Episodes - The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast

Join us in this next installment of our series, Patient-Doctor Perspectives, where we explore a diagnosis from the view of a patient and doctor. In this episode, we speak to Dr. Larry Saltzman, a Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) survivor and physician researcher and Dr. Steven Coutre from Stanford Medicine. Dr. Larry shares his experience living with CLL, participating in LLS Team In Training events, and his current work with LLS studying patient outcomes and COVID-19 vaccine antibody response. Dr. Coutre then delves deeper into CLL treatments, responses to vaccines and what is on the horizon for new treatments and clinical trials. 

*Please note that this episode was recorded prior to the rise of the COVID Delta variant and release of booster shots. We encourage patients to consult with your physician regarding COVID-19 safety and vaccines. Preliminary results have also been released for the antibody study and can be found in the show notes below.

Mentioned on this episode:

• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
• Small Cell Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL)
• CAR T-cell Therapy
• Minimal Residual Disease
• Team In Training
• Financial support
• Clinical Trial Support Center
• LLS Patient Registry
• Vaccines for Blood Cancer Patients
• LLS COVID-19 Antibody Research Study: Your Questions Answered

Additional LLS Support Resources:

• Information Specialists 
• Free telephone/web patient programs 
• Free booklets 
• Online chats 
• Caregiver support 
• LLS Community 
• Support groups 
• Patti Robinson Kaufmann First Connection Program 
• Free Nutrition Consultations 

Support for this episode provided by Genentech, Inc. & Biogen and Pharmacyclics, An AbbVie Company & Janssen Biotech.

The post Patient-Doctor Perspectives: CLL and a Decade of Transformation first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.

Join us as we speak to Nikki Steltenkamp, a young adult, non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor.  Nikki, an engineer, was 24 years old when she was diagnosed with primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma.  In this episode, we hear about her intense treatments that finished up just as the world was entering a global pandemic. She also shares her experiences with mental health, fertility preservation and her podcast, That 6-Letter Word.

Mentioned on this episode:

• Primary Mediastinal B-cell Lymphoma (Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma)
• That 6-Letter Word Podcast
• Alessandra episode – That 6-Letter Word Podcast
• Livestrong Fertility
• Sexuality & Young Adult Cancer with Dr. Anne Katz
• CancerCon
• LLS Young Adult Resources

Additional LLS Support Resources:

• Information Specialists
• Clinical Trial Support Center
• Free telephone/web patient programs
• Free booklets
• Financial support
• Online chats
• Caregiver support
• LLS Community
• Support groups
• Patti Robinson Kaufmann First Connection Program
• Free Nutrition Consultations

Support for this episode provided by Karyopharm Therapeutics and Pharmacyclics.

The post Cancer and a Pandemic – A Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Story first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.

Join us as we speak to Dr. Grzegorz (Greg) Nowakowski, a physician researcher and Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, who also leads the Mayo Clinic Aggressive Lymphoma program. In this episode, Dr. Nowakowski discusses clinical trials for lymphoma patients, including recent advancements and how clinical trials work. He also discusses the benefits and common misconceptions of clinical trials. This episode is a must listen for patients of all cancers who want to know how they can get access to the latest advancements in treatment.

Mentioned on this episode:

• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma 
• Hodgkin Lymphoma
• Mayo Clinic Hematology
• Clinical Trial Support Center
• Clinical Trials
• IMPACT Program
• Financial support

Additional LLS Support Resources:

• Information Specialists
• Understanding Clinical Trials for Blood Cancers
• Free telephone/web patient programs 
• Free booklets 
• Online chats 
• Caregiver support 
• LLS Community 
• Support groups 
• Patti Robinson Kaufmann First Connection Program 
• Free Nutrition Consultations 

Support for this episode is provided by Mayo Clinic.

The post Clinical Trials in Lymphoma: An Evolution, Not A Revolution first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.

