|  | | - Survivorship Symposium 2025 Registration Open
- Upcoming educational content
- Featured program- peer-to-peer mentorship
- Meet our Ambassadors - this month, Lisa LaBate
- News & shorts
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| 2025 SURVIVORSHIP SYMPOSIUM |
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| REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! Stronger Together: Thriving Through Resilience Join us Saturday, October 4th in Los Angeles or online for the 2025 Head and Neck Cancer Survivorship Symposium! This free event, hosted by the Head & Neck Cancer Alliance and the American Head & Neck Society, offers a full day of education, connection, and inspiration for patients, survivors, caregivers, clinicians, and supporters. Attending in person offers something truly special—you’ll be surrounded by people who understand what you’ve been through, with opportunities to share stories, make meaningful connections, and meet top experts in the field. Arriving early? Don’t miss our fun pre-event tour on Friday, October 3rd! Reserve your hotel by September 9th for special rates.
Spots are limited—register now! |
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| WHAT ATTENDEES HAVE SAID ABOUT OUR 2024 SYMPOSIUM |
| Thank you very much for hosting such a great event. It was great spending the day with people that can relate to life afterwards along with the challenges. Yes we can interact on the web, but in person is much more human. |
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I have been to a million conferences...and this was EXCELLENT, I am truly so impressed. FABULOUS set-up, wonderful presenters and personal stories, lots of people around to help, great setting which was easy to navigate. SUCH A GREAT JOB, WELL DONE, EVERYONE!! |
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Being around other survivors of head and neck cancer. I knew there were others but actually being around "my kind" was especially healing. It gave me a lot of hope and I really needed that. Some days I feel so beaten up by this. |
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All the speakers, panels etc quite good! [I appreciated] that health care providers were attending so they could hear patient experiences in our often fragmented health care system. The advocates were inspiring at a time I really needed some wind under my wings. |
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| | UPCOMING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES |
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| - Our June webinar on clinical trials will be available as a video early next week
- Our next webinar won't be until November on the topic of alternative therapies
- Our next Ask the Expert (on our Head and Neck Cancer Inspire forum) will be in August on the topic of thyroid management (post treatment).
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| | PEER-TO-PEER MENTORSHIP PROGRAM No one should have to face head and neck cancer alone. That’s why the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance, in partnership with Imerman Angels, offers a Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program—connecting patients, survivors, and caregivers with someone who truly understands. These “Mentor Angels” are volunteers who have walked a similar path and are ready to listen, offer hope, and help guide you through the ups and downs of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, in the middle of treatment, or adjusting to life afterward, talking to someone who’s been there can make all the difference. Matches are personalized and usually happen quickly, so support is never far away. And if you’ve been through it yourself, we’re always looking for compassionate individuals to serve as mentors—especially those who speak Spanish. This free program is all about connection, community, and reminding each other: you are never alone. |
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| | Lisa LaBate Retired | Sr. Buyer/Nuclear and Medical Industry | Survivor of salivary gland and tongue cancer |
| In September 2021, Lisa LaBate was involved in a car accident that left her with a concussion, whiplash, and facial trauma. Not long after, she discovered a lump on her neck. Though initially thought to be vaccine-related swelling, further scans revealed two enlarged lymph nodes. A biopsy led to a rare dual diagnosis: lymphoepithelial carcinoma in her left submandibular gland and mucoepidermoid carcinoma at the base of her tongue—an unprecedented combination according to her medical team. Lisa underwent surgery to remove 35 lymph nodes from both sides of her neck. A serious postoperative bleed required emergency surgery to repair a neck vein. After recovering, she retired and moved to Florida, where she began seven weeks of radiation and six weeks of chemotherapy at UF Health Shands Hospital. A year after treatment, Lisa was regaining her strength. She earned her Florida real estate license and began enjoying life again—spending time with family, reconnecting with friends, and volunteering. Her journey is a testament to resilience and the importance of early detection and follow-up care. |
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| | NEW BLOG POST: Big News for Head & Neck Cancer Patients on Medicare! Medicare now covers certain dental services essential before, during, and after head and neck cancer treatments. This includes pre-treatment exams, infection control, and post-treatment care - services that were previously excluded. Discover how this change may affect your care and learn the necessary steps to maintain coverage.
Thank you to Wey-Wey Kwok at the Center for Medicare Advocacy for providing this information! |
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| | SMASH CANCER TENNIS TOURNAMENT
May is the annual Smash Cancer tennis tournament in Wilmington, NC. The tournament mixes friendly competition with purpose, and proceeds go to the Alliance (primarily funding our Financial Assistance Program). Founded by Chris Tatum to honor her parents, it pairs on-court action with free head and neck cancer screenings and rallies players, spectators, and sponsors around our mission. Our Director of Development, Nanci Bonfield, represented us at the event (she's on the right).
Pictured are Chris Tatum, Vicki Lloyd and Nanci Bonfield |
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ASCO - CHICAGO
This month, our team attended the ASCO Annual Meeting—a global event where oncology professionals come together to share knowledge and advance cancer care. It was a valuable opportunity for us to connect with board members, sponsors, and other key partners in the head and neck cancer community.
Pictured are our Director of Development, Nanci Bonfield, our Board President, Dr. Michael Moore, and our Executive Director, Amanda Hollinger. |
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|  | CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. MAIE ST. JOHN! Please join us in celebrating Dr. Maie St. John (Alliance board member), recipient of the Margaret F. Butler Outstanding Mentor of Women in Head and Neck Surgery Award from the American Head and Neck Society. This prestigious honor recognizes her exceptional leadership, dedication to mentorship, and unwavering support of gender equity in the field. Dr. St. John’s impact has helped shape the next generation of women leaders in head and neck surgery, and we’re proud to see her achievements recognized on a national stage.
Pictured (left to right): Dr. Maie St. John, Amanda Hollinger (Alliance Executive Director), and Dr. Heather Starmer (board member). |
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 | REMINDER FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS - SCREENING PROGRAM IS STILL OPEN
Our Head & Neck Cancer Screening Program runs throughout the year — not just in April for Awareness Month!
Pictured is the University of Washington School of Dentistry screening event. Their event featured 10 screening providers, 28 students, 20 dental assistants, and seven external volunteers, all of whom participated in the event. A total of 364 patients were screened, and nine patients were referred to UW Oral Medicine for abnormal findings. |
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| | | FEATURED POSTS FROM OUR SPONSORS & PARTNERS |
| Our work would not be possible without our sponsors and partners. Please see below to learn more about our partners and the clinical trials that are underway to help head and neck cancer patients. For more information about clinical trials and where to find trials that might apply to you or a loved one, visit our Clinical Trial Finder or click on any of the trial opportunities below. Featured Clinical trials are meant to provide educational information about trials and not endorse any particular trial. |
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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 website, 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 on our website or a print project, we'll send you some Alliance "swag" 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. |
|  | | 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 & Neck Cancer Alliance
PO BOX 21688 | Charleston, South Carolina 29413
866-792-4622 | hello@headandneck.org |
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