A new Hilo support group — Talk Story Too, affiliated with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society San Diego/Hawaii Chapter — invites the community to learn more about the society and how it can help from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday at the Hilo Medical Center, downstairs in room C.
A new Hilo support group — Talk Story Too, affiliated with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society San Diego/Hawaii Chapter — invites the community to learn more about the society and how it can help from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday at the Hilo Medical Center, downstairs in room C.
The guest speaker will be Jose Montes, the chapter’s patient services manager. He will explain the society’s background, mission and programs, and will distribute applications for patient financial aid.
The Hilo group now meets on the third Wednesday of each month. Its volunteer coordinators are Donna Faria, who can be contacted at 968-7050 or donna.faria3@gmail.com, and Holly Dupont, the cancer patient navigator for the Pacific Oncology Center, who can be reached at 932-3717 or hdupont@hhsc.org.
This will be the fourth month for Talk Story Too, and it’s going to be a substantive meeting, said Faria, a six-year survivor of multiple myeloma whose youngest son is an 18-year survivor of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
“This August meeting is important, since Jose will be here and have all the information to answer our questions and talk about resources available through the society,” she said. For more information, visit the society’s website, www.lls.org.
Talk Story Too is under the umbrella of the Talk Story Support Group on Oahu, which also meets on the third Wednesday of each month. Montes, who works for the society out of its San Diego headquarters, provides guidance for the Hawaii unit. He can be contacted at 1-800-215-1098, ext. 1460, or by e-mail at jose.montes@lls.org for more information.
“Our monthly Family Support Groups are designed to offer emotional support and education throughout your cancer journey. Under professional guidance, patients and family members can discuss their anxieties and concerns with others who share a similar experience. This sharing opportunity facilitates improved communication and enhances everyone’s ability to cope with their cancer diagnosis,” said Montes.
The mission of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services.
“If you’re newly diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma or MDS, you have many questions. Get the information you need to work with your treatment team and move toward remission and recovery,” say society officials on the website. “Your treatment options vary, depending on your diagnosis. You can find everything you need to know here about types of treatment and supportive care as well as how to prevent and manage side effects while maintaining a sense of well-being.
“The road to survival is filled with challenges and can seem overwhelming at times. LLS provides information, support and guidance to people living with blood cancers at every stage of their journey.”
Has someone close to you been diagnosed with a blood cancer? You’re not alone. The LLS provides information and support for caregivers, as well as patients. The purpose of the blood cancer support groups sponsored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is to link patients and their families to a place where information, education and feelings can be shared in a comfortable and caring environment. Privacy is respected. The group is open to all cancer survivors, their families and caretakers.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services.
“Joining hands to help patients cope: improving the quality of life of patients and their families. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society offers the most comprehensive array of services to patients and families touched by blood cancers,” said Montes. “A diagnosis of leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma brings many daily challenges. LLS is committed to providing support and guidance to patients and the health professionals who care for them.”
LLS is committed to reaching out to those with leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative diseases in meaningful ways. Programs have been developed all over the country to meet the needs of patients, families and oncology professionals, the people who deal with blood cancer every day and the people who care for them.
LLS support groups are the perfect place to talk with other people affected by blood cancers, including patients, family members and caregivers. The groups provide mutual support and offer the opportunity to discuss anxieties and concerns with others who share the same experiences. This sharing strengthens the family bond and enhances everyone’s ability to cope with cancer.
There are online live facilitated chats as well as peer-to-peer support programs.Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, the spongy center of bones where our blood cells are formed. The disease develops when blood cells produced in the bone marrow grow out of control.
Nearly 50,000 new cases of leukemia are diagnosed in the United States each year. The four most common types of leukemia are acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Each main type of leukemia is named according to the type of cell that’s affected (a myeloid cell or a lymphoid cell) and whether the disease begins in mature or immature cells.
Other types of leukemia and related disorders include hairy cell leukemia, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia.
“After diagnosis and treatment, many people with leukemia live many good, quality years. You may find that knowing more about the disease and its treatment can help you cope,” said Montes.
“And the public is invited to help us help people with blood cancer and their families. Our dedicated community volunteers are the heart and soul of LLS. There are many different ways you can participate in the San Diego/Hawaii Chapter and make a difference in the lives of those touched by blood cancer,” he said. “We need volunteers throughout the year.”