ThyCa NEWS NOTES – June 2011

In This Issue:

ThyCa Awards 3 New Thyroid Cancer Research Grants, Plus 2 Continuation Grants: Thyroid Cancer Experts and Survivors Collaborate

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc., is proud to announce three new 2011 Thyroid Cancer Research Grants plus two continuation grants.

The new grant recipients are researchers at

  • Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
  • University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
  • Washington Hospital Center/Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.

The continuation grants were awarded to researchers at

  • University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
  • University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer, Houston, Texas

First awarded in 2003, and continuing every year since, ThyCa’s grants are the first-ever thyroid cancer research grants to be funded entirely by thyroid cancer patients, caregivers, and friends. The grant recipients were selected from submissions by researchers at institutions worldwide by an independent expert panel of the American Thyroid Association (ATA).

ThyCa’s grants are open to researchers and institutions worldwide. To date, ThyCa has invested more than $750,000 in Thyroid Cancer Research. Congratulations to all of us!

Details about the winning projects and researchers will soon be added to our website.

Our thanks to everyone who is helping to raise much-needed funds for thyroid cancer research. Visit ThyCa’sRally for Research page to learn more about our research fundraising and how you can help.

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Neck Checks—ThyCa Disagrees with Time Magazine Article

An article about cancer screening in Time Magazine’s June 13, 2011 issue said that there should “probably not” be regular screening for thyroid nodules such as by getting neck checks at routine medical appointments. It said that “Guidelines are ‘under review’ but aren’t a top priority because the mortality rate is so low” and that “a 1996 guideline advised against screening.”

We disagree. Neck checks are an important way to find nodules early, when those that are among the aggressive types or variants of thyroid cancer can receive successful treatment.

That’s why ThyCa initiated Thyroid Cancer Awareness Week in 2000 and expanded it to Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month in 2004—a worldwide observance, plus year-round thyroid cancer awareness campaigns.

ThyCa has already sent two letters to Time. We will post them on our website. Please add your voice. Send your letters on this topic to publications@thyca.org.

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Now in Japanese: Thyroid Cancer Facts

The widely used fact sheet titled Thyroid Cancer Facts is now available in Japanese. Thank you very much to ThyCa volunteer and translator Yumiko Pelletier and medical reviewer, nurse Ikuko Komo, who is currently studying oncology nursing at Yale, for this translation. Watch for this fact sheet soon on our website .

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Free 40-Page Booklet Coming: 28-Page Preview Now on Web Site

A free introductory thyroid cancer booklet covering key information that patients and caregivers need to know about diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, and more is coming soon from ThyCa.

The booklet will be 40 pages, and reviewed by ThyCa’s Medical Advisors. It will be downloadable from www.thyca.org. It will also be available by mail (single copy or bulk requests welcome) anywhere in the world, free of charge. Thank you to the large team of volunteers and our expert medical reviewers for your help with this new resource for everyone affected by thyroid cancer.

The 28-page Preview Booklet is now on the web site. Read and download it, free of charge.

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Where Can You Find Face-To-Face ThyCa Support Group Meetings?

Find out whether there is a ThyCa Support Group near you, and attend meetings if you can: www.thyca.org/sg/. Face-to-face ThyCa Support Groups meet in more than 70 communities. They are wonderful places to meet others in your community who are coping with thyroid cancer.

If you’d like information about starting a group in your community, contact the Support Group Team coordinators at support_coord@thyca.org.

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Introducing 34 Conference Speakers

We are proud to introduce 34 confirmed speakers, with more to come. Come hear and share with the many experts, and people impacted by a thyroid cancer diagnosis. Become part of a community, help yourself, and help the next person. For the speaker list and other conference details, visit our Conferenes page.

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Conference Registration Opens; Hotel Room Reservations Open

You now can register online for the 14th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference in Los Angeles, California, on October 14 – 16, 2011.

Hotel room reservations are also open.

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Guestbook Is Free

Sign up for our Free Newsletter, or update your contact information (mailing address, e-mail address, etc.).

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Free Patient Information Packets

We will be happy to mail you a free packet of educational materials.

To request a free packet for yourself, please go to our Guestbook, fill out the Guestbook form, and click on Yes in the line that says “Please send me a patient information packet” near the bottom of the address form.

To request a free packet for someone else, please e-mail the person’s name and complete mailing address to thyca@thyca.org.

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Cancer Legal Rights Conference on June 24

A free one-day conferencde on cancder legal righjts was held in Chicago, Illinois, sponsored by the Cancer Legal Rights Center. More information is at www. cancerrightsconference.org.

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Low-Iodine Recipe of the Month
Contributed by Dana Fusco, Queens, New York

Strawberry Nut Muffins

2 Cups flour
3 egg whites
1/2 Cup sugar
1/4 Cup brown sugar
1/3 Cup vegetable oil
2 Cups fresh strawberries (pureed in food processor)
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon non-iodized salt
1 pinch ground ginger (optional)
1/4 Cup walnuts (finely chopped)

Threw everything together in a bowl. Mix. Bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees F.

Editor’s Note: Thank you, Dana, for contributing your recipe. We will include your recipe in the next edition of ThyCa’s FREE Downloadable Low-Iodine Cookbook.

Free and Downloadable

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.

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

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Follow ThyCa on Facebook and Twitter

http://www.facebook.com/pages/THYCA/231492537404?ref=mf

On Twitter, at ThyCaInc.

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Support the Rally for Research

Thanks to generous contributions and special fundraising events, ThyCa has awarded new thyroid cancer research grants every year starting in 2003. These grants support our goal of cures for all thyroid cancer and a future free of thyroid cancer. We have again awarded new research grants in 2011.

You’re invited to help support the Rally for Research. For details about the Rally for Research, donation opportunities, special events, Quarters for a Cure, and information about ThyCa’s past and future Research Grants, visit the Rally for Research page.

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Join Us, Become a Member

Help us sustain, strengthen, and extend our services. We invite you to become a member of ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.

Your membership dues will support ThyCa’s efforts to reach and serve other survivors and their families around the world. Members receive our quarterly Membership Messenger newsletter.

Membership is open to everyone worldwide. You may become a 1-year ThyCa member ($25), 2-year member ($45), or lifetime member ($225). Click here or our online Membership Form and our mailed Membership Form.

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Every Day

Every day, thousands of people with thyroid cancer, and their families, receive support, education, and hope from ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. Your generous support is what 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 964, Chesterfield, MO 63006-0964), so click here to give.

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About ThyCa NEWS NOTES

Copyright (c) 2011 ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.

Please share ThyCa News Notes with your family and friends. For permission to reprint in another electronic or print publication, please contact us at publications@thyca.org.

The information in this newsletter 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.

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

Thank you to our writing, editing, and proofreading team for this issue: Dana Fusco, Leah Guljord, Pat Paillard, Barbara Status, Cherry Wunderlich, and Gary Bloom.

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. Contact us for free awareness materials and information about our free services and special events. 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 webiste.