Especially around the holidays, we are reminded of those we love who have been affected by cancer.
Stand Up To Cancer's Constellation is a place where many of you have already honored friends and family members who have received a cancer diagnosis, by launching a star with a donation of a dollar or more. It is a beautiful way to give presence to and stand up with someone who has been touched by this horrible disease.
As we approach a new year, Stand Up To Cancer is offering the opportunity for your loved ones' stories to be featured on the SU2C.org homepage. Launch a star between December 1st at 12:01am EST and December 31tst at 11:59pm EST and share it with your friends and family to gather notes of support and love for someone who has been diagnosed with cancer. The individuals whose stars receive the largest number of tribute messages may be recognized on the SU2C.org homepage during the month of January.
If you have already launched a star you can still participate. Help make it shine a little brighter by encouraging friends and family to add additional tribute notes of love and support for as little as a $1 donation. Simply share the star via social media sites, email, or your personal site and new notes posted on the star from December 1st to December 31st will be counted towards your tribute note total.
It's a wonderful way to stand together in the fight and to let someone know you're thinking of him or her during this holiday season.
For complete rules and regulations please click here!
Last week SU2C invited you to share the story of loved one currently undergoing cancer treatment or a family who has lost someone to this disease for a chance to win a room makeover/reorganization compliments of Real Simple magazine, as part of a holiday giving initiative. We were so moved by the outpouring of passionate stories that we received.
SU2C is excited to announce that Ben Dale is our contest winner, selected by random drawing. Ben was nominated by his loving wife Autumn who shared Ben's poignant story with us about his fight against brain cancer.
I am nominating my wonderfully strong husband, Ben Dale for the room makeover. He is 32 years old and was diagnosed with brain cancer, Oligoastrocytoma Grade II in August 2010. He had been healthy previously to this day. From day one when he had a seizure this has been a horrible nightmare that we can't wake up from. Ben and I are happily married and have been in love since we met when we were 15 and 16 years old.We also have an 8-year-old daughter that weadore.He has been so brave and strong during brain surgery, many Dr. appointments, radiation and MRIs. He has been enduring seizures daily now and sleeps a lot.He also has been told it would not be safe to work as adiesel mechanic which has been his career for ten years now. So much has been taken away from him in such a short time. I think it would be amazing to redo our bedroom for him. We moved into our home a year ago and had made plans to fix it. It had beena repo and needs a lot of redoing, the carpet smells like mildew even after cleaning it. But now that Ben can't work or drive. We are living off short-term disability through work that will be ending in a month or two. We have no way of financially redoing the house now. He spends a lot of time in our bedroom and I would love to be able to make it clean, safe, and comfortable for him. For Ben to wake up and feel like he is surrounded by beauty might give him the strength to get through the day! And we adore him; he's a wonderful devoted father and husband. He didn't deserve brain cancer but sure does deserve some beauty in his life!
Thank you please choose my husband Ben for the room makeover!
Autumn Dale
Thank you to Autumn and Ben for sharing your story and congratulations on winning!
SU2C wishes to thank everyone who submitted stories to us. Each and every one moved us. Be sure and check back later this month to see some of our most touching entries featured in our SU2C blog.
Eighteen months ago I discovered I had pancreatic cancer. I remember running out of toothpaste that same week and was not sure how big of a tube I should buy to replace it.
It has been a process but since then I have moved from being frozen with fear to being fearless. Instead of feeling sorry for myself I have found so much pleasure counting the blessings I have experienced in my 57 years of life; like being married to the woman I love for over 29 years, having two sons I could not be more proud of, a business career I never could have imagined and the awesome outpouring of love I have received from so many people.
Cancer made me look at my mortality and see what is most important and it is and always has been my family and friends. I have never have been more at peace with myself and more in tune with my spirituality then now. Everyday I feel good is a gift from God and I thank him for it. I use those days to pursue my passion of fly-fishing whenever I can and find I have never enjoyed it more. My only wish is to survive this disease and go on using the lessons I've learned in dealing with it.
