New Online Support Program Helps Patients, Families Cope The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and The Wellness Community have created two online support groups to better provide social and emotional support for people affected by blood cancers. The new groups will join the Society’s 360, in-person Family Support Groups at 66 chapters throughout the United States and Canada. The weekly, 90-minute online sessions began this month and will continue for eight weeks. They are free, password-protected and facilitated by two professionals. Like the Society’s Family Support Group program, the online groups seek to link patients and their families to a place where information, education and emotional support can be shared in a comfortable and caring environment.  The groups are open to blood cancer patients who are 21 years of age or older and their caregivers. Participants need a computer with Internet access and one of the following browsers - Internet Explorer, Netscape, Mozilla Firefox or Safari. For more information, please call the Society’s Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572 or click here. For help in finding an in-person Family Support Group, please www.LLS.org. > Back to the top

Genetics Steadily Revealing Cancer’s Mysteries Science’s increased understanding of the 300 known genes that cause human cancer is already yielding better therapies. And the future may even be more promising: better targeted drugs, more sensitive tests for early cancer detection and diagnosis and screenings that can accurately predict who will be more susceptible to particular malignancies. Such was the view expressed at the recent American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting in Los Angeles, where some 14,000 of the world’s top cancer scientists gathered to share ideas. “I left the meeting feeling very inspired,” said Deborah Banker, Ph.D., vice president of Society research communications. Major presenters at the plenary session of this prestigious event, which celebrated AACR’s 100th anniversary, included: ·        Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., director, National Human Genome Research Institute. Dr. Collins called on scientists to broaden their search for cancer-causing genes and genetic combinations and how they interact with certain environmental triggers to cause cancer. The Cancer Genome Atlas project has been launched to spearhead this effort. ·        David Baltimore, Ph.D., Nobel laureate, professor of biology, California Institute of Technology. Dr. Baltimore praised the success of Gleevec® and other pioneering targeted therapies, but stressed the need for new “chemistries” that will lead to other safe and effective new anti-cancer therapies. While scientists were hopeful that they will one day achieve their goals, they were concerned that recent federal budget cutbacks could slow progress, Dr. Banker said. “We need to make choices as a nation that is committed to helping patients,” she added. “Do we continue the war on cancer, which takes money, or put up roadblocks that could stall much of the promising work that is going on right now.” > Back to the top

UCLA Researcher Investigates Genetic Causes of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Michael Teitell, M.D., Ph.D., is an associate professor in the pathology and pediatrics departments at the University of California, Los Angeles. A recipient of a Society Scholar grant, Dr. Teitell is trying to identify some of the abnormalities that cause non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Dr. Teitell, can you tell us about your work? We’re using a powerful technique called restriction landmark genomic scanning to investigate the causes of NHL. We’ve been able to identify frequent genetic abnormalities in cancer cells from NHL patients - namely defects in genes that may partner with a known tumor-causing gene called TCL1 to initiate or promote lymphoma. Our team has found that these abnormalities may cause NHL in mice when they accompany defects in the TCL1 gene. What's novel or innovative about your approach? The mouse model we’ve generated is unique for forming tumors that closely resemble the main lymphomas that form in humans. So the anti-lymphoma treatments that work in this model will likely have an  impact on humans. How will the investigation one day help patients? Knowledge of the mechanisms of malignant transformation and the genes that cooperate to bring about lymphoma helps us in the hunt for targeted therapies. The more drugs we can develop to fight NHL, the more patients will benefit. Are you close to clinical trials? We are not, but a preclinical trial of a novel AKT inhibitor based on our and other labs’ work is ongoing in Japan. A second mouse model of B-cell malignancy due to TCL1 is being evaluated as a preclinical efficacy model using rapamycin-inhibition of mTOR signaling at The Ohio State University. What else are you working on? We are trying to find better ways of identifying treatment-resistant cells in populations of cancer cells. The goal is to understand what makes these cells unique and to find a way to control them to produce durable remissions or even cures. When you’re not in the lab, what are some of your hobbies and non-research interests? Well, I always enjoy being with my children, Ben, 5, and Lily, who is a year and a half. I also like running and just did the Los Angeles Marathon, my 24th completed marathon. I also manage our co-ed hospital league softball team. > Back to the top

