Not only is September ‘Childhood Cancer Awareness’ month, it is now recognized as ‘Blood Cancer Awareness Month’. Read on…

Washington, DC (September 23, 2010) – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed House Resolution 1433, declaring September 2010 as ‘Blood Cancer Awareness Month.’ The resolution helps raise awareness and support for issues affecting blood cancer patients within the halls of the Capitol.

“Awareness Month is an opportunity to increase the public’s understanding of blood cancers and encourage people to support the funding of research to find cures and education programs to help patients have the best possible outcomes throughout their cancer experience,” explained John Walter, president and CEO of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. “The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society would like to thank Representatives Walter Jones and Betsey Markey for introducing and supporting this resolution, and all of our volunteers who called and emailed their representatives to urge their support.”

Remarkable progress has been made in treating patients with blood cancers. Sixty years ago there were few effective treatments for children or adults with blood cancer and the rate of survival was very low. Today, about 75 percent of children with acute leukemia and nearly 80 percent of children and adults with Hodgkin lymphoma are cured. Advances in the treatment of blood cancers have also led to new treatments for other cancers. In fact, in the last decade, 47 percent of new cancer therapies approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were first developed and approved to treat a blood cancer.

Despite these advances, more than 900,000 people in the United States currently have some form of blood cancer and fewer than 50 percent of newly diagnosed patients will survive five years past that diagnosis. Every ten minutes someone dies from a blood cancer and more than 53,000 will die from one this year.

“Congress has been supportive of issues affecting blood cancers in the past,” said Walter, “and we thank them for that support. But more needs to be done to fight these deadly diseases – increased research funding, access to affordable treatments, and improved care planning for survivors, just to name a few issues that need to be addressed.”

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ® (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services.

Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org or contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

From: www.lls.org

Not uncommonly, FOH has become quieter and smaller over the years. However, I, personally, would like to see it continue in whatever capacity it can. I promise to update the blog on our website more regularly! And keep the communication lines open. In exchange, will you email me at carole@friendsofheroes.org and let me know whether you are walking this year and, if you are, where and when?

Also, don’t forget to let your local office know you are joing FOH so that we receive credit for your participation! If you need help with this, let me know. I have connections, lol!

That’s it for my first blog of 2010! Walks are starting! Let’s see what FOH can do this year! I look forward to hearing from you all soon!

Thurs. 9/10 – Beth Ann – Hoover, AL

Fri. 9/11 – Kathie – St. Peters, MO

Sat. 9/12 – Beck – Sparks, NV

Please send pictures or a report after your walk so we can celebrate with you!  I’ll put them on the FOH website too!

Thanks for all you do!  Have a great walk night!

An estimated 10,730 children under the age of 15 were diagnosed with cancer in the United States in 2008, with leukemia being the most commonly diagnosed childhood cancer at 32.6 percent of all cases. Lymphoma ranked as the third most diagnosed pediatric cancer in 2008.

Our group began with a passion to put an end to childhood cancer and we annually participate in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night Walk to raise money and awareness for a cure. There are simple ways we can each make a difference by supporting research, raising awareness and contacting legislators.

Did you know:

• Every five minutes, someone in this country is diagnosed with blood cancer?
• Every nine minutes, someone loses the fight?
• Leukemia is the leading cause of disease-related death among children under age 15?
• Approximately 3,000 children die from a blood cancer every year?

Help us make a difference for these families!!!

Donate by visiting one of our team member pages at:
http://pages.lightthenight.org/2009/friendsofheroes

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) funds lifesaving research that has contributed to major advances in the treatment of blood cancers and treatments for other types of cancer, such as chemotherapy and stem cell transplants. These treatments have helped patients live better, longer lives. New targeted therapies that kill cancer cells without harming normal tissue are providing drugs and procedures that are improving quality of life.

• A donation of $25 provides patients and their loved ones with FREE booklets that contain up-to-date information on their disease and help them make informed decisions about their treatment options.
• A donation of $50 makes possible a Family Support group with a trained facilitator where comfort can be found and experiences can be shared among patients and family members.
• A donation of $100 helps supply laboratory researchers with supplies and materials critical to carrying out their search for cures.
• A donation of $1,000 makes possible one- on-one conversations with health care specialists who provide patients with information about their disease, treatment options, and helps prepare them with questions for their health care team.

Make a difference that will make a big impact!

