DallasNews
Dallas Chapter of the
Oncology Nursing
Society
Virtual Issue 3 August 2008
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Greetings! As we all swelter here in the dog days of summer, it seems
difficult to grasp that school starts right around the corner, fall will be in
the air sooner or later and then it’s the holidays. Where did this year go?
August is the month we traditionally send out nomination packets for new
board members so look for them in your mail box- yes real mail. This year
we are seeking nominees for the positions of Vice President and Director –
at- large. I encourage each of you to consider nominating a co –worker or
yourself. Serving on the chapter board is rewarding, informative and fun.
By now many of you should have receive the flyer from national ONS
regarding Institute of Learning (IOL) to be held in Seattle WA in early
November. This is consistently an excellent meeting offering the newest
clinical info, lots of CEUs and an opportunity to network with other
oncology nurses across the country- AND the chapter offers a $500
scholarship to attend. I would highly encourage you to submit an
application.
Speaking of Scholarships- Did you know that our chapter offers many
scholarships- from Congress and IOL to return to school assistance just to
name a few. This year we have been proud to award the ONS Congress
scholarship to Amy Jordan and Jane Reeves. Read more about Jane in
this newsletter. We still have scholarships remaining for this year so look
on the chapter web site www.dallas.vc.ons.org or contact Becky Goodman
scholarship chairman at RebeccaGoodman@USOncology.com.
Inside this issue:
President’s Corner
1
New Newsletter/VC
Committee Members 2
ONStat News
2
ACS Pt Navigator
3
Available Nurse Manager
Position
3
Pancreatic Research
Opportunity
3
ELNEC train-the-trainer
course opportunity 4
34th Annual Congress
Volunteers Needed 4
ONS Foundation
ONSEdge
5
5-6
Member Feature
6
Pancreatic Support 7
Group
We still have a lot happening with our Chapter for the remainder of the
year- Vendor night September 23, our last regularly scheduled chapter
meeting on October 28th And our exciting community involvement in
November- keep reading to find out all the scoop.
Undy 5000
7
Vendor Night
8
GINA Update
8
It has been my pleasure and privileged to serve as your chapter president
for these past 2 yrs and I know Margaret and the Board are busy planning
for next year. If you have any suggestions for programs or activities –
please contact either myself, Margaret Rhodes or Linda Cole.
Cancer Survivors
Day Celebration
9
Scholarship Info
9 - 10
Genes & Things
10-12
DONS Board Info
13
Stay cool and pray for peace and rain!! Nancy
1
___________________________________________________________________________________
NEW DONS Newsletter/VC Committee Members
–A
A GREAT BIG THANKS
to Stacey Beasley, RN, OCN, and Teresa Hill, RN, MSN, OCN, APRN-BC for
volunteering to serve on the DONS newsletter and virtual community committee!
Jointly these individuals will provide superior newsworthy items to the newsletter and
keep the v/c updated in a more timely fashion! Should you have any requests for
posting on the v/c and/or newsletter items Stacy can be reached at
stbeasley@cortpa.com and Teresa can be reached at ktbhill@hotmail.com Submitted
by Millie Arnold, RN, BS, OCN, CCRC
____________________________________________________________________________
“Grassroots
ONStat News…
submitted by Marilyn Early - DONS Government Liaison
Grassroots organizations take people just like you
and I, who are willing to roll up their sleeves and
do a little bit of work, to build the community, fix
what is broken, and make things better. We can
make a difference and transform our city, or our
nation, and especially the Oncology Community.
The Oncology Nursing Society has a grassroots
organization to do just that.
ONStat.
ONStat will keep you up to date on what is going
on in Washington. They will ask for your
assistance when one of your elected officials is
critical to an issue. The Legislative Action Center
in the ONS Website will give you information about
the issues and legislation currently being looked
at in congress.
organizations
take people just
like you and I,
who are willing to
roll up their
sleeves and do a
little bit of work,
to build the
community, fix
what is broken,
and make things
better…”
It will also take you step by step along the way of speaking with your
officials, emailing, or writing letters. Take the next step to be a health policy
advocate, join ONStat today, and visit the Legislative Action Center often.
http://www.ons.org/lac/index.shtml Legislative Action Center
http://www.ons.org/lac/pdf/ONStatApplication.pdf ONStat Application
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American Cancer Society Patient Care Navigation
– Submitted by Millie - Unfortunately most of us have experienced a
telephone call that goes something like, “Hello, I have cancer and don’t
have insurance. I live outside of Dallas County. Can you help me?”