Bryan Smith
Bryan is a 57-year-old man from Atlanta, Georgia who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 18 months ago. Bryan is seen in Arizona by renown oncologist Daniel D Von Hoff who is a SU2C Dream Team member.
The government's new 10-year Healthy People 2020 blueprint to improve Americans' health aims to help whole communities get in shape. The nations 2020 goals, to be released Thursday December, 9th will add a little something new to the traditional measures of well-being - by encouraging policies for states and communities that can help make people's surroundings more conducive to healthier lifestyles. "Health is more than just focusing on individuals," Dr. Howard Koh, assistant secretary at the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, told the Associated Press. "It's all interrelated." Other goals include reducing deaths from heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5glor21ZRhPRUXrKK9lb-1qzLLdyQ?docId=N0320771290955577738A
The risk of developing cancer as a result of radiation exposure from CT scans may be lower than previously thought, new research suggests. The finding, to be presented on Wednesday December 8th, is based on an eight-year analysis of Medicare records covering nearly 11 million patients. "What we found is that overall between two and four of every 10,000 patients who undergo a CT scan are at risk for developing secondary cancers as a result of that radiation exposure," said Aebed Meer, an M.D. candidate in the department of radiology at Stanford University. As a result Meer states that patients who need a CT scan should not be fearful of the consequences. Dr. Robert Zimmerman, executive vice chair of radiology at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City also agrees that this study provides good news. However, reducing radiation doses across the board should be the goal. "We always want to make sure that the dose used when scanning is as low as possible, and that scanning only takes place when necessary and beneficial to the patient." http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/646833.html
Having a yearly mammogram greatly reduces the risk of mastectomy following breast cancer in women between the ages of 40 and 50, according to a study presented today at the annual meeting on the Radiological Society of North America. "The results of this study support the importance of regular screening in the 40 to 50 age group," said lead author Dr. Nicholas M. Perry. "Women in this age group who had undergone mammography the previous year had a mastectomy rate of less than half of the others." Data showed that mastectomy was the required treatment for 19 percent of the women who had been screened the prior year, compared to the 64 percent of the women who had not been screened in the past year. "Regular screening is already proven to lower the chance of women dying from breast cancer," Dr. Perry said. "The results of our study support the importance of regular screening in the under-50 age group and confirm that annual mammography improves the chances of breast conservation should breast cancer develop." http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/annual-breast-cancer-screening-beginning-at-age-40-reduces-mastectomy-risk-111095914.html
That's all for this week. Be sure to check back next week for more!
By Jennifer Stauss Windrum
Founder of "WTF? (Where's the Funding) for Lung Cancer?" Campaign & Freelance PR/Social Media Practitioner
November, Lung Cancer Awareness Month, has drawn to a close, but we need to keep the public's attention focused on this diease all year long. Here's why:
This photo is of my mom, Leslie Lehrman. She has Stage IV inoperable lung cancer. Just like my mom - your mom can get lung cancer. Ok, ok, I know what you're thinking, so here's my answer, "No, my mom did not smoke." Great, now that we have that all cleared up, it's time to take everything you think you know about lung cancer and throw it out the window. Total. Do. Over.
Here's the deal, ANYONE can get lung cancer. Yes, I mean anyone. Don't think this excludes any of the beautiful children who fill up your cul-de-sac, because it doesn't. That's not the way lung cancer rolls these days. We are all equal potential recruits to the #1 cancer killer and LEAST funded cancer club. No more "special treatment" for the premium smoking members. Nope. The lung cancer scouts are out. If you have lungs, you are fair game. It's as simple as that.
Simply Scary. Simply Wrong.
Six years ago, my mom's phone call changed everything. Lung cancer changed everything. However, I quickly learned that virtually NOTHING has changed lung cancer in more than 40 years.
