Testicular Cancer Summit Honorary Speaker - Dr. Lawrence Einhorn
Dr. Einhorn, or "Dr E" as he's affectionately referred to within the TC community, is a man who needs no introduction. Many of us would not even be here were it not for Dr. Einhorn's pioneering work in the 1970's that led to a once in a generation leap in the oncology field, and the cures for many cancers including Testicular Cancer.
Dr. Einhorn, or "Dr E" as he's affectionately referred to within the TC community, is a man who needs no introduction. Many of us would not even be here were it not for Dr. Einhorn's pioneering work in the 1970's that led to a once in a generation leap in the oncology field, and the cures for many cancers including Testicular Cancer! It was a great honor to be the first Testicular Cancer centric group to host the man who invented the cure for this disease! Why hadn't this been done before? Well it has now.
"Lawrence Einhorn, MD, has been on the IU School of Medicine Department of Medicine faculty since 1973. His field of expertise includes clinical trials and supportive care, with focus in the areas of lung and testicular cancers. Dr. Einhorn has also been involved in the clinical development of new drug therapies. Studies chaired by Dr. Einhorn at IU School of Medicine in the area of testicular cancer led to the FDA approval of cisplatin, etoposide and ifosfamide. In addition, his groups conducted the pivotal studies that led to the approval of both gemcitabine and pemetrexed in non-small cell lung cancer.
A major current area of focus for Dr. Einhorn is supportive care and survivorship, especially as it applies to patients who are cured with platinum-based chemotherapy for testicular cancer. He has been a long-standing member of the Multi-National Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC).
Dr. Einhorn's clinical interests include solid tumor oncology, specifically within the fields of genitourinary and lung cancers. His legacy will forever be linked with revolutionizing testicular cancer treatment. Prior to Dr. Einhorn's research in the area of platinum combination chemotherapy in patients with metastatic testicular cancer, the survival rate of the disease was approximately 10 percent. Now, due to Dr. Einhorn's monumental findings, the current survival rate for metastatic testicular cancer is at 80 percent.
Dr. Einhorn rose to even greater prominence when he used his novel treatment paradigm to treat Lance Armstrong, cancer advocate and seven-time winner of the Tour de France. With Dr. Einhorn's treatment, Armstrong survived stage 3 testicular cancer that initially presented with abdominal, brain and lung metastases. Like Armstrong, Einhorn remains dedicated to raising cancer awareness. He was appointe the first Lance Armstrong Foundation professor of oncology in 2006."
Testicular Cancer Summit Panelist - Dr. Clint Cary
At the Testicular Cancer Summit, we will have not one but two amazing testicular cancer doctors on hand to answer your questions in two hour-long "Ask the Oncologists Anything Q&A" breakout sessions, Dr Phil Pierorazio of Johns Hopkins Medicine, and Dr Clint Cary of Indiana University! You've already been introduced to Dr Pierorazio, but here's a bit about Dr Clint Cary!
At the Testicular Cancer Summit, we will have not one but two amazing testicular cancer doctors on hand to answer your questions in two hour-long "Ask the Oncologists Anything Q&A" breakout sessions, Dr Phil Pierorazio of Johns Hopkins Medicine, and Dr Clint Cary of Indiana University! You've already been introduced to Dr Pierorazio, but here's a bit about Dr Clint Cary!
Dr. Cary completed his urology residency at Indiana University and then went on to complete a two year urologic oncology fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. In addition to his fellowship, he completed a Master of Public Health Degree from U.C. Berkeley with a concentration in epidemiology. His clinical interest is in urologic oncology with a focus on the surgical management of advanced testicular cancer and bladder cancer. His research efforts focus on health services and outcomes research in testis and bladder cancer.
How many times have you been in your doctor's office and have felt so rushed, or like you didn't have enough time, or forgot what you were going to ask, and then you're left kicking yourself and wondering for the next month or until your next appointment? And then the same thing happens all over again!! It happens to all of us! These Oncology Q&A panel discussions will be the perfect opportunity for so many of us to sit down outside of a clinical setting, and finally just pick the brains of these amazing doctors to our heart's content!