Today, I can honestly say, “Yes!” Thanks to Dr. Karen Heusinkveld who
presented at the DONS July meeting everyone now has information
about the ACS Patient Care Navigation Program. The primary focus is
to help meet the multiple needs of cancer survivors who either have no
insurance or are under insured. This service will provide monetary
assistance and/or direction to eligible patients and families for
household, transportation, and treatment expenses who live “anywhere”
in Texas. Accessing the ACS Patient Care Navigation service is as
simple as calling 1-800-ACS-2345 or 1-800-227-2345 (English & Spanish
speaking resources available 24-hours 7-days a week) or patients can
also access the ACS website at www.cancer.org and entering in a zip
code to locate multiple local assistance programs.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Available office nurse manager position…
CANDIDATES APPLY TO:
JOHN GILBERT
JTGIL@CHARTER.NET
(805) 541-9030
___________________________________________________________________________________
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     
DON’s member Linda Vozzella, RN, OCN is conducting a “Quality of Life”
pancreatic cancer study interviewing pancreatic patients and family
members.
If you are interested or would like more information, please
contact Linda at 214-345-4054 or lindavozzella@texashealth.org
(Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas) See attachment for flyer
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End-of-life nursing education consortium
(elnec) train-the-trainer course
opportunity - October 9-11, 2008 at the
Marriott Washington-Dulles Airport Hotel (Washington, DC
area). Since 2001, over 4,850 nurses have attended a
national ELNEC course and have returned to their
institutions and professional nursing organizations to
provide training to their colleagues in excellent end of
life/palliative care. Advances in end of life care have evolved
over the past thirty years through the hospice movement in
the United States and have been given recent attention by
groups including the National Cancer Policy Board, the
Institute of Medicine, the Joint Commission, and numerous
other organizations.
“The ELNECSuper Core
curriculum was
written by and for
oncology nurses.”
The ELNEC-SuperCore curriculum was written by and for
oncology nurses. The registration fee of $500 per
participant covers all materials including: 1000+ page
syllabus, CD-Rom with all power point slides, 2006 edition of
Textbook of Palliative Nursing, 5 meals (dinner on Thursday
evening, breakfast and lunch on Friday and Saturday), 13
CE’s. Also, the opportunity to network with other nurses
from across the US is invaluable.
For more information about the ELNEC Project and/or to
register, go to: www.aacn.nche.edu/ELNEC
This course will fill-up quickly. Registrations are taken on a
first-come, first-serve basis. Pam Malloy, RN, MN, OCN
ELNEC Project Director American Association of Colleges of
Nursing (AACN) One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530
Washington, DC 20036-1120 202-463-6930, Ext. 238 (voice
mail) 202-785-8320 (fax) pmalloy@aacn.nche.edu
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED…
34th Annual ONS CONGRESS
in SAN ANTONIO – April 30 to
May 3, 2009
ALL DONS members are encouraged To contact
Marilyn Early at marilyn.early@usoncology.com
to volunteer! We want the DONS Chapter to have a
strong visible presence assisting our fellow San
Antonio ONS Chapter!
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ONS Foundation & ONSEdge News
Submitted Margaret Rhoades, RN, BSN, DONS Vice-President.
“The mission of
ONSEdge is to
provide
advantage
The ONS Foundation, established in November, 1982, is a national
through
public, non-profit, tax-exempt organization headquartered in Pittsburgh,
healthcare
PA. The ONS Foundation established its base of support primarily from
knowledge.”
corporations and individual members of the Oncology Nursing Society.
