Generation Hope

Cancer Society Offers Teleconferences Regarding Treatment

2008-05-26T21:05:00.000-07:00

According to http://www.marinij.com/ci_9380828?source=rss the American Cancer Society will have free teleconferences next month (June) to discuss cancer treatment and other issues.

Programs which are a part of the "Doc Talks" series are to include "Cancer 101" from 3 to 5 p.m. June 3 and "Skin Cancer Epidemiology, Treatment and Prevention" from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. June 7.

For more information regarding the programs or to register for any of them, call 454-8466.

The Broken Chain

2008-03-07T23:28:00.000-08:00

This is such a wonderful poem for those who have lost someone they cared for. I hope it touches yall the way that it has me

The Broken Chain.

We little knew that day,
God was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly,
In death, we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you.
You did not go alone.
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.

You left us beautiful memories,
Your love is still our guide.
And although we cannot see you,
You are always at our side.

Our friendship chain is broken,
And nothing seems the same,
But as God calls us one by one,
The chain will link again.

Why I Relay!

2008-03-07T22:50:00.000-08:00

Despite my four years of participating in the Relay for Lfe there is always the question of why I partcipate in the Relay every year. Well over the next week or so (you know how it gets sometimes) I'm going to be posting pictures and the purpose as to why I relay every year. This is the first reason why I relay. One of the best friends I could have ever asked God to have brought into my life. Christopher Newsome was one of my best friends and I always looked up to him.

It didn't mater if the group was hanging out on Saturdays playing Dungeons & Dragons or if our strange group of friends were stuck on the side of the road on the night of Junior Prom waiting for a car that functions since the one they had tore up, Chris always made all his friends feel welcome in his home, and never made any of us feel as though we didn't belong.

Chris had bone cancer and was misdiagnosed I don't know how many times before the cancer broke through the bone in his arm. It was a shock to all of us who loved him and hard to understand. Chris was supposed to be the best man in my wedding but was unable to even attend the ceremony because of the cancer treatment. We lost a gret friend in April of 2005 andMay 2005 was my very first Relay for Life and I have had a team every year since. I guess it's my way of keeping the memories of those I love alive and a way of trying to help out.

‘Waiters’ dress up for cancer society

2008-02-27T06:39:00.000-08:00

Dinner guests at the Golden Corral in Palatka, Florida were treated to quite the experience February 25, 2008 when local officials and business leaders put on costumes and became waiters for the night..all to benefit the American Cancer Society.

According to http://www.palatkadailynews.com/ "Event founder and organizer Mary Makie Conner said she was very happy with the turnout.“This is the 21st year we’ve held the event and it’s always a lot of fun,” Conner said. She added that the event started to honor her father who died from cancer. She later lost her husband to cancer and continues the annual event in their honor...Conner said the event had raised more than $6,000 and more money still was coming in."

Participants in the event included Mayor Karl Flagg and the School Superintendent, the Supervisor of elections,County commissioners and others. Along with the tips and money raised through the sale of Mardi Gras beads, Golden Corral donated a portion of each dinner price to the American Cancer Society.

For more on this fundraising success please go here: http://www.palatkadailynews.com

Happy New Year

2008-01-02T10:54:00.000-08:00

Best wishes for a wonderful new year and best wishes for all the Relay for Life teams in their fundraising and efforts to bring about a cure for this disease. Best wishes to all the cancer survivors and those who are battling with this disease or those who have family memebers and loved ones battling it.

May this year bring about wonderful experiences and answered prayers for all of you.

Congressman Tim Holden presents check for $5.6 million to Cancer Institute

2007-12-19T10:25:00.000-08:00

Congressman Tim Holden, presented a check for $5.6 million dollars to Hershey Medical Center's Penn State Cancer Institute. According to the story posted here http://www.ldnews.com/ci_7751485 the money is part of the U.S. Department of Defense Appropriations Act for 2008 that was approved several weeks ago.

The medical center is the only academic health center located in central Pennsylvania, serving close to 4.5 million people. As stated in the article: "The facility will have more space for clinical trials in the study of cancer, Paz said. Bringing cancer research and treatment together under one roof, he said, is important in raising the profile of the institute. "

Dr. Tom Loughran, the director of the cancer institute, stated Hershey Medical Center sees about 8,000 new patients diagnosed with cancer each year.

For more on this story see the link above.

Green Tea May Cut Prostate Cancer Risk

2007-12-19T10:18:00.000-08:00

In a recent Japanese study at the Japan National Cancer Center drinking green tea may reduce the risk of advanced prostate cancer. A scientist taking part in the research study stated the following in the artile found at http://www.news.yahoo.com/ :

"This does not mean that people who drink green tea are guaranteed to have reduced risk of advanced prostate cancer," said Norie Kurahashi, a scientist who took part in the study.
"We are just presenting our results. But the study does point to the hope that green tea reduces the risk of advanced prostate cancer."