Join us as we speak to Dr. Caron Jacobson, an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and a lymphoma physician and researcher at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In this episode, Dr. Jacobson shares about the use and benefits of CAR T-cell therapy in B-cell cancers, such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). You will hear about how CAR T-cell therapy works, why it is used for B-cell cancers and the benefits of joining a clinical trial for this type of treatment.

Mentioned on this episode:

• CAR T-cell Therapy
• Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma
• Mantle Cell Lymphoma
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
• Immune Effector Cell Therapy Program – Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
• Clinical Trial Support Center

Additional LLS Support Resources:

• Information Specialists 
• Free telephone/web patient programs 
• Free booklets 
• Financial support – **Mantle Cell Lymphoma funding is OPEN** 
• Online chats 
• Caregiver support 
• LLS Community 
• Support groups 
• Patti Robinson Kaufmann First Connection Program 
• Free Nutrition Consultations 

Support for this episode provided by Allogene; Bristol Myers Squibb; CRISPR Therapeutics; Kite, a Gilead Company; Janssen Oncology & Legend Biotech; and Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

The post How CAR T-cell Therapy Gives Hope to Cancer Patients first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.

Join us as we speak with Chelsea Brickham, a transgender model, actress, and professional cosplayer who was diagnosed with Stage II Hodgkin lymphoma in 2013. In this episode, Chelsea shares with us what it was like to go through cancer as a transgender female, the reaction from her family and friends, and how she maintained her femininity during treatment. Since her treatment, she has been active in spreading awareness of LGBTQ+ issues at comic conventions and on social media.

Mentioned on this episode:

• Hodgkin Lymphoma
• Chelsea on TikTok
• CancerCon by Stupid Cancer
• LLS Community
• Comic-Con

Additional LLS Support Resources:

• Information Specialists 
• Young Adult Resources
• Clinical Trial Support Center
• Free telephone/web patient programs 
• Free booklets 
• Financial support 
• Online chats 
• Caregiver support 
• LLS Community 
• Support groups 
• Patti Robinson Kaufmann First Connection Program 
• Free Nutrition Consultations 

Support for this episode provided by Seagen.

The post Making Your Mark: A Transgender Cancer Patient Story first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.

Join us as we speak with David Wallace, a polycythemia vera (PV) patient and advocate.  In this episode, David shares how he struggled to get his diagnosis, advocated to get the treatment he needed, and finally how he found a specialist that was able to treat his PV. He used his struggles to create the website, PV Reporter and nonprofit, MPN Cancer Connection, to educate patients about their disease, help them find resources, and increase awareness of MPNs. David encourages all patients to become their own advocates and to actively participate in their cancer journey.

Mentioned on this episode:

• Polycythemia Vera (PV)
• Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs)
• PV Reporter
• MPN Cancer Connection

Additional LLS Support Resources:

• Information Specialists 
• Clinical Trial Support Center
• Free telephone/web patient programs 
• Free booklets 
• Financial support 
• Online chats 
• Caregiver support 
• LLS Community 
• Support groups 
• Patti Robinson Kaufmann First Connection Program 
• Free Nutrition Consultations 

Support for this episode provided by Incyte.

The post Pushing for a Diagnosis: A Polycythemia Vera (PV) Story first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.

Join us as we speak to Alex Okafor, a defensive end with the Kansas City Chiefs. Alex lost his mother to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in 2020. In this episode, Alex talks about his mother’s short battle with AML and the difficulties his family faced receiving this diagnosis during a global pandemic. Following his mother’s death, Alex found a new determination to make his mother proud and continue her legacy in fighting against racial injustice and creating a better society for the black community.

*Since the taping of this podcast, Alex has launched the Alex Okafor Family Foundation, which is raising funds for the LLS Scholarship for Blood Cancer Survivors Program. In addition, in honor of Mother’s Day, Alex wrote a touching letter to his mother, titled A Letter to My Mother for The Players Tribune website.

