Foundation News
Don’t Blow it Off!
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we’ve got news for you — one in eight women will be diagnosed during her lifetime. Protect yourself and follow early detection screening guidelines. To learn more about ways to reduce your risk for breast cancer, visit the new breast cancer section of our Web site. You’ll find a Breast Cancer Fact Sheet, Frequently Asked Questions, Breast Self-Exam guide and more. Download this breast cancer screening message and share it with the women in your life.
Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening in Indian Country
The yeas have it! On September 22, the Board of Directors for the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) unanimously passed a resolution to make colorectal cancer prevention and early detection a priority in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities nationwide. At their annual consumer conference in Temecula, California, the Foundation presented on the accomplishments of the Dialogue for Action project with ten AI/AN teams. Learn more about efforts to address colorectal cancer in these communities.
The successes of the AI/AN teams working to increase colorectal cancer screening and education were presented to participants of the National Indian Health Board conference at the Pechanga Resort and Casino. The teams included both rural and urban communities and outcomes ranged from the development of culturally appropriate health education materials to awareness events such as elder luncheons and the formation of advisory boards. Read more about the Dialogue for Action program.
The Tailgate Guy to Raffle Off 'Radical Rig' to Prevent Cancer
Jay DiEugenio, otherwise known as "The Tailgate Guy" and author of I Got Your Tailgate Party Right Here! The Best of the NFL: NFC Edition, is raffling off his custom made radical rig, a tricked out tailgate party on wheels. All proceeds will benefit Prevent Cancer's innovative cancer prevention research programs.
"Phil Gordon [poker celebrity and Prevent Cancer board member] called me out," explains DiEugenio. "During a.jpg "Grand Prize: Newmar All Star UTV")
recent interview with Tailgater Monthly, he challenged me to beat his 2003 Ultimate Sports Adventure fundraising total of $90,000 and raise $100,000 before the next Super Bowl. I accepted!"
To meet the challenge DiEugenio will raffle off his Newmar All Star UTV (Ultimate Tailgate Vehicle). He's selling raffle tickets online and around the country at every tailgate stop. Grand prize is “THE Ultimate Tailgate Vehicle," airfare for two to Tampa and Premium Site at Super 'Gate II. There are additional prizes for the second, third and fourth place raffle winners. All funds raised will advance the Prevent Cancer Foundation's research, education and community outreach programs.
In this Issue
Roadmap to Success Intersects with Road to Prevention
The Prevent Cancer Foundation will receive 20 percent of the proceeds from the sale of a new book on leadership, titled Roadmap to Success: America's Top Intellectual Minds Map Out Successful Business Strategies (Insight Publishing, 2008). Author Jeff Wolf, who lost his father to cancer, and whose mother survived it, was looking for a way to "give back" and decided to partner with the Foundation to support the mission of cancer prevention and early detection through research, education and community outreach to all populations, including children and the underserved.
I wanted to do something in my father's memory. He died of liver cancer four years ago," he explains. "This is an opportunity to fight this dreaded disease that takes so many lives. Anything we can do to eradicate it is well worth the effort. The name of my book is Roadmap to Success. That title rings true in health as well. Go get periodic check-ups, follow the different preventative measures. You can catch cancer at its most early stages."
Buy the book now or check out other ways to shop for prevention.
23rd Black Family Reunion Celebration
Did you know that black men have the highest mortality rate of prostate cancer in the world? And did you know that in the District of Columbia, 2,560 new cancer cases will be diagnosed in 2008?
To help combat these alarming statistics Prevent Cancer Foundation was invited to take its message of cancer prevention and early detection to the 23rd Black Family Reunion Celebration on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Thousands of celebrants streamed in and around the wildly popular Check Your Insides Out — From Top to Bottom interactive educational exhibit. Men, women and children of all ages discovered ways to reduce their risk for cancer by learning about the effects of sun exposure, strolling inside a giant colon, testing their prostate, breast and cervical health knowledge, peering into a cavernous open mouth, and listening to lungs talk about the dangers of smoking.
Boxer Sugar Ray Leonard partnered with us for our public service announcement on prostate cancer and his brother, Roger Leonard, visited the exhibit to add his own “knock-out punch” to Prevent Cancer.
Know Your Candidate's Cancer Prevention Priorities
Every two years, Americans have the opportunity to elect their representatives to the US House of Representatives, and one-third of the United States Senate. Every four years, we have the opportunity to elect the President of the United States. All of our elected officials are critical parties in enacting laws that will have a positive impact on cancer prevention, research and access to care. It is critical that you, as a voter, understand the positions and commitment of your candidates with respect to cancer prevention before casting your vote.
Following are links to overviews released by each Presidential candidate in early September outlining their approach to combating cancer:
Senator John McCain's plan
Senator Barack Obama's plan
As a voter interested in cancer prevention, you should communicate with your candidates, Presidential, Congressional, and State, by letter, e-mail, or phone, or by attending town hall meetings and other events organized by your candidates. Ask them how they plan to improve our ability to prevent and treat cancer. Some key questions to ask:
- Do you support increasing funding for medical research?
- How will you improve access to cancer screening and other preventive services?
- Will you support the creation and continuation of Federal programs to help reduce obesity and promote healthy lifestyle?
- Do you support embryonic stem cell research and regenerative medicine?
