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2021 Year in Review

The past couple of years have been notable for many reasons. As we look back on 2021, we reflect on challenges we faced from the very start of the pandemic until now. How did we meet those challenges? A one-word answer comes to mind: community. In a time of isolation and division, we felt it was our responsibility to celebrate our community and build bridges with our nonprofit neighbors.

Community Partnerships

We coordinated and collaborated with other nonprofit organizations. Together with ThyCa, SPOHNC, HNCA and NFOSD, we amplified our reach by merging our audiences, sharing valuable programs and information with them.

Everyday, we strive to meet our threefold mission to advance research, educate physicians, and provide patient and family support. The number of lives we touch and the amount of high-quality information we create continues to grow. We’re very proud of our progress and the commitment we made to our community. Here are a few of our accomplishments from 2021.

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Give in Tribute to Others

Recognize the courage of a friend or relative bravely fighting cancer or make a gift in memory of a loved one.

The THANC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (Federal Tax ID 80-0062118).
Your contribution will be tax-deductible under the fullest extent of the law.

Update on Programs & Events

Xerostomia Meeting Focused on Drug Development

Xerostomia—or chronic dry mouth—is a common symptom people experience after radiation treatment. It can also result from other disorders, like Sjogren’s disease. There are currently some products on the market to help people suffering from xerostomia. However, the options available are limited and insufficient, and symptoms do seldom go away.

Fueled by this unmet need, the THANC Foundation along with 3 patient advocacy organizations—the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance (HNCA), the National Foundation for Swallowing Disorders (NFOSD), and Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer (SPOHNC)—hosted a virtual Externally-Led Patient-Focused Drug Development (EL-PFDD) meeting on August 19, 2021.

10

Patient speakers

10

Patient Testimonials

280+

Attendees

12

Nonprofit partners

Together we gathered valuable feedback from people living with xerostomia and aimed to develop goals for future treatments based on the patient experience. Nearly 300 people attended the meeting where they listened to testimonials and discussions with 20 individuals living with xerostomia.

Nonprofit Partners

medical staff reviewing a patient record

Research Associates

The THANC Foundation’s Research Associates interact with a team of doctors and scientists to write and publish scientific papers and posters. This year, they gave 8 virtual presentations at head & neck and thyroid-related conferences, they submitted 3 abstracts and they published 15 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals. Research Associates stay in touch with patients throughout their cancer journey, collecting data for clinical studies, and reviewing patient charts.

Research Accomplishments

15

Papers published

3

Research abstracts submitted

8

Presentations submitted to virtual seminars


Congratulations to our Senior Research Associates!

John Beute

Gabriella Seo

Alexandra Silberzweig


Welcome to our New Recruits!

Lily Greenberg

Michael Saturno

Lauren Wein


Virtual Seminars in 2021

  • 10th International Conference on Head & Neck Cancer of the American Head & Neck Society held on 7/22/2021
  • 55th Annual American Society of Head and Neck Radiology Conference held on 9/8/2021
  • 90th Annual Meeting of the American Thyroid Association held on 9/30/2021

With the creation of TIRO we aim to provide physicians with up-to-date information on contemporary medical topics. We accomplish this through weekly journal clubs, lectures, tumor boards and round table discussions. A passionate group of experienced, international thyroid specialists lead TIRO’s growth. They created TIRO to improve the medical care and outcomes for those living with these diseases.

We Continued to Improve the THANC Guide

We are guided by our mission to offer high-quality information to patients and families affected by thyroid, head and neck cancer. So far, we fulfilled our promise to create content on the THANC Guide that parents can share with their children.

44

Posts added, year-to-date

38,000+

Monthly visitors


THANC Foundation
Help us do more! Donate today!
Your donation will help us accomplish our mission and reach further with our resources.
Your donation will help us accomplish our mission and reach further with our resources.
Help us do more! Donate today!
THANC Foundation