Participate in a Light The Night Walk near you:
http://pages.lightthenight.org/2009/friendsofheroes

Join our Light The Night Team – Friends of Heroes and raise awareness among your family, friends and co-workers. Light The Night Walk is the nation’s night to pay tribute and bring hope to thousands of people battling blood cancers and to commemorate loved ones lost.

Funds raised by walkers provide:

• Lifesaving blood cancer research
• Financial assistance to cover patient expenses for transportation, medication and testing
• Free educational materials and events for patients and their families
• Local programs such as Family Support Groups and First Connection, a peer-to-peer counseling program
• Comprehensive, personalized assistance through our Information Resource Center

Light The Night Walk events are evenings filled with inspiration. Carrying illuminated balloons – white for survivors, red for supporters and gold in memory of loved ones lost to cancer – thousands of walkers – men, women and children – form a community of caring, bringing light to the dark world of cancer.

If you already have a Light The Night Team, join us as an affiliate team. Contact Carole at affiliates@friendsofheroes.org for more information.

Make a difference on Capital Hill

Urge Your Representative to Co-Sponsor Pediatric Cancer Survivorship Legislation

Improvements in long-term survival rates for pediatric cancer patients present some new challenges for patients, family members, providers and policy makers. Patients may face greater risk of secondary cancers; they may have limited access to follow-up care; the follow-up care they do receive may be inadequate; and some may face cognitive or psychosocial problems. Expensive long-term treatments, hurdles to purchasing health, life, or disability insurance, and employment barriers also pose difficulties for cancer survivors.

Reps. Jackie Speier (D-CA) and Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) recently introduced the Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancer Survivorship Research and Quality of Life Act (H.R. 2109). This legislation would provide much needed resources to fund research and survivorship programs that would dramatically improve the quality of life for all cancer survivors.

Please take a moment to send a letter to your representative urging them to co-sponsor this important legislation. Please make sure that pediatric cancer survivors receive the care they need as they move on with their lives.

Click here to take action!

Download a Coupon for 30% Off with 5% going to LLS

Leukemia survivor, Lance Bigelow, is someone who knows first-hand the importance of Gap’s Give & Get program benefiting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). He participated in the spring campaign. Lance and his family knew that taking advantage of the Give & Get program’s 30% discount, they would also be contributing to LLS’ blood cancer research efforts, research that helps kids like Lance — research that fights the number one cancer among children.

Thanks to the efforts of families like the Bigelows, the spring campaign raised $600,000 for research to find a cure.

By participating in our summer campaign you can help blood cancer patients live longer, better lives — and look good doing it!

Then visit any Gap, Inc. store from July 30th to August 2nd to take advantage of the 30% discount offer. Please note that this offer is good from July 30th through August 2nd only! The Gap Give & Get coupon is good for purchases at any Gap, Inc. store, including Gap, Gap Outlet, Banana Republic, Banana Republic Factory Stores and Old Navy. The coupon is for in-store purchases only and is good in both the United States and Canada.

Remember, when you download a coupon for discounted clothes from this site you’re helping The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society fight the number one cancer among children. Send this page to your friends and family and help our cause even more!

more info: http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org//all_page.adp?item_id=552506

Lance’s Story: http://community.lls.org/blogs/atlls/2009/07/27/licking-leukemia-with-lls-and-gap

Coupon (English): http://www.gapinc.com/giveandget/lls/

Coupon (French): http://www.gapinc.com/giveandget/fr/lls/

Source: LLS.org

The Light the Night season is fast approaching and it is the perfect time to remember WHY we are walking.  Please join us by adding a comment to this post about why you are walking for Friends of Heroes, how you found us and what you would like to see in the coming years.  Let get this party started!!!!

Friends of Heroes has a forum to keep in touch with the national team?  Please join us at http://friendsofheroes.proboards80.com/index.cgi

This is a great way to find out what other teams are doing, to keep up and offer support to cancer patients and just chit chat.

This year, Friends of Heroes wants to honor these warriors who have battled more in their lives then most adults will ever endure.  To nominate a child to be one of Friends of Heroes, Hero of the month, please send in their Name, Age, Parent/guardian’s e-mail, a quick story on this child and how they have touched your life to teamleaders@friendsofheroes.org

Please note that we can only accept nomiations that have the consent from the child’s  parent or guardian.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, headquartered in White Plains, New York, provides a library of resources through their website and their Information Resource Center. You may feel helpless or overwhelmed with decisions. These free resources and support services are funded by generous donors to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

If you need assistance ordering free materials please call the LLS Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST or contact your local chapter.

