Today is Day 55 of our Myeloma Awareness/Education Campaign! We are visiting The Johns Hopkins, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center in Baltimore, Maryland, which once again has been ranked third best in the nation and the top cancer hospital in the Mid-Atlantic Region by U.S. News & World Report. Johns Hopkins Hospital earned the top spot among all hospitals in the annual rankings for the 17th year in a row. We are honored to be here and happy for all of the patients that come here for treatment.
Some of the people who attended the event.
Baltimore is Arin Assero's hometown. She came to Baltimore a few days ahead of time to arrange our event and to spend some time with family. We got to meet Arin's family and friends for dinner where they tried to show us the proper technique in eating Maryland steamed crabs. Yum-Yum! :-)
Arin showing Mikey how to crack a crab, while her father looks on.
Arin's mom signing the Myeloma Mobile.
The event at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center was outstanding - as there was standing room only left in the atrium! Our thanks to all of the patients, families, friends and staff that stopped by to learn about multiple myeloma.
Dr. Huff and Dr. Matsui
Dr. William H. Matsui, whose clinical interests include B Cell malignancies, spoke with us about current research going on at the Center and his work in studying plasma cells and B cells in myeloma. We also heard from Dr. Carol Ann Huff, whose clinical interests are multiple myeloma and amyloidosis. She spoke of her work with patients and clinical trials. Between the two of these forward thinking experts, we were all very encouraged and hopeful for future treatments for myeloma patients.
Laura Baikis and Amy Mone were on hand to help us every step of the way in planning this event in Baltimore - Thank you!!
Arin with Laura Baikis and Amy Mone from the Kimmel Cancer Center.
Michael and I spoke with patients and again felt the full circle of empowerment. People tell us that we are encouraging them - but in turn, they are actually inspiring us to continue on with our journey. We met a woman at the event who traveled down from Washington DC and her hug and the bond we formed said it all. She wants to help others back in DC by starting up a support group! :-)
Thanks also to Adrienne Scally, LCSW-C, who runs the myeloma support group in Baltimore. Adrienne did lots of legwork in getting the word out about this event. If you would like to attend this support group, here is the info: This group meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 1:30-3:00 p.m. in the Weinberg Building Auditorium on the Johns Hopkins campus. For more information, please contact Adrienne Scally, LCSW-C at 410-502-1096.
Dr. Matsui signing the Myeloma Mobile.
We are leaving Baltimore tomorrow for our event at the University of Pennsylvania, which is on Saturday, August 11. Hope to see lots of you there!
All my best,
Robin