Dr Einhorn will be Friday only, but Dr Pierorazio and Dr Cary aren't going anywhere! We're locking the doors, and looking forward to enlightening discussions for patients, survivors, and cancer advocates alike. This will also be an amazing opportunity for the doctors themselves to learn more about their patient populations and the advocacy world. We're looking forward to it!
Steve Pake
Co-Founder & Chair, Testicular Cancer Summit
Testicular Cancer Summit Keynote Speaker - Dr Phillip M. Pierorazio, M.D.
I am an urologist at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland and a passionate advocate for our testicular cancer patients. I am a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines Committee for Testicular Cancer and considered among the experts in robotic and open retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. There is no cancer like testicular cancer, it affects young men and because of the high cure rate, can have lasting effects for decades after successful treatment. For those reasons and more, there is no patient population like testicular cancer survivors – and there is no more rewarding group for whom to care.
I am an urologist at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland and a passionate advocate for our testicular cancer patients. I am a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines Committee for Testicular Cancer and considered among the experts in robotic and open retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. There is no cancer like testicular cancer, it affects young men and because of the high cure rate, can have lasting effects for decades after successful treatment. For those reasons and more, there is no patient population like testicular cancer survivors – and there is no more rewarding group for whom to care.
Thanks to giants in the field, like Dr. Einhorn, the overall cure rate for testicular cancer is 95%. However we still subject many men to side effects from chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery without completely understanding or imparting the long-term “toxicities” of these treatments. I, and others, think it’s time to stop patting ourselves on the back for curing 95% of men and start moving the bar higher to minimize the side effects of our treatments. While we are not willing to budge on the excellent cure rate, the newest generation of testicular cancer providers is keenly focused on improving the lives of our testicular cancer patients. I look forward to giving the medical perspective of Testicular Cancer Survivorship at the TC Summit and interacting with like-minded TC advocates from around the world!
Dr Phillip M. Pierorazio, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Urology and Oncology
Director, Division of Testis Cancer
Brady Urological Institute at Johns Hopkins University
Testicular Cancer Summit Keynote Speaker - Dr Ajay K. Nangia, MBBS
The Testicular Cancer Summit also pleased to welcome Dr Ajay K. Nangia, MBBS. Dr Nangia is a Professor of Urology at the University of Kansas Medical Center, and has expertise in the areas of male infertility and testosterone deficiency, of direct relevance to many testicular cancer survivors!
The Testicular Cancer Summit also pleased to welcome Dr Ajay K. Nangia, MBBS. Dr Nangia is a Professor of Urology at the University of Kansas Medical Center, and has expertise in the areas of male infertility and testosterone deficiency, of direct relevance to many testicular cancer survivors!
About Dr Nangia:
"Dr. Ajay K. Nangia is Professor of Urology at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Dr. Nangia received his medical degree from St. Thomas and Guy's Hospital Medical School in London, U.K. He completed two years of research at Yale University prior to residency. He completed his Urology residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and a Male Infertility and Microsurgery fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Nangia was at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire prior to coming to Kansas and the Kansas City area. Dr. Nangia is a fellowship trained male infertility specialist in the metropolitan Kansas City area with 14 years of experience and national involvement in the field. He is one of the leading male infertility specialists nationally and in Kansas, Missouri and the Midwest region. He has extensive experience in male infertility, urological microsurgical reconstruction, including vasectomy reversals in the Kansas, Western Missouri, Oklahoma and Nebraska region. He also specializes in Men's Health issues as they relate to sexual and reproductive health, especially male contraception, testosterone deficiency, erectile dysfunction and ejaculatory problems. He and Dr. Broghammer have one of the largest practices in surgical correction for erectile dysfunction (penile prostheses) in the region. He also specializes in fertility and sexual dysfunction issues related to spinal cord injuries and pre- and post-cancer treatment. Dr. Nangia is a leading national specialist in the field of vasectomies and complications from vasectomies. He also has a secondary specialty in stone disease. "
You can read Dr Nangia's full bio here.
We look forward to hearing from Dr Nangia at the Testicular Cancer Summit.
