Why We Go to SSO

Why We Go to SSO

Pals President Adele Jasion and Secretary-Treasurer Charmain Skillman attended the Society of Surgical Oncology’s Advanced Cancer Therapies (SSO/ACT) symposium in February 2024. Charmaine shares her perspective here.

PMP Pals recently attended the meeting of the Society of Surgical Oncology Advanced Cancer Therapies (SSO/ACT) in San Juan, Puerto Rico.This gathering of 200 surgeons and associated professionals is the most concentrated annual educational event in the U.S. for those treating peritoneal surface malignancies (PSMs).

Why do we go to SSO? Adele and I attended and tabled in the exhibit hall to increase exposure of PMP Pals and our programs for individuals affected by PMP and appendix cancer. We spent three days renewing connections with long-time friends of Pals and meeting new physicians just starting their careers. These interactions bring many benefits, such as identifying new speakers and new topics for our HOPE ZOOM meetings and other events. Also, we learn of new research and new treatments in development. And, we continuously rely on these connections for advice, answers, and involvement in new projects, such as our newly-formed Medical Advisory Board (The MAB – more on that in our next enews). We even met three of our MAB Pals – Doctors Dineen, Onchin, and Wiatrek – over breakfast.

Plus, we were very proud to be in the room when SSO/ACT presented the Gabriella Graham Patient Advocacy Award, inspired by the work of our founder. This year, Manju George, Scientific Director for Paltown Development Foundation and COLONTOWN, accepted the award for her nonprofit’s work supporting and educating the colorectal cancer (CRC) patient community. We met with and congratulated Manju, too, and learned more about this large patient organization. We invited her to a future HOPE Zoom to talk about COLONTOWN and medical advancements in the CRC space.

PMP Pals is grateful to participate in SSO/ACT as a sponsoring exhibitor. Your donations allowed Adele and I to represent PMP Pals among the medical professionals who serve our community — your financial support is crucial to our ability to attend this essential event.

PALS ONLINE: Paul in Perth

PALS ONLINE: Paul in Perth

Several Pals are very public with their illness, choosing to share their wellness journey online via YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Caring Bridge. All share the hope of helping a fellow appendix cancer survivor navigate the surprises of this diagnosis, along with insider perspectives for treatment and daily living. You can find Pals like Jamie V., Lindsay B., Roberta G., and Ariel M. through their social platforms.

Paul in Perth (aka Paul E. from Australia) has a Youtube channel on which he’s become something of a virtual celebrity. With over 24,000 followers worldwide, Paul chronicles his appendix cancer/PMP journey through the highs and lows. He recently shared his efforts to “wrangle his affairs” by organizing paperwork into binders and explaining his system with family ahead of time. He’s got a really sold way of explaining processes and the how’s and why’s; he’s also always looking for solutions and answers to pass along to others. Be sure to give his videos the “Thumbs Up” to help them with passive income, Like/Follow his YouTube Channel to increase their visibility as social influencers, and comment to let him know you’re listening.

*PLEASE NOTE: The views and comments shared by Pals on their own communications channels are their own opinions and perspectives. Their comments do not necessarily reflect those held by PMP Pals.

PALS ONLINE: Jamie V.

PALS ONLINE: Jamie V.

Jamie Voetsch YouTuberMany of you may recognize Jamie V. as one of the “Pals Angels,” a HOPE Zoom moderator on Wednesday at 6pET/3pPT. She does a lot of volunteering for our group like mentoring other patients 1-on-1, assisting with graphic design (she helped with the 5K logo), cardwriting, greeting at the Meet Up, and keeping us grounded in today.

Many Pals found our community as a result of online search and Jamie’s plugs on her YouTube channel. You can keep up with Jamie and her journey of hope with goblet cell appendix cancer here. In her most recent vlog (video blog), Jamie takes us on a drive to her last Tecentriq Immunotherapy treatment.

For a woman living with disease since 2019 (yes, she went through CRS & HIPEC on her own during the COVID hospital crisis), she’s always got something going! Outside of Pals, Jamie is a talented graphic designer. jewelry maker, TikToker, and lover of all things four-legged and furry.

“I love doing this because I feel that helping people is why I’m still here. If I can help one person feel connected, to replace fear with HOPE, then it’s all worth it,” says Jamie. Check out her sites and be sure to give her posts the “Thumbs Up” to help with passive income and increase her visibility as an appendix cancer social influencer. You can also comment to let her know you’re listening.

*PLEASE NOTE: The views and comments shared by Pals on their own communcations channels are their own opinions and perspectives. Their comments do not necessarily reflect those held by PMP Pals.

John R., Caregiver Companion

John R., Caregiver Companion

John Razzano quickly slid into role of family caregiver when his wife, Mary, was diagnosed with our rare cancer in 2014. That meant playing head nurse, chief paperwork officer, cheerleader, and patient advocate. “During that time, I felt alone and isolated trying to navigate the physical, emotional, and psychological elements of Mary’s treatment. Mary succumbed to the disease in late 2015, and one year later my adult son was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. I shared caregiver duties with my future daughter-in-law and today, my son is healthy and in remission.”

During this time, John started a support group with Dr. Fran Baumgarten at UCSD for family caregivers of cancer patients to let people know a community exists willing to support and hold up its fellow caregivers. “We created the podcast, Caregiver Companion to let caregivers know they are not alone. We launched in December 2023, and we now have 10 episodes and publish every two weeks. I think it’s a very useful resource for caregivers. I hope you enjoy it and find it useful.”Caregiver Companion, A Guide to the Family Caregiver of Cancer Patients is available via Spotify and Apple Music. Add to your playlists and leave a review.
Postcard from a Pal: Carrie R.

Postcard from a Pal: Carrie R.

Ever wish you could share something special with all Pals, all at once? Want to update us on what you’ve been up to? Share a recent accomplishment or milestone? Brag about your garden or grandchildren? Tell a joke?

Send your note (3-8 sentences, 1-5 photos) to tara@pmppals.net. We’ll include your Dear Pals message in an upcoming newsletter! Here’s one from Pal Carrie R. from Randolph, MA (just outside of Boston):

Dear Pals, If you asked me a year ago if I would be joining a group of cancer survivors and meeting them in another state, I would have told you absolutely not. Fast forward a year and my answer is ABSOLUTELY! This group has been my “go to,” my saving grace over the last year.  I do not think I would be mentally in a good place without everyone I have connected with. It was such a wonderful feeling to meet in person with people whom I have only seen in a 2-inch cube on my computer screen. While being in Milwaukee gave me such HOPE, the weekend was filled with knowledge from the medical staff who spoke about various topics even touching on nutrition and sleep, to the beautiful botanical gardens. The evening reception was fabulous as well because we sat and mingled with our new friends, never a dull conversation. Late night Irish bars were fun too!  Next year I am sure the crowd will grow. I do not plan on missing a Pals Meet-Up, because it was informative and fun, and most importantly, it was very emotional meeting the people who have had a part of carrying me through the last year. I am proud to call you all my friends and look forward to Meet-Up ’24! Your Pal, Carrie R.