Virtual Testicular Cancer Conference
April 20 & 21, 2022
BRINGING testicular cancer SURVIVORS, patients, CAREGIVERS, AND MEDICAL EXPERTS TOGETHER
We are focused on bringing an international group of testicular cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones together to address the physical and emotional toll of being diagnosed and treated for a cancer at a young age. We discuss life with and after cancer, and lifestyle changes that can help the healing process. We invite a panel of medical experts to provide pertinent information for patients currently fighting and resources for long-term survivorship.
Testicular Cancer Survivors, Patients, Caregivers, and TC Medical Community. Join us for 2 incredible evenings!
April Virtual Testicular Cancer Conference is In Memory of John Cleland
John first had a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in 1973 performed by Dr. John Donahue at IU. Because of the large number of positive lymph nodes, he received adjuvant mithramycin (noted by L.E. to be “not my most brilliant idea”).
When he relapsed with pulmonary metastases, he received the then standard chemo of actinomycin D. After a brief response, he enrolled in the first ever testis clinical trial with adriamycin + bleomycin + vincristine. Sadly, although completely asymptomatic, he experienced a relapse with increasing size and number of pulmonary metastases.
It took amazing courage and the desire to help others when he enrolled on the PVB phase II trial. This was before the introduction of effective antiemetics, and after day one of each of the four, five-day courses, he experienced horrible nausea and vomiting.
Topics Discussed at the conference
Evening 1:
COVID and Vaccines in relation to testis Cancer
Long Term Side Effects of Treatment and How To Prevent Them
Breakout Sessions with Dr. Phil Pierorazio, Dr. David J. Vaughn, Dr. Clint Cary, Dr. Nicholas Cost, Dr. Aditya Bagrodia, Dr. Nabil Adra, and Dr. Khalid Alkhatib
Evening 2:
“It Takes Balls!”
Uniball Movie
Breakout Sessions with Dr. Phil Pierorazio, Dr. David J. Vaughn, Dr. Clint Cary, Dr. Nicholas Cost, Dr. Aditya Bagrodia, Dr. Nabil Adra, and Dr. Khalid Alkhatib
Social hour followed each evening of the conference
There were live discussions with testicular cancer experts, a live Q&A and a chance to connect with other survivors & caregivers across the globe.
Keynote/guest Speakers
Dr. Phillip M. Pierorazio, MD - Professor and Chief of Urology, Penn Presbyterian Hospital
Dr. Pierorazio is originally from New York, he received his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University in Washington, DC and his medical degree from Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons in New York City where he completed a Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellowship in Urological Oncology.
Twitter: @drphil_urology
Facebook: Penn Medicine
Email: phillip.pierorazio@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Click Here to see Dr. Phillip Pierorazio’s video on Testicular Cancer
Dr. David J. Vaughn, MD - Medical Oncology, Penn Medicine
Dr. David Vaughn, MD is a Medical Oncology Specialist in Philadelphia, PA and has over 35 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from Harvard Medical School medical school in 1987. He is affiliated with medical facilities such as Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.
Facebook: Penn Medicine
Dr. Nabil Adra, MD - Hematology - Oncology, Indiana University Health
Dr. Nabil Adra has been practicing medicine since 2010. His commitment to his patients and their overall well-being is to provide them the best care possible while establishing long-lasting relationships. Dr. Adra's clinical interests include medical oncology, with a specific focus on urologic oncology and the treatment of prostate, testicular, bladder and kidney cancers. Aside from medicine, Dr. Adra enjoys sports, including soccer and skiing, listening to music, and playing the piano and drums.
Facebook: IUSimonCancerCenter
Twitter: IUSimonCancerCenter
Dr. Khalid Alkhatib, Clinical Research Fellow Urology Division, Center of Surgery and Public Health Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Khalid is a testicular cancer survivor after being diagnosed at the age of 18 and later recurrence at 28. His medical education and career evolved around testicular cancer, eventually aspiring to become a urological oncologist. Dr. Khalid’s current research interest is in access to health care, health services, urological cancers, and cancer survivorship.
