About us|
If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or fight like hell. ~Lance Armstrong
Cancer is a word, not a sentence. ~John Diamond My cancer scare changed my life. I'm grateful for every new, healthy day I have. It has helped me prioritize my life. ~Olivia Newton-John Bill Hemmer: "You said cancer changes your life, and oftentimes for the better." Joel Siegel: "Yes.... Gilda Radner... said this in her book. What cancer does is, it forces you to focus, to prioritize, and you learn what's important. I mean, I don't sweat the small stuff. I used to get angry at cab drivers. It's not worth it.... And when somebody says you have cancer, you realize it's all small stuff. And what Gilda said is, if it weren't for the downside, everyone would want to have it. But there is a downside." ~American Morning, CNN, 13 June 2003 My veins are filled, once a week with a Neapolitan carpet cleaner distilled from the Adriatic and I am as bald as an egg. However I still get around and am mean to cats. ~John Cheever, letter to Philip Roth, 10 May 1982, published in The Letters of John Cheever, 1989, concerning his cancer and its treatment During chemo, you're more tired than you've ever been. It's like a cloud passing over the sun, and suddenly you're out. You don't know how you'll answer the door when your groceries are delivered. But you also find that you're stronger than you've ever been. You're clear. Your mortality is at optimal distance, not up so close that it obscures everything else, but close enough to give you depth perception. Previously, it has taken you weeks, months, or years to discover the meaning of an experience. Now it's instantaneous. ~Melissa Bank We "need" cancer because, by the very fact of its incurability, it makes all other diseases, however virulent, not cancer. ~Gilbert Adair, "Under the Sign of Cancer," Myths and Memories, 1986 Women agonize over cancer; we take as a personal threat the lump in every friend's breast. ~Martha Weinman Lear, Heartsounds The most important thing in illness is never to lose heart. ~Nikolai Lenin Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death. ~Author Unknown Know, then, whatever cheerful and serene supports the mind supports the body too. ~John Armstrong 
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Our Stories"I sat before my computer writing FLAHERTY'S CROSSING as a source of personal therapy after losing my beloved father to colon cancer. You might say I was angry at him, at God, at the world in general. In my dark thoughts and aching heart, there was simply no explanation, no reason for depriving our family and close friends of a faithful, hard-working man - not when he gave so freely of his talents, his humor, his most-valued assets. I struggled daily with this troubling dilemma. I eventually viewed my father's suffrage over a two-year period as punishment for his hurtful past - his un-redeeming deeds. However, after opening a vein and writing this story, I had the opportunity to really look into my soul and consider the fact that millions of daughters, just like me, have had to deal with similar and even worse situations. Rather than a memoir, my novel evolved into a fictional journey which brought about the resolution I needed to find. I never expected this exercise in writing to go to press, touch lives, or win literary awards. But as a result of my good fortune, I arranged for proceeds from the sale of this book to go directly to colon cancer research in my father's name. More recently, I've experienced the loss of dear friends, close relatives and business associates, following their extensive battles against various types of cancer, and have become acquainted with hundreds of brave children who continue to fight this deadly battle. In an effort to reach out and truly make a difference, I've joined forces with my husband and am now asking for your much-needed support during our fund-raising events. There is no doubt in my mind that by combining our greatest strengths - our hopes, prayers, dreams and charitable donations - a cure for this indiscriminate disease will be found in our lifetime." Linda Yoshida, President Soulful Giving Foundation Once upon a time... Not a fairy tale, but as reality has it - on January 23, 2006, Prince Alan was diagnosed with cancer of the kidney - detected incidentally when undergoing a typical CT scan for reoccurring kidney stones. The scan revealed a small tumor in his right kidney with the characteristics of renal cell carcinoma (along with two kidney stones too). His 1st Knight Urologist developed all the next steps to further understand the extent of the cancer and if it had metastasized beyond the kidney. The bone scan indicated negative to cancer, but the lung scan displayed numerous tumors. Followed by a biopsy of lymph nodes near his lungs - all of the tissue samples uncovered Sarcoidosis, a non-cancerous, autoimmune disease. At this point, the cancer was localized and had not spread! On March 14, my Prince underwent a partial nephrectomy (kidney-sparing surgery) using laparoscopic techniques (a mighty sword) to remove a low-grade, malignant tumor. He is currently on "watch" - which means every six months, for