THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH ALL OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

LIVE FROM MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, THIS IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" WITH JEFF SALKIN.

*] >> JEFF: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO YOUR "DIRECT CONNECTION."

COMING UP TONIGHT, A NEW BOOK HELPS PET OWNERS DEAL WITH THE DEEP PAIN OF LOSING A LONGTIME COMPANION.

THAT'S AHEAD.

WE BEGIN TONIGHT TALKING ABOUT YOUR HEALTH.

JOINING US IS Dr.

JENNIE LAW HEALOLOGIST AND ONCOLOGIST AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND GREENEBAUM COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

Dr.

LAW THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE.

>> Jeff: IT IS SICKLE CELL AWARENESS MONTH.

TELL BUS THAT CONDITION.

>> SICKLE CELL DISEASE IS AN INHERITED RED BLOOD CELL DISORDER THAT RESULTS IN THE FORMATION OF A SICKLED SHAPE RED BLOOD CELL.

>> Jeff: THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ROUND?

>> ROUND AND CONCAVE.

AS A RESULT OF A GENETIC AN ANOTHER MALT IN THE -- ABNORMALITY, THE RED BLOOD CELLS BECOME STICKY AND ASSUME A CYCLED SHAPE.

THE RESULT OF THAT IS HEMOGLOBIN CANNOT HELP WITH DELIVERING OXYGEN TO TISSUES.

THE SICKLED CELLS GET GO STUCK IN SMALL BLOOD VESSELS THAT CAUSE DAMAGED ORGANS.

>> Jeff: PEOPLE WHO HEARD OF SICKLE CELL ARE PROBABLY AWARE IT'S LARGELY A BLACK DISEASE.

TO WHAT DEGREE IS THIS WITHIN THE UNIVERSE OF PEOPLE DES SENDED FROM PEOPLE FROM AFRICA?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE PERSISTENCE OF THE TRAIT HAS OCCURRED BECAUSE IT OFFERED SOME PROTECTION AGAINST MALARIA.

WE TEND TO THINK OF SICKLE CELL AS A BLACK DISEASE IN THE UNITED STATES BUT WORLDWIDE, IT AFFECTS DIFFERENT ETHNICITIES THERE IS A LARGE MEDITERRANEAN, SAUDI, YEMENI POPULATION THAT CORRELATES WITH THE MALARIA BELT AROUND THE WORLD.

>> Jeff: WITHIN YOUR PRACTICE IN BALTIMORE, WHAT IS THE PATIENT DEMOGRAPHIC LIKE?

>> THE MAJORITY OF PATIENTS ARE AFRICAN-AMERICAN.

WE HAVE A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF PATIENTS HISPANIC WHO ARE AFFECTED BY THIS DISEASE.

>> Jeff: FOR THIS TO BE PASSED ON IT'S GENETIC IT IS NOT ACQUIRED.

IT IS A GENE THAT YOU NEED TO GET FROM YOUR MOTHER AND FATHER?

>> CORRECT.

SO YOU HAVE ONE COPY FROM MOM AND ONE COPY FROM DAD AND THE RESULT WOULD BE AN AFFECTED INDIVIDUAL.

>> Jeff: AFFECTED TO WHAT DEGREE?

>> IT CAN VARY.

THERE ARE FOUR GENE TYPES OF SICKLE CELL ALL WHICH CAN BE ASSOCIATED WITH A NUMBER OF DISEASE SPECIFIC COMPLICATIONS.

THE HALLMARK IS THE VASOPAIN CRISIS, PATIENTS WHO PRESENT WITH SEVERE PAIN THAT REQUIRES IV PAIN MEDICATIONS AND USUALLY AN ADMISSION TO THE HOSPITAL.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF HEAD TO TOE COMPLICATIONS THAT CAN BE END RESULTS OF HAVING THIS DISEASE.

>> Jeff: HOW OFTEN DOES THE PATIENT WHO COMES IN WITH THAT KIND OF PAIN THOSE COMPLICATIONS, HOW OFTEN DID THEY KNOW THEY HAVE IT?

>> MAJORITY OF PATIENTS WHO ARE PRESENTING TO THE HOSPITAL ARE AWARE OF THEIR DIAGNOSIS, ABSOLUTELY.

