Stars Take the Ice for TV Special to Raise Cancer Awareness

Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton will skate on TV for the first time since battling a brain tumor and testicular cancer, joining fellow Olympian and cancer survivor Dorothy Hamill for a Thanksgiving Day special intended to inspire viewers to triumph over illness.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is one of the advocacy partners of the program, "Kaleidoscope," airing 4-5:30 p.m. EST Nov. 26 on Fox, along with 10 other organizations. The opportunity to be part of this program was brought to LLS by a researcher whose patient is the executive producer of the show. The show is designed to raise awareness and recognize the role that women play in the battle against cancer - as patients, caregivers and advocates. The mission of this program is to address issues surrounding women and cancer by helping educate women to be proactive with their health and by honoring all cancer survivors. 

The program will also will feature 1992 Olympic figure skating champion Kristi Yamaguchi and two-time medalist Nancy Kerrigan, along with Olympic hopefuls Johnny Weir and Rachael Flatt. Hamill, the 1976 gold medalist, will skate to a song performed by Olivia Newton-John. Both women were diagnosed with breast cancer.

"We're trying to get the word out in a way that won't make people turn the channel the second they hear the "C" word," says Hamilton, winner of the 1984 Olympic gold medal and a four-time world champion. "It's about embracing life and moving forward and knowing you can get back to your better self, your best self, even after something as invasive and as challenging as a cancer diagnosis and treatment."


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San Diego-Hawaii Chapter Volunteer Wears Many Hats

Learning that you have cancer is frightening and overwhelming. Patients and their families need help to cope with the physical, emotional and financial challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis.

As a volunteer patient navigation coordinator for the San Diego-Hawaii Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), Andrea Pitta, a homemaker and mother of two, works with Patient Services Manager Jose Montes, to identify patients who need enhanced services, and helps them get the support and resources they need to make their way through the complicated journey from diagnosis through treatment and survivorship.  

"It's a very delicate process and I want to ensure that patients know LLS is here to provide resources to help make that aspect of their diagnosis a little easier," says Pitta.

Pitta helped create a welcome packet with disease-specific information, along with information about local services and upcoming events that might be helpful for the patient.

But navigation coordinator is only one of the many roles that Pitta plays as a volunteer for the chapter. She also created an innovative program for the chapter called "Sophia's Hats," named after her grandmother, Sophia May, who lost her 15-year battle with leukemia in 2008. The program is completely run by volunteers who create hats for patients who have lost their hair from chemotherapy.

"One morning after talking with patients who had lost or were losing their hair from treatment I thought it would be a great idea to provide them with something to make them look good and feel good about themselves," Pitta said.

Pitta, who also coordinates the chapter's annual Light The Night^® Walk "Remembrance Ceremony," providing an opportunity for family and friends to honor their loved ones lost to a blood cancer, is one great example of how to volunteer with LLS. Here is more information about volunteering.

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CMO Commentary: Acute Myelogenous Leukemia:  We Are
Making Progress!

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Upcoming Telephone/Webcast Education Programs

The Pediatric Treatment Approach to Adult Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia: Perspectives
for Oncology Nurses

Date: Thursday, November 19, 2009
Time:  12:00 PM to 1:30 PM Eastern Time  

This nursing program will feature Barton A. Kamen, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Professor of Pediatrics and Pharmacology, The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, UMDNJ - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ and Katherine A. Breitenbach, B.A., R.N., Clinical Research Nurse Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago. This continuing education program is supported by a grant from Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.                   

Understanding AML: From Diagnosis to Treatment

Date:  Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Time: 12:00-1:00pm Eastern Time

This program will feature Elihu H.Estey, M.D., Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Member, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Seattle, Adjunct Professor, The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Houston. This continuing education program is supported by a grant from Cephalon Oncology.

NEW OPTION
You now have the option of listening to the program from your computer (webcast). When you register for the program, you will be asked if you want to participate by phone or via webcast. If you choose webcast, you will be sent an e-mail providing you with a URL link for you to click on the day of the program.

Featured Webclip Program  
 
Financial Health Matters

This program features interviews with Anita Welborn, LMSW of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society,
Dana Krohn of the Medicare Rights Center and David Landay, Esq. of Survivorship A to Z and focuses on the financial impact a cancer diagnosis can have, with information on insurance programs and resources for support. This free educational program is for patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals. This is a complimentary online continuing education activity.  