The study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, compiled data from 50,000 men aged 40-69 over a period of up to 14 years from 1990.

http://www.news.yahoo.com/

Ozzy Osbourne's 'garage sale' raises $800,000 for Cancer Charity

2007-12-02T17:52:00.000-08:00

Legendary Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharron held a 'garage sale' of sorts to raise money for the Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program at the Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.

Items such as Ozzy's favorite coffee mug sold for a reported $1,625, a cast bronze devil head that hung on a doorway of his family's Beverly Hills home sold for $8,750, Ozzy's batskin coat sold reportedly for $3,300, and Ozzy's custom billiards table sold for $11,250. These any many other items belonging to Ozzy and his family were sold over the two day event that ended on Saturday

The reported total money raised for the Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program as a result of the garage sale was around $800,000.

For more on this story check out here: http://news.yahoo.com

Scholarships available for cancer survivors

2007-11-20T19:21:00.000-08:00

According to http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071119/NEWS0103/711190388 Young cancer survivors preparing for higher education may be eligible for scholarships from the Mid-South Division of the American Cancer Society.

$1,000 scholarships will be awarded to eligible students who are attending an acredited university, college or vocationa./technical school and have fought cancer. Awards will be announced in March of 2008 for the 2008-09 academic year.

In order for a young cancer survivor to be eligible, they must be under 25 years of age, have had a cancer diagnosis before age 21, be a U.S. citizen and live in one of the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, or Floyd or Clark counties in Indiana. A grade point average of at least 2.5 must be held by the applicant in order to be considered for the scholarships.

More than 1,170 scholarships have been awarded since the year 2000, which include 225 that were awarded last year. Applications for the scholarships are due by February 1, 2008 and for an application, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org/mid southnews.

Cancer patients getting a lift

2007-11-20T19:11:00.000-08:00

According to the Press & Sun-Bulletin, officials with the American Cancer Society announced today an expansion of its Road to Recovery program that provides cancer patients with rides to, and from, their treatments.

The officials announced three corporate sponsors -- United Health Services, New York State United Teachers and Lourdes Hospital -- have agreed to partner with the cancer society to have their employees and retired teachers provide rides for patients.

The society is looking for 12 corporate sponsors to become involved, said Towhee Shupka, senior director for patient and family services with the cancer society.

The society needs more volunteer drivers, officials said. Last year alone, the cancer society provided 400 rides. But the society received about 700 requests, Shupka said. More on this story and others can be found at the following link:

http://www.pressconnects.com

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2007-10-06T22:08:00.000-07:00

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Around this time you will find plenty of pink ribbon hats, scarves, T-Shirts, socks and various other things at Wal-Mart, K-Mart and other stores in your area. I'm sure we have all seen the displays of pink ribbon pens and the such when going through Wal-Mart during the time of October and November. With most of their products the store will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of these said items to either the American Cancer Society or a designated Breast Cancer treatment center.

According to the American Cancer Society's website at http://www.cancer.org/ :

"“If you a woman, you are at risk for breast cancer,” Stabilito added. “However, finding it at an early, treatable stage is vital. Unfortunately, some women ignore getting a mammogram. A late stage breast cancer diagnosis is much harder to treat than an early stage diagnosis. The key to treatment for breast cancer and all cancer in fact, is to detect it when it is still at a localized stage.”

"Although some of the risk factors linked to breast cancer are known, it’s not yet known what all of the causes are. It could be that a woman of average risk for breast cancer may lower her risk somewhat by changing some risk factors. These risk factors include giving birth to several children and breast-feeding them for several months, not smoking, not drinking alcohol, exercising regularly, eating nutritious foods and maintaining the proper body weight."

For more of this story please visit this link: http://www.cancer.org/ and search for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Starting Over Again

2007-08-07T07:14:00.000-07:00

Another Relay For Life year has come to an end with the completion of our Relay For Life event in May and antoher Realy For Life year has began with our first fundraiser of the new Relay Year!

So it ends, so shall it begin. Fundraising is a thing that my team does thorughout the year. There is not a set time in months or weeks for us to do our fundraising just as there is no set time for anything in life. You take it as it comes your way and when good ideas are brought your way to make the best of them. We have quite the list of fundraiser opportunities this year, far more than we have ever had in my three years of having the honor of being the team captain for this wonderful team of friends and family.

Our first Bake Sale of the new Relay season was held in July. With work and everything else going on it became increasingly difficult to maintain this blog as well as my other blog but I promise to have more updates and keep this thing moving on the right path of keeping everyone informed as to the happenings in the world of cancer research and team information. I hope everyone out there is having a great summer and I look forward to hearing from other Relay For Life Teams as well.

I wish all the Relay teams the very best and I hope all your fundraisers are as successful as you need them to be. Together we can beat this terrible dissease that has affected so many that we love and taken so many that we cherish and miss to this day.

Relay For Life 2007 Gone Country!!!

2007-06-14T18:27:00.000-07:00

Well our 2007 Relay For Life season is over and boy what a year it was. We had a great time fundraising and particiapating in the acutal Relay For Life! We are already looking forward to Relay 2008 and are open to any sugjestions from our loyal readers as to what fundraisers would be great to try this year. This will be our 4th year in the Relay and we are going to be going strong this year. I hope to break our record this year.

