August 2010 Meetings in Minnesota

Wednesday, August 11, 2010:
1:00 to 3:00 pm
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave S
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP

Our speaker will be Colleen A Gegan, licensed acupuncturist and medical herbalist. Who knows what we might learn?


Saturday, August 21, 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, the conference room is on the right before the big curved stairway.


Saturday, August 21, 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

July 2010 Meetings in Minnesota

Wednesday, July 14, 2010:
1:00 to 3:00 pm
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave S
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP

Our speaker will be Kristen Detweiler Short, C.N.P., of the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Detweiler Short works with Dr. Lacy and other doctors there and is very knowledgable. This is a precious opportunity to get answers to questions about myeloma, treatments, and drug trials.


Saturday, July 17, 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, July 17, 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

Libby Gordon Addresses St Paul Group

Meeting of the St Paul Myeloma Support Group
June 9, 2010

The speaker was Libby Gordon from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). The LLS covers all blood cancers, including myeloma, and is a very robust organization with a variety of programs. Locally, the LLS office is staffed by 29 fundraisers and Libby, who is the Patient Services Manager.

• Financial Grants:
  
  
  • Every patient can receive $150 each year by submitting a one-page form, no income requirements. This is no longer a reimbursement program.
    
  • The LLS budget year ends June 30, so apply before July 1 and then again in July or later.
  
  
• Co-pay assistance:
  
  
  • This reimbursement program does take income into consideration.
    
  • Patient must have insurance and meet income requirements.
    
  • It can pay up to $10,000 per year.
    
  • Usually they pay the co-pay directly.
    
  • The application may be made on-line or by the phone.
  
  
• Other programs for patients:
  
  
  • There are many educational booklets, either on-line or by mail. Cancer, nutrition, finances, ...
    
  • LLS does lots of teleconferences on various subjects.
    
  • "First Connection:" This program matches a patient with another myeloma survivor - a mentor, more or less. A First Connection can be requested on line or by phone.
    
  • Information resource center, a toll-free hot line for answers to any questions. They can look for appropriate nearby clinical trials, support groups, and more, including medical questions. They can also answer financial questions. They have voice mail - you can leave a question 24/7.
    
  • There is a quarterly newsletter.
  
  
• Fundraising: LLS does not actively solicit funds from patients, but anyone might especially enjoy "Light the Night," September 26 at the new Target Field. It includes illuminated balloons, various colors, with survivors white, support red, etc. Festivities begin at 5:00 pm, the walk at 7:00, maybe a mile, inside the stadium.

Thanks to Libby for her presentation, and thanks to the LLS.

June 2010 Meetings in Minnesota

Wednesday, June 9, 2010:
1:00 to 3:00 pm
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave S
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP

Libby Gordon of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) will be our speaker. The LLS supports the battle against myeloma and other blood cancers.


Saturday, June 19, 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, June 19, 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

May 2010 Meetings in Minnesota

Wednesday, May 12, 2010:
1:00 to 3:00 pm
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave S
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP

Lauren Clark/Jennifer Feinber, Celgene Corp will be speaking.


Saturday, May 15, 2010
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Methodist Hospital Cancer Center Conference Room
6500 Excelsior Blvd.
St Louis Park, MN
MAP

Dr. Brian McClune, Assistant Professor of Hematology Oncology/Transplant,
University of Minnesota is coming to speak and answer you general question on Myeloma, transplants and research studies at the U of M.

In addition, Lauren Clark, Patient Support Coordinator from Celgene, will come to answer any questions regarding co-pay reimbursements.

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, May 15, 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

April 2010 Meetings in Minnesota

Wednesday, April 14, 2010:
1:00 to 3:00 pm
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave S
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP

Special guest: Gayle Parizino, RN, MA, CPNP - Certified Massage Therapist.


Saturday, April 17, 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


Saturday, April 24, 2010
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Methodist Hospital Cancer Center Conference Room
6500 Excelsior Blvd.
St Louis Park, MN
MAP

Libby Gordon, from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, will discuss drug co-pay programs, upcoming events, seminars, etc.

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.

March 2010 Meetings in Minnesota

Wednesday, March 10, 2010:
1:00 to 3:00 pm
Family Means Center
1875 Northwestern Ave S
Stillwater, MN 55082
MAP

Helen Healy, ND (Naturopathic Doctor), has been invited to speak on any of these issues:

• Fatigue from myeloma and its treatments;
• Nutrition;
• Inflammation and how it relates to cancer; and
• Neuropathy.

Dr. Healy is an informative, energetic, and inspirational speaker.


Saturday, March 20, 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, March 20, 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