November 3, 2020

MASKS, again! 

We’ve Got You Covered! We cover breaking news and all the major blood cancer conferences. We cover clinical trials. We cover you emotionally with 35 Support Groups across the country. We cover you when you need an expert 2nd opinion through our Expert Access™ Program. And NOW… Week 2 of covering you with masks! We’ve Got You Covered! Click here to find out how.

Prepare to be amazed! CLL Society Webinar “The Future of CAR-T Therapy: Can CAR-T Cure CLL?” 

CAR-T therapy is not yet FDA approved for use in CLL, but there are many clinical trials available to participate in. If you were to have CAR-T therapy in the future, a living drug would be made from your own t-cells, which would be re-engineered to recognize surface markers on your cancerous b-cells, and they would carry genetic programming designed to destroy those bad guys! Don’t miss the excitement here on November 17th as a true pioneer in CAR-T therapy, whose lab research and management of the clinical application of immunotherapies walks us through this cellular wonderland. Register here and front-load your knowledge as we “get cellular” with Dr. Fraietta!

Conference Coverage ASH 2019 

There are many variations and advancements in CAR-T therapy being studied in clinical trials. In this video interview, Dr. Tanya Siddiqi the reports encouraging results of the Transcend CLL004 (Liso-cel) trial that she presented at ASH 2019. CAR-T cells in Liso-cel specifically recognize CD 19. Additionally, fielding a question from Dr. Brian Koffman in this interview, Dr. Siddiqi addresses the fear that many patients have of the potential CAR-T therapy side effects cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity. She offers reassurance that early intervention with tocilizumab and steroids can tone down the severity of these complications without damaging the newly manufactured CAR-T cells. Tune in here.

Huntsman Virtual Patient Education Forum 

CLL Society Virtual Patient & Caregiver Education Forum with Huntsman Cancer Institute is on Saturday, November 14 at 10 AM – 12 PM MT. In both her research and her clinical practice, Dr. Deborah Stephens is known to be particularly sensitive to the issues that are of importance to patients during their CLL journey. Dr. Stephens and her team at the Huntsman partner with the CLL Society again this year to host a joint effort to cover the basics of CLL diagnosis, early management, clinical trials, treatment options and patient perspectives. Dr. Brian Koffman will present one of his favorite subjects, inspiring you to advocate for the best possible care for your CLL. Join Drs. Koffman and Stephens, and other Huntsman healthcare providers for a day of learning and sharing of local CLL resources. Learn more and register here!

Financial Assistance from LLS 

The LLS CLL Co-Pay Assistance Fund is Open! When the CLL Society learns of any potential financial relief for CLL patients, we bring you the news… so here it is: LLS may be able to help pay your insurance premiums and co-pays if you are in active CLL treatment or are being monitored for watch and wait or follow up care. Learn more about the LLS CLL Co-Pay fund and how to apply, here.

CLL Advocates Network (CLLAN)  

CLL Society joined with CLL Advocates Network (CLLAN) to produce a webinar on how patient advocacy and professional organizations can work together to help CLL patients. It was an engaging experience with an international panel consisting of 4 experienced representatives from the advocacy community and 2 UK-based clinicians who shared insights and best-practice examples of successful collaboration between groups. The individual presentations were followed by an interesting Q&A session. Learn more here.

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