ThyCa NEWS NOTES – April 2008

In this Issue

ThyCa Invites You To Attend Two New Free Spring Workshops

Saturday, May 3, 2008
Vermont/New England Survivors’ Symposium in Stowe, Vermont
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This special event is part of the Stowe Weekend of Hope for people affected by any cancer. Caregivers are most welcome to attend as well. Receive answers to your questions, and learn and share with other thyroid cancer survivors and their families.

10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Stowe High School, 413 Barrows Road. Discussions and Presentations will be held in the Middle School Wing, Room 112. Please pre-register at www.stowehope.com.

Physician speakers will be:

  • Beatriz Tendler, M.D., Endocrinologist and Assistant Professor of Medicine of the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington, CT; and
  • David W. Cheng, M.D., PhD., Assistant Professor of Diagnostic Radiology and Clinical Chief of Nuclear Medicine of Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.

Visit ThyCa’s website Conference/Workshop page for further details, program, and directions.

Saturday, May 10, 2008
Mid-Atlantic Survivors’ 7th Annual Workshop in Falls Church, Virginia (near Washington, DC and I-495).

You will hear presentations by thyroid cancer experts, receive answers to your questions, and learn and share with others coping with thyroid cancer. Caregivers, friends, and all interested are invited to attend.

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Physician’s Conference Center at Inova Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church, Virginia.

Medical Professional Speakers will be:

  • Douglas W. Ball, M.D., Endocrinologist, John Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD;
  • Lisa M. Boyle, M.D., Endocrine Surgeon, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC;\
  • Frank R. Crantz, M.D., Endocrinologist, McLean, VA;
  • Janis I. Halzel, Pharm.D., Pharmacist, Consensus Medical Communications, Centennial, CO;
  • Heather Jacene, M.D., Nuclear Medicine Physician, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD;
  • Jacqueline Jonklaas, M.D., Endocrinologist, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC;
  • Marina Zemskova, M.D., Endocrinologist, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.

For further details, transportation directions or to register for this Workshop online go to ThyCa’sConference/Workshop page . You may also register on-site on May 10th. Walk-in attendees are welcome.

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Person To Person Network Supports Thyroid Cancer Survivors Worldwide

In the last few months, volunteers from the ThyCa Person To Person Network have given one-to-one support, matched by diagnosis, to thyroid cancer survivors all around the United States and in Canada, Finland, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Israel, and New Zealand.

The ThyCa Person to Person Network believes that no person should have to face thyroid cancer alone.

We are a support network of thyroid cancer survivors who support the emotional needs of people with thyroid cancer, as well as their families and caregivers.

Wherever you are around the world, we will find a volunteer who has the same type of thyroid cancer, to listen and offer support. Begun in 2000, this ThyCa support service is free.

To find out more, and ask that a ThyCa Person To Person volunteer contact you,
visit ThyCa’s Person to Person page.

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Conference Press Room Opens

We’re pleased to announce that the Online Press Room for the 11th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’

Thank you to Roselle Kovitz and Mary Catherine Petermann, Coordinators of Conference Outreach, for developing this informative addition to our web site. Visit this page for fact sheets, a preview about some of our expert speakers, and more.

If you are interested in helping get the word out, please contact Roselle and Mary Catherine at conf-outreach@thyca.org.

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Watch for Research Grant Announcement First Week in May

At the beginning of May, the American Thyroid Association and ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc., are pleased to announce news about our research grant plans. Visit our web site home page www.thyca.org and the News section in early May for the latest news.

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Pediatric Backpack Project Receives Generous Donation

JanSport, Inc., of Everett, Washington, has donated six boxes of beautiful backpacks for the Pediatric Backpack Project. Thank you to JanSport for this terrific contribution!

Tim Clark, teenage thyroid cancer survivor or Auburn, Maine, created the Backpack Project to give support, education, and help to children and youths with thyroid cancer, and to their families.

Each free backpack comes with copies of Tim’s Tips for Children and Teens with Thyroid Cancer, ThyCa’s Free Downloadable Low Iodine Cookbook, the American Thyroid Association Guidelines for thyroid cancer management, ThyCa pill cases, awareness materials, and more.

So far, the backpacks have gone to young people and their families around the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, most recently to families in Georgia, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

Click here to learn more about the Backpack Project.

