Monday, December 28, 2009

Upcoming January Meetings

Wednesday, January 13, 2010:
1:00 to 3:00 pm
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave S
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP

Dr. Brian VanNess of the University of Minnesota will speak on genetics and ethics.


Saturday, January 16, 2010
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Methodist Hospital Cancer Center Conference Room
6500 Excelsior Blvd.
St Louis Park, MN
MAP

Park in the Orange Ramp at the BACK (northeast side) of the hospital, take ramp elevator to 1st floor, follow the hallway, find the conference room on the right before the big curved stairway.


Saturday, January 16, 2010
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Gift of Life Transplant House
705 Second St SW
Rochester, MN 55902
507/288-7470
MAP

Snacks, sharing, and always a representative from Mayo Clinic.

Rochester group's Brochure
Rochester group's MMCF Web Site

Monday, December 14, 2009

St Paul Meeting Changed to Dec 16

Because of the blizzard on December 9, the St Paul meeting was changed to Wednesday, December 16, 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. So you didn't miss it after all!

As planned before, this is a special Christmas Party meeting, starting an hour earlier than usual. Bring your appetite.

Don Wright will share a little about his experience at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Conference in New Orleans last week, and of course we will share out own stories, successes, and knowledge.

Wednesday, December 16, 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave S
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Upcoming Minnesota Meetings

Wednesday, December 9, 2009
12:00 noon to 3:00 pm
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave S
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP

Special Christmas Party meeting starts an hour earlier than usual. Bring your appetite.

Amy Modean and Jody Kocer From Millennium Company will present an update on Velcade and other research.


Saturday, December 12, 2009
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Methodist Hospital Cancer Center Conference Room
6500 Excelsior Blvd.
St Louis Park, MN
MAP

Park in the Orange Ramp at the BACK (northeast side) of the hospital, take ramp elevator to 1st floor, follow the hallway, find the conference room on the right before the big curved stairway.


Saturday, December 19, 2009
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Gift of Life Transplant House
705 Second St SW
Rochester, MN 55902
507/288-7470
MAP

Snacks, sharing, and always a representative from Mayo Clinic.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Seminar Nov 7, 2009

All Multiple Myeloma Patients

You are invited to a Fall
Educational Seminar and Lunch


Saturday, November 7, 2009

Embassy Suites Hotel
2800 American Blvd West, Bloomington, MN 55431
(494 and Penn Ave Exit)

This Seminar is hosted by:
The Twin Cities Myeloma Foundation


REGISTRATION IS FREE AND LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED.

8:30   Registration
9:00   Teresa Micelli, RN - Transplant Coordinator, Mayo Clinic
Welcome
9:10   Dr. Martha Lacy, M.D. - Hematology & Transplant Center Mayo Clinic
Myeloma Updates
10:30   Break
10:45   Annemiek Sistermanns - Rehab Center Park Nicollet
Strength, Endurance, & Flexibility for the Cancer Survivor
11:15   Debi Lillegard - Oncology Family Counselor
The Emotional Side of Cancer
12:00   - 1:00    Lunch

This seminar is supported by educational grants from:
Gold SponsorCelgene Pharmaceutical Company
Platinum Sponsor   Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Silver Sponsor Vidacare

Please register as soon as you can, so that we can plan for the number of attendees. Call Pat 952/473-1782 or Fred 952/938-0232, or email us at tcmyeloma@gmail.com. Please include the names of those who will attend.

Printable Color Brochure, click to enlarge: You are invited

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Upcoming Minnesota Meetings

Wednesday, October 14, 2009
1:00 to 3:00 pm
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave S
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP

Dr. Jim O'Connor, orthopedist, will discuss bone issues. Pat Killingsworth will discuss different treatment philosophies and his visit to Millennium. As always, attendees will share experiences and knowledge.


Saturday, October 17, 2009
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Methodist Hospital
Cancer Center Conference Room
6500 Excelsior Blvd.
St Louis Park, MN
MAP

Park in the Orange Ramp at the BACK (north) of the hospital, take ramp elevator to 1st floor, follow the hallway, find the conference room before the big curved stairway.


Saturday, October 17, 2009
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Gift of Life Transplant House
705 Second St SW
Rochester, MN 55902
507/288-7470
MAP

Snacks, sharing, and always a representative from Mayo Clinic.


Saturday, November 7, 2009
8:30 am -
Embassy Suites in Bloomington
Fall Education Seminar & Lunch

Sunday, September 27, 2009

MMRF Race for Research

Karen Bishop Morris chats with a myeloma survivor Today's fourth annual Minnesota MMRF Race for Research was delightful, with perfect weather, a nice band, good food, lots of coffee, several hundred runners, and even more walkers.

