This forum included some great presentations by doctors from the Baylor College of Medicine and MD Anderson Cancer Center. Check them out! As a preview, you can see this short clip of Dr. Ashish Kamat talking about BCG:

Not sure if you want to organize a walk? Have a few questions? Learn more by watching the recording of our introductory webinar.

With the help of our incredible supporters, BCAN has grown a lot in the past six years.  We’re proud every time we’re able to do more in the fight against bladder cancer, whether by helping more patients, supporting more research, or doing more to raise awareness. Now, this expansion means that we’ve outgrown our first office!  Next week we will be moving to a larger office, just a block up the street.

For the second year in a row, CBS newsman and bladder cancer survivor Bob Schieffer has agreed to serve as the honorary chair for Walk for Bladder Cancer Day scheduled for Saturday, May 5, 2012 as a means to bring national attention to this ignored disease. Schieffer was diagnosed with bladder cancer several years ago after he noticed blood in his urine. Since then, he has repeatedly spoken out about his diagnosis and treatment. His openness about his disease has helped bladder cancer survivors recognize that they are not alone and encouraged others to visit a doctor if they see symptoms. Schieffer is the Chief Washington Correspondent for CBS News and has anchored Face the Nation since 1991.

On May 5th, Schieffer and other supporters in the Washington DC area will meet and walk in our nation’s capital raising awareness and funds for bladder cancer research and education. At the same time, bladder cancer survivors, caregivers, loved ones and their friends across the country will take to the streets in their local communities bringing needed attention and focus on this very common, but unspoken of, disease. Read the full press release here and learn more about how you can Walk for Bladder Cancer.

Founder’s Circle ($5,000 and higher)
Champion’s Circle ($1,000 – $4,999)
Advocate’s Circle ($500 – $999)
Friend’s Circle ($100 – $499)

Read more about why we need your support. If you have already donated, thank you so much!

The Houston forum will take place on Saturday, December 10 at the Houston Marriott at the Texas Medical Center. An expert panel of bladder cancer specialists from Baylor and MD Anderson will give presentations on the disease, treatment, and recent advances and will allow time for questions and answers.  To learn more about our presenters and the forum schedule, see the forum flyer.

Preregistration is required as space is limited and lunch will be provided. If you plan to attend the forum, make sure to register early to guarantee a space.  Register online now for $15, or call BCAN at 888-901-2226 to register over the phone. We hope to see you there!

In a statement on Saturday, he said, “I do have cancer of the bladder, but that is no longer a death sentence. People with cancer are getting through this thing. They’re kicking it, and they’re winning more and more every year. And I’m going to be one of them.”

BCAN thanks you for speaking out and raising awareness of this disease.  We wish you the best of luck during treatment and recovery.  Read more about the announcement here.

Our next patient forum, “Understanding Bladder Cancer,” will take place on Saturday, December 10 in Houston, Texas. The forum is aimed at patients, family members, and caregivers from across the Southwest.

Dr. Seth Lerner from the Baylor College of Medicine and Dr. Ashish Kamat from the MD Anderson Cancer Center will be serving as our faculty co-chairs for the event. An expert panel of bladder cancer specialists from Baylor and MD Anderson will give an overview of many aspects of the disease, and will give you time for questions and answers

Preregistration is required as space is limited and lunch will be provided. Register online now, or visit our patient forum page to learn more and see other registration options.

Robert Levin brings extensive experience to the BCAN board, and currently serves on the boards of Ellie Mae and Morehouse College. Dr. William Shipley joins the BCAN board with a strong background in the breadth of issues facing bladder cancer patients and the bladder cancer research community. Dr. Shipley is a Professor of Radiation Oncology at Harvard Medical School and the Head of Genitourinary Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital.  To learn more about our new board members, see their bios on our Board of Directors pages, or read the press release announcing their election.

Marge has raised more than $15,000 (and is still accepting donations on her Firstgiving page) and had more than 100 people walk with her when she “Trekked the Two Rivers” on Saturday, October 22.  As the walk grew, friends and family have helped by donating their time and skills to make it possible.  She has even gotten local press to raise awareness of bladder cancer, including an article in The Morning Call in Lehigh Valley.

Thank you, Marge, for your inspirational work!  If you would like to make a donation in support of Marge’s work , please visit her Firstgiving page for more information.

Our next patient forum, “Understanding Bladder Cancer,” will take place on Saturday, September 24, 2011 in Aurora, Colorado. The forum is aimed at patients, family members, and caregivers from across the Rocky Mountain region.  We don’t know when we’ll next be in the Rockies, so make your plans to attend this valuable event now!

The forum will include presentations from doctors at the University of Colorado, The Urology Center of Colorado, and St. Mary’s Regional Cancer Center.  You can see the topics they will cover on the event flyer (PDF).

Preregistration is required as space is limited and lunch will be provided. Register online now, or visit our patient forum page to learn more and see other registration options.

It’s important to be aware of what medications you are on, and what their potential side effects might be.  If you have any questions about your medications or their side effects, be sure to ask your doctor.

The event will take place at the track at MPC Complex, 301 Pennsylvania Parkway, Indianapolis, IN 46280. Prizes will be awarded to the person who walks the most laps and who raises the most money. To learn about how you can participate or support the silent auction, email Sandy at sbailey@pillargroup.com.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.  We would like to fill the positions from September-December.  Applicants, please send a cover letter and resume to Grace at gschroer@bcan.org.

Jeffrey Breslow has finished his 272 mile hike of Vermont’s Long Trail, and ended up raising more than $60,000 for BCAN’s programs.  Read more about the story of his hike on his blog at http://www.jeffreybreslow.blog.com/

We’re honored that he chose to recognize us with this hike, and incredibly grateful for the donations he has made possible. 

Thank you, Jeffrey!  Congratulations on completing an inspiring hike!

BCAN’s Executive Director Larry Rzepka is heading up to Vermont to congratulate Jeffrey when he finishes.  We’d like to pass on a huge “Thank You” to Jeffrey and all of your supporters for doing so much to raise awareness of bladder cancer and to raise more than $58,000 for BCAN’s programs!