Symposium Overview

Living with a Blood Cancer: A Comprehensive Patient Centered Symposium is for patients and family members that have been cured or who are currently fighting a cancer of the blood. An internationally renowned group of speakers have been organized to accomplish two main goals. The first goal is to provide comprehensive patient friendly information on the diagnosis and treatment of the blood cancers with specific breakout sessions regarding:

• Myeloma and protein disorders
• Myeloproliferative disease (MPD)
• Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)
• Acute leukemia
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
• Lymphoma
• Hodgkin’s disease

In addition, this course will provide attendees information on many shared issues between patients and family members with a blood cancer. This conference will address many unmet needs that patients and their loved ones have but are rarely discussed in the exam room. This information is crucial for people who are suffering from these diseases or have been cured.

• Overcoming fatigue
• Nutrition
• Advocacy
• Insomnia
• Financial and legal challenges
• Intimacy issues
• End of life decision making

The conference is also fortunate to have a variety of well respected speakers regarding survivorship, overcoming your illness, physical activity, complementary and alternative therapies, and dealing with the stress of these diseases. This broad based symposium is the first of its kind and will provide a unique opportunity for beneficial dialog between patients, their family members, and a range of thought leaders across the nation.

Intended Audience

This conference is designed for current patients with a blood cancer including acute leukemia, chronic leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, myeloproliferative disorder, myeloma, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia or patients who have been cured in the past. Additionally, family members are welcome to register and attend the sessions.

Session Overview

Background on the Blood Cancers Today and Tomorrow
This opening session will provide an explanation to patients and family members how medical professionals and scientists in the field of hematology are currently working to bring about better understanding and treatments for their disease. We open with a brief discussion of the blood cancers, trying to demystify the field. Then we will explore the process of research, how clinical trials are run, and how one can be eligible for clinical trials. Attendees should gain a better understanding of how the medical system works for patients with blood cancers.

New Ways to Fight Back and Recover
This session takes the broader view on how to go after and treat the blood cancers. In addition to current medical therapies for cancers of the blood, this session focuses on how one’s nutrition, physical activity, complementary medicine, and exercise can help promote wellness and to try to help overcome one’s disease.

Disease Specific Workshops
The attendee will have the opportunity to focus on his/her disease of interest. Three disease specific workshops will be offered. One group will focus on myeloid diseases which include acute and chronic leukemias. This discussion will include myelodysplastic syndrome and myeloproliferative disorders. Workshop two is for patients with myeloma and protein disorders including Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia and amyloidosis. The third workshop will focus on lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Current research and state-ofthe- art therapies will be discussed by world experts. Each presentation will include a panel discussion and ample time for Q & A. Attendees should feel that they are truly up-to-date with the state-of-the-art treatments for their disease.

Keynote Address: "Cancer Survivorship: What it means for the Blood Cancers"
Dr. Noreen Aziz, Senior Program Director of the Office of Cancer Survivorship at the National Cancer Institute, will give the keynote address regarding research and efforts to try to improve the lives of patients both during and after their illness. Dr. Aziz is the resident expert at the National Cancer Institute in the long-term and late effects of cancer and also a champion for the development of standards for post treatment care with the potential to reduce cancer related morbidity and mortality.

Fighting Back
Patients and family members will be inspired by these dynamic speakers on how to promote wellness and spirit in overcoming disease as well as how to become a self advocate.

Overcoming Challenges
This exciting session will help discuss and share the many challenges faced when ill with a blood cancer. Faculty will give attendees ideas on overcoming burnout, dealing with insomnia, financial and legal challenges, intimacy issues, communication, and being a survivor.