Dear Readers,
CLL Society Global Virtual Patient & Caregiver Educational Forum October 10!
The BIG event! CLL Society’s first-ever Virtual Global Patient Educational Forum. These 11 pioneering CLL specialists will be there. You should be, too! Dr. John Byrd, Dr. Matthew Davids, Dr. Joseph Flynn, Dr. Joseph Fraietta, Dr. Ryan Jacobs, Dr. Neil Kay, Dr. Jose Leis, Dr. Anthony Mato, Dr. Sameer Parikh, Dr. Lindsey Roeker, and Dr. Adrian Wiestner, in discussion with CLL Society Co-founder, EVP and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Brian Koffman on “can’t miss” topics, including early management in CLL, Test Before Treat™, frontline therapy options, 2nd-line and later therapies, measuring response, MRD, COVID-19, clinical trials, CAR-T, vaccines, Richter’s Transformation, and more! Hear from patients and caregivers about how to become your own best advocate and learn the value of joining support groups. Whatever the stage in your CLL journey, the CLL Society is here to help. Register now!
The CLL Society 2020 Patient Survey: MRD Testing & Limited Duration Therapy
Your input + our future programming = Smarter Patients Getting Smarter Care! Make the CLL Society smarter! Help us find out what our CLL patients and their caregivers know and still “yearn to learn” about MRD testing (Minimal Residual Disease) and Limited Duration Therapies. Please complete our 2020 Patient Survey.Thank you!
Dr. Koffman’s Interview on Counseling Patients with CLL on Mental and Physical Health During COVID-19
Dr. Koffman was interviewed by Clinical Care Options (CCO), a well-respected medical educational company, to advise fellow healthcare providers as to how best approach and help their CLL patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although, intended for healthcare providers, this article is worthwhile for all of us to read, as it addresses not only the physical dangers of COVID-19, but also the mental and physical strains of sheltering in place. CLL patients, as survivors of a chronic illness, are well prepared for many of the physical challenges of the pandemic, as they have cultivated habits to protect their impaired immunity. Dr. Koffman, however, reminds clinicians that many CLL patients are home alone and can experience tremendous loneliness, boredom, frustration, and anger which clinicians need to be aware of. Speaking compellingly, as an experienced CLL patient as well as a well-informed physician, Dr. Koffman deftly brings these pressing issues before the medical community. Please read here.
Conference Coverage
ASH 2019 honored us through the publication of CLL Society’s “An Innovative Telemedicine Platform to Provide Expert Access™ to Patients with CLL” abstract showing results of our research on the Expert Access™ Program. Dr. John Pagel interviewed Dr. Brian Koffman at the Orlando conference, reminding us all that there is a survival advantage to getting an expert opinion for our CLL. Ahead of its time and telemedicine at its best, CLL patients can get an expert 2nd opinion free-of-charge with no mask, no gloves, and no social distancing! Answer 3 simple questions to apply. A quick read of this article reveals the high-level of patient satisfaction, with the majority of patients making changes in their CLL management and feeling more confident after their expert 2nd opinion consult. To date, over 230 CLL patients have received a free 2nd opinion through Expert Access™. Consider whether this might be helpful to you! Find out more about the Expert Access™ Program here.
CURE®’s EDUCATED PATIENT Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Webinar on September 30
Join Dr. Danielle Brander (Duke), Dr. John Allan (Weill Cornell), and CLL Society’s San Diego Support Group leader, Mark Hoffman as they dive into issues of treatment options (duration, oral agents, drug adherence, etc.), shared treatment decisions, testing, stress, and anxiety between treatments. Drs. Brander and Allan are well-regarded CLL experts. Mark Hoffman was diagnosed with CLL in December of 2015; he is an avid outdoorsman and frequent contributor to the CLL Tribune. Learn more and register here.
Lymphoma Leukemia & Myeloma 2020 Virtual Congress
Recognized as one of the most respected forums for industry-leading hematologic research and clinical case studies, the Lymphoma, Leukemia and Myeloma Congress is the meeting where interdisciplinary specialists convene to explore the controversial and complex world of blood cancer through debate, discussion and networking. The 20th anniversary of the meeting will be held virtually October 21- 24 and will feature a Non-Malignant Hematology Pre-Conference Workshop on October 20. You can earn 30+ CME credits from the comfort of your home or office when you participate in the virtual event. Learn more and register here.
CLL Society Facebook Page
Our Facebook page is Smart and getting Smarter! Today it shows the full agenda for THE BIG EVENT – CLL Society’s 10/10 First-Ever Global Virtual Patient Education Forum! Every few days you will find a short blurb on our great line-up of panelists to let you know why you don’t want to miss this great educational event! And by the way, if you like us, “Like” us! Check us out here! Thanks!
Please Support the CLL Society, the only CLL-specific, physician-curated public charity dedicated to meeting the unmet needs of CLL patients and their caregivers which holds the GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency.
Thank you and stay safe!
We are all in this together.
Patty Koffman
Co-Founder & Communications Director
CLL Society
CLL Society Support Group Meetings Coming Up!
Visit the individual event listings on our website for the most up-to-date information on all CLL Society Support Group meetings.