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Co-Pay Assistance Program Broadens Funding
Qualified patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia and myeloma can now receive up to $5,000 in assistance from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Co-Pay Assistance Program. The aid helps offset prescription drug co-pays and other insurance-related expenses according to disease diagnosis. For more information, visit www.LLS.org/copay or call (877) 557-2672.
 
The LLS Co-Pay Assistance program is pleased to announce a new tool to help patients and providers submit online applications quickly and easily. The Co-Pay Assistance program provides financial assistance for health insurance payments and blood cancer treatment co-pay obligations to qualified patients. For more information, visit www.LLS.org/copay or call (877) 557-2672.

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Greater San Francisco Leukemia Cup Regatta Makes a
Big Splash

For the third year in a row, the Greater San Francisco Chapter's Leukemia Cup Regatta raised more than any other Leukemia Cup totaling over $655,000 to support blood cancer research and patient services.

More than 100 boats, two days of racing, and a fabulous VIP dinner, with special guest former Vice President Al Gore, made for an exciting weekend.

"We appreciate the support of our honorary chairman, Tom Perkins. He has been a key part of the Leukemia Cup for the last three years, bringing his 88 meter yacht, the Maltese Falcon, to San Francisco Bay for our event and recruiting our last two keynote speakers, Rupert Murdoch in 2008 and the honorable Al Gore in 2009," said Bill Nolan, Bay Area Chapter Trustee and Co-Chair. "Everyone enjoyed Mr. Gore's discussion this year and, as evidenced by the spirited response from our audience, he made it a truly memorable evening."

Bill Nolan was also the top San Francisco fundraiser. His son, Campbell Nolan, is a leukemia survivor. Bill was aboard the top fundraising boat, Full Throttle, skippered by committee co-chair David Joyner. Co-Chair Ian Charles was also on board.

More than a dozen participants - Ian Charles, Matt Cromar, Kyle Elliott, Erica Embley, Anne Feinberg, David Joyner, Torin Knorr, John McNeill, Suzie Moore, Bill Nolan, Molly Prahl, Bill Smith, and Robin Reynolds qualified for the Fantasy Sail with Leukemia Cup Regatta National Chairman Gary Jobson that took place at the San Francisco Yacht Club October 17. Each of these qualifiers raised more than $8,500 each totaling more than $202,000!  

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LLS Recognizes Indianapolis Colts Defensive Captain
Gary Brackett

In recognition of his strong support for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Pennies for Patients^® program, the LLS Indiana Chapter last month presented Indianapolis Colts defensive captain Gary Brackett with the Chairman's Citation Award. Brackett accepted the award at a press conference held at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.

 "I'm thankful to LLS, which is a great organization, for giving me this award," Brackett said. "I think of myself of being more than a football player. The victories are great, but to really have lasting impressions on your community and see some of these kids and make an impact on their lives, those are lifetime achievements."

Brackett's older brother, Greg, was diagnosed with leukemia six years ago.  After finding out he was a match, Brackett donated bone marrow to his brother, who subsequently lost his battle to the disease in 2005.  It is for this reason that Brackett got involved with LLS three years ago.

Brackett has been a "truly dedicated supporter of LLS's Pennies for Patients," according to Indiana Chapter Executive Director Amy Kwas. Brackett even made a personal visit to the top two fundraising schools, both of which collected more than $11,000 in 2009.

Nominations for the LLS Chairman's Citation Award are made by local chapters and presented in a local venue. The award recognizes candidates who have made a significant impact in the quest to find cures. Brackett joins an illustrious group of other outstanding professional athletes to have received the award, including baseball greats Gary Carter, Joe Mel Stottlemyre, Todd Stottlemyre and Frank Thomas, and football stars Dan Marino, Bobby Mitchell, Karl Nelson, Lawrence Taylor and Rod Woodson.

Click here to learn more about Pennies for Patients, a school-based fund raiser in which children collect spare change to support blood cancer research and patient services; and here, to learn about LLS's other School & Youth^SM programs.


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50 Concerts in 50 States to Benefit LLS

A Boston-based cellist, who has also led hikes for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training (TNT) program, has launched an ambitious cross-country project to fight cancer by raising funds and awareness state by state.

Cellist Liam Abramson kicked off his project, 50 Concerts in 50 States ( www.findacurenow.com), on Oct. 19 with a concert at the Chicago Cultural Center. Abramson has set a goal of donating at least $50,000 to LLS through the 24-month project.  

