On November 9th, LACNETS held its 2024 NET Cancer Day Symposium in Santa Monica, California, to recognize and celebrate World NET Cancer Day, which is held annually on November 10th. Over 80 NET attendees gathered to learn from renowned physicians, sponsors, and to connect with one another.
Six NET experts covered topics ranging from surgery, medical therapies, Alpha PRRT, endocrinology, and clinical trials. This year’s event focused on what patients and caregivers can do to raise awareness of neuroendocrine cancer. Stephanie Alband, INCA President and Pheo Para Alliance Executive Director, presented on “Spreading Awareness Globally: INCA’s Think NENs” campaign, highlighting INCA’s efforts to raise awareness about neuroendocrine cancer and neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN).
LACNETS Board President Donna Gavin presented the 2024 Giovanna Imbesi Above and Beyond Award to Val Tippy. Each year, the award is given to an individual for outstanding dedication to NET patient advocacy. Val has been an invaluable member of the LACNETS community contributing her time and experience to help other patients. As a NETConnect Mentor, Val is the first to offer a lending hand, listening ear, along with an open heart and mind. Although Val could not attend the event in person, her family and friends surprised her with the award during a family brunch a few weeks ago.
Heather Davis, LACNETS’ Associate Director of Advocacy and Outreach, presented on “Let’s Talk About NETs: How YOU Can Spread Awareness.” She stated the attendees are raising awareness by attending the event and sharing their NET journeys. Her heartfelt remarks highlighted the collective role of patients, caregivers, NET experts and pharmaceuticals in advancing early detection by making NET more top of mind in the medical community and bridging gaps in care of NET patients.
Visit https://www.lacnets.org/net-awareness for resources to help raise awareness of NETs.
This memorable event gave the guests opportunities to reflect and connect with one another during a drum healing session with John Fitzgerald, a Drum Circle Facilitator, and a networking lunch hour and a post-event ice cream social. Dozens of participants' excellent questions were answered by our expert speakers.
We are grateful to our speakers:
Stephanie Alband, INCA & The Pheo Para Alliance
Martin Auerbach, MD
Jaydira Del Rivero, MD
Alexandra Gangi, MD
Andrew Hendifar, MD
Run Yu, MD
The speaker presentations are available here:
Here are some comments we have received from attendees so far:
“The speakers you assembled were great! Even more important was the opportunity to meet other zebras."
"My first event and thoroughly enjoyed it."
“Thanks a million for this great event. I was feeling sad about med stuff until I attended and left with a huge smile on my face and more hopeful."
"The speakers had so much to offer all of us, the food was delish, and the drumming was very clever....a good choice to end a wealth of very intellectual information and bring balance back to the brain."
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
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