Dr. Stephen J. Russell, of Mayo Clinic, spoke briefly at the race kick-off. According to Dr. Karen Bishop Morris, midwest development manager for the MMRF, the 1000+ attendees raised $150,000 for myeloma research.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Myeloma Education Seminar and Lunch

All Multiple Myeloma Patients

You are invited to a Fall
Educational Seminar and Lunch

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Embassy Suites Hotel
2800 American Blvd West, Bloomington, MN 55431
(494 and Penn Ave Exit)

This Seminar is hosted by:
The Twin Cities Myeloma Foundation


REGISTRATION IS FREE AND LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED.

8:30 Registration will begin.

9:00 Welcome


For actual speaker times, email us closer to the seminar date at tcmyeloma@gmail.com or recheck this web site.

Keynote Speakers:

Debra Lillegard - Oncology Family Counselor - Park Nicollet: "The Emotional Side of Cancer"

Annemiek Sistermans – Rehab Center - Park Nicollet: "Strength, Endurance & Flexibility for The Cancer Survivor"

Dr. Martha Lacy, M.D. - Hematology and Transplant Center Mayo Clinic: "Myeloma Updates"


This seminar is supported by educational grants from:
Gold SponsorCelgene Pharmaceutical Company
Platinum Sponsor   Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Silver Sponsor Vidacare

Please register no later than November 1, 2009. Call Pat 952/473-1782 or Fred 952/938-0232, or email us at tcmyeloma@gmail.com. Please include the names of those who will attend.

Printable Color Brochure, click to enlarge: You are invited

Monday, September 14, 2009

MMRF Race for Research 5k Run/Walk

Jim & Don at the race
Sunday, September 27, 2009, start time 9:00 am, come early.

The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) holds an annual 5k run/walk at Lake Phalen Park in St Paul. It is a fun event which helps raise money for myeloma research, $120 million and counting.

Click HERE and then click "Register as an Individual" or "Register as a Family" on the left-hand panel.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Memorial Service for Helen Berg

Helen Berg's memorial service will be held at Plymouth Covenant Church, 4300 Vicksburg Lane N, Plymouth, at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 15th.

For more information, please visit her CaringBridge site.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Helen Berg Died

Helen Berg, a co-founder and a primary organizer of the Twin Cities Myeloma Support Group, died at 5:12 PM Friday, July 31, 2009. Information about her final celebration will be on her CaringBridge site.

Go with God, Helen. We will miss you very much.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Important Seminars in Minnesota

August 28 & 29, 2009:

The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) will host one of its wonderful Patient and Family Seminars at the Westin Edina Galleria Friday afternoon and all day Saturday. This seminar will include sessions by at least six different doctors and chances to speak one-on-one with any of them. It's a big event. Doctors and attendees will come from all over the USA and from several other countries. Cost is $60.00 per person for both days, or $30.00 for Saturday only, and includes meals. Go here for agenda and registration. Or call 800-452-2873.

November 7, 2009:

The Twin Cities Myeloma Foundation and Twin Cities Support Group invite you to attend an educational seminar and lunch at the Embassy Suites in Bloomington. Speakers will be Dr. Philip Greipp and Dr. Martha Lacy, Mayo Clinic, and Debra Lillegard, LMFT, Park Nicollet. No cost to attendees. Please save the date and plan to come, more information to follow. It's a chance to learn, and your attendance supports the Twin Cities Myeloma Foundation. Click HERE for a preliminary brochure.

Calendar through November 7:
* Wed Aug 12, 2009
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Regular St Paul meeting. Dr Charles W Bransford of Stillwater Medical Group will speak on treatments for cancer patients. See the side panel for directions to the Family Means Center.
* Sat Aug 15, 2009
10:00 am to noon
Regular Rochester meeting.
* Sat Aug 15, 2009The regular Minneapolis meeting will not be held, because of the IMF Patient & Family Seminar Aug 28 - 29.
* Fri Aug 28, Sat Aug 29IMF Patient & Family Seminar. See side panel.
* Wed Sep 9, 2009Regular St. Paul meeting.
* Sat Sep 19, 2009Regular Minneapolis meeting.
* Sat Sep 19, 2009Regular Rochester meeting.
* Wed Oct 14, 2009Regular St. Paul meeting.
* Sat Oct 17, 2009Regular Minneapolis meeting.
* Sat Oct 17, 2009Regular Rochester meeting.
* Sat Nov 7, 2009Educational Seminar and lunch at Embassy Suites in Bloomington, hosted by the Twin Cities Myeloma Foundation. Speakers: Dr Philip Greipp and Dr Martha Lacy, Mayo Clinic, and Debra Lillegard, Park Nicollet. No charge. More to follow - save the date.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Upcoming Meetings