For more information specifically related to childhood blood cancers, visit their Childhood Blood Cancers resource page.

The following excerpts are sample materials from their library:

Coping With Childhood Leukemia and Lymphoma

Introduction

Families face uncertainty when they are told that their child has leukemia or lymphoma. It is a time filled with new people and situations, worries and change. It may help to learn that cancer survival rates for children have improved significantly during the last several decades due to new and better treatments. Doctors, nurses and scientists are working together around the world to continue to improve outcomes for children diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma – researchers continue to search for the causes, develop better treatments and tailor therapies to decrease long-term effects. Social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists and other health professionals are also working to understand how to help children and families manage cancer and its treatment and maintain a good quality of life.
Continue reading by downloading the .pdf or order a free printed copy via the LLS online order form.

Learning & Living With Cancer

Introduction

For children with cancer and their parents, returning to school builds hope for the future. Attending school is a big part of feeling normal and productive. Yet, going back to school also brings new challenges to families whose main focus has been getting through treatment.

You may wonder:

• What challenges will my child face?
• What help is needed for my child to be successful?
• What laws protect my child?
• Where do I turn for help?

Continue reading by downloading the .pdf or order a free printed copy via the online order form.

Source: lls.org

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]]> http://www.friendsofheroes.org/2009/05/coping-with-childhood-leukemia-and-lymphoma/feed/ 0 http://www.friendsofheroes.org/2009/05/coping-with-childhood-leukemia-and-lymphoma/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FriendsofHeroesBlog/~3/niFK-NmcoGI/ http://www.friendsofheroes.org/2009/05/researchers-are-vital-for-a-cure/#comments Sat, 02 May 2009 08:07:14 +0000 Jenn http://www.friendsofheroes.org/?p=814 Sagar Lonial, M.D. is associate professor, hematology/medical oncology at Emory University in Atlanta. Dr. Lonial, a recipient of a Translational Research Program grant from LLS, is studying a combination therapy for patients with myeloma and other blood cancers.

What is the biomedical problem/issue that you are trying to resolve?
The proteasome is a piece of cellular machinery that removes unnecessary proteins from cells. But in some blood cancers, such as myeloma, the proteasome may function abnormally. The targeted drug Velcade (bortezomib) works for many myeloma patients by inhibiting the proteasome. But myeloma and other cancer cells can resist being killed by Velcade. Our group is trying to better understand how cancer cells become resistant and if we can overcome that resistance, especially by making Velcade more effective in combination with other drugs.

What’s novel or innovative about your approach?
Our approach is novel because we are trying to choose drug combinations based upon preclinical evidence gathered in our laboratory studies, rather than just randomly combining available drugs. Our preliminary findings suggest that we can really improve the efficacy of Velcade for patients with myeloma by combining it with Zarnestra (tipifarnib), an experimental drug that has been shown to inhibit an enzyme that can cause excessive growth of cancer cells. Zarnestra really does not kill many myeloma cells when used alone, but the anti-myeloma effect of the combination is quite striking in laboratory tests.

How will your work one day help patients?
We are currently enrolling patients in an early phase clinical trial based upon our laboratory data, and have seen responses among patients with myeloma who were resistant to Velcade as a single agent. We are now testing higher dose levels and hope to show that the combination is measurably more effective in patients than Velcade alone, as is true in laboratory tests.

Are you close to clinical trials?
The trial is open; 23 patients have been enrolled so far.

I think the excitement is around the addition of these new agents in treatments for patients with newly diagnosed disease where combinations might be able to result in complete remissions, and possibly even durable complete remissions. In the setting of relapsed disease, new combinations may allow us to treat patients with lower doses of each respective agent to reduce side effects, or use standard dosing but with improved outcomes as measured by number and duration of responses.

What are some of your hobbies and non-research interests?
My hobbies are golf and wine tasting, only one of which I enjoy doing with my kids. I also enjoy traveling, which I am able to do a bit through the myeloma community.

Source: lls.org (eNewsLine)

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]]> http://www.friendsofheroes.org/2009/05/researchers-are-vital-for-a-cure/feed/ 0 http://www.friendsofheroes.org/2009/05/researchers-are-vital-for-a-cure/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FriendsofHeroesBlog/~3/SiihYn1tMrY/ http://www.friendsofheroes.org/2009/04/light-the-night-2009-walksites/#comments Fri, 01 May 2009 03:35:46 +0000 Jenn http://www.friendsofheroes.org/?p=827

Friends of Heroes is a national Light the Night Friends and Family team for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society .