>> Jeff: HOW ABOUT THE TRAIT?

HOW MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE I SUPPOSE CARRIERS IS THAT THE RIGHT WORD?

HOW MANY FOLKS WHO ARE CARRIERS ARE AWARE THEY ARE?

>> ONE IN 13 AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN THE UNITED STATES ARE CARRIERS OF SICKLE CELL TRAIT.

IN 1975, NEW YORK STARTED THE FIRST NEWBORN SCREENING.

SINCE 2006 ALL 50 STATES HAVE HAD NEWBORN SCREENING.

MAJORITY OF PATIENTS ARE AWARE OF THEIR TRAIT STATUS AND WE ENCOURAGE TO GET TESTED IT IS AN EASY BLOOD TEST AND IT BECOMES ESPECIALLY RELEVANT IF PEOPLE ARE THINKING OF HAVING CHILDREN AND MAY WANT TO HAVE THEIR PARTNERS TESTED TO SEE WHAT THE RISK IS HAVING AN AFFECTED OFFSPRING WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE.

>> Jeff: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SICKLE CELL TRAIT AND THE DISEASE?

>> THE TRAIT YOU ONLY MAKE 50% OF THIS ABNORMAL HEMOGLOBIN.

THE INDIVIDUALS DO NOT HAVE THE PAIN CRISES AND ORGAN DAMAGE WE SEE IN SICKLE CELL DISEASE.

IN SICKLE CELL DISEASE YOU ARE MAKING 90%, 95% ABNORMAL HEMOGLOBIN.

YOU DON'T MAKE NORMAL HEAP HEMOGLOBIN.

>> Jeff: HOW CAN YOU HELP FOLKS?

AND HOW MUCH HAS THAT CHANGED OVER THE YEARS?

>> INDIVIDUALS WITH SICKLE CELL ARE BESET BY THREE PROBLEMS.

ONE IS ACCESSIBILITY A NUMBER OF THE INDIVIDUALS REQUIRE SUBSPECIALIZED CARE AND SHOULD BE PLUGGED INTO A HEMOTOLOGIST OR INTERNNIST WITH EXPERTISE IN SICKLE CELL.

ACCESS TO CARE CAN BE CHALLENGING.

MOST PROVIDERS ARE LOCATED IN URBAN CENTERS.

IF YOU ARE I HAVE WILLING IN THE EASTERN SHORE OR WESTERN MARYLAND, YOU MAY HAVE TO TRAVEL MANY HOURS AND YOU MAYBE GETTING LOCAL CARE WITH PROVIDERS WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE DISEASE.

TWO, THIS IS AN UNDER RESOURCED PATIENT POPULATION.

CERTAINLY ANYTHING THAT ONE CAN DO TO HELP ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF THESE INDIVIDUALS IS VERY IMPORTANT.

AND THREE, MANY OF OUR PATIENTS ENCOUNTER STIGMA WHEN THEY GO AND PRESENT TO ED'S OR HOSPITALS IN TERMS OF GETTING THE NECESSARY CARE THAT THEY REQUIRE.

>> Jeff: REMIND OUR VIEWERS IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT SICKLE CELL DISEASE YOU CAN SEND AN E-MAIL TO LIVE QUESTIONS AT MPT.ORG.

THE AVERAGE PATIENT, WHO DEGREE OF LIMITATION ON THEIR DAILY ACTIVITIES DO THEY HAVE?

>> IT REALLY VARIES.

INDIVIDUALS WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE DO HAVE A COMPROMISED MORTALITY THEIR LIFE EXPECTANCY IS 30 YEARS LESS THAN UNAFFECTED INDIVIDUALS.

ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS IT DEPENDS SOME PATIENTS LIMIT CHRONIC PAIN THAT CAN IMPACT THEIR ACTIVITIES.

CAN IMPACT THEIR ABILITY TO WORK.

PATIENTS CAN DEVELOP RESPIRATORY AND CARDIOVASCULAR COMPLICATIONS WHICH CAN CAUSE TROUBLE BREATHING, CHEST PAIN, DIFFICULTY WITH EXERTION AND CHRONIC JOINT PAIN.

THEY OFTEN DEVELOP AVASCULAR NECROSIS OF THEIR JOINTS REQUIRING SURGERY AT AN EARLY AGE.

