Today was our event at Baylor Cancer Center at Dallas. We are staying at a KOA campground in Caddo Mills, TX (about 45 miles outside of Dallas) - and were almost late for the event - traffic in Dallas almost compares to traffic in Los Angeles! :-)
When we got to the event the Baylor police escorted us to a reserved parking area in the grass under a nice shady tree. Kelly Cox of the IMF was there to help us unload, set up and get the Event going. Kelly also served as MC; and made everyone feel right at home.
Kelly the MC.
Rosanna Sandlin is a gem; she is the Senior Marketing and Public Relations Consultant at Baylor and did a phenomenal job in coordinating this entire event!
Jerry and Marcia Sawyer
Here we are with Yelak Biru.
We were greeted by North Texas Support Group Leaders, Marcia & Jerry Sawyer, Peter & Lucy Tischler and Yelak & Loul Biru. They put in many hours ensuring that the word got out about the Myeloma Mobile in Dallas and their efforts sure paid off; there were about 70 people that came to learn and "share the hope."
Great turnout, thanks to North Texas' hard work!
In addition to the North Texas group; we were happy to see eight members of the East Texas Support Group at the event! Donna LaRocque started this group up about a year ago and has been a dynamo ever since. :-)
Dr. Stone
At this Event we were extremely pleased to have two incredible oncologists talk with us. Dr. Marvin Stone is Director of the Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center and Chief of Oncology at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. His research interests include cancer education, immunology, and tumors of the liver and pancreas. He is board certified in hematology and medical oncology. Dr. Stone has served on a number of ASCO committees, including the Cancer Education, Career Development, and Oncology Training Programs Committees.
Dr. Berryman
Also speaking with us was Dr. Brian Berryman, Medical Director Stem Cell Transplantation and North Texas Myeloma Support Group Medical Advisor. Both doctors informed and inspired us with information on myeloma and novel treatment therapies. We thank them for their time today as well as their time and dedication to myeloma patients every day!
Our family spoke of our trip and provided information from the IMF. Jerry Sawyer generously presented our family, Bobby Trufant and Kelly Cox with special tee shirts from their group! We are now official members of North Texas! Thanks!! :-) I guess we have to practice starting to say Y'all :-)
Yelak Biru's wife, Loul, and nephew signing the RV.
The Tuohys, Kelly and Donna LaRocque, East Texas Support Group Leader.
Marc Kaminer, photojournalist for Fox 4 KDFW attended the event and interviewed us and spoke with many patients and filmed the "signing of the Myeloma Mobile." Thanks to Fox 4 for helping us to create awareness about multiple myeloma!
Thanks to everyone involved in making this Dallas event happen. It was absolutely fantastic!
Our next Event is in Houston on July 31, and we hope to meet many more Texans there! For now, I'm off to get some laundry done! LOL!
Bye Y'All,
Robin :-)