Introducing the Washington D.C. / Baltimore CARE Team
George Riddle
How did you become involved in CCF?
My wife, Elinor, was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma in 2014. She was able to have a resection and lived for four more happy but often frustrating years. During that time, I attempted to learn as much as I could about CCA and its treatment, primarily with the assistance of the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, particularly through the online sessions at the Foundation’s Annual Conferences. Then she succumbed to the disease. I came to the next Conference to meet the people who had been so helpful and to see if there is anything I might do with the Foundation to help other patients deal with the disease. I suddenly discovered that I had become a Patient Advocate.
What’s a highlight for you of your volunteerism with CCF?
My career background is in research, albeit in the physical sciences rather than the biological sciences. While microbiology and medicine present new and strange vocabularies and concepts, I enjoy the challenge of understanding them and of following developments in cancer research and treatment. I am finding new therapies that, at least in mice, lead to doubled or tripled survival and even produce curative responses. These are happening in mice and in human organoids, and I see them on their way to trial and clinic. For me, this is very exciting.
What inspired you to join the Washington DC/Baltimore CARE Team and further your involvement with the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation?
Several times I was able to attend Care Groups and similar meetings in other towns, where patients intermingle and discover that they are not alone, and where our best physicians and scientists discuss their work and plans for the future. These interactions greatly benefit patients and caregivers, allowing them to share experiences with others, learn about the latest research, understand how the results are leading to new treatments, and discover how these treatments are extending survival, including their own. So when a chance to form a Care Group happens where I am, I jump at it!
What excites you most about being part of this team and working with others to support the cholangiocarcinoma community?
There is a lot of good work in Baltimore and DC that is begging to be shared among patients, and lots of patient/caregiver experiences to be shared with one other. I expect that this CARE Group will become a valuable forum for conversation and education, and hope.
Lynn Lazzaro
What is your connection to cholangiocarcinoma?
In January of 2016, I heard those three life-altering words, “You have cancer.” I thought cholangio…what? I was told I had a year to live, maybe 2 with treatment. I honestly felt like bees were buzzing in my head. I wasn’t hearing clearly and certainly wasn’t processing information. As the bees began to settle down, I embarked on a dual path: to have HOPE and fight hard to live the best life possible with my diagnosis
How did you become involved in CCF?
My journey with the CCF community began in January 2024 as a mentor in the CholangioConnect Program and by joining the patient support group. April of 2024 was my first CCF Annual Conference.
What excites you most about being part of this team and working with others to support the cholangiocarcinoma community?
I always say that my treatment was like a beautiful tapestry and that if you pulled just one string the tapestry might fall apart. For me, supporting the parts of that tapestry, like my medical team and CCF, is one of the ways I hold on tightly to HOPE.
Dave Fleischer
Who am I?
I’m Dave Fleischer, a retiree now living in Maryland with Linda, my fantastic wife of almost 50 years. I’m the proud father of our son, Nate, and our beloved daughter, Sarah, who passed away from cholangiocarcinoma in September 2018. We spend as much time with our grandchildren as possible in MD and NJ, and I’m known to take occasional road trips, which earned me the nickname Rand McNally.
What inspired me to join the Washington DC/Baltimore CARE Team and further my involvement with the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation?
First and foremost, my inspiration for being involved with the Foundation and CARE Teams came from Sarah. She passed the baton to me, and I’m honored to carry on her legacy of advocating and raising awareness for those affected by CCA.
Four years ago, I had the opportunity to do a 15,000-mile Journey of Hope road trip commemorating the 15th anniversary of CCF. Experiencing dozens of impactful engagements with patients, caregivers, providers, and the” unknowing”, the journey opened my eyes and grew my desire to do more. When I asked Melinda Bachini how I could help further, she shared information with me about the original CARE Team concept, which was derailed by the pandemic. One thing led to another, and I became involved in helping others get things moving again. It was only natural to be part of a team in the location where I now reside.
How do you hope to make a difference in the lives of those affected by cholangiocarcinoma in your community?
It comes down to the tagline Strength In Community / Hope in Research. Among other things, CARE Teams are about bringing together those who are affected by cholangiocarcinoma by connecting with dedicated organizations, participating in online or in-person gatherings, raising awareness, and supporting fundraising initiatives.
What excites me most about being part of this team and working with others to support the cholangiocarcinoma community?
This is a way to connect the more than 500 patients and caregivers in the third-largest combined metropolitan area in the U.S., and spur others to start additional teams across the country.
How has being a part of a community with others affected by cholangiocarcinoma helped me?
I have what I call my H4: Hope, Help, Heal, and Honor. Volunteering for CCF has enabled me to help others, and I intend to continue doing so. As another Legacy Caregiver once said, “Doing nothing is not an option”.