Patient Survey, Free 2nd Opinion and ASH

[bkoffman]

Hi,

Hope for my American friends it was a great Thanksgiving.

Mine was vegan and I still managed to overeat.

If you haven’t already completed our patient survey, I ask you to do it here: cllsociety.org/survey/

The compiled data from this will be used to inform the providers and payers and industry about the unmet needs of our community. Please help us.

The CLL Society has launched a new pilot project to meet what I see as a glaring and dangerous unmet need especially for underserved CLL populations.

If you live in the USA and have never seen a CLL expert, we are offering a free HIPAA complaint online visit with just such an expert to answer your burning questions. This is only for a small number of patients in this pilot effort.

You can find out more here: cllsociety.org/cll-society-...

Now I am getting ready for ASH. I first go as a patient to find out what I should do next about my slowly relapsing CLL on ibrutinib, I go as a reporter to learn the latest news and get answers to our questions and report on that news, I go as an advocate to meet with other advocates to ensure all are getting their best care, I go as a family doctor who has many CLL patients in his practice to learn how to best care for them by attending the many CLL oral and poster sessions, I go as a researcher to meet with the other investigators in our consortium from across the county to best leverage our findings to help improve care, and I go as the medical director of the nonprofit CLL Society to promote our work. And finally, I go as a friend to reconnect with the many smart doctors, researchers, advocates and industry leaders from around the world who have done so much and can do so much more to help us all.

ASH is intense, usually 7 AM until late in the evenings with days of prep, miles of walking, tight schedules, little vegan food, and less rest.

But I wouldn’t miss it- it is MECCA for blood cancers, though honestly this year at least after my first take, the 300 plus CLL abstracts seem more evolutionary than revolutionary.

Stay strong

Brian

Brian Koffman MDCM DCFP, DABFM, MS Ed

Founder and Volunteer Medical Director, CLL Society Inc.

cllsociety.org

Founder, bkoffman.blogspot.com

PO Box 1390

Claremont, CA

91711

[Hidden]

Dr.Koffman is a tireless worker for all CLL patients.

What I wish for my family and myself I wish for him

and his family.

About a year ago I emailed him detailing my CLL saga

never really expecting to hear back as I was brand new

to CLL. Not only did he reply but he included his cell number

and a couple of days later we had a delightful very insightful

conversation.

Just an awesome dude!!

Nick

[Justasheet1 in reply to Hidden]

Nick,

He did the same for me 5 years ago. He’s a mensch.

Jeff

[Hidden in reply to Justasheet1]

Great word to describe him!!

For those of you not familiar with the word

Jeff has chosen to describe Dr. Koffman,

I am not personally of the Jewish faith

but I often use that word in my business dealings

when describing an overly magnanimous person.

Look up those words and you will find a portrait

of Dr. Brian Koffman.

Thanks Jeff

Nick

Miami Beach, Florida

[bkoffman CLL CURE Hero in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. A high complement.

[Hidden in reply to bkoffman]

And supremely deserved.

[bkoffman CLL CURE Hero in reply to Justasheet1]

Thanks for the kind praise.

[MsLockYourPosts Passed Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Brian was responsible for my sanity, along with Chris Dwyer, early in my diagnosis. I doubt that either of them truly understand how much they have meant to us on a personal level, whether we have connected directly or just learned at their feet!

[Hidden in reply to MsLockYourPosts]

Incredibly articulated

[Yorkiemama]

Back when I was the only one I knew with CLL, I reached out to Brian through his blog. To my amazement, he replied immediately and was so helpful. I acted on his recommendation (to see a CLL specialist) and it has made such a difference in my care. Needless to say, when Brian asked for patients to fill out his survey, I did it immediately. Much less painful than a bone marrow biopsy, and a lot quicker than a Rituximab infusion. Lol! Just do it, and help our cause! Thank you for everything, Brian.

Cynthia

[Name-1 in reply to Yorkiemama]

Yes,it is truly!

My respect.Brian!

Best wishes!

Greeting from Serbia!

Olga

[bkoffman CLL CURE Hero in reply to Name-1]

Thanks from California.

[Justasheet1]

He also runs the CLL Society which is a phenomenal site for all patients.

cllsociety.org/

Everyone should explore his site and maybe leave a little holiday donation too? 😎

Jeff

[bkoffman CLL CURE Hero in reply to Justasheet1]

Thanks. We sure do need the support. Our programs take a lot of time and money. I take no salary, but hope to change that in 2018.

[Peggy4]

Agree with all the sentiments expressed. We're so grateful for the people who work tirelessly for us while fighting their own battles.

Peggy

[bkoffman CLL CURE Hero in reply to Peggy4]

We are all in this together.

[Hoffy]

Brian,

Thanks for all you do!!

Pace yourself and stay Healthy- that is what is most important.

Be well,

Hoffy

[mgh348]

Brian and the CLL Society made it possible for me to meet others with CLL and start a local CLL support and education group in Orlando. Those of us in the group have become dear friends as we share knowledge and experiences and support each other. I am so grateful for this opportunity, and so glad to see other groups sprouting all over the country. Thank you Brian!

[bkoffman CLL CURE Hero in reply to mgh348]

Thanks so much for those kind words. Peer to peer live support is so important. We are doing a big educational forum in Tampa in January with Dr. Pinilla.