For a small team of 6 members we managed to raise $1, 019 for the American Cancer Society in 2007 and I am looking to exceed that in 2008! We will once again be putting together our cookbooks and doing our dinners and we are even talking about having a wrestling event to raise money for the Relay.

There are other ideas out there as well such as bake sales and hopefully some other fun ideas that will get our community involved in the joy that is Relay For Life. In 2007 our Relay went Country...I just wonder what theme we'll get to party with in 2008?

What fundraisers worked best for the rest of you Relay teams out there? I would love to hear some of your ideas and success stories so feel free to drop me a comment here about what fundraisers worked best for your team.

Tomatoes No Magic Bullet For Prostate Cancer

2007-05-17T12:02:00.000-07:00

According to a news story on Health Day:

Lycopene, the much-touted cancer fighting antioxidant found in tomatoes and ketchup, is ineffective in preventing prostate cancer, a new study finds. In fact, higher intake of another antioxidant found in many vegetables, beta-carotene, appears to increase the risk for aggressive prostate cancer, researchers report. Many Americans also take beta-carotene in supplements.

The report is published in the May issue of the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. During the course of the trial, 1,320 prostate cancer cases were diagnosed. Peters's team found no significant difference in blood levels of lycopene between men who had prostate cancer and those who didn't. Beta-carotene has also been linked to increased risk for lung cancer and heart disease among smokers, Peters noted. "People should be very cautious about taking high doses of supplemental beta-carotene," she said. The researcher believes the best strategy for preventing cancer in general is to not place one's faith in a particular food, but to live an active, healthy lifestyle.

For more go to http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=604717

Many Americans Confused About Cancer: Survey

2007-05-17T11:59:00.000-07:00

According to Yahoo.com News:

The first national survey in a generation to look at Americans' feelings on cancer prevention finds widespread confusion about the disease. The findings are published in the May 17 issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention. About half of all men and one-third of all women will develop some type of cancer during their lifetime, experts say.

It's also estimated that almost one-third of U.S. cancer deaths are attributable to smoking, while 14 percent to 20 percent are attributable to being overweight or obese. Research shows that you can reduce your risk for the disease: by quitting smoking, eating more fruits and vegetables and maintaining a normal weight. The current survey involved more than 6,000 adults interviewed by phone in 2003.

For more go to http://news.yahoo.com

American Cancer Society's Camp Rainbow Celebrates 20th Anniversary

2007-04-28T00:39:00.000-07:00

Cancer doesn't have to be a reason for a child to miss the fun and excitement of camp. Children affected by cancer, ages 4 through high school, are invited to attend the American Cancer Society's Camp Rainbow during the week of June 17 to 23. The Society, in cooperation with Eastern Maine Medical Center, the Bangor Ronald McDonald House, and the Bangor YMCA Camp Jordan, is celebrating its 20th anniversary of offering this FREE weeklong camp to children with cancer.

Camp Rainbow has been in operation since 1987 and is a special place where kids with cancer can simply smile, laugh and play; a place where they are not treated as "different" or "sick;" a place where they can just be happy, fun-loving kids again. This weeklong camping experience helps meet the physical, psychological, and emotional needs of hundreds of young cancer patients and their families. Attendees participate in fun activities such as swimming, kayaking, volleyball, arts and crafts, singing, and more.

The camp operates at Camp Jordan on Branch Lake in Ellsworth, a facility of over 200 acres with a well-developed waterfront, spacious dining hall, ropes course, various athletic areas, a theater stage, and an arts and crafts building. Children currently in treatment for cancer as well as those who are up to 10 years post-treatment are eligible to attend Camp Rainbow.

When asked what they liked most about Camp Rainbow, many of last summer's participants remarked that they like how everyone cares about everyone else and how they were able to share their thoughts with others who have or had cancer. When asked what they like least about camp, the general consensus was, "It wasn't long enough!"
For more information and an application for this year's Camp Rainbow, please contact the American Cancer Society at 800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org. Call 800-ACS-2345, 24 hours a day, any day of the year for cancer information, connections to local resources, or simply to talk with a caring person when you or a family member needs strength and encouragement.

For more on this story please visit
http://camden.villagesoup.com/Community/story.cfm?storyID=91112

Man leaves cancer society $3.5 million

2007-04-28T00:37:00.000-07:00

A retired General Electric Co. aircraft mechanic in CINCINNATI who lived quietly and frugally has gotten attention in death with a $3.5 million gift to the American Cancer Society. Charles J. Herrman died at age 96 one year ago, three years after the death of the sister he lived with most of his adult life.

Robert C. Porter III, the attorney for Herrman’s estate, said part of Herrman’s $4.1 million estate had been inherited from his sister, Ruth Herrman, an elementary schoolteacher.Herrman never explained why he chose the American Cancer Society as his primary beneficiary, Porter said.“He didn’t have cancer, and I don’t think his family had a history of cancer,” Porter said. “He probably picked the American Cancer Society because it’s a well-known charity.”The society was gratified by his choice.“It would take us several fundraising events to raise that amount of money,” said Peter Osborne, spokesman for the American Cancer Society’s Southwest Ohio Chapter. “We’ve very thankful that he thought of us.”

