Greater Atlanta Voice Masters welcomes you
to our official web site!
For over 40 years we have been serving the needs of laryngectomees in the Atlanta area with support, information, training and fellowship. We meet on a regular basis in the Emory area. For over 40 years we have been serving the needs of laryngectomees in the Atlanta area with support, information, training and fellowship. More about: About Us
April 29 2009Mini Voice Institute Program
May 14th 2009 starting at 4:00 PM - at Wesley Woods Terrace (Emory Area)
4:00 - welcome by Janice Hayes, president GAVM
4:10 - introduction of speakers and program by Alma Owens speech pathologist
4:20 - Pulmonary Hygiene, Meryl Kaufman speech pathologist
4:35 - First workshop Artificial larynx. Kathleen Presgrove, speech pathologist, Gary Abbott, Scott Brooks
5:00 - Second workshop Esophageal Voice
5:15 - third workshop Tracheoesophageal voice and hands free speaking. J Trad Wadsworth MD, Inge Thomas PhD Speech Pathologist, Gary Abbott, Inhealth Technologies, Scott Brooks, ATOS Medical
6:15 - dinner and visit vendors
January 14 2009My first hospital visit
On January 14th, I was given the opportunity to visit a new member to the "Lary club." Being a relatively new member myself (have had my laryngectomy on October 31st 2008) I didn't hesitate to accept the invitation extended as I know, rather, WE know just how scary joining this club can be.
More about: First Visit
December 7 2008GAVM holiday party
The Christmas party went off without a hitch and was a lot of fun for
all who attended. We had one new couple attend and several of us old
ones. The new couple are Sharon and Craig Rhodes. Sharon has only been a
"Lary" for about three months at the time of the party.
More about: Xmas Party
November 18 2008"Lights, Camerca, RELAY!!!
With a kickoff celebration at the Claremont Presbyterian Church on November 18th the 2009 season of the DeKalb Adams Relay For Life has been opened.The Relay will be held at Adams Stadium on Friday, May 15 - Saturday, May 16 from 7 pm to 7 am.
More about: Relay for Life Kickoff
October 25 & 26 2008October Screening - big success!
The Georgia Chapter of the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance (formerly the Yul Brynner Foundation) once again implemented a huge free head and neck cancer screening at the Atlanta Motor Speedway during the NASCAR weekend of October 25-27, 2008.More about: Head and Neck Screening
May 11 2008Sunil Kaphai has passed away
Our active member Sunil Kaphai passed away on May 11th 2008. In the last few months Sunil fought again against cancer. A few weeks ago he just finished chemno therapy.
Sunil Kaphai was a very active Voicemasters member in the last few years. He was always ready to step out in front of the microphone and sing with an electrolarynx, or to show tricks with play cards at our parties, He enjoyed socializing with another club members a lot, and always participated in our Relay for Life team. We will all miss him a lot.
Sunil funeral is on Tuesday, May 13th at 4PM at Wages & Son, 1040 Main St, Stone Mountain. GA.
April 29 2008Relay for Life fundraising
Greater Atlanta Voice Masters participates in Relay for Life 2008. Our goal is to have ten team members and we have already six team members. Please join out team and help us to raise money for the American Cancer Society to fight back against cancer. If you want to make a donation go to our team's page and click on the name of our member which has invited you to join Greater Atlanta Voice Masters Relay For Life team.
We would like to invite you to join us and be a team member of the Greater Atlanta Voice Masters at the Adams Stadium, North Druid Hills Rd, on May 16, 2008. You will gain an unforgettable experience.
December 15, 2007Our former member Peter Zecher has passed away
It is with great sadness that I have to report that long time Greater Atlanta Voice Masters member Peter Zecher passed away after a two year battle with cancer on December 14, 2007.