What do you mean my mom's chances of surviving this evil disease for five years is just 15%? Oh, wait, I'm sorry, I mean 18% - can't forget those whopping three percentage points we gained over four decades. Unacceptable. And, sorry to tell you, we're just getting started, folks.
In addition to grim odds, here's what else comes with a surprise deluxe LC club package:
No power in numbers: Of the 220,000 diagnosed each year, almost 160,000 will die. Unacceptable.
No early detection screening: That's right, there is NO recommended lung cancer screening test for the top cancer killer of both men and women. (Like many "LC-ers," my mom's lung cancer was detected during a scan for something completely unrelated). Unacceptable.
No standard of care: Not enough genetic testing or researchers collaborating. There are no effective targeted therapies for 80% of lung cancer cases, so much of the treatment remains a "blanket" approach. In other words, "Here, try this chemo and let's all pray." Unacceptable.
No funding: Lung cancer is the least funded of the four major cancers (breast, prostate, colon, lung) by a long shot. A VERY long shot. Unacceptable. Negligent.
So, because the government and majority of the medical community and public have long decided that lung cancer is a self-inflicted disease, using the smoking stigma as an excuse for their behavior, or lack thereof, my mom's life will be cut short. Not only cut short, but largely lacking any kind of quality and empathy and/or respect from some of those closest to her. Yes, some doctors included. More than sick. More than sad. I honestly can't find the most appropriate word.
Why Everyone Needs to Care - NOW!
The sheer neglect should be an outrage to all of us. Remember lung cancer can come to your house just as shockingly as it came to mine. No, I'm not being overly dramatic, unfortunately.
Let me help put all of this in perspective. However, before I do, I must state I am not pitting smokers against never smokers. Lung cancer is lung cancer. NO ONE deserves it.
Here's why none of us can wait to care. 60% of all new lung cancer cases are diagnosed in patients who have never smoked or former smokers who quit decades ago. One in five women and one in twelve men diagnosed with lung cancer today have never smoked. New research announced last month suggests that lung cancer in people who have never smoked may be a different disease than it is in smokers. A completely different disease. I can't help but wonder if we wouldn't have known this light years ago if that stigma excuse had been brushed aside for even one minute.
Don't get me wrong, I am more than grateful for the research. It's just the new findings appear to be so archaic, it's hard to focus on where we're going, rather than where we've been. Case in point: The National Cancer Institute announced last month that CT scans of smokers and ex-smokers have been shown to cut lung cancer deaths by 20% compared with X-rays. The NCI even cut the long-awaited study short to announce the results, of course, not without controversy. But seriously, we are just now figuring this out? Shhh....please just don't tell the other cancer clubs.
Lung Cancer Really Likes Us, Ladies!
A groundbreaking report recently issued by the Mary Horrigan Connors Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital calls lung cancer the "hidden" women's cancer - little known and rarely discussed - yet killing more women than any other cancer - nearly 200 women each day. Dana Reeve's sister, Deborah Morosini, MD, pathologist, Lung Cancer Alliance and Bonnie J Addario Lung Cancer Foundation Board Member says, "As a doctor and as the sister of Dana Reeve, a woman who never smoked and who died of lung cancer at age 44, I see lung cancer as the biggest unmet women's public health challenge we face today."
More proof of this is 22 year-old Jill Costello. Despite 20+ rounds of chemo and 14 radiation treatments, Jill led her team as coxswain on Cal Women's rowing crew to second place at the NCAA Women's Division I Rowing Championships. She graduated with the highest honors from UC Berkeley in May. Jill died in June. Immeasurable tragedy.
Seriously, what the heck is going on here? One of Jill's doctors told me that figuring out how and why Jill got lung cancer is the "holy grail" of lung cancer research.
Tipping Point and HOPE Jill became an overnight champion against lung cancer, with college students mobilizing across the country to carry her message: "We have to BEAT LUNG CANCER - big time!" More than 5,000 participated in Bonnie J Addario Lung Cancer Foundation's (BJALCF)"Jog for Jill," literally bringing traffic to a stop near Golden Gate Park and creating the largest single event in lung cancer history. Jill's will to live and commitment to help others with this disease has started a movement - a major tipping point for lung cancer.