Testicular Cancer Summit Panelist - Emily Cox-Martin, PhD
The Testicular Cancer Summit is pleased to have Emily Cox-Martin, PhD as a panelist! "I am a Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Division of Medical Oncology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Working in the field of Psycho-Oncology, I help patients improve coping and adjustment around their diagnosis. I focus on the difficulties that emerge at the intersection of cancer and mental health across the cancer continuum, from diagnosis into survivorship.
I am a Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Division of Medical Oncology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Working in the field of Psycho-Oncology, I help patients improve coping and adjustment around their diagnosis. I focus on the difficulties that emerge at the intersection of cancer and mental health across the cancer continuum, from diagnosis into survivorship. Cancer is a disease that not only impacts our bodies, but our psychosocial functioning as well, including our mental health, our relationships, and how we take care of ourselves. At the Testicular Cancer Summit I hope to highlight that for cancer survivors, understanding and addressing the psychological impact of your disease is critical for your health, as well as your overall quality of life.
Emily Cox-Martin, PhD
Clinical Psychologist, Medical Oncology
University of Colorado Cancer Center - Anschutz
Testicular Cancer Summit Guest Speaker - Mike Craycraft
I am excited to have the opportunity to be a guest speaker at the Testicular Cancer Summit but more importantly, for the opportunity to meet so many other survivors and caregivers face to face and learn of your experiences. Whether we are a survivor, caregiver or healthcare professional we have each traveled a unique path to where we are today. I look forward to being able to share ways that we can continue to move forward and get back to living life. After our experiences, life may never be the same as it was before we were affected, but I hope that we can all find ways to embrace the “new normal.” I look forward to seeing you all in Denver.
I am excited to have the opportunity to be a guest speaker at the Testicular Cancer Summit but more importantly, for the opportunity to meet so many other survivors and caregivers face to face and learn of your experiences. Whether we are a survivor, caregiver or healthcare professional we have each traveled a unique path to where we are today. I look forward to being able to share ways that we can continue to move forward and get back to living life. After our experiences, life may never be the same as it was before we were affected, but I hope that we can all find ways to embrace the “new normal.” I look forward to seeing you all in Denver.
Bio
Mike was diagnosed in 2006 and is the founder of the Testicular Cancer Society, which also oversees the TC-Cancer.com Forums. Besides being a survivor he is also a clinical pharmacist by trade. He is a Mentor Angel with Imerman Angels, a 4th Angel Mentor with The Scott Hamilton CARES Initiative at the Cleveland Clinic and a survivor mentor for myCancerConnection at MD Anderson Cancer Center. He is a Research and Community Outreach Fellow for the Men's Health Initiative, serves as the Testicular Cancer Community Leader at MedHelp and volunteers for Love Hope Strength. As a Huffington Post Blogger he contributes on issues relating to adolescent and young adult oncology.
Mike Craycraft
Testicular Cancer Society
Cincinnati, Ohio
Testicular Cancer Summit Guest Speaker - Torsten Koehler
Fantesticle news - Guest speaker at the Testicular Cancer Summit! Being a cancer survivor we all of have story to tell. I like to focus on something “different”. I’m looking forward to share the challenges of a testicular cancer mission in South Africa where besides cancer and its horrible side-effects people have to deal with: no or limited access to clinics and doctors, language barriers, witchcraft, cultural taboos, stigma, rejection, lack of funds, lack of medication and lack of knowledge to name but a few.
Fantesticle news!
Guest speaker at the Testicular Cancer Summit! Being a cancer survivor we all of have story to tell. I like to focus on something “different”. I’m looking forward to share the challenges of a testicular cancer mission in South Africa where besides cancer and its horrible side-effects people have to deal with: no or limited access to clinics and doctors, language barriers, witchcraft, cultural taboos, stigma, rejection, lack of funds, lack of medication and lack of knowledge to name but a few. As the summit is not a one-way street I’m looking forward to hear, learn and get inspired by fellow survivors. It will be fantesticle!