>> Jeff: WHAT IS THE EDGE OF THERAPY THESE DAYS?

WHAT IS NEW?

WHERE IS IT HEADING?

I'VE READ ABOUT GENETICS, ABOUT BONE MARROW, WHAT IS THE MOST DRAMATIC TOOL IN THE TOOLKIT RIGHT NOW?

>> THE MAINSTAY OF TREATMENT IS AN ORAL MEDICATION.

WHICH WAS SHOWN TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT EFFICACY IN PATIENTS IN A LARGE STUDY FROM THE MID-1990s.

THAT IS OUR DISEASE MODIFYING THERAPY THERE ARE OTHER THERAPIES AVAILABLE THAT IMPACT ELEMENTS OF THE DISEASE BUT LIKE YOU TOUCHED UPON, IN 2025 WE WANT TO HAVE A MORE DEFINITIVE THERAPY FOR SICKLE CELL THAT CONSISTS OF TWO OPTIONS.

ONE IS BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT AND THE OTHER APPROVED BY THE F.D.A.

CALLED GENETIC THERAPY THAT USES THE PATIENT'S OWN CELLS, TO CORRECT THE ABNORMALITY THAT CAUSES SICKLE CELL.

PATIENTS RECEIVE CHEMOTHERAPY AND THEIR CELLS ARE REEN FUSED AND GO TO BONE MARROW AND START MAKING NON-SICKLE CELLS.

>> Jeff: YOU'VE SEEN IT WORK?

>> IT IS A NEW TECHNOLOGY AND HAS A LONGTIME OF LEAD TIME FINDING THE PATIENT AND BRINGING THEM TO THE THERAPY.

WE WERE WORKING WITH TWO PATIENTS IN THE PROCESS WE HOPE TO INFUSE THEM THEIR GENETICALLY MODIFIED CELLS BY 2026.

>> Jeff: HOW ABOUT TRANSFUSIONS FROM REGULAR DONOR BLOOD?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

MANY OF OUR PATIENTS RELY ON REGULAR TRANSFUSIONS TO HELP PREVENT OR MITIGATE THE RISK OF DEVELOPING COMPLICATIONS RELATED TO THEIR SICKLE CELL.

ALL THE MORE REASON FOR PEOPLE TO ADVOCATE AND DONATE.

YOU ASKED HOW CAN PEOPLE HELP?

BEING A REGULAR BLOOD DONOR ESPECIALLY UNDER REPRESENTED MINORITY OR YOU URM, THE INDIVIDUALS ARE UNDERREPRESENTED IN OUR DONOR POOL AND THAT WOULD BE A GREAT OPTION IF YOU WANTED TO SUPPORT PATIENTS WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE.

>> Jeff: WHAT WOULD IMPROVE ACCESS TO CARE?

YOU MENTIONED THE POPULATION THAT GETS THIS MAYBE UNDER RESOURCED, MAY NOT BE IN BALTIMORE CITY WITH THE CARE MEDICAL CENTER AND THE SUBSPECIALIST.

HOW CAN WE HELP PEOPLE BETTER?

>> I THINK ONE IS FOR PATIENTS TO RECOGNIZE THAT THEY NEED TO BE SEEN SUBSPECIALIST.

MANY PATIENTS ARE JUST ACCLIMATED TO THE STATUS QUO AND HAVEN'T BEEN TOLD IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO SEE A PROVIDER WHO SPECIALIZES IN THIS DISEASE.

ONCE PATIENTS ARE REFERRED WE CAN TAKE IT FROM THERE.

WE HAVE OPTIONS FOR TELEMEDICINE SO PATIENTS DON'T HAVE TO TRAVEL TO BALTIMORE.

WE CAN PUT IN CARE PLANS SO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL KNOWS HOW TO BEST TREAT THEM.

WE CAN BE A RESOURCE FOR PATIENTS IF THEY ARE ADMITTED LOCALLY SO WE CAN PROVIDE THEM WITH THE BEST POSSIBLE CARE EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT AT OUR HOSPITAL.

>> Jeff: A LOT OF RESEARCH BEING DONE WHAT MAKES YOU HOPEFUL ABOUT THE FUTURE FOR PEOPLE WITH THIS CONDITION?

>> I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS TO BE HOPEFUL.