So, "Damn it" and "Thank God?"
WTF" Can We Do?
This whole "lung cancer thing" makes absolutely no sense. I felt/feel compelled to do something to change the injustice of it all. So, I'm using my skills as a former TV reporter turned PR/social media practitioner - along with a great deal of passion, anger, sadness and stubbornness - to help get lung cancer on the map through my personal and politically incorrect social media campaign called, "WTF? (Where's the Funding) for Lung Cancer?" Yes, you get the double-entendre (which is "mother-approved," by the way).
The "WTF?" campaign has definitely struck a chord for many with lung cancer and together, we ARE educating, raising awareness and funding for research. It's just my personal way of trying to create change. Until that happens...and a lot of it, I will keep yelling "WTF?"
Shut Down the Lung Cancer Club
There ARE many good people, foundations, organizations, physicians, researchers, etc., who are completely committed and dedicated to stopping this monster. But if we can't move beyond the stigma and get lung cancer the funding it desperately needs and deserves, the brightest minds and ideas will continue to fall upon deaf ears - as pointless as trying to collaborate during a Metallica concert (minus the...And Justice For All). No progress. Sad, But True.
While the devastating news of my mom's lung cancer diagnosis cemented my future - finally making it clear, my mom's future is anything but. I am sorry to remind you, this could be your mom too...or even you.
Please, don't let that happen. Please help shut down the lung cancer club. It's not good to be #1.
Editor's Note:
Significant and very promising research relating to lung cancer is being done by SU2C investigators: on our "Epigenetics Dream Team", our "Circulating Tumor Cell Chip Dream Team", as well as a number of our Innovative Grant Recipients. The video progress report about the Epigenetics Team -- which features a lung cancer patient -- can be seen at http://www.standup2cancer.org/sutv#channelId=/sutv/service/thelab
(In the list on right, click on "Epigenetics Dream Team on the 2010 Show").
Everyone can always use a little TLC, especially around the holidays. Which is why SU2C is spreading the word about what CSBSDTM is doing to make that wish come true for cancer survivors across America.
On December 7th Cancer Survivor Beauty and Support Day (CSBSDTM) will take a moment out of the busy holiday season to offer a little personal kindness, warm support, and pampering to cancer survivors across America. During the annual CSBSD event, thousands of volunteers from the spa, and beauty community freely give their support and services to help those who may need a little extra care this holiday season. Each volunteer group decides what services they will offer and allows cancer survivors, regardless of when they were diagnosed, to make appointments for the day completely free of charge!
To find a CSBSDTM participating location near you simply click and download the participation list and book your appointment for December 7th. Don't see your favorite spa on this list? Call and ask them if they will join in and participate in this worthy cause.
All of us at Stand Up To Cancer are deeply saddened by the loss of Elizabeth Edwards. As we began our movement in 2008, Elizabeth was one of the first and most vocal supporters of our cause. Her work lives on in all of those fighting to end this vicious disease. Beyond her remarkable advocacy, Elizabeth was a shining star, a beautiful soul, a loving mother and an inspiration to us all.
This summer, Elizabeth was one of several people the New York Times asked to express what guidance they would offer the President. Elizabeth chose to speak about the way cancer unifies us, and how we could pull together as a nation to fight it. As we approach the 40th anniversary of President Nixon's war on cancer, her eloquent words merit repeating:
Before Ted Kennedy died, he and his fellow senator Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas proposed a renewed war on cancer. President Obama should take up that proposal.
With a renewed war on cancer, the president could change -- there is that word again -- the lives of millions of Americans and their families. And a nation would cheer him on again.
-- ELIZABETH EDWARDS, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and author of "Saving Graces"
We mourn the loss of our dear friend Elizabeth, and we will STAND UP TO CANCER in her memory until this terrible disease is brought to an end.