Register here: http://pages.lightthenight.org/2009/friendsofheroes

We are looking for individual walkers and other Light The Night teams to affiliate with us. Join us and become part of an amazing team!

If you live in or near one of the following cities, we’d love to have you become a team captain! To become a team captain or to walk for our team, click here or you can contact Team Captain Relations, at tcrelations@friendsofheroes.org

• Find your local team
• Register for the walk
• Start an affiliate team

2009 Walksites & Dates

(Open for full list of cities)

State	City	Date	Location
AB	Calgary	9/26/2009	Eau Claire Festival Market
AB	Edmonton	9/18/2009	Rundle Park
QC	Montreal	10/3/2009	Parc Jean Drapeau, ile St.Helen
BC	Surrey	10/3/2009	Cloverdale Millennium Amphitheatre
ON	Toronto	10/8/2009	Nathan Phillips Sq
BC	Vancouver	10/17/2009	English Bay & Ceperley Park
BC	Victoria	10/24/2009	University of Victoria
QC	Ville De Québec	9/26/2009	Plaines de Abraham, ville de Québec
AL	Hoover	9/10/2009	Regions Park
AL	Montgomery	9/24/2009	The Union Station Train Shed
AK	Anchorage	9/11/2009	Park Strip
AZ	Glendale	11/14/2009	Sahuaro Ranch Park
AZ	Tempe	11/17/2009	Tempe Town Lake Beach Park
AZ	Tucson	11/7/2009	Reid Park
CA	Anaheim	8/22/2009	Angel Stadium
CA	Bakersfield	10/3/2009	CSU, Bakersfield
CA	Fresno	10/17/2009	CSU, Fresno
CA	Los Angeles	9/13/2009	UCLA
CA	Monterey	10/3/2009	Custom House Plaza
CA	Palo Alto	10/10/2009	Palo Alto High School
CA	Riverside	10/17/2009	California Baptist University
CA	Sacramento	9/26/2009	CA State Capitol
CA	San Diego	TBD	QualComm Stadium
CA	San Francisco	10/22/2009	Union Square Park
CA	San Jose	10/24/2009	Arena Green Park
CA	Santa Clarita	10/17/2009	Bridgeport Park
CA	Santa Rosa	9/26/2009	Court House Square
CA	Stockton	10/24/2009	Banner Island Ballpark
CA	Walnut Creek	10/3/2009	Civic Park
CA	Woodland Hills	10/3/2009	Warner Park
CO	Boulder	9/12/2009	The University of Colorado at Boulder
CO	Colorado Springs	9/17/2009	Pioneers Museum
CO	Denver	10/1/2009	Washington Park
CO	Longmont	9/25/2009	Roosevelt Park
CT	New Haven	10/3/2009	Lighthouse Point Park
CT	Norwalk	10/8/2009	Calf Pasture Beach
CT	South Windsor	10/1/2009	The Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk
CT	Waterford	9/30/2009	Harkness Memorial Park
DE	Rehoboth Beach	10/17/2009	Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk
DE	Wilmington	9/26/2009	A.I. duPont Hospital for Children
DC	Washington	10/17/2009	Freedom Plaza
FL	Boca Raton	10/24/2009	Sunset Cove Amphitheater
FL	Cocoa	10/2/2009	Riverfront Park
FL	Coral Gables	10/24/2009	Merrick Park
FL	Daytona Beach	10/10/2009	Historic Oceanfront Bandshell
FL	Estero	11/14/2009	Estero Community Park
FL	Fort Lauderdale	11/7/2009	Downtown Fort Lauderdale
FL	Gainesville	10/15/2009	Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
FL	Jacksonville	11/5/2009	The Jacksonville Landing
FL	Lakeland	10/23/2009	Munn Park
FL	Miramar	10/10/2009	Memorial Miramar Hospital
FL	Ocala	10/22/2009	Tuscawilla Park
FL	Orlando	9/26/2009	Lake Eola
FL	Sarasota	10/24/2009	Payne Park
FL	St. Petersburg	10/10/2009	Spa Beach Park
FL	Stuart	10/2/2009	Flagler Park
FL	Tallahassee	11/19/2009	FSU Campus – Langford Green
FL	Tampa	11/7/2009	George M. Steinbrenner Field