IT'S GREAT FOR US TO BE TALKING ABOUT THIS AND RECOGNIZING NATIONAL SICKLE CELL AWARENESS MONTH KNOWING THERE ARE OPTIONS FOR PATIENTS AND WE WANT TO SEE PEOPLE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND AND HOW TO CONNECT THEM TO CARE.

>> Jeff: HOW DIFFICULT IS ACCESS?

YOU'RE BOOKED OUT SIX YEARS OR NO?

>> NO, WE'RE NOT.

WE'RE HAPPY TO SEE ANYONE AND WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE PATIENTS JOIN OUR CLINIC.

>> Jeff: THE LET'S FOCUS IN ON THE IDEA THAT BLOOD DONATIONS ROUTINE BLOOD DONATIONS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT AND HELP PEOPLE DIRECTLY.

>> ABSOLUTELY THEY CAN BE LIFE-SAVING FOR OUR PATIENTS.

>> Jeff: WE THINK ABOUT DONATING BLOOD FOR PEOPLE WITH EMERGENCIES THIS IS A CHRONIC CONDITION WITH A CONSTANT NEED.

>> IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A DONATION OR EMERGENCY.

YOU CAN GO OUT AND CONTACT THE RED CROSS AND TRAVEL TO YOUR LOCAL DONATION CENTER.

>> Jeff: Dr.

JENNIE LAW WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND GREENEBAUM COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER, DOCTOR WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

[*] >> Jeff: JOINING ME IS BETH BIGLER SHE IS THE AUTHOR OF A NEW BOOK ENTITLED.

"HONORING OUR ANIMALS: 365 MEDITATIONS FOR HEALING AFTER PET LOSS" AND I READ THAT YOU USED TO BE A HOLLYWOOD DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE YOU DID A COMPLETE 180 AND NOW A PET LOSS GRIEF COUNSELOR WHICH IS SUPER FASCINATING GIVEN IT IS A SUBJECT SO MANY OF US ARE FAMILIAR WITH IF YOU'VE OWNED A CAT OR A DOG OR A LIZARD.

A LOT OF US HAVE NOT HEARD PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IT.

TALK ABOUT WHAT LED YOU INTO THIS FIELD?

>> MY SOUL MATE CAT LED ME INTO THE FIELD AND MY CAT WAS MY WHOLE HEART HE WAS WITH ME FOR SO MANY UPS AND DOWNS OF MY LIFE.

WHEN HE RECEIVED A TERMINAL DIAGNOSIS, I ABSOLUTELY FELT MY WORLD WITH WAS GOING TO STOP I DIDN'T FEEL I COULD GO ON.

I FOUND MY OWN COUNSELOR AND FOUND IT TRANSFORMATIVE, LIFE SAVING FOR ME AND LIFE AFFIRMING FOR HIM AND GOT A LUCKY REMISSION ON THE DIAGNOSIS HE LIVED ANOTHER YEAR BUT A DIFFERENT CANCER SWOOPED IN AND TRANSITIONED FOR ME.

BUT BECAUSE I HAD DONE THE GRIEF COUNSELING WORK I KNEW HOW TO SHOW UP AND GIVE HIM A GOOD DEATH AND I MUST CHANGE MY LIFE AND SUPPORT OTHER GUARDIANS GOING THROUGH THIS POST LOSS PHASE.

I DID MY TRAINING AND OPENED MY PRACTICE AND SERVE PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD HELPING THEM BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE LOSS OF THEIR BELOVEDS.

>> MANY OF US UNDERSTAND THE PAIN AND SO FEW PEOPLE ACKNOWLEDGE IT.

NORMALLY PEOPLE DON'T GET BEREAVEMENT FROM THEIR TALK, TIME OFF, PEOPLE ARE NOT BRINGING A CASSEROLE AFTER YOUR DOG DIES BUT FOR THE PERSON GOING THROUGH IT THE PAIN IS REAL?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE CONSIDER IT A DISENFRANCHISED GRIEF.

IT IS A GRIEF THAT ISN'T SOCIALLY AND CULTURALLY RECOGNIZED BY ANYONE.

WE GET COMMENTS BECAUSE IT IS AN ANIMAL IT'S JUST A DOG OR ONLY A BUNNY WHICH MAKES US FEEL MORE SHAMEFUL ABOUT OUR GRIEF.

