Join us as we speak to Nikki Steltenkamp, a young adult, non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor. Nikki, an engineer, was 24 years old when she was diagnosed with primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma. In this episode, we hear about her intense treatments that finished up just as the world was entering a global pandemic. She also shares her experiences […]
Cancer and a Pandemic – A Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Story Read More »
Join us as we speak to Dr. Grzegorz (Greg) Nowakowski, a physician researcher and Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, who also leads the Mayo Clinic Aggressive Lymphoma program. In this episode, Dr. Nowakowski discusses clinical trials for lymphoma patients, including recent advancements and how clinical trials work. He also discusses the benefits
Clinical Trials in Lymphoma: An Evolution, Not A Revolution Read More »
Join us as we speak to Dr. Caron Jacobson, an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and a lymphoma physician and researcher at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In this episode, Dr. Jacobson shares about the use and benefits of CAR T-cell therapy in B-cell cancers, such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), mantle
How CAR T-cell Therapy Gives Hope to Cancer Patients Read More »
Join us as we speak with Chelsea Brickham, a transgender model, actress, and professional cosplayer who was diagnosed with Stage II Hodgkin lymphoma in 2013. In this episode, Chelsea shares with us what it was like to go through cancer as a transgender female, the reaction from her family and friends, and how she maintained her
Making Your Mark: A Transgender Cancer Patient Story Read More »
Join us as we speak to Alex Okafor, a defensive end with the Kansas City Chiefs. Alex lost his mother to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in 2020. In this episode, Alex talks about his mother’s short battle with AML and the difficulties his family faced receiving this diagnosis during a global pandemic. Following his mother’s
Tragedy to Legacy: NFL Player Continues The Fight Read More »
Join us as we speak with Jan White, a survivor and thriver of Stage IV Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. In this episode, Jan shares her story of how she went from facing immediate paralysis and death to using her experience to advocate for patients. She became a legislative advocate for LLS, started a website to share her
Bring It On: From Lymphoma to Advocacy Read More »
Join us as we speak to William Yank, a 23-year-old, three-time Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) survivor. In this episode, we hear about the variety of treatments William went through, his relapses and then subsequent stem cell transplant. Now one year out of transplant, he shares about his post-cancer journey – going viral on TikTok, becoming the
I Will Survive: A Viral TikTok Star’s Journey through Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) Read More »
Join us as we speak to Dr. Lori Muffly and Dr. Matthew Frank from Stanford Medicine in Stanford, CA, about the recent advancements in testing for Minimal/Measurable Residual Disease (MRD). In this episode, we delve into what MRD is, which blood cancers testing is currently used on, and how we can utilize it to more
Exploring Minimal/Measurable Residual Disease (MRD) Read More »
Join us as we report from the 2020 Virtual CancerCon and speak to Kyle Benner, a young adult survivor of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), and Nikki Yuill, a social worker with the LLS Information Resource Center. In this episode, we discuss young adult cancer (15-39 yrs) and what happens from diagnosis through survivorship. Learn about
I Am a Young Adult With Cancer…Now What? Read More »
Join us as we speak to Ola Ojewumi, a patient and health advocate with Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder (PTLD), a type of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. In this episode, Ola tells us about the difficulties she has faced as a Black disabled woman with chronic pain. She shares her experiences with racism and inequities in healthcare and how
Facing Racial Disparities as a Black Disabled Patient Read More »
Join us for Part Two of a special two-part series as we speak to Dr. Christabel Cheung, a two-time Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivor. In this episode, Christabel talks about her extraordinary struggles as a young adult with cancer, such as living alone without family support and having high healthcare costs. She also delves into the health
Hodgkin Lymphoma Part 2: Struggles of a Young Adult with Cancer Read More »
Join us for a special two-part episode as we speak to Dr. Christabel Cheung, a two-time Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivor. In Part One, Christabel tells us about her longtime journey with lymphoma, including a relapse and going through the second diagnosis during a global pandemic. She shares her struggles of not only a diagnosis, where she
Hodgkin Lymphoma Part 1: Struggles of a Young Adult with Cancer Read More »
Join us as we report on the latest developments in immunotherapy from the 62nd American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition that was hosted virtually December 5-8, 2020. In this episode, we will be speaking to Dr. Laurie Sehn, a Clinical Professor and Researcher with the British Columbia Cancer Centre for Lymphoid Cancer