The Society's telephone education programs feature some of the nation's leading blood cancer experts informally discussing the latest trends in research and treatments. Participants have the opportunity to ask questions during the program. As with all Society resources, telephone education programs are free. Past programs are archived on our Web site for convenient downloading. For more information, please contact the Society's Information Resource Center (IRC) at (800) 955-4572. May Tuesday, the 8th: Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma: Advances in Clinical Trials 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. ET Join us for a free telephone education program that features Judith E. Karp, M.D., professor of oncology and medicine, and director, Leukemia Program, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University;  B. Douglas Smith, M.D., associate professor of  hematologic malignancies, also from Sidney Kimmel; and Aaron P. Rapoport, M.D., professor of medicine and director of gene medicine/lymphoma, University of Maryland Medical Center. Register here. Tuesday, the 15th: Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: From Diagnosis to Therapy Noon - 1 p.m. ET This program will feature Andrew D. Zelenetz, M.D., chief, Lymphoma Service, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions during the program. Register here. Wednesday, the 23rd: How Childhood Cancer Touches the Entire Family 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. ET Nancy Cincotta, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., A.C.S.W,, B.C.D., of Camp Sunshine, Casco, ME, leads a talk on the psychosocial impact of childhood cancer on families. Register here. Tuesday, the 29th: Hodgkin Lymphoma Update: Making Treatment Decisions 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. Join a free discussion led by Mary K. Gospodarowicz, M.D., F.R.C.P.C., F.R.C.R., professor and chair, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, and chief, Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Hospital/University Health Network. Register here. > Back to the top

Advocates Encourage Charitable Tax Incentives During tax season, many of us find ourselves buried under an imposing stack of folders and receipts. But tax time also reminds us of the many ways the tax code encourages us to give more to charitable organizations like the Society. Congress has created incentives for Americans to donate to nonprofits. One of the best is the IRA Charitable Rollover. This provision enables Americans ages 70 1/2 and older to use IRAs to donate up to $100,000 to their favorite charitable causes without sustaining adverse tax consequences. Unfortunately, this great incentive may fade into history by the end of the year if Congress does not act to extend its life. There is still time to act. Four leaders on Capitol Hill  - U.S. Sens. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME); and U.S. Reps Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) and Wally Herger (R-CA) -  have introduced legislation (S. 819 and H.R. 1419) that would extend and expand the rollover. The Public Good IRA Rollover Act of 2007 would make the rollover permanent; remove the current $100,000 annual limit on donations, making all charitable organizations eligible to receive donations; and provide IRA owners with a planned giving option starting at age 59 1/2. We encourage Society advocates to contact their senators and representatives and urge them to co-sponsor these measures.  A letter to your legislators is available in the Advocacy section of our Web site, www.LLS.org. > Back to the top

2007 Regatta Season Sets Sail The Society is launching this year’s Leukemia Cup Regatta season with 44 events in 32 states and more than 17,700 sailors – a glorious send-off for what will be the program’s 13th season. The Leukemia Cup Regatta is a unique fundraising program where boat crews and their supporters compete for the coveted Leukemia Cup while raising funds to help the Society cure leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Regattas take place at yachting and boat clubs throughout the United States, on inland and coastal waters, explained Beth Wilson, Regatta national director. “Regattas are a truly unique experience, combining fun on the water with the satisfaction of helping others,” Wilson said. “We’re gratified that the sailing community has been so committed to our mission, raising more than $20 million for cures and patient services.” As an added incentive, the top fundraising crews get a chance to sail with sailing legend Gary Jobson in a beautiful location during the annual Fantasy Sail weekend. The 2007 Fantasy Sail will take place Nov. 30 - Dec. 2 in San Diego, CA. Jobson has been national Regatta chair since 1994. He is an America’s Cup victor, a published author and an ESPN sailing commentator. Jobson also is a lymphoma survivor and knows firsthand the importance of research dollars. “The Regatta is a terrific way for sailors to show they care about the more than 785,000 Americans living with blood cancer,” he said. “Since my own diagnosis in 2003, I have been doubly committed to helping the Society cure these terrible diseases.” There’s still time to sign up for a Regatta near you. Visit www.lls.org/regatta for more information. Country Music Marathon & ½ Marathon: Celebrating the Fun in Fundraising Success There’s something captivating about a 26.2-mile party, especially one that combines a top-notch endurance sports event with the satisfaction of raising funds to help cure leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Elite Racing’s popular Country Music MarathonTM & ½ Marathon, in the country music heartland of Nashville, TN, is just that – an athletic experience that features 40 live bands, cheerleading squads and a beautiful course through the city known as Music City USA. The course takes in such historic sites as the Parthenon, Music Row and a spectacular finish outside the Adelphia Coliseum on the Cumberland River. What’s more, Team In Training® (TNT) runners and walkers have raised more than $20.4 million for blood cancer research since the marathon’s inception in 2000, said Donna Grogan, senior national TNT director. When the final TNT athlete crosses the finish line on race day on April 28, participants will have raised nearly $3 million this year alone! “The Country Music Marathon is a favorite of TNT,” Grogan said. “There’s just so much excitement in the air and so much fun and good will in the city of Nashville.” Elite’s other “music marathons” – including the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon® in San Diego, CA, and the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half MarathonTM in Virginia Beach – are also huge magnets for the purple-and-green Team. Like Country Music, they all offer running and walking opportunities. Find out how to get involved in next year’s Country Music Marathon or one of the many other TNT events. Call a Society chapter near you, visit www.teamintraining.org or call (800) 482-TEAM. > Back to the top