To add your own tribute note to Elizabeth's star, please click here.
Elizabeth Edwards
Elizabeth Edwards, Stand Up To Cancer Ambassador, best-selling author and health care activist, died Tuesday morning at her home in Chapel Hill, N.C., surrounded by loved ones. She was 61. Family and friends rushed to Edwards's bedside on Monday after her cancer took a sharp turn for the worse and doctors confirmed that further treatment was useless. She took to her facebook page and posted a message to her supporters. "The days of our lives, for all of us, are numbered. We know that," she wrote. " I have been sustained throughout my life by three saving graces my family, my friends and a faith in the power of resilience and hope. These graces have carried me through difficult times and they have brought more joy to good times that I ever could have imagined." Edwards fell ill over Thanksgiving and was advised to return home to rest and be with her family. The cancer has spread from her breast to bone to liver. "It isn't possible to put into words the love and gratitude I feel to everyone who has and continues to support and inspire me everyday," Edwards wrote on facebook. "To you I simply say: you know. With love, Elizabeth." http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/08/us/08edwards.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Aidan Reed
Most artists have to wait years--or perhaps an eternity--to earn serious money from their work. Aidan Reed, on the other hand, earned more than $83,000 in a few weeks, and he's only 5. Aidan's art is of monsters--green ones, black ones, scary ones, and silly ones. The people who buy his drawing aren't necessarily art lovers or monster lovers. They just want to help Aidan, whose leukemia was diagnosed three months ago, and whose parents nearly had to sell their house because of the financial difficulties of dealing with cancer. When Aldan's family started selling his drawings online in early October, his parents thought they'd sell a few each week. "We were in the hospital with Aidan, and my husband and I were talking about selling the house, which I didn't want to do. I was really upset," said his mother, Katie Reed. "While we were there, we found out we'd sold over 2,000 drawings. I just fell down crying. It was so awesome. I knew we'd finally be OK." http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/12/02/leukemia.art/
SU2C is inspired by stories like these and millions of others. Cancer takes one person every minute and to wait for someone else to save our lives and the lives of those we love is no longer an option. At SU2C, we believe that together, we can end this disease by becoming one unstoppable movement. The end of cancer begins with you.
To celebrate the holidays this year SU2C and MashOn have come together to create the A Lot to SayE-Card series which offers an easy way for people to donate to SU2C and send a message of hope and holiday cheer to their friends and loved ones.
With our SU2C e-cards series you'll not only be donating to groundbreaking cancer research but you'll be helping our environment as well. Not to mention you won't have to step foot in a busy post office to send your holiday greetings!
Sending an e-card is easy. For a small donation you can pick your desired card on our site and send it to one, or many of your friends and family at once.
In addition, SU2C has also created a beautiful metallic 6 pack holiday set that can be found on our website for purchase. In addition to honoring those with cancer, these cards honor our planet as well and come printed on eco-paper.
Every e-card or holiday set that is sold gives back to provide ongoing research, which in turn will provide more hope and more inspiration in the year to come.
Join SU2C in spreading hope this holiday and give the card that gives back this holiday season!
This holiday season SU2C has partnered with SWAGG, a free app that allows users to manage gift, loyalty and membership cards on their mobile devices, to help spread the word about SU2C and the fight against cancer. For each consumer who downloads and registers the new mobile app, SWAGG will donate $1 to SU2C, up to a total of $125,000.00 through December 31, 2011.
In October many of you pledged to download the SWAGG mobile app during the #BeatCancer. Now is the time to fulfill your pledge.
If you did not pledge to download the app, you can still participate in the $1 donation by downloading the free app directly to your mobile phone before December 31, 2011. You can go to the Apple iTunes Store, Android Marketplace or www.SWAGG.com to download and register today!
Recently, SU2C spoke with Keith Adams the Local Sales and Marketing Representative for Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, covering NY, NJ & Philadelphia, about why they signed up to Stand Up To Cancer.
SU2C: What is your personal connection to cancer?
