ThyCa NEWS NOTES and CONFERENCE UPDATE - October 2006

You're Invited to the 9th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors'
Conference Orlando, Florida October 27-29, 2006

On October 27-29, 2006, everyone interested in thyroid cancer is invited to attend the 9th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Conference at the International Plaza Resort & Spa (formerly namedSheraton World), 10100 International Drive, Orlando, Florida.

The program schedule is now on the web site.

The more than 60 speakers include 22 physicians from major centers around the country. There will be 46 physician-led sessions, on all types and stages of thyroid cancer, as well clinical trials. Additional thyroid cancer researchers, attorneys, mental health professionals, other specialists, thyroid cancer survivors, and caregivers will lead sessions as well. In all, the conference offers more than 100 session choices.

The conference is a unique and important opportunity to learn from thyroid cancer experts and share experiences with others who are coping with this disease. By early October, people had registered from around the USA, as well as Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, and United Kingdom.

Register in advance or on site at the conference. Walk-in attendees are welcome. Scholarships are available on request.

Sponsor is the national nonprofit organization ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc. For more details, e-mail to thyca@thyca.org, call toll-free 1-877-588-7904, or visit www.thyca.org.

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New Pediatric Thyroid Cancer Web Site Educates Families and Professionals. 
This new web site was developed by families who have experienced thyroid cancer in a child or adolescent, as well as other ThyCa volunteers, with input and review from thyroid cancer specialist physicians. Our thanks to all who helped develop this important new resource.

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ThyCa Funds New Grants for Thyroid Cancer Research 100% of Funds Go to Research.

We are proud to announce the 2006 ThyCa grants, including 2 new grants and 2 continuation grants.

ThyCa's grants are the first-ever thyroid cancer research grants to be funded entirely by thyroid cancer patients, caregivers, and friends. Together, we are making a difference in our dream of finding cures for everyone with our disease! This year's ThyCa grant recipients include the 2006/2007 ThyCa Grants (2-year grants):

• Lionel Groussin, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Endocrine Department, Cochin Institut, Paris, France.
• Xianmin Xia, Ph.D., Research Associate, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.

These are the 5th and 6th grants to be awarded by ThyCa. In addition, ThyCa is awarding a second year of funding to its two 2005 grant recipients, to researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Texas and University Hospital Duesseldorf in Germany.

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Thyroid Cancer Support Groups Expand

The newest group will begin meeting in October in Dupage County, Illinois.

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New Flyers Raise Awareness of Thyroid Cancer

Early detection of all types of thyroid cancer is one of ThyCa's goals, because treatment for early-stage thyroid cancer is usually simple and has a high rate of success.

Two new downloadable flyers, titled "Find it Early" and "Know the Signs," highlight this theme. These and more brochures are available from ThyCa free of charge. September was Thyroid Cancer Awarenes Month, sponsored by ThyCa, and ThyCa's awareness campaign continues around the year.

For free materials, e-mail to thyca@thyca.org, call toll free 1-877-588-7904, fax to 1-630-604-6078, write to ThyCa, PO Box 1545, New York, NY 10159-1545, or visit the web site.

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ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc. is an all-volunteer, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization (tax ID #52-2169434) of thyroid cancer survivors, family members, and health care professionals. We are dedicated to support, education, and communication for thyroid cancer survivors, their families and friends, as well as public awareness for early detection, and thyroid cancer research fundraising and research grants. Visit www.thyca.org or e-mail thyca@thyca.org or call 1-877-588-7904.

• Orlando, Florida, October 27-29, 2006-The 9th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Conference
• Free support groups, awareness materials, and education.