Information from: The Cincinnati Enquirer, http://www.enquirer.com

Tea 'could cut skin cancer risk'

2007-04-22T21:49:00.000-07:00

Drinking just two cups of tea per day could cut the risk of developing skin cancer, a study suggests.

The US research compared the tea-drinking habits of 1,400 people with skin cancer and 700 who had not developed the disease. The study, in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention, suggests chemicals in tea could have a protective effect. But British cancer experts warned that the best way to guard against the disease was to protect the skin.

The study, by a team at Dartmouth Medical School, New Hampshire, looked at 770 adults with basal cell carcinoma and 696 with squamous cell carcinoma. Both are cancers which develop in skin cells. Sunlight is a contributing factor in around 90% of cases. Around 70,000 people in Britain are affected by the cancers each year. All those studied were diagnosed between 1993 and 1995 or 1997 and 2000.

The study asked the people with cancer, plus the healthy group - all aged between 25 and 74 - about diet, lifestyle and their consumption of both green and black teas. Both kinds of tea are rich in antioxidants which animal studies have been shown prevent the development of cancer cells. This research found that people who drank tea regularly had a lower risk of either cancer.
Those who drank two or more cups a day had a 65% lower risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma. Tea-drinking also appeared to protect against basal cell carcinoma, but to a lesser degree. Adding lemon peel to the tea, a practice more common in the US than the UK, seemed to increase the benefits of the drink, the researchers said.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6571147.stm

Berries could be cancer-fighting superfoods

2007-03-30T11:52:00.000-07:00

A compound called pterostilbene found abundantly in blueberries offered protection against colon cancer, according to a new study Monday by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Rutgers University.
The animal study by these researchers showed that the compound is a powerful antioxidant and has the potential to be developed into a pill as well.

The findings of the study were detailed at the 233rd national meeting of the American Chemical Society. Colon cancer is thought to be the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Previous studies have highlighted several compounds in fruits and vegetables that are thought to possess cancer-fighting properties. However this is the first study to actually demonstrate them albeit in laboratory animals.

Researchers said that rats with pterostilbene showed 57 percent lesser pre-cancerous lesions in the colon than the rats with only a balanced diet. Additionally pterostilbene also appeared to lower some genes involved in inflammation.
Lead author Bandaru Reddy said the study demonstrated that people needed to include more berries in their diet.
"This study underscores the need to include more berries in the diet, especially blueberries," he said, adding that although the study did not represent a way to cure cancer, it did offer a way to potentially prevent it.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-03/27/content_5901359.htm

Scientists claim breakthrough in fight against cancer

2007-03-30T11:50:00.000-07:00

CANBERRA, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Australian scientists from Sydney, Australia's largest city, are claiming they have made a breakthrough in the fight against cancer which will help with the development of more effective drugs.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) radio on Friday reported that researchers from the Children's Medical Research Institute in Sydney have identified the structure of an enzyme known as telomerase.

It is believed to prevent cancer cells dying in the same way normal cells do as they age.
Head researcher Scott Cohen said it was previously thought there were 30 proteins inside the enzyme, but his team has discovered that only two are present.

He said this will provide scientists working on anti-cancer therapies a much tighter focus for their work.

"By determining the composition, we have answered a fundamental question about telomerase, which will definitely encourage the focus and significant advancement into this area of research," he was quoted by ABC radio as saying.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-03/30/content_5915643.htm

Coaches Fight Cancer At Hoops For Hope

2007-03-23T10:38:00.000-07:00

The American Cancer Society will hold a gala with the coaches of men's basketball teams from several Iowa colleges.

The coaches attending are: the University of Iowa's men's basketball coach Steve Alford and his wife, Tanya; University of Northern Iowa men's basketball coach Ben Jacobson and his wife, Dawn; Drake University's assistant men's basketball coach Keno Davis and his wife, Krista; and Iowa State University's men's basketball coach Greg McDermott and his wife, Theresa.

It will be a night of fun, entertainment and basketball-themed excitement to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.

The fundraiser takes place at 6 p.m. May 5 at the Prairie Meadows ballroom. For more information, call 800-688-0147 or Go to Cancermw.org

Recalled Pet Food

2007-03-23T10:34:00.000-07:00

I know this topic is not related to the Relay For Life or the American Cancer Society in any manner but as a person who owns two dogs myself I wanted to put this out there for those of you who frequent this blog and have pets yourself.

The list of recalled pet food can be found at this link http://www.menufoods.com/recall/ and they have added Mighty Dog Pouches to the list among others. However, the company that makes Mighty Dog pet food released a statement saying that the can food from Mighty Dog brand was not being recalled. Pedigree dog food has also NOT been included in the recall.