Since 1982, the Foundation has distributed more than $19.2 million in
research grants, research fellowships, academic scholarships, lectures,
public education projects, career development awards, congress
scholarships, Institutes of Learning, and oncology advanced practice
nurse conference scholarships.
I had the privilege of attending the 2008 Mentorship Weekend in
Pittsburgh, PA on July 24, and wanted to share some information with
our members about the ONS Foundation and ONSEdge.
Their core beliefs reflect a determination and passion for empowering
every nurse working in oncology care to:
 Ensure that every patient with cancer will have a welleducated oncology nurse providing quality care that is
based in a practice of cultural sensitivity;
 Provide oncology care based upon scientific evidence
identified through collaborative and multi-site research;
 Empower oncology nurses to take leadership roles to
affect positive outcomes for cancer care throughout our
world.
“As a chapter we
intend to support
the mission of the
ONS Foundation
through financial
support ensuring a
future of superior
cancer nursing
care.”
The mission of ONSEdge is to provide advantage through healthcare knowledge.
ONSEdge is a healthcare intelligence company providing corporate clients in the
pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical equipment/device industries, consulting and
advertising agencies, oncology therapeutics, and other leaders in the field of
nursing with the competitive edge of our unparalleled nursing knowledge. As a
subsidiary of ONS, ONSEdge has unique access to the largest professional
oncology association in the world and was formed to bring this nursing knowledge
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closer to the business of healthcare, providing industry leaders with an
unquestioned competitive edge.
Craig Byrum with the ONS Foundation will be coming to Dallas to speak briefly with
the DONS members about the ONS Foundation’s role and its relationship with its
members. As a chapter we intend to support the mission of the ONS Foundation
through financial support ensuring a future of superior cancer nursing care.
_________________________________________________________________________
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Who would you like
to feature in the
next Membership
Feature?
Contact any of the DONS
Newsletter Committee as below:
Millie Arnold
mildreda@baylorhealth.edu
Stacey Beasley at
stbeasley@corpa.com
Teresa Hill at
ktbhill@hotmail.com
Thanks to the Dallas ONS chapter for the wonderful scholarship to
National Congress in May. As a new comer to oncology nursing, it was
a great experience for me. I am a nurse navigator here at Richardson
Regional Cancer Center and looking for any and all educational
opportunities regarding navigation. This scholarship enabled me to
attend multiple sessions on navigation as well as to network with
many navigators across the US. I also took the “field test” for the
Oncology Certified Breast Nurse or “OCBN” which is coming out in
February, 2009.
I attended a focus group of navigators who all realize we need more
structure and consistency.
Different hospitals have such varied job
descriptions under the navigator title. I also met a group of ladies who
are developing a new professional group called NCONN or National
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Coalition of Nurse Navigators of which I am now a member. Thank you
again!
Jane Reeves, RN
_______________________________________________________________________

Each 2nd Monday of the
month at 6:00 PM at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas is the only site in
the City of Dallas that hosts a Pancreatic Cancer Support Group? DONS
Linda Vozzella, RN, OCN is the facilitator. The group meets in at the
Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, GI Lab waiting room, located in the Main
Building. All patients and family members affected by pancreatic cancer
are invited. For more information call 214-345-4054.
______________________________________________________
everyone is invited…DONS members, friends, and
family members are invited to join team “DONS Go-Litelys” for the 1st annual
“Undy 5000”. A brief run/walk to fight colon cancer 5 K Walk/Run at 8:00
am, Saturday, November 1st at White Rock Lake! Come join us for a 5K that’s
like no race you’ve ever seen! The “Undy 5000”is a race to fight colon cancer.
Participants in the “Undy 5000” are encouraged to run or walk in their
underwear! Why Underwear? Because people don’t like to talk about
colorectal cancer. And talking about it will save lives! Did you know that 90%
of colorectal cancers are preventable with a simple test? But when was the
last time you said the word colon or rectum to your doctor, let alone in public?
The “Undy 5000” is going to change that! Not being afraid to talk about the
area below your waist can save your life! HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!
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REGISTER NOW! Call 877-677-3488 or visit www.Undy5000.org
Your team captain is Millie Arnold! The goal is to raise $250.