- What is your position on government regulation of tobacco and what policies will you support to decrease tobacco use?
- If elected, how will you help improve our ability to prevent, detect and treat cancer?
- Every election cycle is an opportunity to send men and women to Washington, D.C., and state houses with health care and cancer prevention priorities. We urge you to join us and take advantage of this opportunity to make your voices heard.
Learn more about the Prevent Cancer Foundation Advocacy Action Center.
Prevent Cancer Research Primer
Did you catch the Stand Up To Cancer telethon broadcast last month on all of the major networks? Over $100 million was raised to support breakthrough cancer research investigations comprised of "dream team" scientists across the country. Prevent Cancer is a proud member of SU2C's Advocate Advisory Council, and our President and Founder, Carolyn Aldigé, was invited to serve as a patient advocate on three such "Dream Teams."
Our research grants and fellowships program in cancer prevention, however, will not benefit from this new influx of research dollars. That is why donor support for our work is so much more important now than it has ever been.
How does our program work?
For 23 years, the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s peer-reviewed grants have been awarded to more than 300 early-career scientists from more than 150 of the leading academic medical centers nationwide.
Twice a year, the Foundation’s Board of Directors approves funding for grants and fellowships to promising scientists who are doing remarkable work in fighting cancer. Researchers who are awarded grants and fellowships will receive $40,000 a year for two years.
The Foundation’s vigorous grants and fellowships selection process is similar to the process used at the National Institutes of Health. Research proposals are reviewed by members of our distinguished Scientific Review Panel. The next deadline to submit proposals is February 27, 2009.
Our research success stories include:
- Supporting the first study to link exercise with breast cancer
- Development of a melanoma vaccine that was effective in clinical trials
- The finding that taking aspirin regularly can lower the risk of the most common type of breast cancer
- Identification of a cancer-fighting compound found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables
We’re currently funding research in:
- Identifying new genes involved in breast cancer development
- Developing a reliable and sensitive screening method for ovarian cancer
- Identifying biomarkers to help detect oral cancer early
- Developing drugs to prevent skin cancer at the molecular level
Learn more about our cancer prevention research and how you can help.
Building a Better School Lunch
Parents, how much thought are you really putting into your kid’s school lunchbox? Dr. Ann Kulze, a nutrition expert and Prevent Cancer board member, reminds us that a healthy school lunch should always include the following four features: a healthy protein package, at least one piece of produce (the more the better), a calcium-rich food, and a fun food.
Dr. Ann also reminds parents to involve your child in the selection and the preparation of school lunches. This has been shown to enhance healthful eating. Be sure to include a variety of colorful, healthful foods. For example, instead of a bag of baby carrots, include carrots along with broccoli florets and red bell pepper strips (don’t forget the fun dip). And don’t forget that whole fruits frequently end up in the trash can. Learn to cut them up and present them in fun containers or in other exciting ways. And finally, keep the junk foods out! If it’s not there, it’s not an option.
October 26 • Marine Corps Marathon • Washington, D.C.
Do you know a runner or walker who is registered for the Marine Corps Marathon? Ask the athlete you know to join Team Prevent Cancer and raise funds that benefit the Foundation’s cancer prevention research, education and community outreach programs. Prevent Cancer, as a charity partner, still has slots available for individual and group participants. This popular race will take runners in and around our nation's capital, passing historic landmarks and stately architecture. For information e-mail us or call 703-519-2106.
Remembering Kathy Rollins
Kathy Rollins loved to cook and was always ready to lend a helping hand. Even when she came home after suffering through another oral cancer surgery, she had others on her mind and she put them first.
Erica, her grown daughter, remembers one such day vividly. Despite breathing with the assistance of oxygen tank, she was determined to bake a cake for a friend and she immediately attempted to make her way to the kitchen. “I really had to reason with her,” explains Erica, “to just stay in bed.”
Here at the Prevent Cancer Foundation, we all benefited from Kathy’s big smiles and hard work. A dedicated member of the development department, Kathy believed in getting the job done. Her enjoyment of life and her work ethic came from her parents, especially her father, who shared her smile and taught her to deal with her work head-on.
Kathy also enjoyed singing and belonged to a choir. Her daughter, Erica, remembers growing up in a musical home. “We woke up in the morning to her cleaning and singing,” she recalls fondly. One of Kathy’s close friends recalls, “Kathy admitted she prayed to God to keep her ability to cook and sing throughout her ordeal.” In the end Kathy did indeed keep those talents.
On October 30, 2008, Kathy Rollins would have celebrated her 62nd birthday. But Kathy knew that she probably wouldn’t see that day. Instead, she chose to spend her last days at home surrounded by the family and friends that meant so much to her. She passed away on July 10 after a year-long, heroic struggle with oral cancer.
“We here at the Foundation enjoyed having known Kathy,” says Janet Hudson, Foundation employee who worked with Kathy. “And we are going to miss her.”
The Prevent Cancer Foundation was a proud Supporting Sponsor of the 2008 World Stem Cell Summit in Madison, Wisconsin. Carolyn Aldigé, president and founder of Prevent Cancer, joined distinguished international cancer researchers in a panel discussion on stem cells.
The Foundation is pleased to announce that Brenda Becker and Cecile Tauzin have just joined the board of directors. We look forward to their guidance and vision as we continue to pursue our mission.