Bio
The founder of Love Your Nuts campaign was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1995 whilst educating young teenagers about ‘sex education’ at a school and being in his early thirties himself. His journey of survival started by openly confronting in his book his thoughts and emotions, relate the reactions of his friends, family and not least, his students, who provoked him without reserve and in doing so, gave him enormous help and hope. His book “Love your nuts” was published internationally in 2011 in English (German version was published in Germany in 2004 already). "He has won, he lives and he loves. He is showing everybody how valuable they are and how fantastic life can be" (a reader's words) and therefore has a passion for this campaign.
Born in 1965 and grew up in Namibia. He studied teaching and was a teacher for 15 years in Namibia. This 15-year span was interrupted three times and in the years 1991, 1997/8 and 2006 he toured through 45 countries on all the continents. He has been a Cape Town resident since 2007. Followed his passions – photography and design – until the end of 2016 after leaving the teaching profession in 2005.
Since 2017 he is working full time for his foundation with the best job description ever: talking balls and saving lives.
Greetings from sunny Cape Town
Torsten
Love Your Nuts
Cape Town, South Africa
Testicular Cancer Summit Guest Speaker - Nancy Balin
The Jaimeson Jones Memorial Scholarship has two missions: Providing scholarships to families who have experienced childhood cancer, and preaching early detection of TC by teaching its signs and symptoms. JJMS is dedicated to changing the culture of silence about men’s health and heightening people’s awareness about testicular cancer, and to do that, we get them where they live: with humor. We are beyond honored and thrilled to be attending the first-ever Testicular Cancer Summit.
The Jaimeson Jones Memorial Scholarship
In 2005, 14-year-old Jaimeson Jones had a secret. Not a good secret, though – a deadly one. The ninth grader had increasingly painful swelling in his left testicle, and he had suffered in silence already for more than a year. When he finally couldn’t stand the pain any more, he landed in the ER, where he was diagnosed with Stage IV (now known as Stage IIIC) poor-prognosis testicular cancer. After in-person consultations with the great Lawrence Einhorn, M.D. and his expert panel of surgeons, multiple rounds of chemotherapy in Seattle and four major surgeries at IUPUI, Jaimeson’s cancer went into remission late that year.
While he was in remission, he tellingly explained to a high school friend, “It just kept getting bigger and bigger, but I was too embarrassed to tell my mom.”
In 2009, when Jaimeson was 19, the cancer recurred, and he endured even more extreme treatment, including high-dose chemotherapy with two stem cell transplants (chillingly, prophetically, known as “salvage therapy”) and two major lung surgeries. This time, though, he couldn’t be saved, and he died at age 20 in 2010, leaving a devastated family and community.
Jaimeson bequeathed his college savings to his two younger sisters, then 12 and 18, because he understood the financial devastation his illness had caused the family.
Jaimeson Jones died of embarrassment, like so many other young men with TC. Testicular cancer is the “perfect storm” of a disease, despite Dr. Einhorn’s monumental work in the 1970s. This is not because there is no successful treatment, but because the target demographic most likely to get it (men ages 15-35) feel invincible, hate going to the doctor, feel embarrassed about where their symptoms are, and don’t realize that those symptoms may indicate cancer. So, they wait. And wait. Just as Jaimeson did.
JJMS is dedicated to changing the culture of silence about men’s health and heightening people’s awareness about testicular cancer, and to do that, we get them where they live: with humor. The annual Seattle-area Family Jewels 5K (get it?) raises scholarship funds, and JJMS educates that captive audience with their “30-second lecture” about testicles: “Shouldn’t hurt! Shouldn’t have lumps or bumps! Shouldn’t be (way) different sizes! And if there’s a change – GO SEE A UROLOGIST!” Nut Notes along the route gently pester men to do self-checks: “Too chicken to check your nuggets?” “Check your ‘nads, lads!” “Don’t be slackers, check your knackers!” “Carpe Scrotum!” Family and friend groups jog by, laugh, and learn – and we save lives.
The Jaimeson Jones Memorial Scholarship has two missions: Providing scholarships to families who have experienced childhood cancer, and preaching early detection of TC by teaching its signs and symptoms. We are beyond honored and thrilled to be attending the first-ever Testicular Cancer Summit.