Peter moved to Florida about 5 years ago after he retired from Lockheed. Peter had been an engineer and worked on the L1011 and when they retired the L10ll, Peter decided that he would retire also.More about: Peter Zecher
December 7, 2007Free Cancer (Screening) at Atlanta Motor Speedway
The Georgia Chapter of the Yul Brynner Head and Neck Cancer Foundation sponsored its third screening event at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Friday and Saturday October 26-27, 2007. Over 70 people made the trek south to Atlanta Motor Speedway to volunteer their time and efforts to screen the fans of the NASCAR Truck Race Series. 208 people took advantage of the opportunity to be screened for oral and head and neck cancers at this event.More about: Free Cancer Screening
August 3, 2007Our former president David Kilgo has passed away
Our former president and lovely member David Kilgo lost his last battle against cancer. He passed away on August 2rd 2007. Next day viewing was held at the Hastings Funeral Home in Jackson, GA. Hundreds of people came to say farewell to our David and give a hug to Barbara Kilgo, which is a survivor support hero. Just remember the 2003 IAL meeting in Atlanta.
David is greatly missed, not just by his family, but all that knew him.More about: David Kilgo
July 14, 2007Our Tina Long has been elected president of IAL
It is great honor for GAVM. On the IAL’s 56th Annual Meeting
In Burlington, VT our member Tina Long has been elected to the IAL president, and our president Janice Hayes has been elected to the IAL Board of Directors.
Tina Long has her laryngectomy in 1998, and after that her put in numerous hours speaking to schools, all age groups. Her participated in a "Health Day Seminar" for high school students each spring for 3 years, and met with laryngectomy patients pre-op and post-op since 1999.
For 9 years Tina has been involved with the Greater Atlanta Voice Masters, and she is currently the GAVM treasurer. She has also edited our Newletter Happy Talk from 2004 to 2006.
Congratulations Tina!!!
May 17, 2007Relay for life '07
The Relay for Life at Adams Stadium was a great time for our GAVM team this year. We had perfect weather. Our tent was decorated with hearts and our team motto was "Have the Heart of a Survivor." It was wonderful to have so many of our GAVM members at the Relay this year. More about: Relay for Life
May 10, 2007Yul Brynner Survivor's Banquet
The Yul Brynner Survivor Banquet on May 10th was a wonderful evening of fellowship and celebration. The head and neck cancer survivors who attended and the doctors, nurses and speech therapist all shared a delicious meal together. Alma Owens, Speech Pathologist at Emory, was the master of ceremonies. More about: Yul Brynner
March 23, 2007Relay for Life 2007
Greater Atlanta Voice Masters has completed team for Relay For Life 2007. We have ten team members and we have already raised $365.00.
If you want to make a donation go to our team page and click on the name of our member which has invited you to join Greater Atlanta Voice Masters Relay For Life team.
Thanks a lot!
March 17, 2007Yul Brynner's Head and Neck screening
Months of planning for the Yul Brynner Head and Neck cancer Foundation screening at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, was in full swing at the dark and cold dawn of March 17th. Board members from the Georgia chapter of the Yul Brynner Foundation planned the day under the direction from the Hapners. Edie Hapner, speech pathologist at the Emory Voice Center, and Howard, her husband, again arranged our tent. More about: Yul Nascar>
March 8, 2007Yul Brynners statement
Twenty two years ago, Yul Brynner, dying from lung cancer, made a television commercial that said, "Now that I'm gone, I tell you: Don't smoke, whatever you do, just don't smoke." Brynner was very much alive in January, 1985, when he made this statement on ABC's Good Morning America. But after he died in October of that year, he got his wish. The resulting public service announcement remains one of the most memorable antismoking statements ever made.
Watch the Yul Brynner PSA
March 8, 2007Laryn-Cowboy: You Don't Always Die from Tobacco
Greater Atlanta Voice Masters is active in educating young people about the dangers of smoking. Our members, which are cancer survivors, visit Metro Atlanta schools and talk to students. These events are always well attended with students sharing in the discussion.
Late last year the following video was uploaded to Youtube.