OUR BOND WITH OUR BELOVEDS IS INTIMATE FOR MANY PEOPLE IT'S THE MOST INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP IN THEIR LIVES.

THEY GIVE US FEELINGS OF LOVE AND NONJUDGMENT AND SAFETY AND ACCEPTANCE AND THAT IS A HUGE FOUNDATION FOR PEOPLE.

OUR IDENTITIES.

SO MANY OF OUR GUARDIANS BUILD LIVES AROUND OUR BELOVEDS WHEN THEY ARE NO LONGER EARTH SIDE WE HAVE A FEELING IS WHO AM I?

WHAT IS MY LIFE?

FOR SO MANY REASONS THE DEPTH OF THE EMOTION THIS GRIEF IS DEEPLY IMPACTFUL FOR PEOPLE AND MADE HARDER BECAUSE IT ISN'T RECOGNIZED IN OUR SOCIETY.

>> OFTEN THE PERSON WHO IS GOING THROUGH IT, CAN OFTEN DISMISS IT, TOO, IN A WAY?

LIKE THEY ARE ALMOST EMBARRASSED ABOUT IT AND HOW CAN WE SUPPORT OURSELVES WHEN WE'RE GOING THROUGH IT AND SUPPORT OTHERS?

>> WELL, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WANT TO REALLY EMPHASIZE FOREVER PEOPLE IS THAT THE FEELINGS YOU ARE FEELING ARE REAL, PROFOUND, VALID IT IS OKAY.

AND ABSOLUTELY COMMON THAT YOU ARE HAVING THESE BIG GRIEF FEELINGS.

FIRST IS VALIDATE OUR OWN FEELINGS.

LET EVERYONE KNOW IT'S ALL RIGHT I'M HAVING THESE FEELINGS.

IT IS OKAY.

AND THEN WE HAVE TO REALLY STEP INTO THIS BASE OF WHAT CAN I DO TO SUPPORT MY GRIEF NN IT LOOKS DIFFERENT FOREVER DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

REACHING OUT TO OTHERS WITH SIMILAR EXPERIENCES.

REACHING OUT LIKE IN MY COMMUNITY, PEOPLE COME FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD BECAUSE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS AND TAKING IT SERIOUSLY AND VALIDATING OURSELVES.

AND REACH OUT FOR SUPPORT IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

HOPEFULLY YOU HAVE A TRUSTED FRIEND WHO CAN HEAR YOUR FEELINGS AND VALIDATE YOUR FEELINGS AS WELL.

AND I TELL PEOPLE, TOO, IF YOU FEEL LIKE IT'S REALLY SO MUCH AND YOU HAVE NO ONE TO GO TO, DON'T BE AFRAID OF REACHING OUT FOR SOME SORT OF PROFESSIONAL HELP AS WELL.

THERE ARE MANY GRIEF COUNSELORS LIKE ME AND THERAPISTS, MEMBERS IN YOUR RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY WHO COULD BE A SUPPORT FOR YOU.

THERE IS NO SHAME IN RECEIVING HELP AND NO SHAME FEELING THESE FEELINGS.

>> FOR A LOT OF PET OWNERS THEIR SENSE OF GRIEF STARTS BEFORE THEIR DOG OR CAT ORIGIN ANY PIG PASSES BECAUSE WE SEE THE SIGNS OF THE AGING OVER THE YEARS.

AS I UNDERSTAND THAT IS CALLED ANTICIPATORY GRIEF?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

MANY GUARDIANS GO THROUGH ANTICIPATORY GRIEF A RESOLUTIONER COASTER OF DREAD, UNCERTAINTY NOT KNOWING WHEN OR THINGS WILL HAPPEN.

FOR MANY THIS LOOMING EUTHANASIA DISEASE THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BE FACING THAT DECISION HOW DO I DO THAT?

WHEN DO I DO IT?

MANY THINGS GO ON IN THAT PERIOD THAT ARE CHALLENGING.

AND MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THERE IS A NAME FOR IT AND IT'S CALLED ANTICIPATORY GRIEF AND IT IS A TYPE OF GRIEF THAT YOU ARE EXPERIENCING IN THIS TIME.

AND IT'S HELPFUL TO NAME IT.

