6.24.2008

In honor of my Father living with Cancer

June is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

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http://www.prostatecancerfoundation.org/

About the Prostate Cancer Foundation
Prostate cancer strikes one out of every six American men. The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) is the world’s largest philanthropic source of support for prostate cancer research to discover better treatments and a cure for recurrent prostate cancer. PCF pursues its mission by reaching out to individuals, corporations and others to harness society’s resources— financial and human—to fight this deadly disease.Founded in 1993, the PCF has raised more than $350 million and provided funding for more than 1,400 research projects at nearly 150 institutions worldwide. The PCF has been a pioneer in the grant making process, simplifying paperwork for grantees, leaving more time for scientific investigators to conduct needed research. The PCF also advocates for greater awareness of prostate cancer and more government resources, resulting in a twenty-fold increase in government funding for prostate cancer. In addition, the PCF’s Scientific Retreat convenes leading cancer researchers, physicians, government officials, the biopharmaceutical industry and others each year to discuss new developments and remove barriers that impede progress.Achievements:• Discovery or early development of key treatments now in clinical trials, including PSMA monoclonal antibodies and the drugs Atrasentan, Velcade and Zometa;• Development of vaccines that harness the body's immune system to kill prostate cancer cells;• Development of gene therapy approaches to selectively eliminate prostate cancer cells;• Identification of the genetic changes that may cause prostate cells to become cancerous;• Research into stopping the production or function of growth factors that help cancer cells grow;• Research into stopping the development of blood vessels that feed cancer cells, a process known as anti-angiogenesis;• Determination of the structure of the prostate cell androgen receptor, which is responsible for the growth of both normal and cancerous prostate cells;• Identification of prostate cell surface markers that can be targeted to destroy cancer cells; and• Development of analytical methods that identify the proteins in blood or the prostate that correlate to treatment effect or behavior of the cancer cell, a method known as proteomic pattern recognition.The Prostate Cancer Foundation has accomplished a great deal, but there is still much more to do. Please join us in this race to find a cure for prostate cancer.
Donations
The Prostate Cancer Foundation, formerly CaPCURE, is a 501(c)(3) organization. To donate now, use our secure online donation form or call 1.800.757.CURE (2873) . Donations may also be mailed to:Prostate Cancer Foundation1250 Fourth StreetSanta Monica, CA 90401Tax ID #95-4418411



Prostate Cancer SymptomsFor an extensive overview of what can go wrong with the prostate, read Chapter 2 "Little Gland, Big Trouble" from the book Dr. Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer.
If the cancer is caught at its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms. Some men, however, will experience symptoms that might indicate the presence of prostate cancer, including:
A need to urinate frequently, especially at night;
Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine;
Weak or interrupted flow of urine;
Painful or burning urination;
Difficulty in having an erection;
Painful ejaculation;
Blood in urine or semen; or
Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs.
Because these symptoms can also indicate the presence of other diseases or disorders, such as BPH or prostatitis, men who experience any of these symptoms will undergo a thorough work-up to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms.

June - National Safety Month

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6 Steps to get you started volunteering

6 Steps to Get Involved


1. Choose your something. There are tons of organizations that need help, but which one is most important to you?
Do you want to work with kids, help clean the planet, or take care of animals in shelters?

2. Make a list of your talents and abilities. Decide what you can do for your cause to make the biggest difference. If you are a great soccer player, you might want to teach kids your skills at an after-school program. Volunteering should be fun, so work on something that you enjoy.

3. Search for local organizations that support the cause you believe in.

4. Contact each organization about different opportunities. First, make sure that they accept volunteers under 18. If they do, let them know what you can do, and see how you can help.

5. Talk to others. If you think you would enjoy volunteering with this organization, ask to speak to other volunteers to make sure their experience was as good as you hope yours will be.

6. Do something! Start volunteering as soon as possible and make the most out of your talents.

Volunteering allows you to meet people that you may not have and or you have similar interests. You may make new friends of the same age or different ages. Or you may make contacts that lead to internships and future Jobs. Who knows you may learn a skill set you have wanted to know for a while.
The possibilities are endless!

5 tips on Volunteering

Give 5


1. Research the causes or issues important to you. Look for a group that works with issues about which you feel strongly. You might already be giving money to one of these organizations, and that might be a good place to begin your volunteer experience. If you can't find such an organization, here's a challenging and intriguing thought: why not start one yourself? You can rally your neighbors to clean up that vacant lot on the corner, patrol the neighborhood, paint an elderly neighbor's house, take turns keeping an eye on the ailing person down the street, or form a group to advocate for a remedy to that dangerous intersection in your neighborhood. There is no end to the creative avenues for volunteering, just as there is no end to the need for volunteers.

2. Consider the skills you have to offer.If you enjoy outdoor work, have a knack for teaching, or just enjoy interacting with people, you may want to look for volunteer work which would incorporate these aspects of your personality. Many positions require a volunteer who has previous familiarity with certain equipment, such as computers, or who possesses certain skills, such as ability in athletics or communications. For one of these positions you might decide to do something comparable to what you do on the job during your work day, or something which you already enjoy as a hobby. This sort of position allows you to jump right into the work without having to take training to prepare for the assignment.

3. Would you like to learn something new?Perhaps you would like to learn a new skill or gain exposure to a new situation. Consider seeking a volunteer opportunity where you'll learn something new. For example, volunteering to work on the newsletter for the local animal shelter will improve your writing and editing abilities-skills that may help you in your career. Or, volunteering can simply offer a change from your daily routine. For example, if your full-time job is in an office, you may decide to take on a more active volunteer assignment, such as leading tours at an art museum or building a playground. Many nonprofits seek out people who are willing to learn. Realize beforehand, however, that such work might require a time commitment for training before the actual volunteer assignment begins.

4. Combine your goals. Look for volunteer opportunities that will also help you achieve your other goals for your life. For example, if you want to lose a few extra pounds, pick an active volunteer opportunity, such as cleaning a park or working with kids. Or, if you've been meaning to take a cooking class, try volunteering at a food bank that teaches cooking skills.

5. Don't over-commit your schedule. Make sure the volunteer hours you want to give fit into your hectic life, so that you don't frustrate your family, exhaust yourself, shortchange the organization you're trying to help or neglect your job. Do you want a long-term assignment or something temporary? If you are unsure about your availability, or want to see how the work suits you before making an extensive commitment, see whether the organization will start you out on a limited number of hours until you get the feel of things.Better to start out slowly than to commityourself to a schedule you can't - or don'twant to fulfill.