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Creative Efforts Raise Awareness

Volunteers have initiated new outreach efforts in their communities:

  • In Maine, Danielle Meier’s artwork on display at the College of the Atlantic honors and celebrates the friendships that sustained her during her thyroid cancer treatment. Our next Membership Messenger Newsletter will have a feature article plus pictures of some of Danielle’s art.
  • In North Carolina, Jennifer B. is planning a workplace display for Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month with signs, flyers, wallet cards, and brochures.
  • In Idaho, Amber is giving thyroid cancer awareness brochures to her friends and relatives to raise awareness.
  • In New Hampshire, Joan is handing out brochures at a women’s seminar at her local town hall.
  • In Ohio, the Director of Nursing at a nursing home requested educational materials for staff, residents, and families.
  • In Vermont, Macy, age 12, is setting up a display and giving out materials at a Music Fest.

These are just a few of the new outreach projects. Thank you very much to all our volunteers for your terrific efforts!

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From the Mailbox

April 4, 2008

Thank You

To all at thyca.org,

I wanted to take a quick moment to thank you for providing a very informative web site for those of us with thyroid cancer and our loved ones. The wealth of information available on your web site helped me immensely. In addition, double thumbs up for your cookbook. It was a wealth of information; and, made an unpleasant event more palatable. Although support [group] was not available in my area, triple thumbs up to the support you do offer to those in need. Again, thanks to all of you who have made this site possible.

Warmest regards,
Ed G.

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More Than 20 Free Publications Available for Downloading

Visit this page for a list of the most-requested materials you can download and print out:, or e-mail us or call toll-free 1-877-588-7904 for copies of free materials.

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Low-Iodine Tip and Recipe of the Month

Tip Contributed by Jody G. of Illinois

Last year when I did this diet for the first time I tried the Peanut Brittle with popcorn!

When I got to the light and foamy part I spread it on my salt-free popcorn and let it dry. It tasted better than the Crunch-N-Munch you can buy in the store!

(Ed. Note: The Peanut Brittle recipe follows).

Jody also writes, “Thank you for this cookbook. It has been VERY helpful to me in the past and now I need to follow it again.”

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

Recipe: Never-Fail Microwave Peanut Brittle
On page 88 of the Cookbook’s 6th Edition
Contributed by Mary Ann S.

Never-Fail Microwave Peanut Brittle
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup*
1 cup raw peanuts, or use unsalted dry roasted; almonds and walnuts are good also
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
Combine first 4 ingredients in 2-quart microwave mixing bowl. Microwave on HIGH for 8 minutes, stirring after 4 minutes. Add vanilla. Microwave on HIGH 2 minutes . Brittle should not get too brown. Stir in the baking soda until light and foamy. Spread on lightly oiled baking sheet as thinly as possible. Cool. Break into pieces.
* Read the label on the corn syrup. It may be salt-free, or it may have a small amount of salt.

Send your favorite recipe to recipes@thyca.org, for a future newsletter and the cookbook’s next edition.

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What ThyCa Can Do For You

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

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Thank You for Helping

Out thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who are helping ThyCa with awareness, outreach, support services, and special events, as well as fundraising to sustain and strengthen our services and support thyroid cancer research.

Five ways you can help:

  • Tell others about www.thyca.org and our toll-free survivors’ line 1-877-588-7904
  • Raise Awareness of Thyroid Cancer—Get Free Materials
  • Volunteer: We’ll help you find an activity to match your time and talents.
  • Become a Member: Our thanks to all our one-year members, two-year members, and lifetime members.
  • Donate: Donate by mail or online, or give a tribute gift in honor of someone special.

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

Thank you to Pat Paillard, Editor and Contributor, and the others who helped with this issue: Gary Bloom, Ed G., Jody G., Roselle Kovitz, Mary Catherine Petermann, Mary Ann S., and Cherry Wunderlich.

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

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

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. is a national non-profit 501(c)(3) organization (tax ID #52-2169434) of thyroid cancer survivors, family members, and health care professionals.

We are dedicated to support, education, and communication for thyroid cancer survivors, their families and friends, as well as to public awareness for early detection, treatment, and lifetime health monitoring, and to thyroid cancer research fundraising and research grants.

Contact us for free awareness materials and information about our free services and special events. E-mailthyca@thyca.org, call 1-877-588-7904, fax 1-630-604-6078, write PO Box 1102, Olney, MD 20830-1102.