UPDATE (September 16, 2021): This event took place on August 19, 2021.
Office of Health Equity Virtual Series: Conversations with Our Community
Approximately every three minutes, one person in the U.S. is diagnosed with a blood cancer, accounting for approximately 10% percent of all new cancer diagnoses each year.
On August 19, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the Duke Cancer Institute Office of Health Equity (OHE) will host a public discussion — “What’s in Your Blood? A Look into Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Multiple Myeloma.” The program will center on risk factors to be aware of, signs and symptoms to watch out for, methods of diagnosing and staging and the latest treatment options available. Attendees will also learn how patient navigators can help cancer patients minimize or eliminate any barriers to care they may face, including transportation, lodging and financial concerns.
Mildred Bethea
Nelson Chao, MD, MBA, and Carlos De Castro III, MD, Duke Cancer Institute physician-scientists who research and treat blood cancers, will be joined by Mildred Bethea — a certified patient navigator, OHE Community Health Ambassador, and two-time cancer survivor — for this virtual and free-of-charge event. Bethea, who under the care of Chao and De Castro underwent a stem cell transplant in 2007 to treat recurrent leukemia (a few years after beating breast cancer), will share her personal journey through cancer in addition to her expertise in patient navigation.
OHE senior program coordinator and certified patient navigator LaSonia Barnett, MA, will serve as moderator.
This event is the August installment in OHE’s monthly "Conversations with Our Community" series.
Nelson Jen An Chao
Learn More About the Oncologists
Nelson Chao, MD, MBA, is a cellular therapy specialist and stem cell transplant specialist who sees patients in the Duke Adult Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinic at the Duke Blood Cancer Center. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology.
Chao is the Donald D. and Elizabeth G. Cooke Cancer Distinguished Research Professor and division chief in the Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine. He is also a professor in the School of Medicine Departments of Immunology and Pathology and a research professor of Global Health with the Duke Global Health Institute. His research interests are in clinical hematopoietic stem cell and cord blood transplantation and in laboratory studies related to graft vs. host disease and immune reconstitution.
Carlos Manuel de Castro
Carlos De Castro III, MD, is a hematologic oncologist and hematologist (malignant) who sees patients at the Duke Hematologic Malignancies Clinic at the Duke Blood Cancer Center. He is board certified in Hematology, Medical Oncology and Internal Medicine.
De Castro is a professor in the Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Department of Medicine, whose clinical research projects have focused on new and innovative treatments for myelodysplastic syndromes, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, and adult leukemias and lymphomas.
Learn More About the Duke Cancer Institute Office of Health Equity
Vision: To excel as the leader in reducing cancer disparities through authentic community engagement and partnerships, the delivery of seamless cancer care, and the provision of outstanding and innovative research and resources to achieve optimal health in a changing and diverse environment.
Mission: To reduce cancer disparities and promote health equity within Duke Cancer Institute's catchment area through strategic initiatives that integrate the following core areas:
Community Outreach & Engagement
Community-Facing Patient Navigation Services
Health Disparities Education
Clinical Trials Education & Workplace Diversity
Email us or call 919.684.0409 with any questions about our "Conversations with Our Community" events, patient navigation services and any other questions you might have.
Community
Community
