January 12, 2021

Dear Readers,

It’s true! On Feb. 4th “ASH 2020 Comes to You!” At CLL Society, what goes around virtually, comes back around virtually. We were there virtually, and we’re bringing it home to you as our newly named Ed Forum makes its debut.

Expect the same high-quality, expert led, physician content, that is a hallmark of CLL Society’s educational offerings.

Ed Forum: “ASH 2020 Come to You!” February 4th

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET

Our guest speakers for “ASH 2020 Comes to You!” will be CLL experts Drs. Anthony Mato and Bill Wierda.

During ASH 2020, Dr. Anthony Mato shed light on the excitement around LOXO-305: A Next Generation Highly Selective Non-Covalent BTK inhibitor, shared updates from the inform CLL Registry which validates CLL Society’s continued Test Before Treat™ outreach, as well as new research on a one-pill triple combination targeting Richter Transformation.

Dr. William Wierda provided updates on the TRANSCEND Study: Liso-cel (JCAR017) in combination with ibrutinib, as well as updates on the MRD Cohort of the CAPTIVATE Study using a combination of venetoclax and ibrutinib sequentially.

Robyn Brumble, RN, CLL Society’s Director of Scientific Affairs, will give a thorough run down of CLL Society’s programs and services. Caregiver Keith will emphasize the importance of the American Society of Hematology Annual meeting from the point of view of a caregiver. And last, but not least, Dr. Brian Koffman will present a treasure chest of other ASH developments, and host our Q & A. Don’t miss “ASH 2020 Comes to You!” Register here.

Conference Coverage 

During ASH 2020, Dr. Anthony Mato discussed LOXO-305, a new generation reversible BTKi (Bruton Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor). Early data from the BRUIN trial suggest that LOXO-305 is a promising new treatment option for CLL patients who have relapsed or become refractory to other BTKis. Learn more here.

During iwCLL 2019, Dr. Constantine Tam gave us a look at how the genetics of CLL cells can change over time (clonal evolution) in response to treatment and escape control of that treatment (resistance). New technology is making it possible for researchers to look more precisely at the genetic makeup of individual leukemia cells. There is hope that by doing so, we will be able to better predict how and when resistance would likely happen, and to refine treatments to target the weaknesses in those cells, which are predicted to undergo clonal evolution. Learn more here.

MRD and Limited Duration (LD) Survey 

Help the CLL Society find out what our CLL patients and their caregivers know and still “yearn to learn” about MRD testing (for Minimal Residual Disease) and Limited Duration Therapies. Your input + our future programming = Smarter Patients Getting Smarter Care! Please complete our MRD & Limited Duration Therapy Survey. Thank you!

CLL Society’s Expert Access™ Program

Awake worrying? Stop it! Apply to CLL Society’s Expert Access™ Program. If you meet the following 3 criteria, then you qualify to receive a FREE online (virtual) consult with a CLL Expert. (1) Do you have a diagnosis of CLL? (2) Are you NOT in the care of a CLL expert? (3) Do you live in the United States? If you answered “yes” to all 3, then you qualify! Get your 3 most worrisome questions answered by a CLL expert who has taken the time to read and understand the medical records you have submitted to them. On average, CLL patients with a CLL expert on their team live longer and receive better care. Apply NOW.Space is limited. Now get some sleep!

CLL Society’s Patient & Caregiver Support Groups

It’s never too late to make joining one of CLL Society’s CLL-Specific Support Groups your New Year’s Resolution! Don’t spend another month alone. CLL Society Support Groups meet virtually, once a month. In this interview, Patty Koffman chats with 20-year CLL survivor and Director of CLL Society’s 38 Support Groups, Terry Evans, who warmly invites you to sign on virtually and make new friends. Experience something new. Don’t let another month go by. Join a CLL-specific Support Group today.

Please donate to the CLL Society. 

As we draw close to the end of the year, please consider that the CLL Society is unique among blood cancer charities. We are laser-focused on CLL alone, and our physician-curated CLL programs and publications are held to the highest standards of accuracy.

Your generous support in 2020 has allowed CLL Society to remain nimble in the face of COVID-19’s unprecedented challenges. Some of these efforts included reformatting our programing to function in an all-virtual Zoom format, completing a massive mail-out of face masks to our immunocompromised CLL patients and their caregivers, and in multiple other ways that supported our ongoing mission to be there for you.

We still have much critical work ahead of us and your support is vital.

Thank You!

Please take a moment to learn about what makes the CLL Society so smart and why should you invest in it. Brains! BScs, DOs, PAs, RNs, MDs, and PhDs. Hundreds of ground-breaking CLL-focused clinical trials and hundreds of thousands of hours of compassionate clinical care inform CLL Society’s Medical Advisory Board. How many of these physicians, researchers, and visionaries do you recognize? This is where we get our brains.

CLL Society is 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.

We are all in this together.

Patty Koffman
Co-Founder & Communications Director
CLL Society

CLL Society Support Group Meetings Coming Up!

CLL Society Support Group meetings have moved to a virtual platform for most locations due to the threat of coronavirus. Support group members will receive an invitation to register for the meeting from the support group facilitator. If you are new to the group, please contact the RSVP email for the Support Group in your region. Once it is safe again, we will resume in-person meetings.

Visit the individual event listings on our website for the most up-to-date information on all CLL Society Support Group meetings.