Today was fun and exciting! We pulled into Rochester and learned that the City of Rochester is basically Mayo Clinic! It is an upscale facility with beautiful waterfalls, sculptures and art everywhere. Patients come from all over the world to be treated at Mayo; and I can certainly see why.
Kelly Cox of the IMF (center)
This Event was held in the Geffen Auditorium of the Gonda Guilding. Kelly Cox of the IMF started off our program with his usual jovial self and set the mood for a fun afternoon. Volunteers from Target were there to help with refreshments and to distribute IMF publications. Teamwork at its best! Thanks Target!
Dr. Martha Lacey
Our featured speaker was Dr. Martha Lacey whose interests are: Myeloma, amyloidosis, Waldenstrom's and other dysproteinemias and stem cell transplantation for these diseases. Dr. Lacy brought us from the basics of myeloma and what types there are to the many clinical trials specifically for myeloma currently being investigated at Mayo in Rochester. We were all very encouraged with the quality and quantity of trials and very hopeful for a future where myeloma will be a chronic disease.
Nicole Engler of the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
Michael talked about the Myeloma Mobile project, and what we hope to accomplish; which is of course knowledge, awareness, and empowerment for patients! I spoke of all the programs, publications and services that the International Myeloma Foundation offers to patients, physicians and anyone who has a desire to know about myeloma.
We wound up the event with a slide show of pictures of where we have been so far and Michael and Ally entertaining folks with Michael's song "I'm Not Leaving."
Suzanne, wife of IMF Board of Directors member, Rich Saletan, who is undergoing a SCT at Mayo.
What she wrote on the side of the Myeloma Mobile.
We stayed to talk one-on-one with many patients, including Eve Friedle and Pat Harwood. Both women are myeloma patients, advocates and support group leaders! Check out the IMF website to find out more about support groups! I'm sure Eve and Pat would love to hear from you!
When we came out of the Gonda Building we were surprised to see the local Fox/NBC affiliate, KTTC in Rochester. They asked us if we would do a quick interview! They wanted to meet our entire family - including our dog, Shannon and cat, Spike who are traveling with us. It was very funny to see the cat and dog walking around outside Mayo! Our pets are now stars! LOL! Click here to read a transcript of the story they did on us.
Click here to watch the video!
We were treated to a lovely lunch; and then did a live radio interview with Trish at KTOE in Rochester! Thanks Trish for helping to create awareness! It was a fun show!
We also did a radio interview with WICC in Connecticut at 1:30 - what a busy day!
Tomorrow we leave to start our long drive to Grand Island, Nebraska!
More later!
Robin
Research:
See a description of Mayo research activities at:
http://mayoresearch.mayo.edu/mayo/research/staff/lacy_mq.cfm .