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Headlines
Osteosarcoma
Holiday Fire Safety
Testimonials
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Holiday Fire Safety |
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A Season For Sharing in Fire Safety
Each year fires occurring during the holiday season claim the lives of over 400 people, injure 1,650 more, and cause over $990 million in damage. According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), there are simple life-saving steps you can take to ensure a safe and happy holiday. By following some of the outlined precautionary tips, individuals can greatly reduce their chances of becoming a holiday fire casualty.
Preventing Christmas Tree Fires
Christmas Tree Fire Hazards
Movie segments demonstrating how fast a live Christmas tree can become fully engulfed in flames. Special fire safety precautions need to be taken when keeping a live tree in the house. A burning tree can rapidly fill a room with fire & deadly gases.
Selecting a Tree for the Holiday
Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard.
Caring for Your Tree
Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree. Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.
Disposing of Your Tree
Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or woodburning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service.
Holiday Lights
Maintain Your Holiday Lights
Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.
Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets
Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires - they should not be warm to the touch.
Do Not Leave Holiday Lights on Unattended
Holiday Decorations
Use Only Nonflammable Decorations
All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents.
Never Put Wrapping Paper in a Fireplace
It can result in a very large fire, throwing off dangerous sparks and embers and may result in a chimney fire.
Artificial Christmas Trees
If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.
Avoid Using Lit Candles
If you do use them, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning.
Never Put Lit Candles on a Tree
Do not go near a Christmas tree with an open flame - candles, lighters or matches.
Finally, as in every season, have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home, test them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times. Know when and how to call for help. And remember to practice your home escape plan.
To read more, click here, US Fire Administration.
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Osteosarcoma |
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Osteosarcoma is a cancerous (malignant) bone tumor that usually develops during the period of rapid growth that occurs in adolescence, as a teenager matures into an adult.
Causes
Osteosarcoma is the most common cancerous (malignant) bone tumor in youth. The average age at diagnosis is 15. Boys and girls have a similar incidence of this tumor until late adolescence, at which time boys are more commonly affected.
The cause is not known. In some cases, osteosarcoma runs in families, and at least one gene has been linked to increased risk. This gene is also associated with familial retinoblastoma, a cancer of the eye that occurs in children.
Osteosarcoma tends to occur in the bones of the:
- Shin (near the knee)
- Thigh (near the knee)
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Upper arm (near the shoulder) 
This cancer occurs most commonly in larger bones and in the area of bone with the fastest growth rate. Osteosarcoma can occur in any bone, however.
Although it is rare, osteosarcoma can occur in adults.
Symptoms
- Bone fracture (may occur after what seems like a routine movement)
- Bone pain
- Limitation of motion
- Limping (if the tumor is in the leg)
- Pain when lifting (if the tumor is in the arm)
- Tenderness, swelling, or redness at the site of the tumor
Exams and tests
- Blood tests
- Bone scan to see if the cancer has spread to other bones
- CT scan of the chest to see if the cancer has spread to the lungs
- CT scan of the affected area
- Open biopsy (at time of surgery for diagnosis)
- X-ray of the affected area
Treatments
Treatment usually starts after a biopsy of the tumor.
Before major surgery to remove the tumor, chemotherapy is usually given. This is strong medication injected into the vein (intravenously) to make the tumor shrink. Chemotherapy also treats any cancer cells that may have spread to other parts of the body.
Surgery is then used to remove any remaining tumor. In most cases, surgery can remove the tumor while sparing the affected limb (this is called limb-salvage surgery). Rarely more radical surgery (such as amputation) may be necessary for a permanent cure.
Common chemotherapy medicines include:
- Cisplatin
- Carboplatin (Paraplatin)
- Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
- Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)
- High-dose methotrexate with leucovorin
- Ifosfamide (Ifex)
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Testimonials
Hi,
I am writing to say hello and tell you a little about my family.
We are no strangers to childhood cancer as this is our 2nd time. Sophia was diagnosed at 5 months with brain cancer. As devastated as I was, we worked through a year of chemo and went into remission. Almost exactly 2 years later we discovered a lymphoma in her chest. I believe all things happen for a reason, and I believe God has a special plan for her. She is my hero, as she endures so much without much complaining or whining.
We are awaiting our bone marrow transplant and just trying to make it day to day. She is really the light of my life and brings a smile to my face just looking at her. I do believe that God gave cancer kids the best personalities, as she will show you given the chance.
Her older sister is Alyssa. She is a sweet 15 year old with only admiration for her little sister. Sophia's older brother is 5, and his name is Aiden. He absolutely adores Sophia, and she is his best friend. He starts kindergarten in the fall and is really excited about the bus.
I really am blessed with a wonderful family and believe that is what gets me through this horrific experience. I hope this helps getting to know us a little.
Thanks ahead of time for your help and thoughts.
Carrie
The Konevals Journey
Our lives changed on September 9, 2008. This was just not our son Joshua's birthday, but also the day we received the news. Joshua had a rare form of muscle cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma and our world came crashing down all around us. Joshua had a stage IV cancer but the doctors at Hopkins had a treatment plan. He originally had three tumors inside his pelvis, one was the size of an orange and the other two were the size of lemons.
 After nine months of chemo and 2 months of radiation, all the tumors are gone in his lungs and there is only one tumor left in his pelvis the size of a postage stamp. We continue to be amazed by his progress and his strength as a 9 year old boy. He has touched the lives of so many people it is unbelievable. We have another five to six months to go with chemo and are praying for the day he is cancer free. Joshua, Tracy, Kaleigh, and I are going to fight this fight as a family and win this battle. Thank you for your time. Kirk Tracy Joshua and Kaleigh. www.caringbridge.org/visit/joshkoneval
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Powell, TN 37849
Phone Number: 1-888-418-6062
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The Children's Cancer Fund of America, Inc. is a national 501 c(3) organization dedicated to helping children with cancer and their families by providing financial assistance.
We hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
From All of us at CCFOA!!
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Children's Cancer Fund of America, Inc.