I hope everyone and their pets are healthy and doing good.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2007-03-17T11:07:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day from all the member of the Generation Hope Relay For Life Team. We hope each and everyone of you are having a great year and a wonderful St. Patrick's Day.

An Irish Prayer
May God give you...

For every storm, a rainbow,

For every tear, a smile,

For every care, a promise,

And a blessing in each trial.

For every problem life sends,

A faithful friend to share,

For every sigh, a sweet song,

And an answer for each prayer.

Onions, garlic linked to lower cancer risks

2007-02-28T11:54:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People who flavor their diets with plenty of onions and garlic might have lower odds of several types of cancer, a new study suggests. In an analysis of eight studies from Italy and Switzerland, researchers found that older adults with the highest onion and garlic intakes had the lowest risks of a number of cancers -- including colon, ovarian and throat cancers.

The findings, which appear in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, are in line with some past research. But those studies were mainly conducted in China, and it is unclear if the results are different in Western countries.

Dietary habits are substantially different in China, with garlic intake, in particular, being far higher, Dr. Carlotta Galeone, the lead author of the new study, told Reuters Health.
These latest findings suggest the anti-cancer benefit of these vegetables extend to Western populations, according to Galeone, a researcher at the Mario Negri Institute of Pharmacologic Research in Milan, Italy.

They note, animal studies and lab experiments with cancer cells have found that certain compounds in onions and garlic may inhibit the growth of tumors. Sulfur compounds found in garlic and antioxidant flavonoids in onions are among the potentially protective substances.

For more on this story visit http://today.reuters.com/

Happy Valentine's Day

2007-02-13T22:29:00.000-08:00

From our Relay for Life team to everyone that visit's our blog we would like to wish everyone a very Happy Valentine's Day. We hope you enjoy this day with the ones you love or by yourself; whatever your heart desires.

Kids cancer fundraiser a close shave

2007-02-12T17:02:00.000-08:00

According to the Rocky Mountain News the St. Baldrick’s Foundation is issuing a "Be Brave, Get Bald" challenge featuring head-shaving events to raise funds for childhood cancer research.

The Denver event is at Fado’s Irish Pub, 1835 19th St., on Friday from 6 a.m. to noon and is one of 300 head-shaving fundraisers being held nationwide this year.

St. Baldrick’s began in 2000 when three executives from New York City turned their St. Patrick’s Day party into a fundraiser by shaving their heads in an act of solidarity to children with cancer. They combined "Patrick" and "bald" to form "Baldrick."

It has grown into the world’s largest fundraising event for childhood cancer, so far having raised more than $20 million. Worldwide, 160,000 youngsters are diagnosed with cancer each year making it the No. 1 disease killer of children in the U.S. and Canada.

All of the foundation’s donations are generated by "shavees," organizers, volunteers, staff and board members. None comes from government grants or through mass mailings or telemarketing.

Visit the foundation at www.GuideStar.org or call 888-899-BALD.

Big Four hoops coaches to host cancer benefit

2007-01-25T12:47:00.000-08:00

Men’s basketball coaches and their wives from Iowa State, Iowa, Drake and Northern Iowa will host a “Hoops for Hope” benefit for the American Cancer Society on May 5 at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino.

Tickets cost $125 and include a reception with the coaches and dinner, followed by a dance. The fundraising-event starts at 6 p.m.Iowa State men’s basketball coach Greg McDermott and his wife, Theresa, are honorary chairpersons of the gala.

Theresa was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2006. She had surgery to remove the cancer a week later and started chemotherapy in late December. Theresa completed chemotherapy treatments in June.For more information, call 1-800-688-0147 or visit online at:www.cancermw.org/hoopsforhope

Ellsworth signs American Cancer Society Congressional Cancer Promise

2007-01-23T00:12:00.000-08:00

According to http://www.courierpress.com/news U.S. Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-Ind.) is now one of a handful of Indiana congressmen who have signed the American Cancer Society Congressional Cancer Promise.

“It is officially signed. I will do my part,” Ellsworth said to a group of applauding supporters Monday at the Old National Bank headquarters in Evansville.

With his signature, Ellsworth pledged to make health system reform a priority, improve access to care, increase funding for cancer research and promote prevention, early detection and survivorship.

With the stroke of a pen, he joined three congressmen in Indiana, 15 in Illinois and four in Kentucky who are among the legislators supporting the cancer promise, according to the American Cancer Society.

For more on the story visit the Courier Press website above.

Cancer Deaths On The Decline

2007-01-17T12:43:00.000-08:00

About 3,000 fewer people died from cancer in the United States from 2003 to 2004, the American Cancer Society reported on Wednesday.

It said the big decrease shows that not only has the death rate from cancer been reversed -- but it has been reversed so much that fewer people are dying, even though the population of elderly people, who are most susceptible to cancer, is growing.

Cancer death rates have been declining for a long time. The declines have now outpaced the growth and aging of the population," Elizabeth Ward, director of surveillance research for the American Cancer Society, said in a telephone interview.
She said a small decline seen in the previous report had grown considerably, showing the trend was real.