Keith: My father passed away of esophageal cancer 10 years ago. Then, about a year ago, I found a lump on my left breast. I was taking a shower, felt it and thought, "that doesn't feel right." I gave it a couple of days and then went to see doctor, who ordered a mammogram and a sonogram. When they were doing the mammogram, the tech said I was only the second guy she had done in a year.
After the first mammogram and sonogram, they asked for a second look. Of course, a second look put the fear of god in me. My surgery to remove the lump was scheduled for the following week. We later found out that the lump they removed was pre-cancerous and had not metastasized. The whole experience really made me look at things in a different way.
Keith: I was contacted by Times Square alliance, to see if Dollar Thrifty wanted to get involved. I did some background checking on SU2C and, felt that it was a group of people who could really attack the problem and get something done. SU2C is not just doing what everyone else is doing, what all other types of charities are doing, running down a tunnel, trying to find a cure. Instead, SU2C is looking at all cancers, taking the research from collaborative sources, and learning from the collaboration. It's an easy thing to stand behind.
SU2C: Are there, any special events happening at your store this holiday?
Keith: We are participating in a Master Card program, where it's very simple for anyone to help give to Stand Up To Cancer by shopping in Times Square this month. It's not like people are being asked for a $1 donation at the register. It's being entirely supported by the generosity of MasterCard. All people have to do is use their card and MasterCard will donate a $1 to Stand Up to Cancer. It really doesn't get any easier
SU2C: What can other merchants do if they want to get involved?
Keith: We are trying to put together a much larger partnership where portions of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group proceeds go back to SU2C. I'd encourage other merchants to do the same.
Visit the SU2C Shop today for your last chance to buy any of our SU2C long-sleeve t-shirts and receive a free orange SU2C bracelet! Our shop also features accessories, apparel and jewelry perfect for anyone standing up in the fight against cancer.
It's an easy way to donate to SU2C's groundbreaking research and share a hopeful spirit with the ones we love during this holiday season.
SU2C is proud to stand with you this holiday season. WYWS will be on vacation until January. Happy Holidays!
Belinda Skeen and Bonnie Penn
Belinda Skeen's mother, Bonnie Penn, celebrated 25 years free of cancer this year, and to honor her, her daughter added a little pink to her holiday decoration. Skeen and her husband added three pink metal-framed deer to their holiday decorations outside their home. The glowing pink deer join a forest of green spiral-lit trees in the family's front yard. "We saw the deer at Lowe's, and with my mom being a survivor, we though it would be a nice way to honor her by putting them in our yard," Skeen said. Bonnie Penn lives just a few doors down and passes them every day on her way out. "At first we weren't too sure we would like the pink deer in our yard, but in the snow it stands out really well," Skeen said. "Everybody likes the deer, and they're stopping by to take photos." http://sundaygazettemail.com/News/201012150880
Frank Varney
Christmas is usually a time for upbeat stories about miracles. In the case of Lake Villa resident Frank Variny, 46, an energetic husband and father diagnosed in March with stomach cancer, a miracle is needed for him and his family. He has been documenting his ups and downs through his battle with Stage IV malignant gastric cancer on his website (www.caringbridge.org/visit/frankvariny/journal). His message to all of us is: "Please take enough time to enjoy your life because you just never know when your time is going to be up. We all have to work to pay the bills and provide for our families, but all of you need to make sure that you enjoy life as long as you are healthy. http://newssun.suntimes.com/news/2864716-418/frank-cancer-christmas-variny-diagnosed.html
Steve and Molly Williams
For three years, Max's Miracle Ranch has been making Christmas a reality for terminally ill children and their families. Max's parents, Steve and Molly Williams who watched their now seven-year old son endure nine heart surgeries over the years, started the organization. They know how important emotional and financial support is when faced with such difficult circumstances especially during the holidays. Molly says, "To be able to have families that are together come out and play, they appreciate it more than anything else and it brings back the true meaning of Christmas. Max's Miracle Network helps hundreds of families around the world during Christmas even if they can't travel to the ranch. The provide presents, food, and gas cards all donated by the local community to help those in need. John Brown, father of a 6 year-old cancer survivor adds, "If it wasn't for organizations like Max's, we wouldn't have Christmas" http://www.khsltv.com/content/localnews/story/Maxs-Miracle-Ranch-Goes-Christmas/LHdbkk5q8EO_3coL0ayq8Q.cspx
