10th Neuroblastoma Parent Education and Medical Conference
Neuroblastoma researchers from around the country are developing new treatments and therapies to improve survival rates and reduce the long-term effects of treatment. Meet some of them at the Children’s Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation’s 10th annual Parent Education and Medical Conference:
June 28-30, 2013
The Westin Lombard Yorktown Center
70 Yorktown Center
Lombard, IL 60148
Tel: 630-719-8002
Neuroblastoma families have many, many questions, and resources aren’t always readily available. The Parent Education and Medical Conference is a chance for them to get the answers that they seek. Attendees will be able to hear directly from the top neuroblastoma researchers, form valuable networks with other families, and learn how they can become involved in – or create their own – fundraising opportunities in their communities.
Each year, families rave that the conference provides them with a chance to get away, relax, and commiserate with other people who can relate to their circumstance. Children ages 12 and younger can enjoy activities in our “Kids’ Room” * while their parents attend the meetings. (Older children and those not participating in the Kids’ Room are the responsibility of the parents).
The conference can accommodate no more than 200 attendees, and space fills up fast. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
CNCF has subsidized the hotel rooms and are offered to our families at a rate $65.00/per night plus tax. * For information, call CNCF at 866-671-2623.
A Special Message from Pat Tallungan President of CNCF
Families We Need Your Help
After my son, Nicholas, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at the age of 6, a hospital employee handed me a sheet of paper about cancer with little mention of neuroblastoma. And that was it. There was no place to turn for more information, no place to get answers. We were hit with a cancer diagnosis, and then, suddenly, we were in the dark.
A year after Nicky passed away at age 10, I helped found CNCF primarily as a resource for neuroblastoma families. Our annual conference represents some of the most important work that we do for educating our parents and caregivers. We have taken on the expenses for families to attend, because we realize that many of you are dealing with high medical bills. However, economic conditions and cuts in federal medical funding have made it necessary for CNCF to ask that families that can afford it help to cover some of the costs of putting on the event, such as their accommodations. The cost to CNCF for a family of four, for instance, is in excess of $560, which does not include, planning, supplies, setup, audio visual equipment and other expenses.
We need your help, neuroblastoma families. In order to continue to put on this important conference every year, please consider CNCF in your annual giving and fundraising activities. Engage other family members, friends, co-workers and business associates in our mission, and direct them to our Web site to make a tax deductible donation. Donors can designate your child’s or your family name so that we know who to thank.
For those who have attended the conference in the past, you know firsthand the value of this program. Please help us to be able to continue this conference for yourself and the families who will be joining the neuroblastoma community.
Thank you and we hope to see you soon.
Sincerely,
Pat Tallungan
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INVITED GUEST SPEAKERS
Dr. Susan Cohn
Dr. Rupert Handgretinger
Dr. Sam Volchenboum
Dr. Chrystal Louis,
Dr. Greg Yanik
Dr. Paul Sondel
Hillary Van Horn Gatlin PhD
Dr. Giselle Sholler
Dr. Araz Marachelian
Sloan Kettering Speaker
Learning Issues speaker
NB Survivors
Angel Parent Facilitators
Darcie Sims
Hillary Van Horn Gatlin Phd
Program of Events
***This is subject to change***
PROGRAM OF EVENTS – TBD
As always, if any of your children are sick or not feeling well that day, we ask that they do not participate in the Playroom activities as some of our children are still immune-suppressed from treatment. Also if they have recently been vaccinated, been exposed to chicken pox, shingles or any other contagious disease we ask they stay with you and not join in with the other children. Thank you for your consideration in this very important part of the conference activities.
ATTIRE: Casual to very casual (including jeans). Bring a sweater or jacket as the rooms tend to be cold.
***All other incidental hotel room charges, movie rentals, room service, etc are the responsibility of the guest.***
