2023 Head & Neck Cancer Conference Guide Book

Jon Organ
DAY 2
Michael Caines
MBE DL
DAY 2
Laryngectomee
Chef Owner Michael Caines Collection
My name is Jon Organ I am 57 and I am a Laryngectomee. I have been married to Nicky for 34
years and have 4 children and 11 grandchildren. Up until November last year life was ticking
along very nicely, and cares were few and far between. I ran my own building company, as well as
consulting on Health and Safety in the construction industry (I still do).
A two week rule visit to ENT at hospital after many months of a hoarse voice, found cancer of the
voice box. Initially staged at 3, soon after stage 4. The cancer had grown through the thyroid. An
urgent total laryngectomy, plus removal of thyroid gland and 84 lymph nodes followed.
Shortly after 6 weeks of radiotherapy, at the Royal Marsden hospital London and two doses of
chemotherapy. I am now classed as NED, No evidence of disease at a recent PET scan. During my
short but intense journey, the one thing I have learnt is that people out there feel alone just as I
did. Nobody should feel alone, and everybody should be helped wherever they can. If possible, I
would like to help make a painful situation a little less painful.
Michael Caines MBE, chef patron of Lympstone Manor, is known as one of Britain’s most
celebrated and acclaimed Michelinstarred chefs. Having grown up in the South West of England,
Michael has earned a global reputation for his distinctive modern cuisine, which champions the
finest local produce and suppliers, combined with influences from his global travels.
In 2006 Michael was awarded an MBE for contributions and services to the hospitality industry and
made a Freeman of the City of Exeter for his work impassioning the hospitality industry in the local
area. Michael also created the Michael Caines Academy at Exeter College – of which he is alumnus –
as well as The Michael Caines Foundation which supports numerous charities including Families for
Children, Farms for City Children, The Exeter Foundation, One for the Boys, WESC and Devon Wildlife
Trust.
Michael is a familiar face on television, appearing regularly on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen, Great British
Menu and MasterChef and has authored a cookbook, Michael Caines at Home.
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Professor
Ali Khurram
DAY 1 & DAY 2
Consultant Pathologist
Michael J Passineau
PhD
Vice President and Head of Salivary Gland
Therapeutics MeiraGTx
DAY 1
2021- Present, Vice President and Head of Salivary Gland Therapeutics, MeiraGTx (NASDAQ:MGTX).
MeiraGTx is a global gene therapy company with corporate headquarters in New York City,
and primary manufacturing facilities in London and Shannon, Ireland. MeiraGTx develops and
manufacturers and develops gene therapy vectors in inherited retinal diseases (partnership with
Janssen), central nervous system disorders and salivary gland dysfunction.
My role encompasses oversight of clinical drug development and research for the company’s lead
candidate, AAV2-hAQP1, a gene therapy agent intended to treat radiation-induced xerostomia and
Sjogren’s disease, as well as other undisclosed therapeutic candidates. AAV2-hAQP1 completed a
Phase 1 clinical trial in March 2023, and the company has begun dosing a Phase 2 trial in June, 2023.
Formerly 13 years at Allegheny Health Network, Drexel University College of Medicine, Pittsburgh
Campus (Allegheny General Hospital). Retired as full Professor, Drexel University CoM, in 2021.
Ali Khurram is a Professor and Consultant Pathologist at the University of Sheffield and Sheffield
Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK. He is passionate about raising the profile of
Pathology as a specialty and raising awareness of head and neck cancers. He is a Patron for The
Swallows Head and Neck Cancer Charity.
Professor Khurram has a number of local, regional and national leadership roles including Clinical
lead for the local/regional Diagnostic Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Service, Secretary of the
British Society for Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (BSOMP), Digital Advisor for the Pathological
Society of Great Britain & Ireland and Deputy Chair of the NCRI’s Salivary Gland working group. He
is also the Training Programme Director for the specialty in Yorkshire and was awarded the 2022
Golden Microscope Medal for his contribution to pathology training and education.
Professor Khurram is actively involved in research with numerous ongoing projects investigating
head and neck cancer and pre-cancer as well as the use of Artificial Intelligence in diagnosis and
prediction of prognosis.
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