 | | - June webinar details
- Move-A-Thon final results
- Meet our Ambassadors - this month, Pam Kroeper
- Save the date - Survivorship Symposium, October 4, 2025
- News & shorts - Congrats to Dr. Heather Starmer
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| FREE WEBINAR JUNE 10 Putting Patients First: Navigating Clinical Trials for Head & Neck Cancer This webinar will provide a clear understanding of what clinical trials are, how they work, and what head and neck cancer patients need to consider when exploring trial participation. Experts will discuss the latest research, eligibility criteria, potential benefits, and common concerns. Additionally, a patient advocate and survivor will share his lived experiences, offering valuable insights and support. Whether you are newly diagnosed, undergoing treatment, or a caregiver seeking more information, this webinar will empower you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about head and neck cancer clinical trial opportunities. |
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| | Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Move-A-Thon! Your dedication, energy, and support helped raise awareness and funds for head and neck cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. We’re so grateful to have such an inspiring and compassionate community. Every step you took made a difference! |
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| | | PAM KROEPER Proud and Devoted Wife and Mother | Retired Early Interventionist Teacher | Survivor of HPV-Attributed Tongue Cancer |
| In the summer of 2019, just after retiring from a 30-year teaching career, Pam Kroeper noticed small lumps on both sides of her neck. With no other symptoms, she mentioned it during a routine exam. A CT scan and follow-up with a specialist led to a diagnosis of HPV-positive squamous cell carcinoma at the base of her tongue, with cancer in lymph nodes on both sides. The news was unexpected and marked the beginning of an intense medical journey. Pam underwent daily radiation and chemotherapy every three weeks. As treatment progressed, the side effects became severe—she lost the ability to swallow, eat, and speak, and required a feeding tube. Despite the physical toll, Pam stayed committed, supported closely by her care team, family, and friends. On December 18, 2019, Pam completed her treatment and rang the bell to mark the milestone. While she continues to manage long-term side effects and attends regular follow-ups, she’s focused on recovery and advocacy. Pam now shares her experience to raise awareness about head and neck cancer and HPV-related cancers, encouraging others to stay informed and proactive. |
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| | Congratulations to Dr. Heather Starmer! We’re proud to celebrate Alliance board member Heather Starmer for earning her PhD in Applied Health Research, with a focus on the assessment of head and neck lymphedema. As Director of the Head and Neck Cancer Speech and Swallowing Rehabilitation Center at Stanford, Dr. Starmer continues to make significant contributions to the field. Her dedication to improving care for head and neck cancer patients is an inspiration to us all. We are proud to have Dr. Starmer as part of our leadership team and are deeply grateful for her ongoing efforts in advancing head and neck cancer care. |
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| | Our Executive Director, Amanda Hollinger, represented the Head & Neck Cancer Alliance at this year's COSM in Louisiana.
The Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM) is the premier educational and technology forum for providing the subspecialties in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery with an opportunity to improve and expand their knowledge and skills thereby enhancing the quality of patient care. |
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Our Director of Development, Nanci Bonfield, attended the AACR annual meeting last month.
The meeting is the critical driver of progress against cancer, the place where scientists, clinicians, other health care professionals, survivors, patients, and advocates gather to share and discuss the latest breakthroughs. |
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| FREE WEBINAR - JUNE 26
Navigating Health Care: How to Plan Ahead Our friends at Triage Cancer are holding a free webinar exploring these different types of health care services: palliative care, home health care, long-term care, and advance care planning. Learn how to access these health care services, understand how different types of insurance will cover these services, and get practical tips for navigating health care. FIND OUT MORE HERE |
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| Our Patient Navigator, Melissa Cooke, Discusses Resources Offered by Head & Neck Cancer Alliance Melissa joined Cancer Nursing Today at the 50th Annual Oncology Nursing Society Congress to discuss the resources that the nonprofit offers for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. “We look to support all of our patients and our caregivers and survivors with resources and programs to help them live their best lives,” Cooke said. These resources include educational materials, a peer-to-peer program, a financial assistance program for patients who are currently undergoing treatment, an online forum, and more. |
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| | SAVE THE DATE - SYMPOSIUM We don't have many details we're able to share (yet), but mark your calendars for October 4, 2025 and make plans to join us in sunny (hopefully) Los Angeles for our annual Head and Neck Cancer Symposium.
As in previous years, you may choose to attend virtually or in-person. The Symposium is free for head and neck cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and their loved ones.
We hope to see you there in person! |
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| | - NEWS: She Lost 80% of Her Tongue to Cancer. Now She's Using TikTok to Relearn How to Speak
On March 11, 2024, Beth Riehle was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, the most common form of tongue cancer
- QUIZ: True or False: Head and Neck Cancers
Take the quiz to find out how much you know about head and neck cancers
- NEWS: FDA approves penpulimab-kcqx for non-keratinizing nasopharyngeal carcinoma
On April 23, 2025, the Food and Drug Administration approved penpulimab-kcqx (Akeso Biopharma Co., Ltd.) with cisplatin or carboplatin and gemcitabine for the first-line treatment of adults with recurrent or metastatic non-keratinizing nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)
- NEWS: U.S. government researchers present ‘phenomenal’ new data on HPV vaccines
Findings on the effectiveness of a single dose could transform efforts to prevent cancers
- Opinion: Head and neck cancer awareness: the importance of early detection
Head and neck cancers — including oral, throat, voice box (larynx), nasal cavity, sinuses, salivary glands, and thyroid cancers — represent a diverse group of diseases that are significantly more treatable when caught early. Unfortunately, despite the presence of early warning signs, many patients delay seeking medical care.
- NEWS: Rinse and Recurrence
Saliva test can help identify people who are at high risk of recurrence after mouth or throat cancer treatment. |
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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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