Abramson, who trained at the Royal College of Music in London and is the recipient of numerous scholarships and awards, has devoted his efforts to raising money for cancer research since losing his best friend to the disease in 2003. Abramson will perform J.S Bach's Suites for Unaccompanied Cello during this tour.

"I'm one of those people who sets the bar high," said Abramson, who has been a hike leader and mentor for TNT. "The one piece of advice I consistently give out is 'raise money by doing something you know how to do.'"

Concerts are currently scheduled for Ann Arbor, Mich. (Oct. 28, 2009); Boulder, Colo.(Nov. 28, 2009); Sacramento, Calif. (Aug 7, 2010), Logan, Utah (2010), Searcy, Ark. (2010) and Boston, Mass.(2010); Please visit www.findacurenow.com as the schedule will be continually updated.
 

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"Cards for a Cause" Benefits LLS

CardsDirect.com, a custom printed card and stationery company, will be donating proceeds of the sale of a special holiday card this season to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) as part of its "Cards for a Cause" holiday greeting cards program.

CardsDirect launched 'Cards for a Cause' holiday greeting cards program at the HBO Luxury Lounge in honor of the 61^st Emmy Awards this year, where a line of exclusive holiday greeting card designs were available for celebrities to select. These cards will be on sale on the CardsDirect website through December 31, 2009, with net proceeds from the sales of these cards going to the celebrity's charity of choice.

Jessica Lucas, a star of the show, "Melrose Place," selected LLS.

You can visit http://www.cardsdirect.com/cards-for-a-cause.aspx , where the card that supports LLS is featured. The card includes Lucas's printed signature and charity logo along with your custom imprinted verse and personalization, all printed on 100% recycled card stock with 100% post-consumer fiber.

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Use Stock Market Gains For Charitable Giving

Recent stock market gains are encouraging to some investors following last year's price plunge. But many are more attuned to market uncertainties than in the past and want to protect their gains. One way you can lock in the value of an investment is to use it for year-end giving. 

If you donate appreciated shares that you have owned for a year or more, you can claim a deduction for the stock's full market value regardless of what you actually paid for the investment. Further, you will not owe any capital gains tax on the appreciated amount. 

For example, Lotta Dough purchased stock for $1,000 a few years ago. Today, her investment is worth $5,000.
If she donates the shares to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, she is eligible for a $5,000 charitable deduction and she avoids $600 in capital gains tax that would have been due on the increased value had she sold the stock. 

If you want to use appreciated stock for your year-end giving, request transfer instructions and our broker information from Donor Relations: 1-888-773-9958 or click here.

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Research Q&A: Pamela S. Becker, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology
University of Washington School of Medicine . Recipient of a translational research program grant from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) to study cell adhesion mediated chemotherapy resistance in acute myelogenous leukemia and multiple myeloma

What is the biomedical problem/issue that you are trying to resolve?  
The focus of my research is how adhesion to other cells within the bone marrow enables acute myeloid leukemia cells to resist chemotherapy.
 
What's novel or innovative about your approach?
The novel aspect of our approach is to determine the critical interactions between leukemia stem cells and leukemia-derived bone marrow stroma (supportive cells), then utilize inhibitors of this protective interaction to enhance chemotherapy effect and leukemia cell death.  

How will your work one day help patients?
Inhibitors of adhesion are now being successfully combined with chemotherapy agents in the lab to kill leukemia cells better, and clinical trials are being initiated to test this approach in patients.

Are you close to clinical trials?
Yes, new clinical trials are due to begin this fall, and early trials are in progress.

What other projects are you excited about and believe will benefit patients?
There may be potential for new combinations of different agents that may be more effective, and the potential for new drugs as well.

What are some of your hobbies and non-research interests?
My hobbies are gardening, swimming, and music. I also volunteer for LLS.

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• Pediatric Cancer Research Funding: Last year the Congress passed and the President signed into law the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act, providing for enhanced research, public education and a pediatric cancer registry. Funding for the program is now primary goal for the pediatric cancer community.
• The Childhood Cancer Survivorship Research and Quality of Life Act (H.R.2109) was introduced in the House of Representatives by Jackie Speier (CA) Mary Bono Mack in April 2009. This legislation would improve and enhance cancer survivorship research and programs.

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The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Blog is an interactive communication resource, updated regularly with news from LLS, as well as guest blog posts from those touched by blood cancer. LLS welcomes your comments on blog posts, as well as feedback to make this a better communication resource for you.

Here's the latest from the LLS blog:

Patient Story: Christen's little miracle of hope


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