A few more things about cancer

A few more things about cancer this morning.  First of all, it isn't just one disease. During the past week, I have been talking here about cancers in general terms, and more specifically, what to do about it. Just like there is more than one kind of cancer, there is more and one kind of reaction. When I said that cancer sucks, and I am going to do something about it, I didn't mean that I would do away with it.  (How wonderful if that was an option). There are things we can all do that lesson our risks though, and we should give those serious attention. I've also pointed out here how we can render assistance to others, and aid in research and education.

Cancer can occur anywhere in the body, with some cancers more frequent than others. Breast cancer is more frequent in women for example (although it can occur in men). Prostate cancer of course only occurs in men. both men and women see lung cancer and colorectal cancer in high numbers. These blog posts are not meant at all to scare anyone, but cancer can occur at any time, and it is good to be prepared. Your own doctor is always your best source of information on your health. Check out the various links I have posted here as well.

Coming up, I will be back in San Francisco for two important events, and I welcome your support as always, especially at the Light the Night Walk in November. Click HERE to donate to that. Also, consider participating in a similar event near you.

Please feel free to share these posts about cancer, and as I have said earlier, your comments are most welcome too.  Let us hear from you! 

Saint Jude

On Tuesday I wrote here that Cancer sucks. You may have followed the other words I put down in this space about cancer. Yesterday I mentioned some organizations that are part of the fight against these ugly diseases. Spending a week focused on cancers, brings to mind more information than I could possible share in this small space, but there is much more to say and more to do. Today I want to mention Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital. Located in Memphis, Tennessee Saint Jude is a nonprofit pediatric treatment and research facility focused on children's catastrophic diseases. It was founded back in 1962 by entertainer Danny Thomas.

Cancer is horrible when it strikes anyone, but imagine a small child having to fight for their life. At Saint Jude the focus is not only on pediatric cancer, but on other childhood diseases as well. There has been a marvelous success rate there too. The survival rate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which is the most common type of cancer in kids, has increased from 4 percent in 1962 to 94 percent today. Watching the fundraising messages on television, you see children full of hope and energy. Cancer has to be a scary thing for a young child, and giving them hope is a huge step in treatment.

I have mentioned a number of organizations here this week, and there are many more that we can look at, but I do hope you will look further at Saint Jude. Their website is at https://www.stjude.org/ and have much information, including ways you can get involved.

Have you got personal stories of children battling cancer? Has cancer touched your family of friends of yours? Please feel welcome to contribute by commenting below.

organized in fighting cancer

The fight against cancer should not be a solo performance, and thankfully there are many resources. Years ago, I briefly worked for the American Cancer Society (and continued for some time to volunteer with them) and I was amazed at all of the resources they offer. There are many other cancer organizations too, some which deal with a specific cancer and some that support a certain geographic area. Want to do something about cancer?  Here's another place to begin.

The website for The American Cancer Society is excellent - http://www.cancer.org/ - and there you can also find out about volunteering, if that is something at interests you, and you can also make donations. There are many ways to donate too, such as giving your air miles or hotel points, or even making IRA donations, or giving your car. Their website also has live chat and information on every type of cancer. I love all of the suggestions they have on how you can get involved too, such as giving a cancer patient a ride to chemotherapy, sending out emails to friends and family about their cancer screening guidelines, or putting together a team for cancer-related fundraiser.

The American Cancer Society is one of many great places to get involved in the cause. In the San Francisco area, I am a big fan of Friends of Faith, which I mentioned earlier this week. Visit their site at http://www.faithfancher.org/ and find many more resources. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (which deals with blood cancers) has offices across the country and has many ways to get involved, including their annual Light the Night Walks. You can find them online at https://www.lls.org/

These are but a few of the many cancer-fighting resources and organizations. Do feel free to mention others and perhaps some of your own experiences, in the comments section below.

The diagnosis

Just a little over four years ago, a friend of mine was diagnosed with advanced colon cancer, with his doctor saying it would be a good idea start getting his affairs in order. The doctor said his chances were fifty-fifty. I can't even imagine how I would feel if I were the patient. I hope I would have the strength to endure.

It was not long after that that my sister took our mom to the hospital. Mom had been having trouble breathing. She had been living with leukemia for a number of years, but would soon discover another cancer was inside her. There was a two inch mass on her lung. I was right next to her bed when she was given the diagnosis and the grim news that there was nothing that could be done. I felt like someone had just punched me in the stomach. It had to have been much worse for Mom. Eleven days later, she passed away.

Last April, one of my favorite people in the world, found out he had liver cancer. Confident and faithful, he convinced me and so many others, that he was going to fight vigorously and that he was going to win. In telling friends last April, he said "Many, many thanks for your unrelenting support--we will make it through this, and we finally reach that point you will all be a much treasured, very beloved part of that victory." If wish he had been correct. Five months later, my friend quietly went home to his maker.