Things are happening!
* Sat Jul 18, 2009
10:00 am - noon
Regular Minneapolis Meeting at the Methodist Hospital Cancer Center. See the side panel for address and a map. Park in the Orange Ramp, take elevator to 1st floor, take hallway toward entrance, look for conference room on the right before the big stairway.
* Sat Jul 18, 2009
10:00 am - noon
Regular Rochester meeting at the Gift of Life Transplant House. See the side panel for address and map.
* Wed Aug 12, 2009
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Regular St Paul meeting. Dr Charles W Bransford of Stillwater Medical Group will speak on treatments for cancer patients. See the side panel for directions to the Family Means Center.
* Sat Aug 15, 2009
10:00 am to noon
Regular Rochester meeting.
* Sat Aug 15, 2009The regular Minneapolis meeting will not be held, because of the IMF Patient & Family Seminar Aug 28 - 29.
* Fri Aug 28, Sat Aug 29IMF Patient & Family Seminar. See side panel.
* Sep, OctMore regular meetings, listed on the side panel.
* Sat Nov 7, 2009Educational Seminar and lunch at Embassy Suites in Bloomington, hosted by the Twin Cities Myeloma Foundation. Speakers: Dr Martha Lacy, Mayo Clinic, and Debra Lillegard, Park Nicollet. No charge. More to follow - save the date. See the brochure below.


Kathleen Picard Speaks to St Paul Group

Kathleen Picard, PT, of OSI Physical Therapy in Stillwater, spoke to the St Paul Myeloma Support Group Wednesday, July 8, on the topic "Bone Health and Myeloma." She discussed osteoporosis and its risk factors, and described remedies including medications, diet, exercise, strength training, posture training, and balance training. She showed members how to strengthen their bones, and how to evaluate their own risk of falling and ways to reduce that risk.

The next meeting of the St Paul group will be 1:00 to 3:00 pm Wednesday, August 12, 2009, at the Family Means Center. Please see the side panel for specific directions.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Twin Cities MM Support Groups Meet

Saturday, May 16, 2009, Minneapolis Group

About fourteen survivors and many family members met in the new Cancer Center Conference Room, sharing experiences and the various treatments each has received. Pat distributed a handout titled "Dana-Farber Neuropathy Regimen," describing a vitamin and supplement regimen to combat neuropathy and another regimen for cramping. The information in the handout is available HERE on the MMSupport.net website.
Living With Multiple Myeloma
Wednesday, May 13, 2009, St. Paul Group

Ten survivors and many family members met at the Family Means Center in Stillwater. Pat Killingsworth, a member and survivor, introduced his new book "Living With Multiple Myeloma." The book is available for sale HERE on Pat's web site HelpWithCancer.org. Proceeds from the sale of the book go to fight cancer.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

May 2009 Meetings in Minnesota

Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 1:00 pm: St Paul
Saturday, May 16, 2009, 10:00 am: Minneapolis
Saturday, May 16, 2009, 10:00 am: Rochester

The St Paul group will meet in Stillwater on Wednesday, May 13. Karl Vollstedt will conduct an audio review. All are welcome, coffee and snacks are provided.

1:00 - 3:00 pm
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave S
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP

The Minneapolis support group will meet in St Louis Park on Saturday, May 16, in the Park Nicollet Cancer Center Conference Room at Methodist Hospital. All are welcome, coffee and snacks are provided. See the map below and follow the green line, not the blue. Park in the orange ramp at the back of the hospital, take the ramp elevator to First Floor, follow the hallway to the conference room on the right.

10:00 am to noon
Methodist Hospital
Park Nicollet Cancer Center Conference Room
6500 Excelsior Blvd
St Louis Park, MN
MAP

The Rochester support group will meet Saturday, May 16. A Mayo Clinic representative is always present, and breakfast is provided. All are welcome.

10:00 am to noon
Gift of Life Transplant House
705 Second St SW
Rochester, MN 55902
507/288-7470
MAP

Friday, April 17, 2009

April 2009 Meetings in Minnesota

Saturday, Apr 18, 2009, 10:00 am: Minneapolis
Saturday, Apr 18, 2009, 10:00 am: Rochester
Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 1:00 pm: St Paul

The Minneapolis support group will meet Saturday, April 18, in the Park Nicollet Cancer Center Conference Room at Methodist Hospital. All are welcome, coffee and snacks are provided. See the map below and follow the green line, not the blue. Park in the orange ramp at the back of the hospital, take the ramp elevator to First Floor, follow the hallway to the conference room on the right.