FL	West Palm Beach	10/9/2009	Meyer Amphitheater
GA	Albany	9/25/2009	Parks at Chehaw
GA	Athens	10/9/2009	The Classic Center, Foundry Street Annex
GA	Atlanta	10/10/2009	Centennial Olympic Park
GA	Augusta	10/3/2009	Commons
GA	Savannah	10/2/2009	Forsyth Park
HI	Kapolei	10/3/2009	Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park
ID	Boise	10/1/2009	Ann Morrison Park
IL	Bloomington	10/3/2009	Tipton Park
IL	Chicago	9/26/2009	Grant Park
IL	Glenview	10/11/2009	Gallery Park
IL	Lisle	9/12/2009	Lisle Community Park
IL	Peoria	10/4/2009	Peoria Riverfront
IL	Rockford	9/24/2009	Davis Park
IN	Crown Point	9/20/2009	Lake County Fair Grounds
IN	Fort Wayne	9/27/2009	Lutheran Hospital Campus
IN	Indianapolis	10/17/2009	Victory Field
IN	Kendallville	9/22/2009	East Noble High School
IN	Lafayette	9/24/2009	Riehle Plaza
IN	Notre Dame	10/1/2009	Saint Mary’s College
IN	Winona Lake	9/24/2009	Rodeheaver Auditorium
IA	Davenport	9/26/2009	Modern Woodmen Park
IA	Iowa City	10/17/2009	Kinnick Stadium
IA	West Des Moines	9/26/2009	West Glen Town Center
KS	Lawrence	10/3/2009	Watson Park
KS	Overland Park	9/25/2009	Corporate Woods
KS	Topeka	10/10/2009	Washburn University
KS	Wichita	9/19/2009	Exploration Place
KY	Lexington	9/12/2009	Courthouse Plaza
KY	Louisville	10/3/2009	Waterfront Park
LA	Baton Rouge	10/18/2009	Galvez Plaza
LA	Metairie	10/3/2009	Zephyr Stadium
ME	York	10/3/2009	York Beach Ball Field
MD	Aberdeen	10/17/2009	Ripken Stadium
MD	Annapolis	10/4/2009	Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
MD	Baltimore	10/24/2009	Camden Yards
MD	Leonardtown	9/26/2009	Government Center
MD	Middletown	10/10/2009	Middeltown Park
MD	Ocean City	10/24/2009	Ocean City Inlet
MD	Rockville	10/10/2009	Rockville Town Center
MA	Boston	10/15/2009	The Boston Common
MA	Florence	9/13/2009	Look Memorial Park
MA	Wakefield	10/18/2009	Lake Quannapowitt
MA	Worcester	10/25/2009	Assumption College
MI	Ann Arbor	10/10/2009	Community High School
MI	Grand Rapids	10/10/2009	Downtown Grand Rapids YMCA Parking Lot
MI	Kalamazoo	10/17/2009	Downtown Kalamazoo at Bronson Park
MI	Royal Oak	10/2/2009	Memorial Park
MI	Wyandotte	10/16/2009	Bishop Park
MN	St. Paul	10/3/2009	Lake Phalen Regional Park
MS	Pearl	9/26/2009	Trustmark Park
MO	Springfield	10/3/2009	Bass Pro Shop
MO	St. Joseph	9/26/2009	Hyde Park
MO	St. Louis	9/11/2009	Forest Park
MO	St. Peters	9/11/2009	St. Peters City Centre Park
NE	Lincoln	9/24/2009	Holmes Lake
NE	Omaha	9/17/2009	Heartland of America Park
NV	Las Vegas	10/3/2009	Kellogg Zaher Park
NV	Sparks	9/12/2009	Sparks Marina
NH	Nashua	9/26/2009	Greeley Park
NJ	Bloomfield/Montclair	10/3/2009	Brookdale Park
NJ	Camden	10/10/2009	Campbell’s Field: Home of Riversharks
NJ	Hoboken	10/10/2009	Pier A
NJ	Morristown	10/10/2009	TBD
NJ	Red Bank	TBD	TBD
NJ	Somerset	10/17/2009	Colonial Park
NJ	Trenton	10/3/2009	Waterfront Park; Home of Trenton Thunder
NJ	Westfield	10/3/2009	Downtown Westfield
NJ	Wildwood Crest	9/12/2009	Wildwoods Convention Center
NM	Albuquerque	9/26/2009	Ronald Gardenswartz Jewish Community Center
NY	Albany	9/25/2009	The Crossing, Colonie
NY	Binghamton	9/26/2009	NYSEG Stadium
NY	Buffalo	9/25/2009	Delaware Park
NY	Central Islip	10/24/2009	Central Islip
NY	East Meadow	10/16/2009	Eisenhower Park
NY	Goshen	10/3/2009	Salesian Park, Goshen