Tuesday, September 23rd
Save the date...
annual DONS Vendor Night (Dallas Double Tree)
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
Submitted by Millie Arnold, RN, BS, OCN, CCRC
The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) is a federal law prohibiting
health insurers and employers from discriminating based on genetic information
and was signed into law by the President on May 21, 2008. The health insurance
provisions of GINA will take effect May 2009, while the employment provisions will
take effect six months later in November 2009. A Quick Reference Guide is
available on the NHGRI website summarizes What GINA does and does not do
@ http://www.genome.gov
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
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

Submitted by: Brenda Casey, RN, OCN - Texas Oncology-Presbyterian
The first Sunday in June is very special to many of us that work with cancer
patients everyday. This is the day that anyone that has ever been diagnosed
with cancer and their families and friends can come to celebrate their life!
2008 Cancer Survivors Day Celebration (cont’d)
Each year Presbyterian Hospital Radiation Department, Texas Oncology at
Presbyterian and NexGen Oncology get together to plan this wonderful event.
This year, we had over 200 guests that participated in having photos made by
Billy, The Button Maker man and enjoyed the fabulous food. This year we had
gifts donated by numerous vendors the committee members and the host, so
that each and every cancer patient received a gift. Several of our Dallas
Chapter ONS Nurses volunteered their time; Jan Gartenberg, Marie Holleman,
Tammy Johnson,
Connie Cimino and Carol Pearson. Beverly Hinckley,
Radiation Therapist from Presbyterian was the coordinator and did a
spectacular job! We all feel it is just a small way we can give back to those
who have had cancer in their lives.
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Congratulations to DONS members Donna Betts and Pat Kelly for being recipients
of DONS Education Scholarships! Other recipients of DONS Scholarships are
Amy Jordan and Jane Reeves.J.


DONS Scholarship instructions can be accessed as follows:
 Open your chapter’s virtual website
 Click on “News”
 Click on “Scholarship”
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
Adapted with permission Linda Robinson, Genetic Counselor, UTSW & DONS member
Becky Althaus, RN, Ph.D., CGC, Genetic Counselor, Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas
Submitted by Millie Arnold, RN, BS, OCN, CCRC
The following information was provided thanks by DONS member Becky
Althaus at an Extra Educational Event on August 5th sponsored by Myriad
Genetics Laboratories, Inc .
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Did you know effective September 15th Myriad Genetics Laboratories,
Inc. will launch a Direct-To-Consumer marketing campaign with TV,
radio, and magazine ads in Texas for its BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene tests?
It is anticipated that nurses throughout Texas will experience a
significant increase in inquiries for this testing among their patients
following the marketing campaign.
Similar marketing in other states increased demand for this type of
genetic testing. It is estimated that only 5 to 10 percent of the
population will test positive for these specific mutations; unfortunately,
the demand for testing will come largely from a low-risk population.

Nurses may find it necessary educate the patient that BRCA mutations
are rare, (1 in 300-800 people of non Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, 1 in 40
of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage), are responsible for only about 10% of
breast cancer, and that the laboratory test is quite expensive
($3,120.00). Guidelines published by multiple medical societies
recommend only testing people who have an increased risk to carry a
BRCA gene mutation. In addition, it is most informative if testing is first
performed on the family member diagnosed with breast or ovarian
cancer.
Therefore, testing is generally indicated for people with a personal
or family history of:







Breast cancer diagnosed before age 45-50
Breast cancer diagnosed in both breasts
Multiple cases of breast cancer on the same side of the family
Ovarian cancer in a family with breast cancer
Male breast cancer
The combination of breast, ovarian, and/or pancreatic cancer on
the same side of the family or in a single individual
Jewish ancestry and breast or ovarian cancer
Note: Most third party payers, including Medicare, have guidelines for
coverage. About 90% will cover the testing at 80-90% of the cost if the
patient falls within the specific company’s guidelines. A person who is
diagnosed with a deleterious mutation in a cancer predisposition gene is
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protected from later discrimination in determination of coverage or
premium rate setting in group health insurance plans by a provision in
HIPPA and in TX state law 75RHB. HIPPA also prevents the use of a
genetic test being considered a pre-existing condition if a cancer is
diagnosed later. The new federal law, GINA, (will be enacted in May
2009) will protect the patient from discrimination in employment and in
all health insurance rate settings, including individual health insurance
policies.