Tackling Lymphoma: Recent Advances in Immunotherapy Read More »
Join us as we speak to Dr. Courtney DiNardo from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. about the recent advancements in AML treatment. Dr. DiNardo is an academic clinical researcher who has participated in clinical trials resulting in three new AML therapies since 2017. In this episode, we dive into the new treatments that
Providing Hope for AML Patients Read More »
Join us as we speak with Dr. Aaron Goldberg from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Dr. Goldberg discusses how secondary AML differs from AML and how treatment is determined. Secondary AML is a diagnosis of AML that has occurred after previous exposure to radiation or chemotherapy for another cancer or has
Complexities of Secondary AML with Dr. Goldberg Read More »
Join us as we speak to Kristin Furhrmann-Simmons, a caregiver and an LLS volunteer. Kristin talks to us about caring for her father who is a CLL survivor, and how she decided to join LLS’s advocacy efforts through our Office of Public Policy. For Kristin, it was a great way to connect with people in
I’m a Caregiver & Advocate: Kristin’s Story Read More »
Dr. Hoffman from the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Health System in Miami, Florida speaks to us about Hodgkin lymphoma and its interesting history. Thankfully, Hodgkin lymphoma is now highly treatable and for the majority of people curable, but not for all. Dr. Hoffman talks to us about what makes Hodgkin lymphoma unique,
Your Questions Answered About Hodgkin Lymphoma Read More »
Join us as Ellin Berman, MD a leukemia expert from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center discusses the advancements in treatment for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). Dr. Berman explains how not all CLL is the same, as it is a heterogeneous disease which explains why one person’s CLL can act differently from another person’s CLL. Dr.
CLL: Transformation in Treatment Read More »
We will be speaking with WWE Superstar, actor, and former professional football player, Joseph Anoai, who many may know as Roman Reigns. Apart from fighting opponents in the ring, Roman found himself fighting his biggest opponent yet after receiving his leukemia diagnosis back in 2007. Listen as Roman Reigns explains his cancer journey to our
Together in the Fight Against Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): Roman Reigns’ Story Read More »
Dr. Mary Ninan speaks to Alicia, Lizette, and Edith about the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), known as Diffuse Large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). With over 70 subtypes of NHL, the priority when Dr. Ninan sees a patient with lymphoma is to confirm which subtype the patient has been diagnosed with in order to
Dr. Ninan explains Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) Read More »
Has the Coronavirus (COVID-19) affected your non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment? Join Alicia, Lizette and Edith as they speak with Dr. Lori Leslie about non-Hodgkin lymphoma and how patients have been receiving treatment during the coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Leslie is a part of the lymphoma division of the John Theurer Cancer Center in Hackensack NJ. She treats lymphoma
What Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) Patients Should Know During the COVID-19 Pandemic Read More »
Join this insightful conversation as Alicia, Edith and Lizette sit down to chat with Dr. Stephen B. Thomas, one of the nation’s leading scholars in the effort to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities. Dr. Thomas is a Professor of Health Policy & Management and Director of the Maryland Center for Health Equity at the
Understanding Racial and Ethnic Disparities Within Healthcare Read More »
Join Alicia, Lizette and Edith as they speak with Dr. Benjamin Lampson. Dr. Lampson is an instructor in medicine at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. On this episode, Dr. Lampson explains how mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is diagnosed and treated. Dr. Lampson gives his advice for MCL patients during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. He also shares the
Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) with Dr. Benjamin Lampson: What Patients Should Know Read More »
Join Alicia, Lizette and Edith as they speak with Viviana Onofre about her follicular lymphoma diagnosis that she received in November 2015. On this episode she describes minor signs that she noticed prior to being diagnosed, the importance of patients educating themselves about their diagnosis to help relieve anxiety, asking questions to better understand health
Worrying is Not My Plan: Viviana’s Story Read More »
Join Alicia and Lizette as they speak with Dr. Shella Saint Fleur-Lominy, MD, PhD, a hematologist and physician scientist from NYU Langone Health in New York, New York. Dr. Saint Fleur-Lominy is triple board certified in internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology. On this episode, Dr. Saint Fleur-Lominy explains the signs and symptoms of acute
How is Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) Diagnosed and Treated? Read More »