Twitter: @khalid_alkhatib
Email: Khalid.Alkhatib@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
BJ Lange - TC Survivor & Commentator
BJ Lange is a retired USAF Reserve medic, two-time testicular cancer survivor, and president of Professional Dumbass, LLC.
An actor and comedian, BJ is an alumnus of iO West (formerly improvOlympic West), Upright Citizens Brigade Los Angeles, and a graduate and teacher at The Second City Hollywood. BJ serves as an ambassador and mentor in the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program where he also serves as comedy coach teaching applied improv as part of the resiliency programs. BJ is also a proud cast member of DIAVOLO Dance Theatre’s Veterans Project a member of the Veterans of Comedy, the American Legion, and serves on staff of Veterans in Media & Entertainment. He is the company emcee for Warriors For Peace Theatre.
Furthering his advocacy he serves on the artist council for Armed Services Arts Partnership and as a board member of Combat Boots & Cancer.
Twitter: @BjComedy
Facebook: BJ Honkey
Email: bjcomedy@gmail.com
Dr. Aditya Bagrodia, MD - Urologic Oncologist, UC San Diego
Aditya Bagrodia, MD, is a board-certified urologist who specializes in detecting, treating and preventing genitourinary cancer. He is experienced in surgical and nonsurgical treatments for all urologic malignancies, including adrenal, upper tract, renal, bladder, prostate, penile and testicular cancers. He also has expertise in minimally invasive approaches to urologic surgery.
Twitter: @AdityaBagrodia
Dr. Nicholas Cost, MD - Assistant Professor, University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Colorado
Dr. Nicholas Cost is a Assistant Professor at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus & Children’s Hospital Colorado Dr. Cost’s interest in testicular cancer has guided his training and career development. Testicular cancer is a disease that affects boys and men of all ages. For that reason, after completing his residency in Urology and Urological Surgery, he pursued fellowship training in both urological oncology and pediatric urology. This allows him to provide care to children, adolescents, and adults with testicular cancer at both “adult” and “pediatric” hospitals.
Twitter: @cost_nicholas
Facebook: University of Colorado Cancer Center
Email: nicholas.cost@ucdenver.edu
Dr. Clint Cary, MD - Associate Professor of Urology, Indiana University School of Medicine
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.
Ben Eslick, Testicular Cancer Survivor and Uniball Movie
Ben and Molly are a young couple living together in their 20s, thrown suddenly into disarray when Ben is diagnosed with testicular cancer. As a form of coping, Molly, an amateur documentarian, decides to make a documentary chronicling the experience, specifically the three days leading up to Ben’s left testicle removal, and the surgery day itself. Join Ben as he talks about his journey with testicular cancer and Uniball Movie.
www.uniballmovie.com
www.facebook.com/uniballmov/
www.twitter.com/uniballmovie
Steven Crocker, Testicular Cancer Survivor
Steven Crocker is a stage 2b testicular cancer survivor with a passion for spreading awareness for the disease. He was diagnosed and treated in 2019 and has taken his new one-nut identity on head first, using humor to make others comfortable talking about their testicles. Professionally, Steven directs live morning newscasts at WAVY-TV 10 in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Steven also co-owns Lightship Productions*, a video production company, and hosts Dumbest in the Room podcast and "It Takes Balls" podcast. Steven graduated from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia in 2016 with a BA in communications. He hopes to continue using his talents and platforms to spread awareness for Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation. To connect with Steven, find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
www.lightshipproductions.com
www.lightshipproductions.com/dumbestintheroom
www.facebook.com/steven.crocker2
www.twitter.com/stevencrocker
www.instagram.com/stevencrocker
Thank You to Our Sponsor:
In Loving Memory of Jon Hughes
“No one fights Alone” Your story continues to inspire others and brings awareness to TC.
Until we meet again. - Mom