Nancy Balin
Jaimeson Jones Memorial Scholarship
Testicular Cancer Summit Guest Speaker - Jason Greenspan
Jason is looking forward to the Testicular Cancer Summit because it is a great way for all members of the Testicular Cancer community to come together and interact. He will be able to share his story with others, but also learn from other Testicular Cancer survivors as well! There will be survivors from all over the world and many Testicular Cancer foundations, as well as world renowned doctors who specialize in the treatment of Testicular Cancer. With all these elements and this being the first event of its kind anywhere in the world, the event is sure to be a major success! Jason will be speaking about his cancer journey as a student in high school and the impact it had on his life. He will also be discussing what young men can do to be more active about Testicular Cancer awareness in their own communities.
Jason Greenspan, the founder of Stamp Out Cancer Now! was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer when he was 18 years old in his senior year of high school. Stamp Out Cancer Now! is a fundraiser and Testicular Cancer campaign designed to bring more awareness of this type of cancer to young men and college students. Jason has been able to share his story by appearing on numerous television news segments, local talk shows, newspaper & magazine articles, and even the radio. He regularly attends fundraising events and is often a guest speaker, speaking about his own cancer journey. Jason is a Marketing major at Shippensburg University, graduating in December 2017.
When Jason was diagnosed, he was planning for his prom and awaiting graduation. This was supposed to be the time of his life: enjoying time with friends and finishing high school before entering the real world. Just before his prom, while he was watching television, he had an itch that ended up being the most important itch he would ever experience. After visiting his doctor a few days later, he got the news that would change his life forever. The doctor told him that he had Testicular Cancer and was going to need surgery to remove the tumor. Jason felt like his life was now on hold. He was supposed to go to his prom, graduation, and then college in the fall. After his surgery, he needed to have nine weeks of chemotherapy which became some of the most difficult days of his life.
Since he was diagnosed, Jason has made a strong presence in the cancer community. Within weeks of being diagnosed, he created his own fundraiser called, Stamp Out Cancer Now! In his first year of college, he became Sponsorship Chair for the Colleges Against Cancer club. Each year he has increased his position, landing him as the current President of the club. This summer, Jason became a Board Member of the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation while interning at Johns Hopkins Hospital with another TCAF board member, Dr. Phillip Pierorazio. He researches about Testicular Cancer and plans survivor events.
Jason is looking forward to the Testicular Cancer Summit because it is a great way for all members of the Testicular Cancer community to come together and interact. He will be able to share his story with others, but also learn from other Testicular Cancer survivors as well! There will be survivors from all over the world and many Testicular Cancer foundations, as well as world renowned doctors who specialize in the treatment of Testicular Cancer. With all these elements and this being the first event of its kind anywhere in the world, the event is sure to be a major success! Jason will be speaking about his cancer journey as a student in high school and the impact it had on his life. He will also be discussing what young men can do to be more active about Testicular Cancer awareness in their own communities.
Remember TWO Check!
Jason Greenspan
Stamp Out Cancer Now!
Rockville, MD
Testicular Cancer Summit Guest Speaker - Thomas Cantley (Mr.Ballsy)
After being diagnosed with stage 3 Testicular Cancer that spread to my lymph nodes (because I put off going to the doctor), I got inspired. Two years ago, I created a campaign that received worldwide attention - I pushed a giant inflatable testicle across 2 countries and over 8,000 miles to raise awareness for this cancer. Yes, you heard that right, a giant NUT!
After being diagnosed with stage 3 Testicular Cancer that spread to my lymph nodes (because I put off going to the doctor), I got inspired. Two years ago, I created a campaign that received worldwide attention - I pushed a giant inflatable testicle across 2 countries and over 8,000 miles to raise awareness for this cancer. Yes, you heard that right, a giant NUT!
Mr.Ballsy in New Mexico, September 2014 via Facebook.
