to be worn to school that day and at the game.
Our event was a great example of what young people are able to do for each other.
(Editor’s Note: We wish Lauren the best of success with her upcoming radioactive iodine treatment. And, we applaud the efforts of these wonderful young people to make a difference not just for their friend, but for all thyroid cancer survivors!)
Cancer Gave Me Grace
By Alyssa Rosenheck
November 19, 2014
With Thanksgiving almost a week away, I want to share my experience with thyroid cancer and what it gave me, rather than what it took away.
Cancer gave me the time and space to recreate my world with the people I love most.
Since having been diagnosed at the beginning of the year and now on a healthy cancer-free path to recovery, there will always be a gentle reminder every day when I look at my scar to bring intention to my life and the lives of others, to be surrounded by warmth and kindness, and to reciprocate understanding and love.
My thyroid cancer has given me the courage to continue to pursue my passions regardless of how scary those dreams may be. Today, I am seven months cancer free and my thoughts and prayers continue to go to those fighting the good fight.
I am forever grateful for my friends, family, and husband. It was the love of my life and his discerning eye that recognized my tumor and saved my life. I am forever grateful and words can’t even express the love and appreciation I have for everyone in my life.
(Editor’s Note: Alyssa wrote to ThyCa, “Thank you for providing a wonderful resource for those who have thyroid cancer. I often reference your site from my initial diagnosis through post treatment.”)
Free Materials Now in 7 Languages
The 50-page handbook Thyroid Cancer Basics is now available in 5 languages: English, Chinese, Italian, Russian, and Spanish.
We also have materials in French and Japanese. Download them all from our web site.
Thank You to our Toll-Free Number Volunteers!
Our special thanks to our dedicated team of volunteers who handle the calls to our Toll-Free Number (“TFN”). We opened our toll-free telephone line in 1999, to give telephone support to people coping with thyroid cancer in themselves and loved ones, as well as respond to queries from medical professionals and the media. We also respond to requests for materials to our TFN.
Thank you very much for your wonderful service, to Ann, Barbara, Candy, Claudia, Daria, Evelyn, Karen, Lelia, Lesley, and Sonya. And thank you to Karen Ferguson and Evelyn Gross, directors of this important support service.
Shopping through AmazonSmile Benefits ThyCa
When you shop at AmazonSmile, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors Association Inc. Bookmark the link http://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-2169434 and support us every time you shop.
Free Seminar in New York on November 9
Endocrinologist Stuart Morduchowitz, M.D., will be the guest speaker at the meeting of the ThyCa Long Island Support Group on Sunday, November 9 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Abby Melendez facilitates this support group.
Free Seminars in Brockville, Ontario on November 18 and December 16
On Tuesday, November 18, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the guest speaker at the meeting of the ThyCa Ontario, Canada, Support Group will be Leslie Groves, pharmacist from Brockville Rexall. She will discuss taking and storing your thyroid medication, different types of thyroid medications, and uses and interactions of supplements (e.g., calcium) with thyroid medication. Judy Fielding and
Lee Ann Irwin (RPN) facilitate this group.
Clara Irobi, M.D., Endocrinologist, will speak and answer questions about the types of thyroid cancer and other thyroid diseases on Tuesday, December 16th, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the meeting of the ThyCa Ontario, Canada, Support Group. Judy Fielding and Lee Ann Irwin, R.P.N. facilitate this group.
Welcome to the New Support Groups in Maine and Texas
New local support groups have started in Portland, Maine, and Cameron County, Texas. Thank you very much to Jonathan Trott and Aidee Matamoros, for starting these groups.
For details about these and all the local ThyCa support groups, visit our Support Groups page.
ThyCa Local Support Groups are now available in six countries: United States in most states, Australia, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Philippines.
If you’d like to start a group, you’ll find the e-mail contact for our Support Groups Director on that same page. We’re glad to provide training, materials, and resources to help new groups get started.