10:00 am to noon
Methodist Hospital
Park Nicollet Cancer Center Conference Room
6500 Excelsior Blvd
St Louis Park, MN
MAP

The Rochester support group will meet Saturday, April 18. A Mayo Clinic representative is always present, and breakfast is provided.

10:00 am to noon
Gift of Life Transplant House
705 Second St SW
Rochester, MN 55902
507/288-7470
MAP

The St Paul group will meet Wednesday, May 13. Karl Vollstedt will conduct an audio review. All are welcome, coffee and snacks are provided.

1:00 - 3:00 pm
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave S
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

St Paul Group Sets Speakers for Five Meetings

The St. Paul Minnesota Myeloma Support Group met today, March 11. Two of the attendees were new members, and two were familiar faces just returned from stem cell transplants. After sharing about our own experiences with various treatments, we heard reviews of last December's very encouraging meeting of the American Society of Hematology.

The group has set a schedule of speakers for the next five meetings:
  • Apr 8, Jennifer Feinberg & Lauren Clark, Celgene Corporation
  • May 13, Dr. Ewa Pachelka, Psychiatrist, Stillwater Medical Group
  • Jun 10, Dr. Manny Steil
  • Jul 8, A physical therapist from Orthopaedic Sports Inc (OSI)
  • Aug 12, Dr. Charles Bransford, Stillwater Medical Group

Saturday, February 21, 2009

March 2009 Meetings in Minnesota

Wednesday, Mar 11, 2009, 1:00 pm: St Paul
Saturday, Mar 21, 2009, 10:00 am: Minneapolis
Saturday, Mar 21, 2009, 10:00 am: Rochester


December's meeting of the American Society of Hematologists will be reviewed in the St Paul meeting Wednesday, March 11, with tapes and videos from several doctors. All are welcome, coffee and snacks are provided.

1:00 - 3:00 pm
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave S
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP


The Minneapolis support group will hold its next regular meeting Saturday, March 21, in the Park Nicollet Cancer Center Conference Room at Methodist Hospital. All are welcome, coffee and snacks are provided. See the map below and follow the green line, not the blue. Park in the orange ramp, take the ramp elevator to First Floor, follow the hallway to the conference room on the right.

10:00 am to noon
Methodist Hospital
Park Nicollet Cancer Center Conference Room
6500 Excelsior Blvd
St Louis Park, MN
MAP


The Rochester support group will hold its next regular meeting Saturday, March 21. A Mayo Clinic representative is always present, and breakfast is provided.

10:00 am to noon
Gift of Life Transplant House
705 Second St SW
Rochester, MN 55902
507/288-7470
MAP

Saturday, January 24, 2009

February 2009 Meetings in Minnesota

Wednesday, Feb 11, 2009, 1:00 pm: St Paul
Saturday, Feb 21, 2009, 10:00 am: Minneapolis
Saturday, Feb 21, 2009, 10:00 am: Rochester


Jody Koccer of Millenium Pharmaceuticals will speak to the St Paul group on Wednesday, February 11. All are welcome, coffee and snacks are provided.

1:00 - 3:00 pm
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave S
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP


The Minneapolis support group will hold its next regular meeting Saturday, February 21, in the Park Nicollet Cancer Center Conference Room at Methodist Hospital. All are welcome, coffee and snacks are provided. See the map below and follow the green line, not the blue.

10:00 am to noon
Methodist Hospital
Park Nicollet Cancer Center Conference Room
6500 Excelsior Blvd
St Louis Park, MN
MAP


The Rochester support group will hold its next regular meeting Saturday, February 21. A Mayo Clinic representative is always present, and breakfast is provided.

10:00 am to noon
Gift of Life Transplant House
705 Second St SW
Rochester, MN 55902
507/288-7470
MAP

Minneapolis Group Sets Dates, Location

The Minneapolis Myeloma Support Group, the Twin Cities' original and largest group, has set the third Saturday of each month as the date, and the Park Nicollet (Methodist Hospital) Cancer Center Conference Room as the location for upcoming meetings.

Heretofore the group has met at intervals of about six weeks, but from now on it will be monthly, always on Saturday from 10:00 am to noon. Some upcoming dates are:
  • Feb 21
  • Mar 21
  • Apr 18
  • May 16
Recently the group has met in the Cardiovascular Center at Park Nicollet during construction at the cancer center, but the Cancer center Conference Room will be the new home starting immediately.

Methodist Hospital
Cancer Center Conference Room
6500 Excelsior Blvd.
St Louis Park, MN
MAP (follow the green line)

Meeting Brochure, click to enlarge