I wanted men to be ballsy by talking about their health and to stop ignoring it because they're too proud/shy/embarrassed (you fill in the blanks). And I definitely got people talking! This amazing journey has made me recognized globally and quoted as one of the most outspoken voices in Testicular Cancer awareness in the world. I have gained hundreds of hours of media coverage for this worthy cause. But best of all, I met amazing people who I inspired to be ballsy about their health and who also inspired me.
Look out for my film documenting this amazing experience this year! My mission is to inspire them to live well physically and mentally. Often times, after men seek physical treatment for their issues, they ignore their mental health. 50% of what I do is talk to men about mentally preparing for a diagnosis and helping them wrap their heads around recovery from a diagnosis. Mindset is key - healthy mind equals healthy body.
I have an awareness COMIC coming out this November, and a Documentary in 2018. I am so glad to be a part of a great summit like this because it brings together people from all over the world that share one thing - cancer. It's a great way to connect , educate and learn. The TC community is a family and a bond like no other, I have built relationships with a lot of people attending and speaking that I've known for years and am so excited to finally meet. That is why events like these are important.
Thomas Cantley
Mr.Ballsy
Top 5 Things to Know About the Testicular Cancer Summit in Denver
It’s coming this Fall 2017! Mark your calendars for October 13-15th in Denver, Colorado for a first of its kind Testicular Cancer Summit, featuring Dr. Lawrence Einhorn as an honorary guest speaker!If you’ve been wondering what’s going on and what this is all about, here are the Top 5 things you need to know about the Testicular Cancer Summit.
It’s coming this Fall 2017! Mark your calendars for October 13-15th in Denver, Colorado for a first of its kind Testicular Cancer Summit, featuring Dr. Lawrence Einhorn as an honorary guest speaker!
If you’ve been wondering what’s going on and what this is all about, here are the Top 5 things you need to know about the Testicular Cancer Summit.
Who’s Running the Show and How Did This Get Started?
The Testicular Cancer Summit is a grassroots and survivor initiated summit, co-founded by testicular cancer survivors Ron Bye, Steve Pake, and Mike Craycraft.
Ron and Steve met by pure chance in Singapore back in 2016, and it had been one of the few times in Ron’s incredible 41 years of surviving testicular cancer that he had met another survivor. Little did both Ron and Steve know at the time, that each had wanted to get a larger scale testicular cancer summit going like this for a while. A “let’s do this” phone call from Ron to Steve at the end of 2016 about getting a Testicular Cancer Summit going for 2017 was all it took. “He had me at hello.” Fellow testicular cancer survivor, Mike Craycraft, was a mutual friend of both who it turned out had similar aspirations of his own, and quickly hopped on board to get things rolling from there.
Ron Bye – Co-Founder, 41 year survivor of testicular cancer, and author of the book, “Memoirs of a 30 Year Cancer Survivor”
Steve Pake – Co-Founder and Chair, 6 year survivor of testicular cancer, author of the award-winning Cancer Blog, Young Adult Cancer Survivorship by Steve Pake at www.stevepake.com. Steve also serves as a Director at the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation
Mike Craycraft, Co-Founder and Committee Member, 10 year survivor of testicular cancer, Founder of the Testicular Cancer Society, and owner of the popular TC-Cancer.com web forum.
Planning a large-scale summit such as this is much more than a one or even a three person job, and so we’re very grateful for all of the support and invaluable contributions from the rest of our planning committee as well, as follows.
Kim Jones, Committee Member and Primary Sponsor/Fiduciary, and Founder of the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation.
Dr Phil Pierorazio, Committee Member and Medical Advisor, Director of the Testis Cancer Division and Assistant Professor of Oncology/Urology at the Johns Hopkins University hospital.
Steve Fillmore, a 2x Testicular Cancer Survivor and motivational speaker, and author of the website www.stevefillmore.com
Scott Joy – Committee Member – 13 year survivor of testicular cancer, and a Senior Livestrong Leader at Livestrong.
What Is Our Mission?