Listen in as Alicia and Lizette from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society speak with Bishoy Tadros. Bishoy was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at three years old. As an Egyptian immigrant with many things for his family to consider such as, where the best treatment would be and how to go about relocating, Bishoy
Survivor, Author, Athlete & Overcomer: Bishoy’s Story Read More »
Oya knew he was sick, but his inclinations were met with people telling him he was a hypochondriac. Oya recounts the moment in his life when he decided to increase his health insurance after being told by doctors that he was fine for many years prior. It was during the insurance company’s own testing that
Moving Forward with Myeloma: Oya’s Story Read More »
They say hindsight is always 20/20. Looking back, Tim Card remembers how his body may have been sending signals that something was wrong, but how he often attributed them to his active and busy lifestyle. Tim received his shocking lymphoma diagnosis after logging onto his medical portal, while awaiting test results. Tim is Penn State Cancer Institute’s first chimeric antigen
“The Only Way Through It, Is Through It”: Tim Card’s Story Read More »
Eating a well-balanced diet is important, especially with a diagnosis of multiple myeloma. A proper diet during and after cancer treatment can help you feel better, maintain your strength, and positively impact recovery time. Listen in as Alicia and Lizette speak with Gina DeLuca. Gina is an Outpatient Oncology Dietitian for the Center for Cancer Care
Diagnosed with Myeloma: What Should I Eat? Read More »
Listen in as Alicia and Lizette speak with Casey Biltz Marsh. Casey is a high school mathematics teacher and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) survivor. With Spring Break approaching, Casey noticed her increasing fatigue however, attributed it to the demands of a high school teacher during that time. Casey realized something was very wrong when she attended a
Still Sparkling After AML: Casey’s Story Read More »
Listen in as Alicia and Lizette speak with Alan Kraimer. Alan is an acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivor who owns a small medical supply distribution company in Georgia. In 2014, what Alan and doctors believed to be strep throat soon proved to be otherwise. It was not until his third visit to Urgent Care that
My ALL Diagnosis: Alan’s Story Read More »
Listen in as Alicia and Lizette speak with Stan Friedman. Stan is a trial lawyer and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) survivor from Savannah, Georgia. After receiving abnormal lab work and noticing swollen lymph nodes that his doctor pointed out, Stan was referred to a hematologist/oncologist for a bone marrow biopsy. Join them as Stan describes
My MCL Diagnosis: Stan’s Story Read More »
On this episode, Alicia and Lizette speak with Chuck Colletti, a two-time survivor of Stage 4 follicular lymphoma. Chuck was diagnosed in early 2016 when he underwent 7 months of chemotherapy which put his cancer into temporary remission. Unfortunately, 7 months later, it returned in a more aggressive form. With options dwindling, he was accepted
How CAR T-cell Therapy Saved My Life: Chuck’s Story Read More »
On this episode, Alicia and Lizette speak with Dr. Rayne H. Rouce. Dr. Rouce is a pediatric hematologist and oncologist at Texas Children’s Cancer Center where she is a member of the Leukemia and Bone Marrow Transplant programs. She works as part of The Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at Baylor College of Medicine,
CAR T-cell Explained: Recovering from CAR T-cell Therapy Read More »
Join in as Shona sits down with Elissa Baldwin onsite at CancerCon 2019. CancerCon is an annual conference held every year by Stupid Cancer, an organization that provides support to young adult cancer survivors. Elissa is a young adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) survivor. After a bone marrow biopsy two weeks earlier, she went on
My AML Diagnosis: Elissa’s Story Read More »
Join Alicia and Lizette as they speak with Dr. Rayne H. Rouce. Dr. Rouce is a pediatric hematologist and oncologist at Texas Children’s Cancer Center where she is a member of the Leukemia and Bone Marrow Transplant programs. Specifically, she works as part of a research program called The Center for Cell and Gene Therapy
CAR T-cell Therapy Explained: What Is It and How Does It Work? Read More »
Like any therapy that is administered in oncology, there is great promise but also, unfortunately, several toxicities and side effects that must be understood and monitored. Join Alicia and Lizette as they speak with Dr. Jonathon B. Cohen, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Emory University School of Medicine
CAR T-Cell Therapy Explained: Understanding Potential Side Effects Read More »
Join Alicia and Lizette as they speak with Dr. Mohammad Maher Abdul-Hay, a hematologist and bone marrow transplant physician in New York, New York who is affiliated with multiple hospitals including NYC Health and Hospitals, Bellevue, and NYU Langone Hospitals. On this episode, Dr. Abdul-Hay explains how ALL is treated and addresses pre-treatment considerations. He
Treating Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) Read More »
