Webinar – Navigating CAR T-Cell Therapy: Your Journey to Recovery

Cancer Nation’s Webinar Series presents “Navigating CAR T-Cell Therapy: Your Journey to Recovery,” a conversation about the journey of CAR T-cell therapy and how the treatment is providing new options for care.

CAR (short for chimeric antigen receptor) T-cell therapy uses an engineered version of a patient’s own white blood cells to target and attack cancer cells. Currently, the therapy is only available to those diagnosed with certain blood cancers. In this presentation, we explore the treatment process for this immunotherapy and help equip cancer patients and caregivers with the knowledge to have informed discussions with their health care providers.

This fireside chat features Arnoldo Rodriguez, M.Ed., a cancer survivor from Texas. He shares his personal experience with choosing to participate in a CAR T-cell therapy clinical trial, addresses navigating the process, and provides insight into the recovery.

Session Objectives:

• Enhance Understanding: Educate participants about the CAR T-cell therapy process.
• Empower Patients and Caregivers: Equip cancer patients and caregivers with the knowledge to have informed discussions with their health care providers about CAR T-cell therapy.
• Address Barriers: Demystify misconceptions CAR T-cell therapy.

This webinar was also presented in Spanish, Watch the video here, alongside a list of Spanish CAR T resources.

Watch the webinar below or here on YouTube.

This webinar is presented by Cancer Nation (formerly the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship).

Video Chapters and Resources

Video Chapters:

• 00:00 What is CAR T-cell therapy?
• 01:25 Arnoldo’s diagnosis, choosing CAR T
• 10:58 What inspired you to get a second opinion?
• 15:09 What made you feel comfortable about CAR T?
• 21:06 Consent process, potential risks and side effects
• 26:00 Why the role of caregiver is important for CAR T therapy
• 31:56 Post-treatment experiences, side effects
• 38:17 Followup care and finding a primary care doctor
• 43:04 Advice for those considering CAR T
• 48:11 Finding CAR T Information & supportive resources

Online CAR T Resources:

• “CAR T Cells: Engineering Patients’ Immune Cells to Treat Their Cancers” (National Cancer Institute)
• Let’s Chat CAR T – A resource by Kite featuring tons of information for patients and caregivers about CAR T-cell therapy.
• “What is CAR T-Cell Therapy?” (MD Anderson Cancer Center)

This event is presented by Cancer Nation (formerly the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship). The webinar is sponsored by Kite Pharma.

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About Arnoldo Rodriguez, M.Ed

Arnoldo Rodriguez, M.Ed. was a successful classroom teacher and school administrator who eventually transitioned into sharing proven educational practices with other educators throughout the country by becoming a successful sales executive and manager with many nationally and internationally known education companies. While Arnoldo was thriving in his career and nearing retirement age, he was in no way ready to do so.

In 2019, a diagnosis of stage 3 follicular lymphoma sidelined him. He knew he could conquer this cancer after having successfully survived prostate cancer in 2010. However, this proved to be a much more difficult journey riddled with a variety of setbacks and challenges. Over the course of three years and several courses of different treatments, he experienced two relapses. In 2021, he qualified for a CAR T-Cell Therapy clinical trial at MD Anderson Cancer Hospital in Houston, Texas. He and his wife Teresa, his caregiver, traveled to Houston for the clinical trial. After the six weeks, a final PET scan showed he was in full remission which has continued now for almost four years. He is now fully retired and continues to live a life of daily exercise routines and a commitment to making a difference by sharing his story with others.

About Shelley Fuld Nasso, MPP

Shelley Fuld Nasso, MPP, is CEO of Cancer Nation — the voice of the 18 million Americans living with, through, and beyond cancer. Under her leadership, Cancer Nation (formerly the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship) pushes for bold policy change to ensure every survivor has the right to not just survive—but thrive. From Capitol Hill to cancer centers, Shelley elevates survivor voices and demands care that actually works for the people living it.

A defining part of her work is helping survivors and caregivers find their voice in the democratic process, whether it’s their first visit to Capitol Hill or telling their story to someone in power. Through advocacy training and deep community-building, she empowers people to speak out, be heard, and help shape the policies that shape their lives.

Before joining Cancer Nation in 2013, she led public policy initiatives at Susan G. Komen. She holds degrees from Rice University and the Harvard Kennedy School. Shelley’s advocacy is deeply personal — rooted in love for her friend Dr. Brent Whitworth, a compassionate physician who died of cancer at 43, and in solidarity with countless others in her life affected by cancer.

She lives in Maryland with her husband and three sons. When not pushing for a cure for care, she’s likely found on a paddleboard, in a yoga class, or solving a crossword.