ThyCa News Notes - February 2014
02/2014- Recent Report on a New Approach to Cancer Treatment
- Levoxyl® Update
- Clinical Trial of Lenvatinib
- Find the Latest Information on Clinical Trials
- News about a Gene Test
- Rare Diseases Day
- Free Web and Telephone Workshop
- More New Support Groups
- Free Spring Workshops
- International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference, Save the Date!
- The Pediatric Backpack Project: Letter from a Grandmother
- Rally for Research News
- Follow Us on Facebook and Twitter
- Low-Iodine Recipe of the Month – Waldorf Salad
- Have you signed our Guestbook?
- Invitation: Become a Member
- Every Day
- About ThyCa NEWS NOTES and ThyCa
Recent News Report on a New Approach to Cancer Treatment
CBS Sunday Morning News with Charles Osgood featured a new treatment approach on its February 16, 2014 program.
Dr. Ross Cagan and colleagues used genome sequencing of tumor from Mark B., who has medullary thyroid cancer, to identify a combination of drugs (all approved by the FDA, although not necessarily for MTC) showing potential for effectiveness with the least side effects.
Dr. Cagan spoke at the 2013 International Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Conference about this approach. It has promise for all types of cancer.
In case you missed the news segment about Dr. Cagan’s program, you can find it here.
Levoxyl® (levothyroxine sodium) will again be available on or around March 3, 2014, Pfizer reported on February 4, 2014.
In news of particular interest to those with RAI-resistant differentiated thyroid cancer (papillary, follicular, and their variants), researchers recently reported: "Compared to placebo, lenvatinib showed a highly statistically significant improvement in progression free survival in patients with radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer." More information is here.
Find the Latest Information on Clinical Trials
We have information and links for finding clinical trials, as well as the resource, Ten Things to Know About Treatment Clinical Trials.
MIT’s Technology Review recently reported on Veracyte’s latest gene test to guide thyroid cancer surgery.
February 28 is worldwide Rare Diseases Day, coordinated by Eurordis (Rare Diseases Europe) with US sponsorship by the National Organization for Rare Disorders. ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc., is pleased to partner in support of this observance.
Free Web and Telephone Workshop
On Friday, March 7, use your computer or your telephone to watch and listen to a free workshop from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Speakers for this Update on Thyroid Cancer include R. Michael Tuttle, M.D., ThyCa Medical Advisor; Krzysztof Misiukiewicz, M.D., and Sarah Kelly, M.S.W. The workshop is sponsored by CancerCare, and ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc., is pleased to collaborate with CancerCare in this educational event. Register online,
Welcome to More New Local Support Groups
We’re pleased to announce that new ThyCa Support Groups have formed in Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas. Thank you to Randy Buse, Pam Cheval, Teresa Hasse, & Phyllis Marquez for starting these new groups.
For these and over 100 more groups in the United States, plus groups in Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, & Philippines, visit our Support Groups page.There are groups meeting every week. The volunteer leaders of each group are available for e-mail & phone support as well.
Our support groups are free and open to any and all survivors and their families and friends. All groups allow people to walk in without needing to pre-register. People share thyroid cancer information, their experiences with their thyroid cancer, and insights on how they are coping with thyroid cancer, and support
Want to start a group in your area? Either contact the ThyCa Support Group Coordinator at support_coord@thyca.org or fill out the form you’ll find on our Support Groups page.
Free Spring Workshops with Physician Speakers, Thyroid Cancer Experts, Roundtables, and more!
- Saturday, April 19, 2014, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The 13th Annual Mid-Atlantic Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop. Silver Spring, Maryland.
- Saturday, April 26, 2014. 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The 10th Midwest Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Workshop. St. Louis, Missouri.
Plan to attend! Details and online registration are now available.
Save the Date! International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference
October 17-19, 2014
Plan to attend the premier event for patients, caregivers, and thyroid cancer experts, for 3 great days of learning, getting answers to your questions, and getting to know others coping with thyroid cancer. The conference also features numerous specialists in coping with the many practical and emotional challenges of thyroid cancer.
It's not too early to start planning to attend the 17th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Conference, October 17-19, 2014, at the Doubletree by Hilton Denver Hotel, 3203 Quebec Street, Denver, CO 80207.
Get the details and help spread the word. Share the flyer from the conference homepage.
The Pediatric Backpack Project —E-Mail from a Grandmother
My grandson is 6 and has been diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer. He underwent an 8-hour surgery. He is a very loving affectionate child who needs his cuddle time, no matter what time of day or night.
While I don't know how he is going to handle being isolated, we will take care of him after he gets the radioactive iodine.