There have been few advances in treatment for AML in 40 years. Why is acute myeloid leukemia (AML) so difficult to treat? What is the current treatment for AML? How is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) striving to change that? How are targeted therapies being used for patients? Is immediate treatment for patients necessary for
Treating Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Read More »
Join Alicia and Lizette as they speak with Dr. Martha Arellano, Associate Professor of Hematology and Oncology and Program Director of the Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellowship Program at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. On this episode, Dr. Arellano defines acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and how it is diagnosed. She
Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Diagnosis & Prognosis Read More »
Join Alicia and Lizette as they speak with Dr. Mohammad Maher Abdul-Hay, a hematologist and bone marrow transplant physician in New York, New York who is affiliated with multiple hospitals including NYC Health and Hospitals, Bellevue, and NYU Langone Hospitals. On this episode, Dr. Abdul-Hay defines and explains how acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is diagnosed
Diagnosing Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Read More »
Join Alicia and Lizette as they speak with Dr. Marc Braunstein, a Board-certified hematologist, medical oncologist at NYU Winthrop in New York, NY. This is episode four of our five- part episode series, ‘Removing Mystery from Myeloma‘. On this episode, Dr. Braunstein explains how management of myeloma differs between younger and older patients. He stresses
Removing Mystery from Myeloma: Management of the Elderly Myeloma Patient Read More »
Join Alicia and Shona from The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as they speak with Dr. Racquel Innis-Shelton, Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of the University of Alabama Multiple Myeloma Clinic at the University of Alabama. On this episode, Dr. Innis-Shelton describes the process for a bone marrow transplant, the difference between autologous and allogeneic transplant, how a patient is screened
Removing Mystery from Myeloma: The Truth About Transplant Read More »
Join Alicia and Lizette as they speak with Dr. Marc Braunstein, a Board-certified hematologist, medical oncologist at NYU Winthrop in New York, NY. This is the second episode of five that will be part of ‘Removing Mystery from Myeloma‘ series. On this episode, Alicia and Lizette discuss the topics pertaining to myeloma patients and caregivers.
Removing Mystery from Myeloma: Questions to ask, Bone Health and Clinical Trials Read More »
Join Alicia and Lizette from The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as they speak with Dr. Ann LaCasce, Program Director of the Dana-Farber/ Partners CancerCare Fellowship, the largest hematology/oncology training program in the country. On this episode, Dr. LaCasce explains the difference between chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), CLL and its connection with Agent Orange exposure, resources available for Veterans,
CLL: Risk Factors, Resources and Research Read More »
Join Alicia and Shona from The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as they speak with Dr. Racquel Innis-Shelton, Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of the University of Alabama Multiple Myeloma Clinic at the University of Alabama. This episode is the first of five that will be part of ‘Removing Mystery from Myeloma‘ series. On this
Removing Mystery from Myeloma: Diagnosis & Treatment Read More »
Listen in as Alicia and Lizette chat with Dr. Ann LaCasce, a Program Director of the Dana-Farber/ Partners CancerCare Fellowship, the largest hematology/oncology training program in the country. While studying pre-med, Dr. LaCasce took additional classes that piqued her interest in art history. After managing an art gallery in New York for five years and returning to medical
Understanding a CLL Diagnosis Read More »
Join Alicia and Lizette as they speak with Dr. Robert Chen about the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Dr. Chen is a hematologist/oncologist at City of Hope in Duarte, California. On this episode, Dr. Chen explains the different variables taken into consideration when choosing the proper treatment for a MCL patient. He also discusses
Treating Mantle Cell Lymphoma Read More »
With over 60 types of lymphomas, a lymphoma diagnosis can be very confusing. Listen in as Alicia and Lizette speak with hematologist/oncologist Dr. Robert Chen from City of Hope in Duarte, California about mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). On this episode, they discuss how MCL is diagnosed, indolent vs aggressive lymphomas, and the importance of knowing what to research before attempting to learn about a
Mantle Cell Lymphoma: Indolent vs Aggressive Read More »
Many may be familiar with graft versus host disease (GVHD) however, veno-occlusive disease (VOD), otherwise known as sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), is also one of the most frequently encountered complications after stem cell transplantation. Listen in as Alicia and Lizette from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) speak with Dr. Joseph Antin, Chief of the
Transplant & Veno-Occlusive Disease (VOD) Read More »