The biggest fall in deaths was seen in colorectal cancer, the second-leading cause of U.S. cancer deaths, which will affect 112,000 people in 2007 and kill 52,000.
"Colorectal cancer really stands out," Ward said.

"There was a drop in both men and women, both a drop in mortality rates and in cancer incidence." The death rate from colon cancer fell by 5.7 percent in 2003-2004 from the previous year.

In 2004, 553,888 people died from cancer, compared to 556,902 in 2003. Fewer people died from the four leading cancers -- lung, breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer -- with the exception of lung cancer in women.

The five-year survival rate for all cancer patients between 1996 and 2002 was 66 percent, the group said. That compares to 51 percent between 1975 and 1977.

The four leading causes of cancer in the United States are:
-- Lung cancer, which will be detected in 213,000 people in 2007 and kill 160,000
-- Prostate cancer, which will be diagnosed in 218,000 men and kill 27,000
-- Breast cancer, which will be found in 180,510 men and women and kill 40,900
-- Colon cancer, which will be diagnosed in 112,000 people and kill 52,000.
The statistics do not include skin cancers known as squamous and basal cell carcinoma, which affect a million people a year.

The full report is available on the Internet at http://www.cancer.org/statistics.

Why Do I Relay?

2007-01-14T01:58:00.000-08:00

Everyone that gets involved with the Relay For Life has their own special reason to be there. Some are survivors and some have family, friends or other loved ones that are fighting with cancer or that have lost the fight with cancer. Personally I fit into the second section of that statement. I have lost many loved ones to cancer and I hope that the money that my team and I raise for the Relay For Life helps those who are fighting the disease as well as those who are trying to cope with a loved ones battle.

There are many stories on the American Cancer Society's webiste regarding the reasons to Relay but I believe that everyone must find their own reason to participate.

My reason to relay is personal. I lost a wonderful friend who taught me a lot in the time that we knew one another, my father-in-law who showed me the meaning of a yelling match and a smile, my husband's grandfather who was I loved like my own grandfather and I never tired of his stories and my husband's grandmother who I didn't get a chance to know very well. I have lost aunts and other family members as well and have had a close friend survive cancer and have family who are battling the disease now.

There are countless reasons to relay but when they are personal to you then you fight even harder to get the news out there about Relay and you work to make the fundraisers you do a success. Cancer touches us all. Everyone on my team has their own special story about why they relay. Maybe they'll share those here eventually. Maybe not. But everyone involved with Relay is there because of someone they loved. Good luck to all Relay For Life teams who are out there raising funds for the American Cancer Society. I hope all you do is a success.

Why I relay:

Top 10 Tips for Avoiding Cancer

2007-01-10T10:57:00.000-08:00

The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 560,000 Americans died from cancer-related causes in 2006. Some cancers are preventable, and people can cut their risk by maintaining some positive health steps.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Chief Medical Correspondent to CNN.com top 10 tips for avoiding cancer:

1, 2 and 3) Do NOT smoke. If you're one of the more than 40 million American smokers, you need to stop. Smoking is linked to at least three in 10 cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. That's more than 165,000 deaths a year.

4) Stay active. Inactivity and obesity are linked to cancer. Half an hour of exercise a day will significantly help your odds.

5) Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. The American Cancer Society recommends at least five servings each day. In general, the most colorful fruits and vegetables have the most nutrients.

6) Limit the amount of red meat and processed meats in your diet, and make sure the meat you do eat is lean.

7) Avoid deep-fat frying. Instead, use low-fat cooking methods like roasting, baking, broiling, steaming or poaching. Also, choose low-fat or non-fat milk and yogurt.

8) Limit your alcohol consumption or avoid alcohol altogether.

9) Protect yourself in the sun. Wear sunscreen to limit your exposure to damaging ultraviolet rays.

10) Girls should get the HPV vaccine before they are sexually active to help prevent cervical cancer.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/

Teen Raising Money For Cancer Research

2007-01-06T22:52:00.000-08:00

According to www.press-citizen.com the story about a teenager named Mitchell Landau who has a family history of cancer and a school project to complete is raising money for the American Cancer Society captured my attention.

Mitchell Landau is a South East Junior High eighth-grader and he plans to raise money by using family connections at restaurants in Iowa City, North Liberty, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Waverly and Moline, Ill.

On Monday, 10 percent of total sales at nine restaurants in those cities, including the Brown Bottle in Iowa City and North Liberty, will go toward the project. The project was created when Landau was assigned to do at least four hours of community service for his personal development class at school. He said he remembered the effects of cancer in his family, including his grandmother dying of colon cancer. His aunt is fighting breast cancer as well, he said.

"I thought I wanted to do something cancer-related," he said. "The biggest cancer-related group I could think of was the American Cancer Society."

His father, David Landau, suggested mirroring a project that benefited the Iowa City Hospice done at the Brown Bottle in Iowa City and North Liberty, both of which he owns with his wife, Gina. Mitchell's project grew as he enlisted the help of two uncles and his grandfather.

