 | | - Still time to register for this week's webinar!
- Meet our new staff members
- Meet our Ambassadors - Dave Fones
- News & Shorts
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|  | WEBINAR - JUNE 20TH, 6 PM ET Guiding Light: End Of Life Care For Head and Neck Cancer Patients Join us for a compassionate and informative webinar tailored to individuals and families facing the challenges of end-of-life care for head and neck cancer. Led by a panel of experts, including a head and neck cancer surgical oncologist, a chaplain, hospice nurse, and a surviving spouse who has walked this journey, this webinar promises valuable insights and support. We'll cover vital topics such as pain management, financial planning, emotional support, spirituality, and practical advice for patients and their loved ones. Whether you're a patient, caregiver, or healthcare provider, this webinar aims to provide essential information and foster a sense of community during this difficult time. Come share your experiences, ask questions, and find solace in knowing you're not alone. Together, we'll explore ways to provide comfort and dignity during the end-of-life journey with head and neck cancer. Register now to reserve your spot in this supportive and empowering exchange.
NEXT WEBINAR - - August - Life As A Laryngectomy Survivor | 8/19, 7pm ET
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|  | Meet Melissa Cooke
Patient Resource Navigator | MS. CCC-SLP Melissa is a Speech Language Pathologist and Researcher with a decade of experience in head and neck cancer, dysphagia, and voice. She is excited to join the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance as a Patient Resource Navigator. Previously, she managed an R01 funded study on cancer survivorship and treated HNC patients at the Medical University of South Carolina. Melissa also lectures at conferences, teaches, and conducts dysphagia research at the University of Cincinnati and Northwestern University. Living in Charleston, South Carolina with her husband and two children, she also proudly serves as board president for her neighborhood swim team. Inspired by her mother-in-law’s oral cancer battle, she transitioned from singing to speech pathology, earning her Master’s degree from MGH Institute of Health Professions. Melissa is committed to helping cancer survivors and their caregivers regain daily function and improve their quality of life through a holistic approach. |
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 | Meet Shelby Sheldon
Administrative Coordinator Shelby received her B.A. in English from College of Charleston and earned a J.D. from University of South Carolina School of Law where she was an Articles Editor for the Real Property, Trust & Estate Law Journal and spent a summer studying at Gray’s Inn, one of the four Inns of Court in London. She served at the South Carolina Bar for over ten years, first in the Bar’s practice management and legal technology program and later managing the Bar’s legal publications. Head and neck cancer has affected some of Shelby’s closest family members, including her father. She is passionate about supporting and empowering patients and caregivers impacted by cancer and excited to use her skills to advance the mission of the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance. Shelby lives in South Carolina with her husband and three children. She enjoys reading, writing, following true crime, and cheering a little too loudly at her kids’ sporting events. |
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| | MEET OUR AMBASSADORS:
Dave Fones
Retired Teacher | Cisco Certified Network Associate | Survivor of Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma | Seymour, IL |
| During the summer of 2020, when David was 72, a large growth developed on the right side of his nose. After his primary care physician arranged for a biopsy, David had a consult with a head and neck surgeon with Carle Foundation Hospital (CFH) in Champaign, Illinois to learn the results. “She said I had a rare and aggressive form of cancer called Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma (UPS), and that it was so rare she’d never heard of the method of surgery that was required to deal with it, much less how to perform it, so she referred him to Dr. Wm. Holmes of CFH who successfully removed the growth. Dave went on to see a sarcoma radiation specialist, and the decision was made for him to make multiple trips from Champaign to St. Louis to receive 25 sessions of Proton Beam Therapy (PBT). David was commended for having the best attitude of any patient they’d ever treated, which might be the reason David didn’t experience any undesirable side effects except for an impressive scar, a crooked smile, and a great tan on the right side of his neck (all of which eventually returned to normal). After a sonogram, two CT scans, and an MRI, David has been declared “cancer-free” 18 months after the completion of PBT.
To read more about Dave's head and neck cancer journey, click the red button to the right. |
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| | | 2024 SMASH CANCER TENNIS TOURNAMENT
Thank you to Christine Tatum and her amazing committee for hosting the 15th annual Smash Cancer tournament (Wilmington, NC). This event has grown in participation and impact annually. To date, they have donated over $200,000 to the Head & Neck Cancer Alliance, raising over $40,000 in 2024. These funds go directly to helping head and neck cancer patients get to and from treatments through HNCA's Financial Assistance Program. |
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| | TAKE A SURVEY AND HELP HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS BETTER SERVE PATIENTS Head and neck cancer often impacts how people talk and communicate. These changes affect not only the person with the cancer diagnosis but also can impact family and friends Healthcare providers need to better understand these experiences to have a better awareness of how to support patients’ needs during cancer treatment and afterwards.
The survey should take about 30 minutes (you can take breaks and return later). Qualified participants who complete the survey will receive $25. This survey is open to anyone who has had head and neck cancer and lives in the US. Click the button to the right to take the survey or, if you have questions, please email SPEAC Lab or leave a voicemail at: 206-221-3563. |
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| |  | ASCO 2024, CHICAGO Alliance staff Amanda Hollinger and Nanci Bonfield post for a picture with Alliance Board President, Dr. Michael Moore at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting. |
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 | SPONSOR MEETING, BOSTON Alliance staff and board member Ryan Gainor attended meetings with sponsor EMD Serono in Boston this month. |
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| | REVIEW US ON GOOGLE!
If our programs and materials have made a difference to you, please consider reviewing us on Google.
Your review will help make us more visible so other patients, survivors, and caregivers can easily find us while searching online!
To write a review, you'll need to sign up for a free Gmail account. |
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| | PICTURE THIS!
We're looking for pictures of real people to use on our new website (coming soon), brochures, and social media. We don't want to use boring stock photos! Your photos could provide hope and inspiration to others going through head and neck cancer!
If we use your photo, we'll send you some Alliance "swag" (featuring our new logo that we will unveil soon) and provide photo credit on our website and social media. |
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| | DO YOU FOLLOW? Are you following us on social media? It's just one more way to keep up to date with what is going on with us as well as other head and neck cancer related news and opportunities. So pick your favorite platform and give us a follow!
Facebook | Twitter* | LinkedIn | Instagram
*also known as X
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| | | | | THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS! |
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| | | *Statement on Sponsor Content and Corporate Support: The information published on this website and in our materials is intended to educate you about Oral, Head and Neck Cancer. The content is not intended to take the place of a discussion with a qualified physician who is familiar with your medical situation. It is important to remember that each individual is different, and the reasons for—and outcomes of—any treatment plan depends on the patient's individual condition. If you have questions or concerns after reading any information on this website or in our materials, you should discuss them openly and honestly with your physician. Any products and manufacturers included on this site are presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by HNCA. The content provided by HNCA is in no way intended to be a substitute for medical consultation with a qualified professional. HNCA encourages those using its resources to be careful when evaluating medical information or products. If you are unsure about your medical condition, consult a physician. Funding from our corporate partners supports HNCA’s programs and educational initiatives, and HNCA maintains independence in its design of programs, content, and initiatives. |
| | Head and Neck Cancer Alliance
PO BOX 21688 | Charleston, South Carolina 29413
866-792-4622 | hello@headandneck.org |
| | Be sure to add our email address to your address book or safe senders list so our emails get to your inbox. Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser |
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| Head and Neck Cancer Alliance
PO BOX 21688 | Charleston, South Carolina 29413
866-792-4622 | hello@headandneck.org |
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