I AM A BELIEVER ONCE WE CAN NAME THINGS WE CAN HAVE BETTER SUPPORT.

IF YOU ARE GOING THROUGH THAT TREAT IT AS A GRIEF EXPERIENCE WHAT YOU ARE EXPERIENCING IS VALID AND LOOK FOR SUPPORT.

THEY ARE FACING DIFFERENT TYPES OF THINGS MANY ARE CAREGIVING FEELING LIKE THEY CAN'T LEAVE THEIR HOUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO LEAVE THEIR BELOVED.

IT CAN BE FINANCIALLY DRAINING AS WELL.

RECOGNIZE THIS IS A TOUGH GRIEF EXPERIENCE YOU ARE HAVING AND SEEK SUPPORT.

SEEK SUPPORT AROUND YOU AND FEEL THE FEELINGS ALLOW THE FEELINGS TO MOVE WITH YOU.

>> TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR BOOK.

I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE DAILY MEDITATIONS ESSENTIALLY?

>> MY BOOK IS THE RESOURCE I CREATED I WANTED EVERY GRIEVING GUARDIAN TO HAVE IT MAKES A GREAT GIFT EVERYDAY THERE IS A SHORT MEDITATION WITH INVITATION AT THE END LIKE AN ACTION STEP SOMETHING YOU CAN TANGIBLY DO FOR YOUR GRIEF.

AND THE BOOK REALLY FOCUSES ON THREE THEMES.

ONE IS COPING WITH OUR GRIEF SYMPTOMS WHAT DO WE DO WITH ANGER, GUILT, JEALOUSY ALL THOSE EMOTIONS.

HOW CAN WE SUPPORT THOSE?

ANOTHER PART IS SUPPORTING OURSELVES IN TERM OF OUR IDENTITY BRINGING SELF COMPASSION TO OUR EXPERIENCE, HELPING US REDISCOVER WHO WE ARE IN THIS NEW NORMAL.

AND THE NUMBER ONE THEME I'M KNOWN FOR IS KEEPING OUR CONNECTION ALIVE WITH OUR BELOVEDS.

THE RELATIONSHIP DOES NOT END WITH THEIR TRANSITION.

IT IS ONLY THE BEGINNING OF A DIFFERENT TIME WITH THEM.

THE BOOK HELPS GUARDIANS CONNECT WITH THEIR BELOVEDS HOW CAN WE KEEP THAT RELATIONSHIP EXPANDING AND STAY IN COLLABORATION WITH YOUR BELOVED EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NOT EARTH SIDE THAT IS A THEME IN THE BOOK.

AND GRIEVERS CANNOT DIGEST CHUNKS OF HARD INFORMATION BUT THE MEDITATIONS ARE BRIEF AND GIVE YOU A LOT TO THINK ABOUT FOR YOUR DAY.

IT IS A DAILY BOOST, DAILY PEP TALK FOR ME TO HELP YOU THROUGH YOUR EXPERIENCE.

>> AGAIN, THE BOOK IS CALLED "HONORING OUR ANIMALS: 365 MEDITATIONS FOR HEALING AFTER PET LOSS".

BETH BIGLER THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JUST TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT CLEARLY WE ALL DO NEED TO TALK ABOUT MORE.

>> Jeff: AS PART OF MPT'S JUST CONCLUDED HBCU WEEK WE SPOKE WITH THE AUTHOR OF THE PRINCETON REVIEW'S GUIDE TO HBCU'S Dr.

BRAQUE TALLEY.

[*] >> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

LET'S START WITH YOUR BACKGROUND BECAUSE AS A STUDENT, I KNOW YOU CHOSE HBCU'S THREE TIMES.

>> YEAH, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

BRAQUE TALLEY, CURRENTLY SERVE AS VICE-PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS AT ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY IN ALABAMA.

HOWEVER, I ENROLLED AT RUSS COLLEGE IN MISSISSIPPI FOR UNDERGRAD.

AND RECEIVED A BACHELOR'S IN ENGLISH.

A MASTER IN URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING AND A PH.D.

FROM JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION.

>> Jeff: AT OUR TAPING TIME YOU WERE DOING MOVE IN AT YOUR SCHOOL.

WHICH IS GOT TO BE THE MOST HECTIC TIME OF THE YEAR, RIGHT?