"They just came over for Thanksgiving and I asked," Mitchell Landau said. "Cancer has touched all of us, and it has changed people's lives."

David Landau said he expects business to double Monday as people hear about the project, a thought echoed by Mitchell Landau.

"The more people who come in, the more that goes to the cancer society," he said. "Their eating can help people fight cancer and maybe find a cure."

To Read more go to:
http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070106/NEWS01/701060309

If you live in the area of these restaurants think about visiting on the Double Monday. Thank you to Mitchell Landau for his help in this fight against cancer.

Happy New Year

2006-12-31T15:58:00.000-08:00

We would like to wish a Happy and Safe New Year's Eve and the best of the year 2007 for everyone. We hope 2007 is a great year.

Merry Christmas Wishes

2006-12-23T17:36:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Wishes go out to everyone!!!!! The Generation Hope Realy For Life Team would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and best wishes for all those who are going through cancer and their loved ones. Don't let the holiday's slip by without a smile or a laugh and don't let any troubles worry your mind as you enjoy this holiday season.

I wish you all the best and all the joys that this season can bring. Take care as you drive from one place to another and always remember to allow yourself extra time to get to where you are going. Make the best of the season and have a wonderful Christmas.

Way To Go Team!!!!!

2006-12-19T22:22:00.000-08:00

Thanks to my wonderful Relay For Life Team we were able to raise over $300 for the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life event by having a Soup Bean Dinner last week. This is yet another fundraiser that we have put together and most likely our last fundraiser until after the first of the year. Christmas is coming soon and we are taking a break from our fundraising efforts. We are still collecting recipes for our Cooking for A Cure Cookbook that we are putting together as a fundraiser for 2007. We are well on our way to breaking our record last year.

If you would like to submit a recipe for our cookbook you may do so by leaving it in the comment section of this post or leaving your email and I would be glad to contact you. Once again that to all the members of my wonderful team for all their help an their dedication to the fight against cancer: Derek, Keith, Ashley, Kristi, and Liz you all have helped greatly this year.

Cancer-Fighting Vanilla Fudge

2006-12-18T21:14:00.000-08:00

Enjoying foods or beverages that contain vanilla each day is a tasty way to reduce the risk of breast cancer, according to a new study in the European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Researchers found that vanillin actually inhibits the growt and development of diseased cells in healthy brast tissue.

Here is the recipe:

Cancer-Fighting Vanilla Fudge

In a large saucepan, combine 3 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar, 6 Tbs. butter, 3 Tbs. milk, 1 Tbs., vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Heat, stirring often, until the mixture is creamy. Pour into a greased 9 x 5 pan and refrigerate until firm.

Found in First Magazine

11 Healthful Tips for the Holidays

2006-12-17T21:24:00.000-08:00

The American Cancer Society has issued 11 Heathful Tips For The Holidays. These 11 practical tips to reduce the risk of being diagnosed with cancer were released for the Holidays.

11 Days of Working Towards a Cancer-Free New Year

1. Quit smoking. Make a plan. Set a date. Ask for help from the American Cancer Society, or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

2. Make choices about where your family dines. Many restaurants offer smoke-free environments that protect you and your family from dangerous second-hand smoke.

3. Make an appointment for your yearly physical.

4. Make appointments for cancer screening tests: breast, cervical. prostate, and or/colon.

5. Pay close attention to your body and changes that may occur. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about any changes.

6. Maintain a healthy weight. Visit www.cancer.org for tips on healthy lifestyle choices.

7. Limit alcohol consumption and exercise regularly.

8. Follow your local and national legislators' actions on cancer-related issues. Let them know your opinions.

9. Maximize tax savings by making a year-end charitable donation to the American Cancer Society.

10. Place www.cancer.org in your favorites or home page to keep up on latest information about cancer.

11. Call 1-800-ACS-2345 for information or services if you or someone you know has cancer.

Children's Cancer Camps

2006-12-08T10:14:00.000-08:00

The American Cancer Society sponsors camps for children who have or have had cancer. These camps are esigned to handle the special needds of children undergoing treatment, as well as offer a fun environment where children can enjoy typical summer camp activities. Many camps also have programs for siblings of children with cancer.

There are many things that go unspoken about the American Cancer Society and the great work that they do there. I for one really appreciate all the hard work that they put into finding a cure for this disease and helping those who are strugling to find answers to what they are going through.

If you need to contact anyone, if you have questions that need to be answered you can visit the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org

Choose Hope

2006-11-29T21:26:00.000-08:00

I was searching through the internet and happened across another great website that donates portions of the money they get--from the sale of their items--to the American Cancer Society.

Choose Hope donates 10 - 20% of their total sales to to a variety of leading cancer research institutions. Here is what they ahve to say about their donations:

"We always make sure that our money goes directly to GENERAL CANCER RESEARCH. That way, every cancer gets a portion of our donations. Listed below are the current facilities that are recipients of our money and a link to their sites:
MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, NY
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN
University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center in Madison, WI
The American Cancer Society
We will continue to add additional research facilities to our list as our donations increase. "

You can check out their site at www.choosehope.com

Autographs For A Cure

2006-11-27T22:05:00.000-08:00

Hello once again to the faithful blog readers that frequent this little space of the internet. My team and I have been requesting autographed items to be sold with the proceeds going to the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life and I just wanted to list a few of the ones that we have just recently got in.