CTCA
"Holiday of Hope" was the theme of the Cancer Treatment Centers of America's annual tree-lighting celebration last Wednesday night at the Midwestern Regional Medical Center in Zion. A former patient of the CTCA returned to the hospital to speak and light the tree for staff, patients, and their families. "We are here to celebrate the meaning of life and the tree is a symbol of hope," said Tammy James, hospital chaplain. The event was attended by nearly 100 people and symbolizes the hope of patients and families who often travel 500 or more miles to get treated at the CTCA Zion facility. http://newssun.suntimes.com/entertainment/2865422-421/tree-zion-hospital-lighting-hope.html
SU2C is inspired by stories like these and millions of others. Cancer takes one person every minute and to wait for someone else to save our lives and the lives of those we love is no longer an option. At SU2C, we believe that together, we can end this disease by becoming one unstoppable movement. The end of cancer begins with you.
What do you do to help ease the pain when someone you love's life has unfairly been cut short by cancer? You stand up. At least that's what has helped me. My cousin, Carol, was in her thirties when she lost her battle with breast cancer. It was around this time, the Entertainment Industry Foundation and others in Hollywood were putting together Stand Up To Cancer, and joining this movement gave me a chance to honor Carol's life. Carol is why I came aboard for the cause, but I have stayed active because I am a believer in science and medicine, and Stand Up To Cancer's mission. Getting the brightest and smartest minds working together is the best chance we have to end cancer for good-- or at least to a point when young adults, children, and anyone else afflicted with cancer won't have their life tragically cut short. It can be a manageable disease. Twelve million cancer survivors are living proof such a goal is possible. Stand Up To Cancer's approach to research enables doctors and scientists from leading institutions across the country and internationally to work together. These "Dream Teams" are pursuing the most promising research, accelerating the discovery of new therapies for cancer patients, and advancing efforts in cancer prevention.
I'm proud to partner with both Stand Up To Cancer and GlaxoSmithKline on a new PSA campaign with the message "when we all stand up, cancer will stand down." GSK was one of the first major supporters of Stand Up To Cancer. I know the war on cancer has gone on for nearly 40 years, and with one in three women, and one in two men affected by the disease, it may seem futile to try to engage citizens in an effort that seems so daunting. But we must try. If there was a fire that was taking the lives of 1500 people a day, we'd find a way to put it out. Cancer is a very complex fire, which can have a number of points of ignition (lifestyle, genetics, environmental among them). But just because it's difficult, we can not give up the will to extinguish its lethal flame.
In the PSA, I stand alongside a cancer survivor, Molly Lewis, and oncology nurse, Linda Person, a patient advocate, Judith Opdahl, and Dr. Peter Jones, an SU2C Dream Team cancer researcher. This underscores the need for the "all hands on deck" approach to this problem. When we Americans want to change something or accomplish something whether its land on the moon, demand an end to an oil spill, or fight for equality-- we rally and find the will to succeed, regardless of how long or challenging. We pressure our leaders. We keep the media's spotlight focused on the problem. We organize in our cities and towns. We band together.
With the words, "cancer, be afraid" we are sending a message that we've had enough because too many of us are living in fear of being diagnosed with cancer, of losing someone we love to cancer...Those diagnosed with cancer live afraid ever day, and those who are fortunate to find themselves in remission also live in fear that their cancer will come back. Enough is enough.And I think that we will one day live without fear because right now, survivors, families, doctors, nurses, researchers, and advocates are working together trying to end this disease. The only way we can do this is if we all stand up together. We need your help to Stand Up To Cancer. I encourage you to visit http://www.weallstandup.com and do what you can to fight (and end) cancer.
