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The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Unveils New Education Series for Myeloma Patients Covering Latest Research and Treatment Options

Posted on: Tuesday, 19 September 2006, 12:01 CDT

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Sept. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has created a new myeloma telephone education series to provide patients, their families and healthcare professionals the most up-to-date information about the disease, a cancer of plasma cells that starts in the bone marrow. It is one of the most difficult blood cancers to treat successfully but today, advances in therapies provide patients with more choices than ever before.

The series, sponsored by Millennium Pharmaceuticals and Celgene Corp., will feature three free national teleconferences, led by top myeloma experts discussing the latest research trends and treatment options. All participants will receive special newsletters featuring information on treatment and living with myeloma.

Robert Z. Orlowski, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Pharmacology and Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, will lead the first teleconference, Understanding Myeloma: Current Issues and a Look Ahead, on Wednesday, October 25, 2006, from 1 to 2 p.m. E.T. To register online, visit http://www.lls.org/myelomaeducation.

The next teleconference, Latest Advances in Myeloma Therapies, will take place Wednesday, January 24th, from 1 to 2 p.m. E.T. Dr. Seema Singhal, director of the Myeloma Program of the Division of Hematology/Oncology of Northwestern University, will be the speaker. The final program in the series, Myeloma Treatment: Exploring Your Options will take place Wednesday, April 4th, from 1 to 2 p.m. E.T., led by Dr. Asher Chanan-Khan, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Lymphoma and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, State University of New York at Buffalo

"The changing landscape of myeloma treatment makes it extremely important for patients to be up to date on current therapies," said Robin Kornhaber, the Society's Senior Vice President, Patient Services. "This series will provide important information for making treatment choices."

Each of the Society's 64 chapters in the United States has also begun conducting Exploring Myeloma, a free education program featuring local myeloma experts and sponsored by Celgene Corp.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society(R), headquartered in White Plains, NY, with 66 chapters in the United States and Canada, is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The Society's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has invested more than $483 million in research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, the Society made 4.2 million contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals.

For more information about blood cancer, visit http://www.lls.org/ or call the Society's Information Resource Center (IRC), a call center staffed by master's level social workers, nurses and health educators who provide information, support and resources to patients and their families and caregivers. IRC information specialists are available at 800-955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. E.T.

Contact: Andrea Greif, 914-821-8958

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

CONTACT: Andrea Greif for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society,+1-914-821-8958

Web site: http://www.lls.org/http://www.lls.org/myelomaeducation

Source: PRNewswire

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