We have an Autographed Basketball from UCONN, and Autographed Drum Head from the rock band Bowling For Soup, and just recently we got in an Autographed 8x10 picture from TV personality Dog the Bounty Hunter. We are very excited to be receiving these items and we hope to sale them to benifit the great work being done by the American Cancer Society.

Coaches vs. Cancer and the American Cancer Society

2006-11-25T00:52:00.000-08:00

The American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches have collaborated to form a nationwide program called Coaches vs. Cancer. According to the American Cancer Society's website at http://www.cancer.org

"Coaches vs. Cancer provides critical mission outreach, while raising funds in support of the Society’s lifesaving cancer research, education, advocacy, and community service efforts. The program has raised more than $29 million since its inception in 1993 to benefit the Society's missions. "

There are many different ways to support the American Cancer Society and their wonderful efforts to find better treatments and hopefully one day a cure for this disease. From high school students forming their own Relay Team to Coaches working together to raise money and raise awareness of the American Cancer Society in their communities and nationwide.

Happy Thanksgiving

2006-11-23T20:50:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Hope everyone has a great day and do all those who are heading out to the Day After Thanksgiving sales at the local store Good Luck and good shopping.

Flowers for A Cure

2006-11-14T19:20:00.000-08:00

While surfing around the American Cancer Society's website I found a link to Telefora's Flower Club located at http://www.acs.flowerclub.com/ and they are donating 20% of the purchase price of the flowers they sale to the American Cancer Society. There are many organizations out there which donate certain percentages of their sales to the American Cancer Society and to the Relay For Life.

How to Join Relay

2006-11-14T19:12:00.000-08:00

Since this Blog is for my Relay for Life Team I thought I would post a link here for those of you who would like to join the Relay for Life by joining a team in your area or creating a new team of your own.

Go here http://www.cancer.org/docroot/par/par_0.asp for information on How to Become a Team Captain, How to be a Sponsor, How to Volunteer Your Time and Activities related to the Relay.

Hello Again

2006-11-11T14:14:00.000-08:00

Hello again to all those who view this blog. I hope you are having a wonderful time here. Our Relay For Life Team is off to a wonderful start this Relay year. Our theme is "Gone Country" so we are trying to come up with decoration ideas for our campsite (it's never to early to start). With Christmas coming up soon we are working to put together some sort of fundraiser to work with the Holiday Season but the ideas are coming up blank. If anyone out there has any ideas for fundraisers that would work with the season please feel free to comment.

We are putting together a Celebrity Auction which will be happening on Ebay soon. I already have an Autographed Drum Head from the Rock band Bowling For Soup up on Ebay and I also have an Autographed UCONN Basketball that we will be selling for the Relay for Life as well as other Autographed pictures and items. To view the items we currently have for sale go here: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZmistic_pandaQQhtZ-1

We are still looking for someone that could do the binding for the cookbooks that we are trying to put together. If you do the binding or if you know of anyone that could do the binding feel free to drop us a note in the comment section. Thank you so much for everyone's help.

CookBooks

2006-11-09T11:43:00.000-08:00

Hello once again to everyone out there in Internet World!!!! I hope you have enjoyed your visit(s) to our Relay For Life Team's Blog. I have been working to set up links and other features of this blog.

One of our Team's fundraisers this year is Cookbooks. We are putting together a cookbook to sell for the Relay. If anyone out there would like to contribute a recipe or know of anyone that does the binding and/or publishing for charity cookbooks please comment here or feel free to email me. If you can't find my email please drop me a comment with your email and I will contact you. If there are any other Relay For Life Teams out there please drop me a line. I would love to communicate with other Relay for Life teams around the USA and even internationally.

We pride ourselves on coming up with interesting fundraisers and we hope this one will be a success for the Relay. If you are interested in one of our cookbooks please drop me a line and I will get your information and let you know when they are ready.

Welcome to Our Blog

2006-11-06T21:39:00.000-08:00

Welcome everyone to our Relay For Life Team's Blog!!!! We are very excited to be raising money and working with the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life for the 3rd year in a row. We have got better every year and every member of our team has their own personal reason for doing the Relay For Life event. Out of the 3 years that I personally have been doing Relay I beleive that this will be the best year yet.

We are already half way to reaching our total fundraising efforts last year. Half way there and the Relay is not until May 2007! We are doing awesome in the fundraisers guys. This is a new blog so check back regularly for updates and chages, links and comments from me and the rest of my team. We will be feature many stories, pictures and general comments. Whatever we feel needs to be put out there. Feel free to leave your comments as well. We welcome all to comment! Thank you for your interest and we hope you find some interesting information contained within this blog of ramblings and Relayers. Go Team!!!!!!!!!