I found ThyCa’s wonderful web site and the link for the backpack project. I read and was moved by Tim's story and cried like a baby. The items included in the pack are so well thought out and things that only someone who has been through the treatment would know to recommend to make it easier for the next person.
Thank you, from all of us, for making our journey more manageable. If it is possible, could he receive a backpack?
Again, I really appreciate what you are doing.
(Editor’s Note: For more information about the Pediatric Backpack Project, click here. ThyCa and this project serve children and teens with thyroid cancer, and their families, worldwide, free of charge.
Now on our web site: the Rally for Research News Notes newsletter.
We support thyroid cancer research, and have proudly awarded more than $1.2 million in thyroid cancer research grants to researchers in 5 countries, thanks to your support! We have awarded grants every year starting in 2003.
ThyCa will award 3 new grants for thyroid cancer research in 2014. ThyCa invites everyone to join us in our quest to find cures for all thyroid cancer.
To find out how you can help the 2014 ThyCa Rally for Research, click here.
Follow Us on Facebook and Twitter
We're now over 9,500 strong on the ThyCa Facebook page and over 1,700 on Twitter!
More Invitations:
- If you’re not on Facebook, you may join at any time. It’s free.
- If you’re already on Facebook, invite your friends to ThyCa’s page.
Our support of each other--whether giving or receiving--is an incredible gift. Thank you for joining us.
Low-Iodine Recipe of the Month – Waldorf Salad
Contributed by Sharon M.
Waldorf Salad
lettuce
1/2 stalk celery, sliced
1 apple, cored and chopped
1/4 cup raisins
1/3 cup walnuts
Either blender mayonnaise from the ThyCa Cookbook
or Mashed avocado
Tear lettuce into individual salad bowl or plate. Sprinkle with celery, apple, raisins, and walnuts. Top with blender mayonnaise from the ThyCa cookbook, or, I found that I liked the mashed avocado just as well.
Sharon writes, “First, thank you so much for the Low Iodine Recipe Collection, including the general comments about low iodine diets, foods that are okay and not. It is extremely helpful!”
“Lunches seem the hardest for me. The Waldorf Salad was a life saver.”
Thank you, Sharon, for contributing this recipe! We will include it in the next edition of ThyCa’s FREE Downloadable Low-Iodine Cookbook.
Free and Downloadable
Download the 7th edition of the Low-Iodine Cookbook in English for free, with more than 340 favorite recipes from more than 150 generous volunteers.
The Cookbook is also available in:
Please remember, while you’re welcome to download and print the entire free low-iodine cookbook, you can also print just the pages you need.
This free cookbook is a wonderful help when you’re preparing to receive radioactive iodine for treatment or testing. All the recipes are favorites of some of our ThyCa volunteers, who are sharing them with everyone, to make the low-iodine diet easy and tasty. The recipes are also great for family meals and for potlucks, any time.
To contribute your favorite recipe or tip, send it to recipes@thyca.org.
Thank you!
Have you signed our Guestbook?
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No one should have to face a diagnosis of thyroid cancer alone. Your membership will support ThyCa's efforts to reach other survivors and their families around the world
Membership is open to anyone interested in thyroid cancer and supporting ThyCa’s efforts. To join, online or by mail, visit our Membership page.
Every day, thousands of people with thyroid cancer, and their families, receive support, education, and hope from ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc. Your generous support is what makes it possible to sustain, strengthen, and expand our services and outreach
It only takes a minute to make a donation online in support of ThyCa's work (or you are welcome to donate by mail to ThyCa, P.O. Box 964, Chesterfield, MO 63006-0964).
About ThyCa NEWS NOTES and ThyCa
Copyright (c) 2014 ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc.
Please share ThyCa News Notes with your family and friends. For permission to reprint in another electronic or print publication, please contact us at publications@thyca.org. Each complete issue is also published on this web page: www.thyca.org/newsletters.htm.
Thank you to our writing, editing, and proofreading team for this issue: Tom Engle, Leah Guljord, Sharon M., Pat Paillard, Barb Statas, Cherry Wunderlich, and Gary Bloom.
ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization (tax ID #52-2169434) of thyroid cancer survivors, family members, and health care professionals serving people worldwide and dedicated to education, support, communication, and fundraising for thyroid cancer research.
ThyCa sponsors the annual International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference, as well as Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, a worldwide observance each September, plus year-round awareness campaigns, research funding, and thyroid cancer research grants.
Contact us for free materials and information. E-mail to thyca@thyca.org call toll-free at 1-877-588-7904, fax 1-630-604-6078, write PO Box 1102, Olney, MD 20830-1102, or visit our website.