>> IT IS AND AN EXCITING TIME SEEING STUDENTS AND FAMILIES COME TO CAMPUS, BRIGHT EYED AND EXCITED ABOUT THEIR FUTURES AND CAREERS.

>> Jeff: THESE ARE STUDENTS WHO HAVE DONE THE RESEARCH.

THEIR PARENTS, GUARDIANS HAVE DONE RESEARCH INTO WHAT SCHOOL IS RIGHT FOR THEM.

AND THAT BRING US US TO THE PRINCETON GUIDE TO HBCU'S TELL US WHAT YOU CAN ABOUT THE GUIDE?

HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN AROUND?

>> ABOUT FIVE YEARS NOW.

AND I THINK IT IS A PHENOMENAL GUIDE TO HELP STUDENTS IN HIGH SCHOOL CHOOSE, DIRECT THEM TO JUST SOMEWHAT THEY REVIEW IN THE COLLEGE SEARCH PROCESS.

>> Jeff: WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS ABOUT LET'S SAY SOMEBODY'S A JUNIOR THEY HAVE NOT REALLY THOUGHT ABOUT IT AT ALL, WHERE DO YOU START?

>> I TELL FAMILIES, I THINK YOU START WITH YOUR LIST.

CREATE A LIST OF WHAT YOU WANT IN AN INSTITUTION.

I TALK TO STUDENTS ABOUT FINDING A PERFECT FIT.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE, WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE?

WHAT DOES THE FOOD IN THE CAFETERIA FAVORITE LIKE?

AND USE REAL THINGS.

AFFORDABILITY.

IS THAT IMPORTANT TO YOU.

IS BEING CLOSE TO HOME IMPORTANT?

OR DO YOU WANT TO GO AWAY?

IS THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM IMPORTANT?

IS THE BAND IMPORTANT?

AND DO THEY HAVE YOUR MAJOR?

CAN THIS INSTITUTION CARRY YOU TO YOUR CAREER FIELD.

>> Jeff: SPEAKING OF COST FOR PARENTS EVERYWHERE YES THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT COST AND MOST PEOPLE KNOW THAT FREQUENTLY COLLEGES OF ALL TYPES WILL HAVE A STICKER PRICE FULL TUITION BUT THEN THERE IS A REALISTIC NUMBER WHEN STUDENTS QUALIFY FOR VARIOUS TYPES OF AID OR SCHOLARSHIP.

HOW DO YOU APPROACH THAT IN THE BOOK?

>> AGAIN, THE BOOK AGAIN GOES BACK TO FIT.

FINDING ALLOWING STUDENTS TO DETERMINE WHAT THEIR MERITS ARE, SO THE INSTITUTION HAS A HIGH NUMBER OF MERIT OR PERFORMANCE SCHOLARSHIPS?

DOES THE INSTITUTION USE OUR PELL GRANT FIRST OR A LAST DOLLAR SUPPORT FOR THE INSTITUTION?

AND THEN WHAT CAN MY PARENTS AFFORD TO PAY?

I TALK WITH FAMILIES I HAD A YOUNG LADY IN MY OFFICE NEGOTIATING THE INSTITUTION TO GO TO BASED ON IF HER PARENTS COULD AFFORD IT OR NOT.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS GO INTO THE FACTOR OF A COLLEGE CHOICE.

>> Jeff: I'VE HEARD OF DEALS IF YOU GO TO THE CHEAPER SCHOOL WHICH MAY NOT BE YOUR FAVORITE, WE CAN MAKE YOU A DEAL.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK EVERY FAMILY HAS TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR THEM.

BEING OF THE HIGHER-ED SIDE I BELIEVE THE COLLEGE TUITION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THE CAR CAN COME LATER.

BUT CHOOSING THE INSTITUTION THAT IS A GOOD FIT.

AND HERE IS WHAT IT BOILS DOWN TO FOR ME NOT JUST GOING TO THE INSTITUTE YOU CAN START AT BUT FINISH AS WELL.

ONE THAT I CAN AFFORD FOR FOUR YEARS AND PROUD TO HANG ON MY WALL WHEN I APPLY FOR JOBS THAT MY KIDS WILL SEE.

>> Jeff: DO KIDS GET LOCKED INTO THE DREAM SCHOOL?

