Last night I had my first Breathe Deep Philadelphia meeting. I will be on the committee this year, and I am very excited! Please continue to check back for my information.

In case you haven't noticed, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recently launched a nationwide campaign against tobacco. This tobacco campaign is said to be the largest ever against tobacco use.

"...$54 million national media campaign to get smokers to quit and prevent anyone else, especially children, from starting." - CNN

I have seen two videos so far on television and I think this campaign is wonderful, because it does not stigmatize lung cancer! In fact, the lung cancer impact of smoking has not even been mentioned (at least not yet). The campaign appears to go beyond the lungs, which is typically what society views as the only impact of smoking tobacco.

The campaign is called Tips From Former Smokers, and it gives a real life outlook on what smoking can do to a person's OVERALL health.




This last video I saw today while I was at the gym. I was listening to music from my IPhone and the commerical came on one of the big screen tvs - I was disgusted - and I was shocked when the video was over and it was a part of the tobacco campaign! This IS the way to get people's attention about tobacco.

See the print ad - HERE

"The campaign includes eight television ads (one of them in Spanish), seven radio spots in 30- and 60-second versions, seven print ads and five billboard and bus stop ads." - CNN

This campaign aims to target young people who are most prone to big tobacco companies. The most recent Surgeon General reports on Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth And Young Adults. One of the university classes that I attended about adolescence reported on this problem, saying that nearly 60% of adolescents try smoking tobacco before they graduate high school. Most shockingly, about 50% of those who try smoking tobacco continue to smoke tobacco on a daily basis.

You recognize this tv commerical from the Surgeon General...



"...tobacco industry spends more than $27 million a day on marketing to kids and others -- about $10 billion a year." - CNN

What do you think about this new anti-tobacco campaign?

RSVP to the 2nd Annual Lung Cancer Fundraiser using Facebook!

Stay connected about this event that I will be hosting by using Facebook. You are welcome to invite your friends and family members as well!

Please help spread the word :-)

6 Month Check-Up

If you haven't read my most recent status on Cure Lung Cancer Now [facebook page], my scans are 100% cancer free! Dr. Joel Cooper checked a hardcopy of an X-ray and a CT Scan today. Dr. Cooper said the scans were "beautiful"!! I love the tone he took on that statement, 'beautiful', as it was similar to an artist proud and admiring his work.

My next appoint will be in September. I will need to get another X-ray. The check-up after that I will need a flexible bronchoscopy... I am not looking forward to that one, but it is better than the rigid. Ha! The non-surgical procedure will ensure that Dr. Cooper's work is indeed 'beautiful'. And it will of course be done at University of Pennsylvania Hospital (HUP) as an out-patient procedure.

When ever I go to my check-ups I have gotten in to the wonderful habit of bringing along lots of lung cancer support information. Thank you LUNGevity Foundation for providing me with 'Get Connected' and 'fact cards' and 'cure lung cancer' bands. Also, thank you Heather Saler's Walk for providing me with various items to give as well, I donated a walk mug and 'cure lung cancer' car magnets.

I typically leave the information in the gift shop, but a staff member at Dr. Cooper's office said it has been closed for a week. I hope the woman who runs it is well, maybe she's simply on vacation. Anyway, I left the items with a staff member from Dr. Cooper's office, and she was very pleased to see everything I had to give. She even let me leave information at the 'sign-in' desk, which I left some 'get connected', 'fact cards', and stickers - I noticed half were gone before I left my appointment and that made me very happy.



Entertainment has been booked for the 2nd Annual Lung Cancer Fundraiser. My friends' dad will be DJ again, and a former teacher's contemporary jazz band called Adelante will be performing.

Don't forget to sign up for e-mail updates by submitting your e-mail address (found on the right side bar). Also, "like" my page called 'Cure Lung Cancer Now!' on Facebook!

"I might be afraid
But it's my turn to be brave"

You must listen to 'Brave' by Idina Menzel, it is inspirational and noteworthy. I am a huge fan of Broadway, which Idina Menzel has been strongly affiliated with. Idina was one of the fabulous stars of RENT, and also played a wonderfully green witch in Wicked. Her voice is amazing, and really beyond typical words of gratitude and respect.

Idina Menzel may appear to have little connection with lung cancer, but her voice and song choices are certainly a testimony to anyone who has experienced cancer. Her songs speak to me, and I hope that they speak to you as well. You know, those type of voices that make you stop everything that you are doing just to listen - that's Idina Menzel.

The following is lyrics from Brave, the song exhibits emotions of hope, uncertainty, and loss, all of which a lung cancer patient/survivor and co-survivor may undergo:

"All along all I ever wanted, was to be the light

When your life was daunting

But I can't see mine

When I feel as though you're pushing me away

Well who's to blame, are we making the right choices

Cause we can't be sure if we're hearing our own voices

As we close the door even though we are so desperate to stay"

SIGN THIS PETITION and ask Idina Menzel to be the voice of women's health and all those impacted by lung cancer!

Upcoming LUNGevity Foundation Events

Hello all! I wanted to bring your attention to some upcoming events in the NJ, NYC, and PA area. As you may or may not know, I am in NJ so I do enjoy attending and promoting local walks and events. Most of what I post and promote I do attend, sometimes guest speak, and volunteer at.

New Jersey Walks/Events

Breathe Deep Bloomsbury: In Memory of Roberta Crisman - I will be guest speaking!

