Stand Up To Cancer

Jasmina Anema

Six-year-old Jasmina and her family documented her fight against leukemia on Twitter, making her a "torch of hope" for others facing a cancer battle and drawing the attention of Oprah Winfrey, Rihanna and President Obama. Last week, Jasmina passed away. Her family kept her growing audience up to date during the last two months, including sharing a message she got from the President: "President Obama wrote me the most encouraging message: 'Jasmina, DREAM BIG DREAMS' AND THAT IS WHAT I AM GOING TO DO IN THE NEW YEAR."
http://www.limelife.com/blog-entry/Jasmina-Anema-6-Dies-After-Inspiring-Cancer-Battle/33023.html

Linda May Hill

This article out of Utah looks at the efforts of Linda May Hill, a three-time cancer survivor who sells t-shirts with humorous messages to raise money for cancer research: "Of course they're fake . . . the real ones tried to kill me," "I lost my colon, but I'm still full of crap," and many more. (Her website, where the shirts are available, is somuchmoreonline.com.) "It doesn't matter if you have three months or three years, have a blast," Hill says. "If my kids want me to play 'Mario Brothers' instead of doing the dishes, I can tell you right now I'm playing 'Mario Brothers.'  Cancer does not define us. We're so much more."
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700006116/Humor-best-Rx-for-cancer-survivor.html

Phil Brabbs

Brabbs was diagnosed with multiple myeloma the day after his 28th birthday. He and his wife, Cassie, began doing extensive research on the disease, starting with advice from a friend in medical school and moving to the internet as a resource. Eventually the two started a blog, "Multiple Myeloma for Dummies," to share everything they had learned. Brabbs, who is now participating in a clinical trial at the University of Michigan, passed along this advice to others in the fight: "Be real with your emotions. When you're sad, be sad. When you're angry, be angry. When you're furious, be furious. When you're happy, be happy. When you want to laugh, laugh. Whatever you're feeling, it's okay."
http://www.myelomabeacon.com/news/2010/02/01/personal-perspective-former-football-star-and-young-father-%E2%80%9Cdominates%E2%80%9D-cancer-with-optimism-information-and-support/

Debbie Stallings

Stallings, a breast cancer survivor from Texas, carried the same bag to dozens of appointments, biopsies and surgeries during treatment for the disease. Now she makes Journey Bags for other women facing cancer diagnoses. The bags contain a small blanket, a reusable water bottle, a pocket journal and more, and can be personalized to fit the person's needs. "As a survivor, I came across a lot of people who wanted to do something, but didn't know what to give to help me through the process," she says. "I wanted to use my experience to create a Journey Bag for other survivors."The bags are available online at www.journeybags.com.
http://www.scntx.com/articles/2010/01/28/news_update/257.txt

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