MAYBE TO THEIR DETRIMENT MAYBE THEY DON'T CONTINUE THE SEARCH.

THEY DON'T REALIZE THAT MAYBE SCHOOL NUMBER TWO ON THE LIST, YOU KNOW, HAS NEGATIVE BUT LIKE YOU SAY MIGHT HAVE THE EXACT MAJOR AND THE ABILITY TO RETAIN STUDENTS THROUGH A DEGREE?

>> I THINK THAT HAPPENS TO ALL OF US WE BECOME STARRY EYED SO TO SPEAK AND THIS IS THE FIRST MAJOR PURPOSE FOR MANY OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

MAJOR DECISION THEY WILL MAKE FINANCIALLY THAT CAN IMPACT THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.

IT'S EASY TO BECOME STUCK ON THE ACUTEMONDS AND NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THE UNDERLYING FACTORS IN THAT DEGREE PROGRAM.

THE OTHER PIECE IS SUPPORT.

DOES THIS INSTITUTION HAVE THE SUPPORT I NEED?

STUDENTS HAVE TO BE NOT JUST FINANCIAL BUT ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL SUPPORT AND STUDENTS HAVE TO BE HONEST WHERE THEY ARE IN LIFE AND DOES THIS INSTITUTION GIVE ME THE FIT OR THE SUPPORT THAT I NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL THERE.

>> Jeff: HOW ABOUT FRATERNITY AND SORORITY LIFE?

HOW BIG A PART OF CAMPUS LIFE IS THAT AT HBCU'S?

ALL HBCU'S?

SOMEWHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

>> I THINK EVERY INSTITUTION I AM A MEMBER OF A FRATERNITY.

STUDENTS SPEND 70% OF THEIR TIME OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM.

SO THAT SOCIAL EXPERIMENT OF A SOCIAL EXPERIENCE ON CAMPUS IS HUGE.

AT MANY OF OUR INSTITUTIONS AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I GUESS IS UNIQUE AT HBCU'S, IS THAT MANY OF THEM YOU CAN'T JOIN A FRATERNITY OR SORORITY UNTIL YOUR SOPHOMORE YEAR TRYING TO GIVE THE STUDENTS TO GET THE ACADEMICS UNDER THEIR BELT AND BE COMMITTED TO THE FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS BEFORE JOINING AN ORGANIZATION.

>> Jeff: ONE OF OUR LOCAL HBCU PRESIDENTS LIKES TO SAY THAT HIS SCHOOL IS HISTORICALLY BLACK NOT EXCLUSIVELY BLACK.

HOW DO YOU APPROACH THAT QUESTION FOR PERHAPS A NONBLACK STUDENT WHO IS CONSIDERING AN HBCU MAYBE WANTS TO ASK THAT QUESTION BUT ISN'T SURE IT'S APPROPRIATE?

>> IT IS A VERY APPROPRIATE QUESTION.

OUR DOORS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN OPEN TO EVERY STUDENT OF REGARDLESS OF RACIAL ETHNICITY OR MAKEUP.

AND MANY OF OUR INSTITUTIONS ARE EXTREMELY DIVERSE EVEN NOW.

THE ACADEMY HIGHER EDUCATION IS THE PLACE WHERE WE GET A CHANCE TO LEARN FROM EACH OTHER SO IT ADDS TO THE DIVERSITY OF THE CLASSROOM EXPERIMENTS WHEN -- EXPERIENCE, WHEN WE CAN HAVE STUDENTS FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS OR RACIAL MAKEUP, SOCIOECONOMIC MAKEUP AS WELL.

>> Jeff: Dr.

BRAQUE TALLEY THE AUTHOR OF THE PRINCETON REVIEW'S GUIDE TO HBCU'S.

AND THAT IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" THIS WEEK WE'RE BACK FRIDAY WITH "STATE CIRCLE" THE LATEST ON MARYLAND POLITICS.

JOIN US FOR THAT FRIDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M.

REMEMBER, YOU CAN SEE PAST EDITIONS OF OUR PROGRAMS, VIDEO.MPT.TV AND AS WELL ON THE FREE PBS APP.

FOR ALL OF US AT MPT THANK YOU FOR WATCHING "DIRECT CONNECTION".

AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[*]