Low-Iodine Recipe of the Month: Microwave Brownie-in-a-Mug
Contributed by Dawn B.
Dawn writes,
“Your cookbook has been very useful for me, and I wanted to pass on a recipe that is making a real difference for my sweet tooth this time (my second time around on the low-iodine diet). The hardest part of this diet is finding time to make every single thing, and while I love desserts, making a cake after also making my breakfast, lunch and dinner isn’t so appealing. Which is where brownie-in-a-mug comes in!”
4 Tablespoons flour
4 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons cocoa
2 Tablespoons water
2 Tablespoons oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Mix in a microwavable mug, microwave for one minute, and enjoy a single-serving brownie!
Thank you, Dawn! We will include your recipe in the next edition of ThyCa’s FREE Downloadable Low-Iodine Cookbook.
Free and Downloadable: Click on the Cookbook link on our home page to download the 7th edition of the Low-Iodine Cookbook in English for free, with more than 340 favorite recipes from more than 150 generous volunteers.
The Cookbook is also available in Spanish and French.
Please remember, while you’re welcome to download and print the entire free low-iodine cookbook, you can also print just the pages you need.
This free cookbook is a wonderful help when you’re preparing to receive radioactive iodine for treatment or testing.
All the recipes are favorites of some of our ThyCa volunteers, who are sharing them with everyone, to make the low-iodine diet easy and tasty. The recipes are also great for family meals and for potlucks, any time.
To contribute your favorite recipe or tip, send it to recipes@thyca.org.
The power of joining together online, or face-to-face in our support groups, workshops, conferences, and webinars is immeasurable.
To all of you, our friends, fans, followers, volunteers, advisors, supporters…Thank You!
Our support of each other — whether giving or receiving — is an incredible gift. Thank you for joining us.
Thanks to your generous donations, both small and large, ThyCa provides free support, educational events throughout the year, free publications to patients, caregivers, and medical professionals around the world.
We’re shipping individual and bulk free handbooks, awareness materials, pediatric backpacks, and more to people in 114 countries.
We have awarded 47 thyroid cancer research grants, including 6 grants in 2014, and in all, totaling more than $1.3 million dollars!
An example of a recent fundraiser was Gabriel who participated in the Los Angeles Rock ‘n Roll Half-Marathon sporting his ThyCa shirt. Thank you, Gabriel, for heightening awareness and raising much needed funds for all of us.
Together we can work toward our dreams of a world free of thyroid cancer.
Help us strengthen and extend these services, programs, and research funding. Visit this page for details on how to help. Thank you!
About this Newsletter and ThyCa
Copyright (c) 2014 ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.
This newsletter and ThyCa’s many other services and thyroid cancer research grants are made possible through the generous contributions from our donors and volunteers. Thank you!
We invite everyone’s contributions, small or large, financial and volunteer service. Together we make a difference!
Thank you to our writing, editing, and proofreading team for this issue: Kristy F., Doug and Heather G., Leah Guljord, Pat Paillard, Alyssa Rosenheck, Mary Sharp, Barb Statas, Theresa Wickerham, Cherry Wunderlich, and Gary Bloom.
You’re invited to share this Bulletin with your family and friends. If you would like to suggest further topics or contribute an article, please contact us at publications@thyca.org.The information is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended, nor should it be interpreted, as medical advice or directions of any kind. Readers are advised to consult their own medical doctor(s) for all matters involving their health and medical care.
ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization (tax ID #52-2169434) of thyroid cancer survivors, family members, and health care professionals serving people worldwide and dedicated to education, support, communication, awareness for early detection through Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month and year-round campaigns, and fundraising for thyroid cancer research.
Visit our website for information about thyroid cancer, events, and how to help. Ask us for free materials and information. E-mail to thyca@thyca.org call toll-free at 1-877-588-7904, fax 1-630-604-6078, write PO Box 1102, Olney, MD 20830-1102.