NY	Gouverneur	9/12/2009	Gouverneur High School Rec Center
NY	New York	10/15/2009	Brooklyn Bridge
NY	Nyack	10/17/2009	Nyack Memorial Park
	Poughkeepsie	TBD	TBD
NY	Queens	10/17/2009	Queens
NY	Riverhead	10/8/2009	Atlantis Marine World
NY	Rochester	10/2/2009	Monroe Community College – Brighton Campus
NY	Rye	10/2/2009	Rye Playland
NY	Staten Island	10/3/2009	Midland Beach Promenade
NY	Syracuse	9/16/2009	Clinton Square
NY	Utica	9/19/2009	Memorial Parkway
NC	Charlotte	10/17/2009	Symphony Park at SouthPark Mall
NC	Durham	10/22/2009	American Tobacco Campus
NC	Greensboro	10/10/2009	Country Park
NC	Raleigh	10/17/2009	Halifax Mall
NC	Wilmington	9/24/2009	Coastline Conference & Event Center
OH	Cincinnati	9/24/2009	Sawyer Point
OH	Cleveland	10/3/2009	Progressive Field
OH	Columbus	10/3/2009	Fred Beekman Park
OH	Dayton	10/1/2009	Fraze Pavilion
OH	Mason	9/17/2009	Mason Sports Park
OH	Toledo	10/17/2009	Fifth Third Field
OH	Zanesville	9/24/2009	OUZ – Zane State College
OK	Jenks	10/3/2009	Oklahoma Aquarium
OK	Oklahoma City	9/26/2009	The Center for Healthy Living
OR	Portland	10/9/2009	World Trade Center Plaza
PA	Bethlehem	10/17/2009	Northampton Community College
PA	Blue Bell	9/26/2009	Montgomery County Community College
PA	Chesterbrook	10/3/2009	Wilson Farm Park
PA	Danville	10/8/2009	Geisinger Medical Center
PA	Erie	9/22/2009	Jerry Uht Park
PA	Harrisburg	9/17/2009	City Island
PA	Johnstown	10/3/2009	UPJ Campus
PA	Lancaster	9/9/2009	Greenfield Corporate Center
PA	Manchester	9/23/2009	Morgan E. Cousler Park
PA	Newtown	10/3/2009	Bucks County Community College
PA	Philadelphia	10/24/2009	FDR Park
PA	Pittsburgh	10/1/2009	Heinz Field, North Shore
PA	Scranton	9/26/2009	Nay Aug Park
PA	Uniontown	9/26/2009	Uniontown Area HS
PA	Wyomissing	9/26/2009	Gring”’’s Mill Recreation Area
RI	Lincoln	10/17/2009	Chet Nichols Field
RI	Newport	10/3/2009	Salve Regina University
RI	Providence	9/26/2009	Blackstone Park
SC	Charleston	11/5/2009	Freedom Park
SC	Columbia	10/29/2009	Columbia International University
SC	Greenville	10/8/2009	Furman University
SC	Myrtle Beach	10/22/2009	Grand Park
SC	Rock Hill	11/12/2009	Cherry Park
TN	Chattanooga	10/22/2009	Coolidge Park
TN	Knoxville	10/15/2009	World’’s Fair Park
TN	Memphis	9/24/2009	Shelby Farms
TN	Nashville	10/1/2009	LP Field
TX	Abilene	10/10/2009	Abilene Christian University
TX	Austin	10/24/2009	Dell Children’’s Medical Center of Central Texas
TX	Dallas	10/18/2009	Burleson Park
TX	Fort Worth	10/11/2009	Sundance Square
TX	Houston	10/10/2009	Discovery Green Park
TX	Plano	10/24/2009	The Campus at Legacy
TX	San Antino	TBD	TBD
TX	The Woodlands	10/25/2009	Market Street
TX	Tyler	10/17/2009	Bergfeld Park
VT	Burlington	9/25/2009	Main Street Landing Train Station
VA	Charlottesville	10/28/2009	Charlottesville Pavillion
VA	Fredericksburg	10/24/2009	Cannon Ridge Golf Course
VA	Newport News	10/17/2009	City Center at Oyster Point
VA	Reston	10/3/2009	Reston Town Center
VA	Richmond	10/29/2009	Innsbrook
VA	Roanoke	10/22/2009	Elmwood Park
VA	Virginia Beach	11/7/2009	31st Street Park
WA	Seattle	9/26/2009	Green Lake
WA	Tacoma	9/12/2009	Ruston Way
WV	Morgantown	10/10/2009	WVU Coliseum
WI	Chippewa Falls	9/24/2009	Irvine Park Zoo
WI	Green Bay	9/25/2009	Lambeau Field
WI	Madison	10/1/2009	Olin Park
WI	Milwaukee	9/17/2009	O””Donnell Park