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Mayor Ed Tuxhorn Municipal Park
Church Street/Rt. 579
Bloomsbury, NJ 08804

Heather Saler's 9th Annual Lung Cancer Walk
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Cooper River Park at Jack Curtis Stadium
New Jersey, Pennsauken

2nd Annual Lung Cancer Fundraiser - I will be hosting this event !
Friday, August 17, 2012
636 North Forklanding Road
Maple Shade, NJ 08052

Heather Saler's Walk Saladworks Fundraiser
March 28, 2012
Berlin, Cherry Hill, Deptford, Greentree Square, Marlton, Moorestown Mall, Voorhees Townsquare

PA Walks/Events

4th Annual Golf & Dinner: In Memory of Chris Gemmell

April 20, 2012
The Links of Gettysburg
601 Mason Dixon Road
Gettysburg, PA 17325

Breathe Deep NE Philadelphia
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Kirby Park
280 Market Street
Kingston, Pennsylvania 18704

Breathe Deep Philadelphia - I will be volunteering at this event this year!
September
Details to come

New York City Walks/Events

Run As One
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Central Park

Breathe Deep NYC
Sunday, October 21, 2012

Breathe Deep CNY
Saturday, Sept. 16

You must listen to this online radio show!

I must have registered for this online radio show weeks ago, but I completely forgot about it until I received a reminder email about an hour ago. The hosts, who are cancer survivors themselves, call their online radio show 'The Stupid Cancer Show: The Voice of Young Adults'. This particular show I had signed up for was called 'Stupid Lung Cancer'. 

The hosts inteview guests such as Matthew Hiznay, a 25 year old lung cancer survivor that is currently a second year medical student at the University of Toldeo. Nathan Pennell, MD, PhD, is a board certified Oncologist from the Taussig Cancer Center in Cleveland who gave a wonderful medical perspective of lung cancer. And last, but certainly not least, the awesome Katie Brown, director of support and advocacy at LUNGevity Foundation was a guest on the online radio show.

I cannot tell you how glad I am that I listened in on this show. At times it is very difficult to find a 'normal' in this disease, and it certainly helps to hear stories like Matthew's, and expert medical like Dr. Pennell, and know that if you do have lung cancer there is hope for you in Katie's online support community. I encourage you to remain connected to this online radio show, because I believe it will help anyone going through the motions of cancer - ANY CANCER.

You can connect with this online radio show at:

• Twitter
• Facebook

Check out the latest show below, 'Stupid Lung Cancer':

Listen to
internet radio with Stupid Cancer Show on Blog Talk Radio

Save The Date!

On Saturday April 21, 2012 I will be guest speaking at Breathe Deep Bloomsbury: In Memory of Roberta Crisman coordinated by Lisa Weske. It is a first annual event that needs all your support and dedication for the cause, which aims to raise funds for life saving research for lung cancer. This is a LUNGevity Foundation event, and all proceeds will benefit the organization to help continue to advocate, support, and fund research for patients impacted by lung cancer.

 Find out more information about this walk/event on its Facebook page, Twitter page.

You can find information about many other walks/events on LUNGevity's nationwide events page.

What you may not know about smoking tobacco

By now you should know that smoking is not the only cause of lung cancer, however it is important to know that if you DO smoke, please quit smoking to better your overall health.

According to the surgeon general, tobacco smoke has been linked to heart disease, stroke, and cancers such as colon and bladder. You may find some useful information in a previous article published by the surgeon general called "How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease: The Biology and Behavioral Basis for Smoking-Attributable Disease: A Report of the Surgeon General". It is extensive, so you may get more from reading one of the many published summaries. One I particularly liked was from The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention entitled Inhaling Tobacco Smoke Causes Immediate Harm.

It may surprise you that cancer caused by tobacco is not always found in obvious places such as the lung, throat, tongue, or lining of the mouth. Tobacco smoke is harmful to the overall body. Although much more research is needed in this area, it is also important to self-educate yourself and others. After all, it is your body and you have the right to take a stand and speak up for your own health.

Lastly, the American Council on Science and Health has introduced a website solely for learning how smoking tobacco influences your health. Of course, beyond the typical information you would see about this topic. There you will find a great Myth vs. Fact list. I particularly liked how the website explains the damage smoking can do, which is well beyond what a cigarette packs' warning label says. For instance, it explains:

"Smoking is able to cause such widespread damage because harmful substances from cigarette smoke reach every part of your body. Within seconds after a person inhales cigarette smoke, about 4,000 toxic substances are absorbed into the bloodstream. They then travel to every cell in the body. Thus, smoking doesn't just affect your lungs and heart -- it affects everything. But warning labels that mention only heart and lung diseases and pregnancy problems don't give people this message."

I hope this information finds you well. I encourage you to pass it along.

ATTENTION:

A Health Fair is Coming to New Jersey!
On Wednesday May 9, 2012 I will be helping to host a booth at a health fair at Chubb & Son. Please click the flyer to the right for more information.



See you there!!

2nd Annual Lung Cancer Fundraiser!

I will be hosting the 2nd Annual Lung Cancer Fundraiser again this year. I have picked a new venue, day, and time. The event's goals are to raise awareness and funds for lung cancer research.

http://youtu.be/KImjl0P1bns
More information soon to come!

Weekend Awareness Challenge!

I challege you to an awareness duel. The goal is to learn, educate, and spread awareness. Review the following links and videos below.

DIRECTIONS:

• Learn something new about lung cancer by reviewing the following articles and videos. 
• Find a unique way to incorporate your new knowledge in to awareness (ex: tell a friend/family member, blog about it, Facebook it, pinterest it, e-mail it).

LINKS:

• www.lungevity.org - Statistics, Q&A
• http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/03/02/study-links-heavy-diesel-exhaust-to-lung-cancer/
• http://www.emedicinehealth.com/lung_cancer/article_em.htm

VIDEOS:

• Just Like Jill
• LUNGevity - DC Gala Film

How do you plan to spread awareness this weekend?