SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES & PRESENTATION DESCRIPTIONS

Transcription

1 PHIL CALLAWAY Laugh Again: Learning to Laugh when Life Stinks In this inspiring and humorous talk, international best-selling author Phil Callaway uncovers five secrets that are essential to living life with purpose, hope, and a little laughter too. Phil identifies 5 "joy suckers" and gives practical advice on weeding them out. With stories of those who have bravely faced difficulty and turned it into opportunity, Phil weaves in a deeply personal story of his family's battle with Huntington's Disease and what he learned from life's wisest teachers. Biography: Phil is the best-selling author of 27 books in a dozen languages. He speaks 100 times a year to audiences as diverse as the Toronto Blue Jays and the Canadian Parliament. His daily radio program "Laugh Again" airs 500 times a week in Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. Phil's heart-warming blend of clean humour and stories of hope motivate, comfort and cheer. He's the father of three and is married to his high school sweetheart. They are based in Alberta, Canada. ALDO DEL COL- Update from Myeloma Canada The presentation will provide an overview of Myeloma Canada s activities and initiatives across its four strategic pillars: education, awareness, access and research. Highlights will include updates on the Myeloma Canada Research Network, clinical trial research developments, support group initiatives, patient education programs and the work being done to secure funding and access to newly approved treatments. Biography: Since being diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2002, Mr. Del Col has directed his attention to building an effective national platform to address the needs of the Canadian myeloma community. Founded in 2005, Myeloma Canada is the only national non-profit organization uniquely focused on the needs of the Canadian myeloma community. As a patient-driven, grassroots organization, Myeloma Canada s mission is to provide educational resources to patients and caregivers, raise awareness of the disease, advocate for improved access to new therapies and accelerate patient-focused myeloma research. Mr. Del Col holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree from the University of Toronto and a Master in Business Administration from the York University Schulich School of Business. Throughout his extensive professional career, he has gained knowledge and experience not only as a Community Pharmacist, but also as a Financial Analyst for a multinational pharmaceutical company and National Director of Sales and Marketing for a leading consumer products corporation. 1

2 DR. PILARSKI & DR. CHU Latest Research Initiatives Biography: Dr. Linda Pilarski is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Oncology at the University of Alberta and the Cross Cancer Institute. She is engaged in interdisciplinary translational cancer research and molecular diagnostics. She has made seminal observations on the molecular characteristics of and genetic predispositions for multiple myeloma. Together with Dr. Andy Belch and more recently with Drs. Michael Chu and Chris Venner, the team has accomplished internationally recognized work in multiple myeloma. She has also pioneered automated, low cost and easy to use molecular technology to bring powerful and comprehensive testing to industry and to the clinic, to facilitate food safety and personalized medicine. She was a Tier I Canada Research Chair from In 2009, she was awarded the Alberta Science and Technology Award for Outstanding Leadership in Alberta Technology, for therapeutic innovations in oncology and device development for molecular testing. In 2014, she received an international career award, The Joseph Michaeli Award for Outstanding Contributions to Myeloma Research, awarded in New York. She has held numerous grants, has led interdisciplinary teams and has over 230 publications. Biography: Dr. Michael Chu is a medical oncologist and assistant professor at the Cross Cancer Institute. After completing his core training at the University of Alberta, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship in immunotherapy under the guidance of Dr. Ron Levy at Stanford. With returning back to the Cross Cancer Institute, he works closely with Drs. Linda Pilarski, Andrew Belch, and Chris Venner to create a team capable of translational research taking ideas from the basic science bench to the clinic and back again. His research focuses on improving therapeutics in hematologic malignancies by harnessing a patient s own immune system. PAT PARKINSON Laughter Yoga Want to have some fun? And learn how to improve your health through laughter exercises? This program, led by Certified Laughter Leader Pat Parkinson, is more than a giggle fest; it is a solid program designed to teach strategies and practices to reduce stress though improved breathing and fun-filled movement. Although initially the routines can seem a bit contrived, soon genuine laughter takes over. Come and join in this very contagious session. Find out for yourself that laughter is the best medicine! Biography: Pat became a Certified Laughter Leader in 2005 and a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader in Pat believes in the power and importance of laughter for a healthy and happy life, and takes great joy in promoting laughter exercises. 2