the next few years, Alan will have an abdominal CT scan as a safeguard for a reoccurrence. The Knight's of the Round Table (team of doctors) are optimistic (the kingdom is too) the cancer was detected and treated early - this is the CURE! The Dragon has been slain and the castle is safe once more. We celebrate the cure everyday... The Princess - Linda Read (P.S. and they lived happily ever-after) The smoke came through the hole from his neck as if a scene from a horror movie. My paternal grandfather who could have doubled for Clark Gable was now metamorphosed into this dying man. A few years later my beloved BaBa (my maternal grandfather) was a shell of the strong carpenter he h ad once been. "Cancer" - I heard the word again. My grandmother's usual cheery expression had been replaced with sad concern. At a young age I saw how this terrible disease affects a whole family. Flash forward forty years later when I received a call from my sister who was going in for a breast biopsy - a lump had been noted in self-examination, just one week after a mammogram had come back clean. This began a ten year struggle, which continues today, of treatments, surgeries, experimental treatment, tumors moving from her breasts, spine, pancreas and now brain. She struggles to live to see her daughter marry, her son graduate from college, to be free of pain and fear of this deadly disease. Soulful Giving fights the fight to find a cure through fundraising and awareness. Join us so that quality of life is an inalienable right for us all and not just the "lucky" ones. - Madi Deotsch Years ago, I was diagnosed with a benign thyroid cyst. I underwent testing, including x-rays and and a needle biopsy thyroid fluid withdrawal, to confirm the diagnosis. Testing came back negative for cancer. I was informed that surgery was not warranted because it was just a 'cyst'. Being pro-active in matters of my health, I later told the doctor I was having problems swallowing. That side effect alone was enough to legitimize the surgery. The first surgery removed the section of thyroid containing the "cyst". A few weeks after the surgery, my surgeon informed me that the laboratory had confirmed that the removed "cyst" was actually found to be Thyroid Papillary Carcinoma. I was astounded. I replied, "Well then do whatever you have to do to make this right". A second surgery was soon done to remove the remainder of my thyroid gland. I then underwent several radioactive iodine treatments. These were followed up annually by tests to determine if any cancer was left or had returned. That all happened years ago. It was just last year that I was given a clean bill of health. The thought of having cancer can really trigger a reality check on your mortality, and it certainly did for me. Had it not been for my pro-active approach to my own healthcare, I might not have survived, as I was living with an undiagnosed case of cancer. Concern for your own body, early diagnosis and knowledge are powerful tools in this fight against all forms of cancer. My life as well as many friends have been effected by cancer. My wife and I are involved in this cause to help this fight. When I was a child I often thought that I didn't have to worry about cancer because by the time I grew up, there would be a cure. I'm now 63. indiscriminately people are still afflicted with cancer. The cure, and end of so many cancers are in sight but not fully realized yet. Dedicated people, such as the founders and the board members of the Soulful Giving Foundation - those who sponsor and those who participate in events like Artful Giving Blanket Concert are collectively saying 'enough is enough' and fighting the fight to hastening the end of cancer as we know it. That is a cause I am proud to support. Chuck Whisman (Kathy Whisman's husband) I was diagnosed with breast cancer on October 16th, underwent a mastectomy less than a month later, and experienced my first chemotherapy treatment on January 8th. To make matters worse, when my partner Jamie Pemberton and I returned from a movie the night after my first treatment, we found our Fairview home in flames. Pushing aside tears, we manged to scrounge together a few things. Our smoke-damaged clothes were salvaged at the local laundromat. We were able to find a temporary place to live - a sort of shelter from the storm. But what concerned me more than a roof over our heads was the fact that my health insurance would not last through the duration of my treatment. More material, I told myself. A bumpy detour in the road. Isn't it true that the best vocalists have to live the blues to sing them? Fortunately, the slew of musicians I've worked with over the years recognized my need. They came together in every possible way - donating proceeds from gigs, organizing a benefit and silent auction to help cover my medical and living expenses.Tragedy made me see a side of life I've never opened my eyes to before. I realized that it awakens the heart of compassion in those around you. And that's what my music is all about. Giving back...giving pleasure and addressing need. Living life to the fullest and never taking for granite the time you've been given Sonny Hess, Smokin' Aces |