As you can tell from the title of my blog - we are now on COUNTDOWN TO HOME!! We left home on June 16 - which was the last day of school for the kids - so if you are keeping track - that was 8 weeks ago. We are all looking forward to our own home, yard, beds, bathroom - real shower! LOL!! Shannon wants to go and run in her yard and bark: "my yard, my yard!" :-)
Today's event was at The Abraham Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania. At this event we are happy to have speak with us Edward A. Stadtmauer, MD, co-director of the Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Program at the Abramson Cancer Center and national leader in the treatment of multiple myeloma. Dr. Stadtmauer has helped pioneer new, non-chemotherapy treatments. These new treatments, which target the mechanisms by which the cancer cells survive and multiply rather than attacking all cells (including healthy ones), are turning myeloma into a manageable cancer and not a moment too soon.
Myeloma - which used to only affect the elderly - is on the rise as it now affects increasingly younger patients. Myeloma, which has an environmental component, was named as one of the cancers for which September 11, 2001 responders are at risk.
Dr. Stadtmauer
Dr. Stadtmauer did a "stand up" act informing us about the numerous treatment options now available for myeloma patients as well as providing information on novel therapies and clinical trials. He kindly fielded all questions and gave his views on topics from immunotherapies to organics. Thanks to myeloma experts like Dr. Stadtmauer pushing forward, conducting research and considering a patient's quality of life, our future looks much brighter with new options currently available and others on the near horizon.
Bobby, Arin, and Philadelphia support group leader, Maddie Hunter.
Philadelphia is one of the support groups that I have visited in the past in my role as Director of Support Groups, Northeast; so this felt like a trip back home with friends. Support group leaders from Philadelphia, Maddie Hunter and Marilyn Alexander, were at the event; as well as Ann McNeill from the Hackensack University Medical Center.
New Jersey folks on the bus - Anne McNeill in front heading up the trip!
Hackensack University was so supportive of the Myeloma Mobile that they chartered a bus for their patients to attend the event at U PENN! Thanks to Ann and Dr. David Siegel for their support and care! There were also folks from the Central New Jersey Support group in attendance. We were happy to meet many patients that were not part of a support group - and that I hope will now join one of the fantastic myeloma support groups in their area. Knowledge is Power - and People Helping People is what it is all about.
Say cheese!
Cynthia Griffo and Barbara Lopez from U PENN did a great job working with Arin Assero of the IMF to make this event a success. Thank you!! Also, as always, our thanks to our sponsors, Millennium, Kyphon and Celgene for all their continued support.
Goodbye to Philadelphia.
We loved talking with everyone in Philadelphia, The City of Brotherly Love. Please continue to reach out to each other and the IMF!
Love,
Robin