3 DEBRA PACHES Caregiver Support The presentation will include an overview of caregiver statistics. The effects of caregiving including physical, psychological, social, and financial impacts will be addressed and self care strategies offered. In addition information on programs and resources available from the Alberta Caregivers Association will be presented. Biography: Debra Paches has been an RN for over 40 years, working in patient care, education and program development. Debra joined Caregivers Alberta 2 years ago as the Caregiver Navigator Coordinator and Facilitator for the Caregiver Support Team. With experience in many aspects of caregiving at a personal and professional level, it has been very rewarding to be able to bring our Caregiver Alberta programs throughout the province. She feels honored and privileged to be able to provide training, support and to be able to speak at conferences such as this. It has truly been inspiring to see the dedication and passion of the caregivers and care providers in our communities. LESLIE FEDORAK - An Introduction to Oncology Clinical Trials The presentation will cover the following: 1) Why do we do Clinical Trials? 2) Clinical Trial Basics and; 3) an overview of the Cross Cancer Institute Clinical Trial Unit Biography: Leslie Fedorak is the Manager of the Clinical Trial Unit at the Cross Cancer Institute (CCI). Leslie has worked as a Registered Oncology Nurse at the CCI for 25 years, which include 12 years as a Research Nurse prior to accepting the Management position. CLAIRE KJELD Nutrition, Beyond the Food Guide Learn how to put nutrition knowledge into practice by reviewing healthy eating habits, meal and snack planning, and building a better balance in your diet. DR. HEWITT Myeloma 101 Biography: Dr. Hewitt has been a registered nurse since In 1980 she received a Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing with distinction. She went on to continue her education and earned a Masters degree in Nursing in In 2015 Dr. Hewitt completed her PhD in Nursing with her dissertation on Cognitive Dysfunction in non-hodgkin s Lymphoma Patients Treated with Front-Line Chemotherapy. 3

4 DR. SANDHU Understanding Blood Work Reports Biography: Dr. Sandhu is a associate professor at the University of Alberta Division of Hematology and an adjunct at the Department of Oncology. My clinical interests involve caring for patients with acute leukemias, multiple myeloma, and clinical trials to allow patients access the best of new technology. My administrative duties include the Stem cell collection service with Canadian blood services and Bone marrow transplant duties at the Cross Cancer Institute. DR. VENNER Upcoming Therapies Biography: Dr. Venner hails from Edmonton. He did his medical training at the University of Calgary. He returned to the University of Alberta to complete his internal medicine training prior to heading to Vancouver and the University of British Columbia to complete a specialty degree in Hematology. He then went on to be the inaugural Plasma Cell Dyscrasia Fellow funded jointly through the Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program of British Columbia as well as St Bartholomew s and London School of Medicine as well as National Amyloidosis Centre, University College London. After spending a year completing his fellowship training in the UK he joined the National Amyloid Centre as a Staff physician before returning to Edmonton and the Cross Cancer Institute. His current academic interest are in clinical research in Plasma Cell Dyscrasias, examining the evolution of therapy in these disease as well as the impact novel combinations. Additionally he has interests in studying the evolution of the disease itself through therapy. These efforts are strengthened by his support for the development of a provincial wide database initiative in plasma cell dyscrasias and dysproteinemias. DR. NERI Genomics Coming Soon 4

5 CATHERINE SAMSON The Spirit of Laughter In our human journeys together it is shared laughter that connects, rejuvenates and energizes us. Whether we share our laughter with ourselves or others it is laughter that helps us overcome obstacles, be resilient and enjoy life in the most unexpected places. This heartfelt and entertaining presentation will tickle our funny bones while inspiring and teaching us to find laughter no matter the circumstances and to how use laughter to keep us healthy and positive. Biography: She is a humor and laughter expert, a workshop facilitator, a creativity specialist, comedienne, writer and professional motivational speaker. For over twenty-five years Catherine has traveled throughout North America speaking to hundreds of associations, businesses, health groups, and lecturing at various universities and colleges. Owning and managing two businesses has taught her how to survive the roller coaster of economics and social change. Trained in laughter therapy by psychotherapist, Dr.Annette Goodheart, Catherine Samson understands how vitally important humor, laughter and empathy are in assisting human beings to survive and thrive. She is proud of her work at the Cross Cancer Institute where she co-created and implemented the humor cart. Catherine walks her talk! By teaching wellness, humor and motivation. DR. BELCH Coming Soon 5