Our mission and purpose is very simple. We all just want to put together the best possible testicular cancer specific summit that we can, for as many people that care to join us, regardless of our various affiliations with different testicular cancer organizations and missions. When it comes down to it, we’re all on the same team of helping to raise awareness about the most common form of cancer in young men, and helping them through their cancer fights and survivorship journeys afterwards. Despite being the most common form of cancer in younger men, testicular cancer is still considered to be a rare cancer, and thus the best way to achieve critical mass for a testicular cancer summit is to combine forces, followings, and resources. We could not be more grateful for the enthusiasm and support received thus far.
Dr. Einhorn Will Be There
Yes, Dr. Einhorn will be there! We are extremely grateful that the man who developed the modern cure for testicular cancer will be in attendance to help kick off this summit. Dr. Einhorn’s landmark work in the 1970’s on the Cisplatin drug and the first “PVB” chemotherapy protocol literally turned testicular cancer from a death sentence to one of the most curable cancers. Dr Einhorn will deliver an hour long presentation about testicular cancer on Friday afternoon, and will then be available for a brief Q&A and meet and greet session afterwards.
“Dr. E”, as he’s commonly known, is an angel. To this day at 75 years of age, he still consults with testicular cancer patients and oncologists all over the world via email, per his own free will and outside of his role at Indiana University, often responding within an hour. Dr. E has touched the lives of millions all over the world not just through his landmark work, but as a public figure that has always made himself accessible to the public on the topic of testicular cancer.
So many of our lives have been touched by Dr. Einhorn, even if we were never actually patients of his! If you’ve ever wanted to meet Dr. Einhorn in person, this Testicular Cancer Summit will be your chance. Dr. Einhorn will only be available for the Testicular Cancer Summit on Friday afternoon, October 13th, so plan your travel accordingly! We’re most grateful that Dr. Einhorn will be attending this first of its kind Testicular Cancer Summit!
It Will Be More Than Just Dr. E
It will be more than Dr. E in attendance. We’re working hard putting together a great list of guest speakers and attendees from both the testicular cancer oncology and urology worlds, and from the testicular cancer advocacy and non-profit arenas, to educate and inspire attendees. Look for announcements throughout the summer leading into the fall summit in Denver. We have nearly a dozen people of significance lined up to speak, deliver keynote addresses, and to lead breakout sessions. Dr. Einhorn is just the start of a steadily growing list. You’re going to be both amazed and impressed! We’ll make it worth your trip to Denver.
This Will Be a Life Changing Event
Testicular Cancer is a small world, but for one weekend in October, we’re going to bring as much of that world as possible under one roof in Denver for a life-changing event and summit.
If you’re involved with testicular cancer advocacy or just want to understand more about this disease, it will be an incredible opportunity to pick the brains and learn from some of the best minds in testicular cancer oncology and urology, that we never seem to have enough time with during office visits. So many of us have a desire to give back in some way, and the Testicular Cancer Summit will also be the perfect opportunity to learn about different testicular cancer centric advocacy and non-profit missions across the world, and to learn about the volunteer opportunities that are available to you, or even what you can do on your own! Last but certainly not least, is networking. The opportunity to network is one of the core features of this summit. It’s the perfect opportunity to finally make those in-person connections with so many that you might have only known online through the Internet and social media for so long – so many of us will finally get those handshakes and hugs we’ve long sought. There’s nothing like being face to face, and for one weekend, we all will be!
Connect, Learn, Network, and Enjoy!
On behalf of the Testicular Cancer Summit Planning Committee, we hope you will join us and look forward to seeing you in Denver, October 13-15th.
Steve Pake
Co-Founder and Chair
Testicular Cancer Summit
TestesSummit.org
A First of its Kind Testicular Cancer Summit, Featuring Dr Lawrence Einhorn
Bringing Survivors and Experts Together for a Weekend of Awareness, Education and Support.
Mark your calendars. October 13, 14 & 15, 2017 at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center will host the first Testicular Cancer Summit. During this weekend long event we will discuss life with cancer and the many lifestyle changes that can help the healing process. Motivational speakers, keynotes on lifestyle, and support systems will all be part of this summit. We hope to see you there.
Mark your calendars for October 13-15 in Denver, Colorado for a first of its kind Testicular Cancer Summit!
