What challenges does one face in the management of the disease. I was only beginning to realize I had been thrown in a the deep end of a medical whirlpool without ever having had lessons in swimming in the healthcare environment. VHL often creates tumors in the eyes, brain, spine, pancreas, adrenal glands and kidneys. Jay Platt, a 33-year old retired Marine who lost an eye to VHL and has multiple tumors in his kidneys, spine and brain, also will be a featured conference speaker. Platt will describe his recent 2160 mile hike of the Appalachian Trail in an effort to raise awareness and funds on behalf of the VHL Family Alliance and cancer research.
Ordinary people can do extra-ordinary things just one step at a time.
He walked four million steps in five months, just one step at a time. The conference will provided essential information as well as case studies in dealing with a genetic disorder. The conference final program and panel will focus on the VHL Gene, Anti-angiogenesis Research and the Functions of the VHL Tumor Suppressor Protein as treatment of cancer moves into the new millennium.