Mentioned on this episode:

• Acute Myeloid Leukemia
• Kansas City Star Article
• Kingdom United Reading Program
• Alex Okafor Family Foundation and Scholarship
• A Letter to My Mother

Additional LLS Support Resources:

• Information Specialists 
• Clinical Trial Support Center
• Free telephone/web patient programs 
• Free booklets 
• Financial support 
• Online chats 
• Caregiver support 
• LLS Community 
• Support groups 
• Patti Robinson Kaufmann First Connection Program Free Nutrition Consultations

Support for this episode provided by Genentech, Inc. and Jazz Pharmaceuticals.

The post Tragedy to Legacy: NFL Player Continues The Fight first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.

Join us as we speak with Jan White, a survivor and thriver of Stage IV Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.  In this episode, Jan shares her story of how she went from facing immediate paralysis and death to using her experience to advocate for patients. She became a legislative advocate for LLS, started a website to share her experience, and has participated in numerous national conferences in support of cancer patients and healthcare access.   

Mentioned on this episode:

• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
• Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
• Mental Health Resources
• Jan Says Onward
• One More -Ologist Blog Post
• LLS Advocacy
• Join Mobile Action Network: Click Link or Text SPEAK to 69866

Additional LLS Support Resources:

• Information Specialists 
• Clinical Trial Support Center
• Free telephone/web patient programs 
• Free booklets 
• Financial support 
• Online chats 
• Caregiver support 
• LLS Community 
• Support groups 
• Patti Robinson Kaufmann First Connection Program Free Nutrition Consultations

Support for this episode provided by Epizyme, Karyopharm Therapeutics and Pharmacyclics & Janssen Biotech.

The post Bring It On: From Lymphoma to Advocacy first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.

Join us as we speak to Dr. Johanna DiMento and Dr. Frank Dalichow, oncologists at the first cancer center on a reservation in the United States. In this episode, the doctors share about the realities of cancer care for Native American communities.  They also discuss how they were able to bring cancer care to the Navajo and Hopi tribes, and the importance of inclusivity and culturally appropriate care for this population.

[photo credit: Brandy Tomhave]

Mentioned on this episode: 

• Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation  
• Navajo Nation: First Cancer Center 
• Indian Health Service
• Cancer Rates: Navajo Nation
• National Comprehensive Cancer Network
• Navajo Hopi Health Foundation 
• Navajo Culture/Medicine Man

• Additional LLS Support Resources: 
• Information Specialists 
• Clinical Trial Support Center
• Free telephone/web patient programs 
• Free booklets 
• Financial support 
• Online chats 
• Caregiver support 
• LLS Community 
• Support groups 
• Patti Robinson Kaufmann First Connection Program 
• Free Nutrition Consultations 

The post Navajo Nation: The First Cancer Center on a Reservation first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.

Join us as we speak to William Yank, a 23-year-old, three-time Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) survivor. In this episode, we hear about the variety of treatments William went through, his relapses and then subsequent stem cell transplant. Now one year out of transplant, he shares about his post-cancer journey – going viral on TikTok, becoming the face of the LLS Giving Tuesday campaign and then starting a podcast with another Young Adult Cancer survivor.

Mentioned on this episode:

• Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
• CancerCon by Stupid Cancer
• ClonoSeq®
• CAR T-cell Therapy
• Stem Cell Transplant
• The Illest. Podcast
• William’s TikTok page
• Family Service Society, Inc.
• LLS Young Adult Resources

Additional LLS Support Resources:

• Information Specialists
• Clinical Trial Support Center
• Free telephone/web patient programs
• Free booklets
• Financial support
• Online chats
• Caregiver support
• LLS Community
• Support groups
• Patti Robinson Kaufmann First Connection Program
• Free Nutrition Consultations

Support for this episode provided by Amgen Inc. and Jazz Pharmaceuticals.

The post I Will Survive: A Viral TikTok Star’s Journey through Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.