 

I don't know how I would react to a cancer diagnosis.  I do know I have seen enough!  This week I have been writing about that here (and I will have some more to say tomorrow), because it is important.  We can do something.  I do hope you will join me.  I invite you to share your thoughts below as well.

The Process

The whole process of choosing our leaders, isn't always something I agree with. I always prefer taking the high road, and so mudslinging and name calling is counter to who I am. The Presidential race has already been pretty divisive, and I don't really expect for things to improve. The party conventions begin today. This week it's the Republicans and next week the Democrats.

Turn it all off and wait for November? While that might be tempting, you might not be as well informed that way. It is better to vote with knowledge. Who is the best candidate? While I don't ever say how to vote, I will over and over urge you to be part of the process. Get involved. Listen to what the candidates are saying. Do you agree with them? Perhaps you should look at someone else. Who cares about people - about ALL people. Who has education or experience that will help them? Don't just check out those running for major office. Make sure you concern yourself with the local contests as well. If you see a candidate you really like, maybe you will want to volunteer for their campaign.

The other really important thing is to VOTE. Seriously. So many folks stay home. This is a sacred right and each of us can make a difference. Primaries count, as does the general election. In most places you can vote from home if you request a ballot early enough, so don't use getting out as an excuse.

Whether you favor the Democrats or the Republicans or the Green Party or any other group, be a part of the process. Your vote makes a difference!

Different kinds of involvement

Here in the city where I lived most of my life and where I learned so much about being involved. Tomorrow and Sunday I will take part in two different charitable events, and I'm also watching how this city has been responding to all the hate in the world.

Sadly, San Francisco is not exempt. There have been numerous racially motivated hate crimes here recently and crimes against members of the lgbt community as well. People here don't generally sit back and take what comes though. They get involved!

Now I won't for one moment say that one method is better than another. There are many ways of reaching a better world. Some things work better for some folks than others do. The important thing is to contribute. Remember the old saying: If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

I was talking to people here last night about the Sunday last month when the Orlando shooting occurred. Even though it was on the other side of the country, it really hit home here. Guns seem to be involved in most or all of these killings and the former mayor of this city is leading the fight to put an end to that. It is interesting also for me to see people gathering here for a Black Lives Matter rally and notice that the majority of the crowd is not Black! Not because the African American population here does not care, but because there are not that many of them in the total population here in San Francisco, and because there are so many other caring and loving people who want to get involved.

Talk to the tourists when you ride through the fog on a cable car. Something that small can make a difference. Phone calls, letters, and emails to elected officials help bring change. Speaking up whenever we see wrong is really an important way to contribute. So many different things we can do - perhaps we can get involved in it all!

Ready To Fly

Right now I am at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, just getting ready to board a flight to San Francisco for a weekend of raising money and awareness. I don't have time to say much now, but keep the Orlando victims on your heart. Think also of lgbt people who have been victims of violence and all African Americans who have been murdered. Think long and hard about guns too. Just what is the solution?

During this trip, I will be taking part in the 30th AIDS Walk San Francisco, a 10k fundraising walk to fight the epidemic. This will be my 22nd time walking, and I am really excited to be walking with a special team I formed. I know this blog is supposedly NOT about me, but please allow me this exception. The cause is an important one, and I would be honored to have your support. Please click HERE to go directly to my secure fundraising page at the AIDS Walk site. Donations can be anonymous too, if you prefer.

I'm also honored to be taking part in a community fundraiser for another organization on Saturday. I love it when people gather together to help others, and I know this is going to be a wonderful event too!

Along the way, I will still be writing here, even though I will be away from my usual writing window. Right now though, I'm ready to fly!

Off to a good start

July should be getting off to a good start today, at least for the folks in California. Jerry Brown, that state's Governor, is expected to sign several bills into law that deal with gun safety. One would require an ID and a background check to purchase ammunition and would create a new state database of ammunition owners and also ban possession of ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 bullets. Another bill would restrict the loaning of guns to close family members, without background checks. Again, this is only in California where that horrible shooting last year in San Bernardino killed 14 people.

It should be noted too that Gavin Newsom, California's Lt Governor, has been campaigning for quite a while for comprehensive gun safety reform in his state. He has placed Prop 63 on the November ballot to let the people vote on it.

Erasing the hate? Well I would like to see more progress on that as we begin the month in which we celebrate our independence. All those who want to treat the lgbt community as second class citizens, would do well to check out a line from a 240 year old document that most Americans hold dear:  "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Note the key words of ALL and EQUAL. Let's therefore put away the hate. Let's put away the guns. Let's live together in peace and harmony. If we can get everyone on board with this, we'll indeed be off to a good start!