AnCan and Kicking Cancer in Heels co-sponsor our Blood Cancers Virtual Support Group.
We are a group of women and men who come together as peers to discuss our experience with one or more blood or hematologic cancers. These include, but are not restricted to, Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Multiple Myeloma plus variations on one or more of these diagnoses.
Individuals seeking support as a patient, caregiver, healthcare professional, or family member/friend are invited to attend scheduled meetings. The purpose of the meetings is to learn by sharing our experiences with the understanding that we have a lot to learn from each other.
This is a peer-moderated group. As such we cannot provide medical advice – we can speak about our own experiences with treatments and other aspects of living with blood cancers. We discuss:
- Treatments
- How your disease affects you personally
- How family members and/or friends react
- How you deal with anger about the changes to your life
- How you deal with “telling about & preparing for the end”
- How it has changed your relationships – both caregivers & patients
- Intimacy and sexuality
… and any other topic YOU feel is important and you’d like to bring up.
Our inspirational moderators, Michele Nadeem-Baker (CLL), Sally Torgeson (MM), Lynn Bailey (SLL), and Lou Sears (MM) live courageously with their conditions. They are very unique in their own ways and you can read more about them by clicking on their names.
So, if you’re interested and you’d like to share experiences, please drop by. To receive a reminder notice before each meeting, please sign up here.
Our sessions may be recorded and posted to AnCan’s YouTube Channel, shared on social media and elsewhere.
If you’re a multiple myeloma patient, we encourage you to check out the Myeloma Crowd on Health Tree, with whom we collaborate. And there are excellent resources for all blood cancers on PatientPower including our very own, Michele Nadeem-Baker.
Upcoming Blood Cancers Groups
Blood Cancers
With this national online support group you will be able to do a video chat with others who are affected by blood cancers and their caregivers: if you don’t feel comfortable with video, you will be able to call-in also, but we do ask that we are able to put your first name in the room so we know who is talking.
The virtual group meets every 1st Thursday @ 8pm Eastern in the AnCan Schmier Room. You can join online or by phone at +1 646 749 3127 Access # 656-182-845. See the Joining Instructions Panel above right for more information and other Country Access codes. Our groups are free & drop-in – no registration required.
No upcoming events scheduled.
Meet our Moderators
Al Ruvalcaba
A painter-decorator by trade, Al was a gifted artisan through and through. He hailed from a family rich in creative talent—woodworkers, photographers, and artists.
Judy Williams
Peer experience in many places!
Lou Sears
Lou, a retired reading specialist, was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in May 2013.
Lynn Bailey
Lynn married his high school sweetheart, and they have been married for 52 years surviving & clinging to each other during the raising of 5 children.
Michele Nadeem-Baker
An accomplished career communications executive & former broadcaster and communications journalist.
Sally Torgeson
Blood Cancer Moderator and Multiple Myeloma Advocate
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Resources
Past Recordings
If you’re curious about the format of a virtual support group, click HERE to see recordings of past groups.
Patient Power
Patient Power® is devoted to supporting cancer patients, care partners and other loved ones through education and advocacy – to get the right treatment at the right time working with the right healthcare team.
Tax Deductible Donation Info
Our services are free, but if you benefit then please consider a tax deductible donation.
AnCan does not provide medical advice – we do empower you to manage your own care.
Our calls are recorded and posted on this website for later listening; please note we are a peer-to-peer support group and not subject to HIPAA compliance.
