Lunch & Learn

with the LINK

A Telephone Support CALL IN Program for Patients,

Families/Caregivers/Loved Ones

Regaining Yourself

Post Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Noon to 1 pm EST

To register for free, click here:

This month’s call-in program will focus on ways to feel like yourself after transplant. Jeannie Wiarda is a LMSW at Corewell Health BMT. Jeannie will talk about holistic recovery, focusing on strategies to improve physical and emotional health. 

Ellie Lenarduzzi, an AML survivor who received a transplant in March of 2024, from California, will also share her story and how she has learned to regain her life. Jennifer Gillette, our licensed staff social worker, will host this call. There will be plenty of time for live questions. 

To ask a question during the Q & A portion of this program, once the operator says the lines have been opened, hit the star key on your phone and then the number 1. Please address yourself when asking a question in the best way to protect your identity if desired.

If you have any technical issues related to registering, please email, peggyburkhard@nbmtlink.org or call (248) 770-5172. The call-in information is contained in the form you use to register. Note: YOU call in to participate. (We do not call you.) A reminder will be sent once the Monday before the program.



This FREE program is intended to provide psychosocial and emotional

support along with health information from national experts regarding

critical topics surrounding cancer and treatments.

This program is recorded and available on our website one week after airing live.

We Thank Our Sponsors:

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Foundation, Incyte and Johnson & Johnson.

We also thank our Esteemed Link Partners, listed at the end of this newsletter.

Healing Arts 4 Week Art Program

June 2, 9, and 16, & 23, 2025

FOR PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS

ONE HOUR TO DE-STRESS AND SHARE WITH FELLOW SURVIVORS AND CAREGIVERS

TIME: 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. EST ON ZOOM (Mondays as noted below)

WHAT: Join artist Megan Swoyer as we embark with pen and brush on a watercolor painting “trip” that takes us to our own back yard, to the lake, into the sky, to our front door, to our kitchen counter, to the coffee shop, along a tree branch, into our gardens, and even to carefree childhoods, all on ZOOM!

NO DRAWING OR PAINTING SKILLS ARE REQUIRED.

WHEN: Classes will be June 2, 9, 16, & 23 (6:30 pm to 7:30 pm EST). Note: participants commit to all four classes upon confirmation of registration. Please check your calendar and consider this as this will be a popular program.

DETAILS: This loose-format hour is sure to de-stress you and put you in the moment as we observe our relationship with our subjects — with pen, brush, and pretty colors. At each session, I will demonstrate a journaling technique and then we will share (optional) our works from a previous class. We’ll practice writing (optional, can just be a recording of observation, date, etc.) a passage, poem, note, expression that pairs with our art. Each class ends with a homework assignment that you can do for the next class or if you’re not in the next class, a future class.

All supplies will be shipped to you. This program is provided in part thanks to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Sanofi.

To register for free, click here:

Once you sign up, you’ll receive an easy homework assignment to prep you for the first class, and you’ll receive Zoom login info. This class is capped at 10 attendees.

DON’T WAIT TO SIGN UP AS THIS CLASS WILL FILL UP QUICKLY.

Getting Happier: Let’s Learn Together How to Enjoy the Life We Have.

We are happy to present this new three week series, which will be led by Ashlee Cramer, a widow and caregiver to her young adult son Michael who knows plenty about loss, grit and resilience. Ashlee will share her personal story and how she manages it all.

Ashlee is a certified Happy for No Reason Trainer (trained by Marci Shimoff herself) and has studied all about happiness and how it can be achieved even when life gets really tough. Ashlee will share and reference the book, “Happy for No Reason, 7 Steps to Being Happy from the Inside Out,” written by Marci Shimoff, NY Times bestselling coauthor of Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul and a featured teacher in The Secret.

This three-week interactive one hour series (6 pm EST to 7 pm EST) for survivors or caregivers will take place consecutively on July 8, 15 and 22 Via Zoom. Zoom details will be sent to confirmed participants before the first session. Hosted by Peggy Burkhard of the nbmtLINK, with support from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, this free program will be led by Ashlee. Up to 15 participants will receive the free book in the mail at least one month before the program begins. Please try to read the book prior to July 8, 2025, our first class. 

To register, click on this link. Please do not sign up if you cannot commit to the three weeks in a row. We know life happens, but we sincerely hope that those who sign up can attend. If you receive an email inviting you to participate after registering, be sure to respond to be counted. (Ashlee spoke to this during our Jan. 2025 Lunch & Learn and it was an incredible introduction. You can listen in to the recording by visiting our website, nbmtlink.org and clicking on the Lunch & Learn tab.) 

To register for free, click here:

DON’T WAIT TO SIGN UP AS THIS CLASS WILL FILL UP QUICKLY.

Special thanks to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for supporting this series.

Join us for another nbmtLINK

Writing Workshop with Brad Buchanan.

To register for this free writing workshop, click here

Save the Date:

Wednesday, June 11th, 2025

The National Bone Marrow Transplant Link (nbmtLINK), in collaboration with the Bone Marrow & Cancer Foundation (BMCF) and the Meredith Cowden Foundation, will present a free online webinar on Wednesday, June 11th, from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST.

This event is part of BMCF’s educational webinar series, CancerBuddy Conversations, and will focus on chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease (cGVHD).

Dr. Andy Harris, Meredith Cowden and Jennifer Gillette, LMSW will co present, covering new treatments, manifestations, how to monitor symptoms and more. This team will also share resources and there will be time for questions.

Register in advance here.

Feeling overwhelmed by all of the practical and financial issues that come with a chronic or serious medical condition diagnosis?

Proud to partner with Triage Health, who is hosting a FREE conference on May 17 for patients,

caregivers, and health care professionals:

This FREE online event provides valuable information on key topics for navigating the practical and legal issues that may impact an individual diagnosed with a chronic or serious medical condition.

Topics for this year’s conference include:

• Health insurance options & navigation

• Tips for using health insurance, picking a plan, & appealing denials

• Managing finances, medical bills, & financial help

• Tools for making decisions about work

• Estate planning

• Getting organized

• Becoming an empowered patient and advocate

Free continuing education for professionals is also available.

Find the answers to your questions at this event. For more information & registration, visit:

TriageHealth.org/Conferences.

Visit this link to register and learn more:

We are proud to be a partner of this

wonderful survivorship event.

There is still time to register.

To register for this May 3-9 Survivorship Symposium, please click here: