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Testimonials
Dear CFA,
I am very sick but just knowing that you all care makes me feel good. Times are very hard, but I want to take this time out to thank each and every one of you for being here for me and my family at a time like this. I thank you for everything that you do for me and my family at this time of my being sick with cancer. I want to let you know just how much me and my family are thankful for everything you do for us. We know that someone cares. You have been a lot of help to me and my family. What you are doing is very very nice. Thank you so much, and keep up the good work. May God bless you all!
Dear CFA,
I am sending this note of thanks to you and the Cancer Fund for all of the wonderful packages you have sent to my wife over the past years. They were so greatly appreciated. I am also sending a note along to you to let you know that my wife passed away in November after a long battle with breast cancer. Receiving the packages from you brightened many of her days. I want to thank you again for your thoughtfulness.
Sincerely,
The Elsile Family
~NY
Dear CFA,
I just wanted to say thank you. I don't think you know how much it is really appreciated to get a "goodie box" when you are having a really down day. It just brings a smile and for that instant you forget your troubles. God bless you all, and thank you again.
The Weaver Family
~CA
To whom it may concern,
I'm letting you folks know that I do not need the stool softener and Fiber laxative at any time and I do not have that problem. I am so glad of that. I can't thank you folks enough for helping and caring for us folks with cancer. I tell people about you folks all the time, asking them to donate funds to you. God bless you folks.
The Klemm Family
~FL
Dear CFA,
We would like to thank you for the things you sent us. The things helped us a lot and helped us save money on buying things. We enjoy the books, toys, and everything. We thank you very much for the package. We really enjoy it. Thank you,
The Stephenson Family
~KY
Thank you so much for the family enrichment packs. Since being diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma we have experienced some difficulties but great thanks to you and your organization money that would be spent on those items can be applied other ways. God be with you all.
The Landrum Family
~OH
To everyone at The Cancer Fund of America,
I would like to say thank you very much!! Everything received is deeply appreciated and used and needed. Thanks again.
The McKee Family
~PA
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The Cancer Fund of America's Mission Statement:
"To provide direct aid, other support and services to financially indigent patients; to disseminate information concerning the early detection and prevention of cancer; to provide grants, commodities and gifts-in-kind to hospices and other health care providers; to procure and distribute donated merchandise to various 501 © (3) non-profit community service organizations which aid the ill, needy, and infants."
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The Cancer Fund of America Proudly Spotlights A Hospice!!
Community Cancer Services
The Hospice of Community Cancer Services serves Bonner and Boundary counties in Sandpoint, ID. The population for this area is around 69,000. This hospice assists over 215+ patients each year.
Community Cancer Services
1214 Michigan St.
Suite B
Sandpoint, ID
83864
(208) 255-2301 phone
(208) 255-4304 fax
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Moles are growths on the skin. Doctors call moles nevi (one mole is a nevus). These growths occur when cells in the skin, called melanocytes, grow in a cluster with tissue surrounding them. Moles are usually pink, tan, brown, or flesh-colored. Melanocytes are also spread evenly throughout the skin and produce the pigment that gives skin its natural color. When skin is exposed to the sun, melanocytes produce more pigment, causing the skin to tan, or darken.
Moles are very common. Most people have between 10 and 40 moles. A person may develop new moles from time to time, usually until about age 40. Moles can be flat or raised. They are usually round or oval and no larger than a pencil eraser. Many moles begin as a small, flat spot and slowly become larger in diameter and raised. Over many years, they may flatten again, become flesh-colored, and go away.
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H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)
Novel influenza A (H1N1) is a new flu virus of swine origin that was first detected in April, 2009. The virus is infecting people and is spreading from person-to-person, sparking a growing outbreak of illness in the United States. An increasing number of cases are being reported internationally as well.
It's thought that novel influenza A (H1N1) flu spreads in the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread; mainly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with the virus.
It's uncertain at this time how severe this novel H1N1 outbreak will be in terms of illness and death compared with other influenza viruses. Because this is a new virus, most people will not have immunity to it, and illness may be more severe and widespread as a result. In addition, currently there is no vaccine to protect against this novel H1N1 virus. CDC anticipates that there will be more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths associated with this new virus in the coming days and weeks.
What you can do to stay healthy:
- Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
- Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
- Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
- Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
- Find healthy ways to deal with stress and anxiety.
- Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.
For more information, click here.
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Check out our website!!
You can help support CFA with Memorials, Legacies, Car Donations, & Wills!!
Click here
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Follow up Links |
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Please forward our newsletter to all of your family members and friends! Also, to sign up for The Children's Cancer Fund of America's Newsletter
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The Cancer Fund of America's
Quarterly Newsletter
Summer '09 |
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Ginger Eases Nausea From Chemo
Researchers have discovered the nausea-easing powers of ginger that many grandmothers are already familiar with, and report that the spice helped cancer patients who were undergoing chemotherapy...
Cancer and Women
In 2005, the most recent year for which statistics are available, more than 650,000 women in the United States were told they had cancer, and nearly 269,000 died from it. Screening tests and the HPV vaccine can help prevent some of the most common types of cancer in women.Could hope for cancer come from the heart?...
Fit Physical Activity into Your Life, Your Way
In October 2008, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, a comprehensive set of recommendations for people of all ages and physical conditions...
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Melanoma
Definition of melanoma: A form of cancer that begins in melanocytes (cells that make the pigment melanin). It may begin in a mole (skin melanoma), but can also begin in other pigmented tissues, such as in the eye or in the intestines.
Estimated new cases and deaths from melanoma in the United States in 2009:
New cases: 68,720
Deaths: 8,650
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. Often the first sign of melanoma is a change in the size, shape, color or feel of a mole. Most melanomas have a black or black-blue area. Melanoma may also appear as a new mole. It may be black, abnormal or "ugly looking."
Thinking of "ABCD" can help you remember what to watch for:
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Asymmetry - the shape of one half does not match the other
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Border - the edges are ragged, blurred or irregular
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Diameter - there is a change in size, usually an increase
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Color - the color in uneven and may include shades of black, brown and tan
Melanoma can be cured if it is diagnosed and treated early. If melanoma is not removed in its early stages, cancer cells may grow downward from the skin surface and invade healthy tissue. If it spreads to other parts of the body it can be difficult to control.
Melanoma begins when melanocytes (pigment cells) gradually become more abnormal and divide without control or order. These cells can invade and destroy the normal cells around them. The abnormal cells form a growth of malignant tissue (a cancerous tumor) on the surface of the skin. Melanoma can begin either in an existing mole or as a new growth on the skin. A doctor or nurse specialist can tell whether an abnormal-looking mole should be closely watched or should be removed and checked for melanoma cells. The purpose of routine skin exams is to identify and follow abnormal moles.
The removal of the entire mole or a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope is called a biopsy. If possible, it is best to remove moles by an excisional biopsy, rather than a shave biopsy.
If the biopsy results in a diagnosis of melanoma, the patient and the doctor should work together to make treatment decisions. In many cases, melanoma can be cured by minimal surgery if the tumor is discovered when it is thin (before it has grown downward from the skin surface) and before the cancer cells have begun to spread to other places in the body. However, if melanoma is not found early, the cancer cells can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to form tumors in other parts of the body. Melanoma is much harder to control when it has spread. The spread of cancer is called metastasis.
Doctors and scientists believe that it is possible to prevent many melanomas and to detect most others early, when the disease is more likely to be cured with minimal surgery. In the past several decades, an increasing percentage of melanomas have been diagnosed at very early stages, when they are quite thin and unlikely to have spread. Learning about prevention and early detection, while important for everyone, is especially important for people who have an increased risk for melanoma. People who are at an increased risk include those who have dysplastic nevi or a very large number of ordinary moles.
Risk Factors for Melanoma
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Family history of melanoma
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Dysplastic nevi
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History of melanoma
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Weakened immune system
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Many ordinary moles (more than 50)
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Ultraviolet (UV) radiation
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Severe, blistering sunburns
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Freckles
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Sun Exposure
Ultraviolet (UV) rays are an invisible form of radiation. They can penetrate your skin and damage your skin cells. Sunburns are a sign of skin damage. Suntans aren't healthy, either. They appear after the sun's rays have already killed some cells and damaged others. UV rays can cause skin damage during any season or at any temperature. They can also cause eye problems, wrinkles, skin spots, and skin cancer.
To protect yourself:
- Stay out of the sun when it is strongest (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.)
- Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher
- Wear protective clothing
- Wear wraparound sunglasses that provide 100 percent UV ray protection
- Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds
Check your skin regularly for changes in the size, shape, color or feel of birthmarks, moles and spots. Such changes are a sign of skin cancer.
For more information, Click Here.
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Pool Safety for Children
Here are some simple precautions to ensure that your good times are safe times.
Always supervise children. Never leave a child out of eye contact - not even for a second. Never assume a child is water-safe, regardless of swimming lessons or experience.
Talk to children about dangers. Make sure children get swimming and water safety lessons. Never allow a child to play in a way that would permit hair to come near a drain cover. They should not stick fingers, toes, or body parts into drains. They should not play the "hold your breath underwater" game.
Require good behavior from kids. This means:
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No playful screaming for help (false alarms) that might mask a real emergency.
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No running or pushing near the pool.
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No toys like tricycles near the pool; they can lead to accidental falls into water.
Establish rules on diving. That means:
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Don't allow diving if your pool is less than five feet deep.
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Teach children to dive with their hands in front of their faces.
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Teach them to swim immediately toward the surface after diving.
Respect storms. Never swim before, during, or after a thunderstorm.
Limit alcohol. No under-age drinking is allowed. Adults should limit drinking near the pool. Just two or three drinks can affect a person's judgment, even though they may not feel or appear to be drunk. Even a small amount of alcohol can slow reflexes - especially if you are tired or taking medication like cold/ allergy drugs or prescriptions.
To read more on this article,click here.
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Article Headlin e
With warm weather and family events, the Fourth of July can be a fun time with great memories. But before your family celebrates, make sure everyone knows about fireworks safety.
If not handled properly, fireworks can cause burn and eye injuries in kids and adults. In 2003, six deaths were linked to fireworks and hospital emergency departments treated 9,300 fireworks injuries.
The best way to protect your family is not to use any fireworks at home - period. Attend public fireworks displays, and leave the lighting to the professionals.
Lighting fireworks at home isn't even legal in many areas, so if you still want to use them, be sure to check with your local police department first. If they're legal where you live, keep these safety tips in mind:
- Kids should never play with fireworks. Things like firecrackers, rockets, and sparklers are just too dangerous. If you give kids sparklers, make sure they keep them outside and away from the face, clothing, and hair. Sparklers can reach 1,800° Fahrenheit (982° Celsius) - hot enough to melt gold.
- Buy only legal fireworks (legal fireworks have a label with the manufacturer's name and directions; illegal ones are unlabeled), and store them in a cool, dry place. Illegal fireworks usually go by the names M-80, M100, blockbuster, or quarterpounder. These explosives were banned in 1966, but still account for many fireworks injuries.
- Never try to make your own fireworks.
- Always use fireworks outside and have a bucket of water and a hose nearby in case of accidents.
- Steer clear of others - fireworks have been known to backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction. Never throw or point fireworks at someone, even in jest.
- Don't hold fireworks in your hand or have any part of your body over them while lighting. Wear some sort of eye protection, and avoid carrying fireworks in your pocket - the friction could set them off.
- Point fireworks away from homes, and keep away from brush and leaves and flammable substances. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that local fire departments respond to more 50,000 fires caused by fireworks each year.
- Light one firework at a time (not in glass or metal containers), and never relight a dud.
- Don't allow kids to pick up pieces of fireworks after an event. Some may still be ignited and can explode at any time.
- Soak all fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing them in the trash can.
- Think about your pet. Animals have sensitive ears and can be extremely frightened or stressed on the Fourth of July. Keep pets indoors to reduce the risk that they'll run loose or get injured.
If a child is injured by fireworks, immediately go to a doctor or hospital. If an eye injury occurs, don't allow your child to touch or rub it, as this may cause even more damage. Also, don't flush the eye out with water or attempt to put any ointment on it. Instead, cut out the bottom of a paper cup, place it around the eye, and immediately seek medical attention - your child's eyesight may depend on it. If it's a burn, remove clothing from the burned area and run cool, not cold, water over the burn (do not use ice). Call your doctor immediately.
Fireworks are meant to be enjoyed, but you'll enjoy them much more knowing your family is safe. Take extra precautions this Fourth of July and your holiday will be a blast!
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Skin Self-Examination
Monthly self-examination improves your chances of finding a skin cancer early, when it has done a minimum of damage to your skin and can be treated easily. Regular self-exam helps you recognize any new or changing features.
- The best time to do a self-exam is right after a shower or bath.
- Do the self-exam in a well-lighted room; use a full-length mirror and a handheld mirror.
- Learn where your moles, birthmarks, and blemishes are, and what they look like.
- Each time you do a self-exam, check these areas for changes in size, texture, and color, and for ulceration. If you notice any changes, call your primary-care provider or dermatologist.
Check all areas of your body, including "hard-to-reach" areas. Ask a loved one to help you if there are areas you can't see.
- Look in the full-length mirror at your front and your back (use the handheld mirror to do this). Raise your arms and look at your left and right sides.
- Bend your elbows and look carefully at your palms, your forearms (front and back), and upper arms.
- Examine the backs and fronts of your legs. Look at your buttocks (including the area between the buttocks) and your genitals (use the handheld mirror to make sure you see all skin areas).
- Sit down and examine your feet carefully, including the soles and between the toes.
Look at your scalp, face, and neck. You may use a comb or blow dryer to move your hair while examining your scalp.
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Cancer Fund of America, Inc.
2901 Breezewood Lane
Knoxville, TN 37921
Fax: 865-938-2968
Toll free: 1-800-578-5281
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