Lunch & Learn

This month’s call-in Lunch & Learn program will focus on lab results post-transplant. Phyllis McKiernan, APN, MSN, OCN, Advanced Practice Nurse in the Blood and Marrow Stem Division at the John Theurer Cancer Center will cover why these tests are so important to survivorship, including how these results help to track progress posttransplant, and guide adjustments to necessary medications. Phyllis will educate us regarding the importance of monitoring chimerism studies, viral reactivation, vital organ function and much more. As well, Mendya Griffith, a survivor of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) from Augusta, Georgia will share her story and experience in understanding lab results and more

This special month’s call-in program will feature Teresa and Bruce Steele of California. Teresa was diagnosed with high risk MDS and had a lifesaving stem cell transplant almost three years ago. Bruce is her husband and caregiver during her transplant. Teresa also works hard managing her GVHD. Together, they will share their incredible story—it began ten years ago with a horrible car on bicycle incident. Teresa’s ability to adapt and learn to adjust will inspire. Determined to live their best life despite unimaginable obstacles, this dynamic duo will empower listeners to reflect and grow in survivorship. Additionally, Jennifer Gillette, LMSW and our program host, will share her professional pearls of wisdom and effective coping skills. There will be plenty of time for live questions.

This month’s call-in program will feature Dr. Areej El-Jawahri, Co-Director, Cancer Outcomes Research and Education Program; Director of the Bone Marrow Transplant Survivorship Program and Professor of Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. El-Jawahri will share valuable information regarding what survivors and their loved ones can expect post-transplant in the first several years, focusing on physical, mental, cognitive, and emotional health. Nancy Wines-DeWan, of Maine, a survivor of high risk MDS who is about three years out, will share her incredibly inspiring story and how she has no plans to slow down anytime soon.

This month’s call-in program will feature Dr. Sandeep Jain, B.A Professor of Ophthalmology, Dept. of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Dr. Jain will share game changing proactive actions that are resulting in a significant reduction of the development of chronic ocular graft versus host disease (oGVHD). Dr. Jain will share how these better outcomes require regular follow ups at the beginning of the transplant journey. Additionally, for those chronically inflicted, Dr. Jain will share best practices, tips and ways to lessen your symptoms. Paul Altman, a survivor from Chicago, IL, will share his transplant story, what has worked for him and life today.

This month’s call-in program will cover holiday eating—ideas for enjoying and surviving the holidays without sabotaging good habits and personal health goals post-transplant. Heather Knutson MS, RD, CSO, LD, of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, now Blood Cancer United, will share her vast expertise about foods that will provide energy while keeping you healthy and feeling less sluggish and fatigued. Heather will also focus on good nutrition as it relates to the immune system. Peter Feinberg, a survivor of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), will share what works for him and how he balances servings of healthy and joyful.

November 19, 2025

In recognition of National Family Caregiver’s Month, November’s Lunch & Learn will focus on the adjustment to life after transplant, with a special emphasis on the perspective of the family/spouse caregiver and the impact on the couple. Michelle Bishop, PhD, a licensed psychologist and founder of Coping with Cancer & Caregiving, LLC will describe some of the challenges common after transplant as the survivor, the caregiver, and the couple adjust to the new reality of survivorship. These include learning to live with fear of recurrence, navigating physical, emotional, and role changes, and negotiating changes to lifestyle and quality of life. Sue Stanek, a caregiver to her husband Stan, who was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and received a transplant in February 2018, will share her experiences as a caregiver and best tips for how she and her husband have navigated survivorship.

This month’s call-in program will feature Courtney Bush, a Physical Therapist and Certified Lymphedema Therapist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, Washington. Courtney is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Oncologic Physical Therapy and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the American Physical Therapy Association’s Academy of Oncology Physical Therapy. Courtney works with patients receiving stem cell and bone marrow transplantation, both inpatient and outpatient. Courtney sees patients both pre- and post-transplant, helping them optimize functional mobility, independence and physical recovery. Courtney will focus on rebuilding and regaining stamina and physical challenges such as fatigue, steroid myopathy, and chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy. Laurie Perkins, a recent multiple myeloma survivor will share her story, and how she implemented physical therapy before and after transplant and how she is enjoying life today with extensive travel plans, energy, and strength.

This month, in recognition of Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month and Blood Cancer Awareness Month, our call-in program will focus on life post-transplant, specifically changing and evolving relationships with loved ones and friends. Mara Solomon, a three-time leukemia and two-time stem cell transplant survivor and author of “Third Floor Summer, A Mother’s Memoir of her Journey Battling Cancer” will share her story and experiences. As well, Angie Giallourakis PhD, parent of a four-time cancer survivor, co- founder of the Steven G. Cancer Foundation and Elephants and Tea, and volunteer parent mentor, will speak on the value of communication and mutual respect between parent and child as a means of supporting your loved one through their cancer survivorship experience. Jennifer Gillette, our licensed staff social worker and host, will give tips on coping with the emotional toll and unexpected challenges of cancer survivorship.

This month’s call-in program will feature Dr. Emily Limerick, Assistant Research Physician, Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, NHLBI of the National Institutes of Health who will discuss the currently available curative therapy options, including allogeneic transplant and gene therapy for sickle cell disease. Our second speaker, Genesis Jones, a resilient voice in rare disease and mental health advocacy, is a sickle cell warrior, a post-transplant survivor, and founder of Rare Resilience Alliance. Genesis will share her story and efforts to help others.

This month’s call-in program will feature Melissa Baker, DNP, Adult Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program at Hackensack Meridian Health, who will educate and empower listeners about Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome (BOS). Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome is a serious, increasingly recognized complication after stem cell transplant. Affecting 5-6% of all allogeneic transplant recipients and up to 15% of those with chronic GVHD, BOS involves fibrosis of the small airways, leading to obstructive lung disease. Melissa will cover risk factors, screening, diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, management, prognosis and supportive care. Meredith Cowden, a survivor from Cleveland who has dealt with chronic GVHD for more than two decades, will share her story and how she has manages BOS posttransplant. Jennifer Gillette, our licensed staff social worker, will host this call. There will be plenty of time for live questions.

This month’s call-in program will feature Laura Beilke, Esq., a Staff Attorney for Triage Cancer, who will educate and empower listeners to better manage their finances and avoid the financial toxicity a cancer diagnosis can bring. Laura will share her expertise regarding medical bills and debt, paying for prescriptions, finding financial help, budgeting, and the Medicare changes happening now. JR and Deb Brandt of Bozeman, Montana, will also share their story and how they have advocated for themselves and continue to juggle it all post-transplant. Jennifer Gillette, our licensed staff social worker, will host this call. There will be plenty of time for live questions.

This month’s call-in program will focus on ways to feel like yourself after transplant. Jeannie Wiarda is a LMSW at Corewell Health BMT. Jeannie will talk about holistic recovery, focusing on strategies to improve physical and emotional health. Ellie Lenarduzzi, an AML survivor who received a transplant in March of 2024, from California, will also share her story and how she has learned to regain her life. Jennifer Gillette, our licensed staff social worker, will host this call. There will be plenty of time for live questions.