Because hereditary breast cancer may be caused by mutations in
any one of a number of genes including BRCA1 and BRCA2, genetic
evaluation may be very complex and may require extensive patient
education and counseling.
Genetics trained nurses and genetic
counselors are available throughout Texas to conduct hereditary risk
assessment and educate patients about the benefits and limitations of
genetic testing.
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The genetic nurse/counselor will evaluate family history, explain
the contribution of heredity to cancer risk, review the benefits and
limitations of genetic testing, risks associated with a gene mutation,
medical management options, possible uncertain test results, insurance
coverage, and laws that prevent health and employment discrimination.
In addition, the cancer genetic nurse/counselor is well-versed in the
language of genetic tests and can thoroughly interpret the laboratory
results. To locate a genetics professional in your area or to learn more
about hereditary cancer, contact the National Cancer Institute at
www.cancer.gov (search under ‘cancer genetics services directory).
The Myriad Genetics direct-to-consumer campaign presents both
an opportunity and a challenge. It will greatly increase awareness
concerning genetic testing for hereditary cancer and hopefully lead to
life-saving interventions in people who may not have had the opportunity
prior to viewing the ad. The challenge will be in providing responsible
use of limited health care resources by testing appropriate individuals at
high risk of carrying a BRCA mutation and providing the best possible
care to the individuals who may benefit.
Meanwhile, professional organizations (American Society of
Clinical Oncology, Oncology Nursing Society, Society of Gynecologic
Oncologists, and National Society of Genetic Counselors) recommend
pre- and post-test genetic counseling. It is integral to enabling a patient
to understand the benefits, limitations, and cancer risk reduction options
associated with hereditary cancer and genetic testing. Genetic
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counselors and other trained health care professionals are available
throughout Texas to conduct hereditary risk assessment and to educate
patients on the benefits and limitations of genetic testing.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter Board of Directors…Did you Know?
Membership of the Chapter Board of Directors shall be determined by the
chapter and described in the Standing Rules for the chapter.
However, only those elected by the chapter membership maybe voting
members of the Board of Directors.
A minimum of three (3) elected officers (President, President-elect or
Vice-president, Secretary and/or combined Treasurer) shall
constitute the chapter Board of Directors. Other optional elected
officers are Nominating, Membership and Program Chairs.
YOUR 2008-2009
DONS Board
Members
Nancy Thompson, President – Email
nancy.thompson@cigna.com
Immediate Past-President - Vacant
Margaret Rhoads, Vice-President – Email
Margaret.rhoads@usoncology.com
Ben Garcia, Secretary – Email ben.garcia@usoncology.com
Joni Mokry, Treasurer – Email joni.mokry@usoncology.com
Myra Johnson, Director-at-Large – Email myrajo@baylorhealth.edu
Brenda Casey, Membership Chair – Email Brenda.casey@usoncology.com
Millie Arnold, Newsletter Editor/VC Administrator – Email mildred.arnold@baylorhealth.edu
Stacey Beasley, Newsletter Co-Editor/VC Administrator – Email stbeasley@corpa.com
Teresa Hill, Newsletter Co-Editor/VC Administrator – Email ktbhill@hotmail.com
Rebecca Goodman, Scholarship Chair – Email Rebecca.goodman@usoncology.com
Pat Wilson, Assistant Foundation/Scholarship – Email pat.wilson@hcahealthcare.com
Marilyn Early, Government Liaison – Email marilyn.early@usoncology.com
Bijue Chang, Nominating Chair – Email bijuec@baylorhealth.edu
Wendy Stenzel, Historian/Archivist – Email wbrrn@hotmail.com
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Get involved…be a hero for the dons!
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