Recently SU2C spoke with Lori Raimondo, the VP of Marketing, for Times Square Alliance about why they signed up to Stand Up To Cancer
SU2C: Do you have a personal connection to cancer?
Lori: Unfortunately, everybody does. My mother died of breast cancer after a long battle in 2005, and my father is dying of lung cancer.
In 2006, after my mom died, I drove across the country to raise money for breast cancer research.
Then in 2008, on behalf of Saks Fifth Ave's Key to the Cure, I drove across the country again and interviewed women that were surviving cancer. I was in the Key to the Cure car and everyone who saw it wanted to tell their story. I remember one time when I went through a tollbooth the attendant saw the car, and she started talking about how she was currently battling cancer. She went on for maybe five minutes, and the special thing about this moment was that cars kept piling up in a line behind me, and not one of them beeped. They just patiently waited almost as if they knew we were discussing something important.
SU2C: Why did Times Square Alliance get involved with Stand Up To Cancer?
Lori: A big component of our partnership is between SU2C and Times Square New Years Eve. New Year's Eve is a time of celebration, but also a time of reflection. Every year people come into the Times Square visitor's center, and write a wish on a 2"x2" piece of confetti. The wishes come from all over the world in all different languages. The papers are then mixed in with the two tons of confetti dropped on NYE. One of the most common wishes we see, along with peace on earth, and wishes for a new baby, is the wish to save a loved one that is battling cancer.
So when the partnership presented itself it really made sense. Cancer is something that touches every single person right now. People have given us their wish and we are thrilled to be able to partner with an organization that is working so hard to end cancer, and make their wishes come true.
SU2C: How is this partnership special?
Lori: Well, this is our first charitable partnership on New Years Eve. It's going to be a really integrated experience. In addition to the public service announcements running on the screens in the square, there will be some special moments during the opening ceremony, when we raise the ball.
The entire Times Square merchant community has also embraced the cause. From now through New Year's Eve, in over 75 Times Square businesses, every time you use your MasterCard to make a purchase, MasterCard will donate $1 to Stand Up To Cancer
SU2C: What can people do if they want to get involved and help?
Lori: When you know someone who is struggling with cancer, the first thing people want to know is what they can do to help. So when I was interviewing all these folks for Key to the Cure, I decided to ask them. The best answer came from a woman in Washington, DC. "We know you can't do anything, just be there," she said. Just be with those you know who are going through cancer; listen to them and, as much as possible, include them in all the things that make life special when you don't have cancer.
Take some time to figure out what's right for you, but there's always something you can do. Getting involved is different for everyone. Not everyone can drive across country and raise money, but you can do something local in your community, or donate to charities like SU2C. No contribution of time or money is too small.
Times Square New Year's Eve, SU2C and MasterCard International Incorporated have joined together to create a very special alliance for Times Square New Year's Eve 2011. This holiday season businesses located in Times Square will help bring an end to cancer by encouraging their customers to use their MasterCard when shopping from November 26th, 2010 through January 1, 2011. MasterCard will then make a donation of $1 to SU2C for every MasterCard used in Times Square up to 1.5 million dollars.
Participating in this very worthy cause is simple and won't cost you anything extra! If you are planning to be in the NYC area use your MasterCard when making a purchase at one of the participating Times Square merchants and MasterCard will automatically donate $1 to SU2C.
Not going to be in Times Square to ring in 2011? There are still many ways you can be a part of the celebration. Be sure and tune in to the World Wide Web cast of the New Years Eve event for some special SU2C moments as we celebrate becoming the first ever charity of the Times Square New Years Eve celebration.
With the New Year fast approaching we are more determined that ever to bring an end to this devastating disease. Stand up with MasterCard, Times Square NYE, and SU2C and learn how you can get involved today. Together we can make a resolution to make cancer a thing of the past.