As a six year survivor of testicular cancer who's also been involved with non-profit and advocacy work, there's a lot of people that I've met over the years thanks to the Internet and social media that I've not just become friends with, but that I've come to truly love and appreciate as human beings. I've longed to meet so many of these people in person not just to shake hands, but to hug and maybe shed a few tears with, too. I'd wanted to get some sort of national "Testicular Cancer Summit" going for the past few years now, but it's such a daunting task. I didn't even know where to begin, and so I never started, but the desire to do this never left me.
I was on a plane last year heading to the Far East and Singapore for vacation and to visit family, and was thinking about this idea again. How do I make this happen? There were so many people I just longed to meet in person for once. One of those people was Ron Bye, an incredible 40-plus years survivor of testicular cancer, who has been such an inspiration to so many of us. Ron was diagnosed with Stage II testicular cancer in 1975, back when it was still considered to be a death sentence. The life-saving Cisplatin drug that has saved millions of lives to date was still only in clinical trial phase then, but he miraculously survived. Ron had been a hero to me, and what I wouldn't have given to just shake this man's hand one day, and others like him.
Funny things happen in life sometimes. Who do you think just happened to be in Singapore at the same exact time as my family and I, and on his first ever trip to Asia, other than Ron Bye! You can read more about that encounter here, and what an incredible synchronicity it was. Meeting Ron was amazing, along with solidifying our friendship. Personal connections like these matter.
At the end of last year, Ron gave me a call and said he wanted to organize a testicular cancer summit. He had me at hello. We'd never discussed doing this when we'd met in person or online, but little did both of us know, we both longed to do the same thing. Ron mentioned that in over 40 years of surviving testicular cancer, he could count the number of other testicular cancer survivors he'd met on just one hand, and that it was time to change that. Another testicular cancer survivor that Ron had met over the years was Scott Joy, someone I knew very well and who was high up on my list of people I'd longed to meet in person one day also. Scott has been a force for good not just in the testicular cancer community, but for the cancer community as a whole through all of his hard work for the Livestrong Foundation over the years. Scott quickly joined our planning committee, and from there we managed to pick up Kim Jones of the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation as a primary sponsor, survivor Mike Craycraft of the Testicular Cancer Society, survivor and motivational speaker Steve Fillmore, and finally, Dr Phillip Pierorazio, MD, Assistant Professor of Urology and Oncology, and Director of Testis Cancer Division at Brady Urology, Johns Hopkins University. This is a great team of people, and this is going to be an amazing event!
When it comes to making these personal connections real, there's no one in the testicular cancer world that people would love to meet more than Dr. Lawrence Einhorn, and indeed, many of us wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for him. I'm one of them. It was Dr Einhorn's pioneering work with the Cisplatin drug in the 1970's that turned testicular cancer from the death sentence that it had been with a 10% survival rate, to the highly curable cancer that it is today with a 90% overall survival rate! There are hundreds of thousands of testicular cancer survivors who are alive today because of this man's work just in the U.S. alone, and the Cisplatin drug is commonly used to successfully treat other cancers as well. Dr. Einhorn has literally saved millions of lives because of his work. It'd have been tough to ever put together a summit for a disease that almost no one had survived, prior to Dr Einhorn's work. There's no one single person we'd want to honor more.
We reached out to Dr. Einhorn. He'll be there.
Not only will Dr Einhorn be attending this Testicular Cancer Summit in Denver, but he'll be delivering an hour and a half long keynote address and Q&A session on Saturday morning, to formally get the summit rolling. We could not be more grateful.
No matter how testicular cancer has affected your life, and whether you're a direct survivor, a co-survivor or caregiver, or you've lost someone that you love to this disease, you won't want to miss this life-changing event. Never will have have so many testicular cancer survivors and members of this community have been in the same place all at the same time, with so many great minds both from the survivors community and the oncology world all present. This will not just be a great event to finally get those handshakes and hugs from people that you've known for so long, but to also network and learn from the brightest minds in the testicular cancer world. This will be an unforgettable and life-changing event, and we hope that you'll join us!
On behalf of the Testicular Cancer Summit planning committee, we look forward to seeing you in October!
StevePake.com
