7th Annual Kidney Cancer
Survivors Day - April 12, 2008
About the Speakers
Lisa Bialy, Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Lisa Bialy is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in Health Psychology. Dr. Bialy teaches, consults, and conducts research about the psychological impact of chronic illness on patients and their families and how to strengthen coping responses. Her specific interests include Cancer, Cardiac Disease, and Substance Abuse. Dr. Bialy has a private practice in San Francisco where she works with individuals, couples, and families.
Bill Bro, Chief Executive Officer, Kidney Cancer Association
Mr. Bro is the President and CEO of the kidney Cancer Association. The Association reaches 64,000 constituents in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and more than 102 other countries from its Evanston, Ill. Offices. Its annual budget is approximately $1.5 M, and the organization employs 3 fulltime personnel, with a governing board of 8 members, and a volunteer editorial advisory board of 25 physicians. The KCA’s mission is the global eradication of suffering due to kidney cancer. Mr. Bro is also a 17 year kidney cancer survivor.
David Graden, Ph.D.
Mr. Graden received a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Virginia. He has 23 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry in the areas of development, clinical development and Medical Affairs. David is current employed by Genentech BioOncology as an Avastin Medical Science Liaison covering Southern California where he resides.
Chuck Howell
Chuck was diagnosed with RCC in December of 2003, and underwent a total nephrectomy to remove his right kidney, and a 17 cm tumor with renal vein involvement; two months after recovering from the surgery, the cancer metastasized into both lungs. He was told at that time that there was little treatment for RCC and given 90 days to live. After much investigation, he entered into a phase III Clinical Trial using Interferon and Avastin. In August Chuck underwent surgery to remove a toxic gall bladder and spleen. Prior to the surgical procedure he suffered total kidney failure due to a drug interaction. Next he enrolled in a Phase III Clinical Trials using Sutent, Nexavar, ATN 161, and then applied for, and received approval for compassionate use of Torisel, which is still working. Chuck has multiple lesions in both lungs, and in the esophageal area. In January of 2008, Chuck successfully underwent Cyber Knife treatment at UCSF to shrink the esophageal mass and one large lung tumor, which were pressing on his heart, and causing pain. Chuck currently works as General Manager for a Water District, and looks forward to retirement, and spending more time with his family. He has been married to his high school sweetheart Suzanne for 43 years, and lives in Santa Rosa. Chuck and Sue have 4 grand children, and are joyfully expecting three more in the month of June. Chuck is a patient of Dr.Fan Zhang at Kaiser Santa Rosa, who has firmly supported him throughout this entire journey. Chuck’s true love (after Sue of course) is singing. He has sung with the Santa Rosa Symphonic, and numerous Church choirs and fully intends to continue once his lungs clear up some more.
Natalie Ledesma, Ms, Rd
A clinical nutrition specialist for the Smith Integrative Cancer Center, Natalie
is also the lead dietitian for the University of California, San Francisco Helen
Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. She is also involved with the Women's
Healthy Eating & Living (WHEL) Study coordinated by the University of California
- San Diego. Through her work, Natalie provides nutritional counseling to
oncology patients, develops patient education materials specific to diet and
cancer, and regularly presents cancer-focused nutrition seminars. She is a
frequent lecturer addressing various nutritional topics and their relation to
cancer. Natalie has been interviewed by NBC, Fortune magazine, Runner's World, New York Times, and the San Francisco Chronicle. Recent publications include nutrition chapters in Everyone's Guide to Cancer Therapy, Everyone's Guide to Cancer Survivorship, Nutritional Issues in Cancer Care, and Supportive Cancer Care: The Complete Guide for Patients and their Families.
Vicky Luh, Pharmd/MS
Vicky is the Medical Science Liaison for Onyx Pharmaceuticals, covering Arizona, Southern California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah. She has an extensive background in pharmacy, having worked as a clinical pharmacist at City of Hope National Medical Center as well as in retail pharmacy. Vicky received her Pharm.D. and M.S. in Regulatory Science from the University of Southern California, School of Pharmacy. After completing pharmacy school, Vicky also completed a residency program in pharmacy practice/ambulatory care with USC School of Pharmacy at the LAC+USC Medical Center. Vicky currently resides in the Los Angeles area with her favorite Vizsla, Ares.
David R. Minor, M.D.
Dr. Minor is the Medical Director and President of the California Kidney Cancer Foundation; he is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the School of Medicine at UCSF and an active medical oncologist on staff at California Pacific Medical Center, UCSF and St. Francis Hospital in San Francisco with a special interest in kidney cancer and malignant melanoma. In 1994, David founded the California Kidney Cancer Foundation to make new and advanced forms of therapy for kidney cancer readily available throughout Northern California. The Foundation supports many patient related events such as the Annual Kidney Cancer Survivors Day and quarterly Northern California Kidney Cancer Support Group meetings (with the Kidney Cancer Association). Dr. Minor lives in Marin County with his wife Robin.
Jonathan Rosenberg, M.D.
Dr. Rosenberg is currently Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the University of California in San Francisco. Jonathan is a specialist in genitourinary cancers, with an emphasis on the treatment of kidney cancer. Dr. Rosenberg received his medical degree at Harvard University in 1997. He went on to do his Internal Medicine Residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Cornell Medical Center and his Hematology/Oncology Fellowship at UCSF. Jonathan is the recipient of many academic awards and the author of multiple journal articles related to genitourinary oncology. He resides in San Francisco.
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