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]]> http://www.friendsofheroes.org/2009/04/light-the-night-2009-walksites/feed/ 0 http://www.friendsofheroes.org/2009/04/light-the-night-2009-walksites/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FriendsofHeroesBlog/~3/5CYyJ6ZgZJE/ http://www.friendsofheroes.org/2009/04/tina-fey-announced-as-2009-light-the-night-walk-national-spokesperson/#comments Fri, 01 May 2009 00:56:47 +0000 Jenn http://www.friendsofheroes.org/?p=753 The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is excited to announce that actress Tina Fey is lending her face and fame to help in the fight against blood cancers as the 2009 National Spokesperson for the LLS Light The Night Walk.

Tina Fey is an American writer, comedian, actress, and producer. She has won five Emmys, three Golden Globes, and three SAG Awards. Fey is best known for her work on Mean Girls, Saturday Night Live, her impersonation of Alaskan Governor and 2008 Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, and her work on 30 Rock, a situation comedy loosely based on her experiences at Saturday Night Live. Fey was also selected by Barbara Walters as one of America’s “10 most fascinating people of 2008.”

As National Spokesperson for the 2009 Light The Night Walk, Fey urges communities to “Walk the Talk” and join the fight against blood cancer through Light The Night Walks happening this fall across the country. “When you or someone you love has cancer, it can turn your world upside down and leave you in a dark and lonely place,” says Fey. “But there’s something you can do to bring light and hope to thousands of people battling blood cancers and their families. You can participate in Light The Night Walk and raise funds for lifesaving cancer research.”

Walks take place in communities across the U.S. and Canada, as walkers and teams of families, friends and co-workers come together for an evening overflowing with emotion and caring. The Light The Night Walk is open to the public. Teams and individuals are encouraged to pre-register and raise funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society throughout the summer months preceding the Walk. The funds will support vital life-saving research and patient services to support the nearly 900,000 Americans living with blood cancers.

More than a Walk, Light The Night includes music, entertainment, food and children’s activities for everyone to enjoy. Walkers carry illuminated balloons to spread awareness about the need to fund research to find a cure for blood cancer. Supporters carry red balloons, survivors carry white, and those who have lost a loved one to cancer carry a gold balloon in their memory. The event is supported by many local businesses who form Walk teams or offer corporate sponsorship. Corporate sponsorship and in-kind food donation packages that include a variety of marketing benefits are available. You can join Friends of Heroes and start making a difference today! For more information about the Light The Night Walk and how to participate, visit www.LightTheNight.org.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Eastern N.C. Chapter serves patients battling leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. The organization raises money to fund research leading to a cure for blood cancers and to enhance the quality of life for local patients through services such as family support groups, educational programs and financial assistance. Since its founding in 1949, LLS has invested more than $600 million in research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. For more information about The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, visit www.lls.org.

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]]> http://www.friendsofheroes.org/2009/04/tina-fey-announced-as-2009-light-the-night-walk-national-spokesperson/feed/ 1 http://www.friendsofheroes.org/2009/04/tina-fey-announced-as-2009-light-the-night-walk-national-spokesperson/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FriendsofHeroesBlog/~3/xKE2lGIZHiM/ http://www.friendsofheroes.org/2009/04/tap-advancing-clinical-trials/#comments Tue, 21 Apr 2009 03:17:59 +0000 Jenn http://www.friendsofheroes.org/?p=821 The LLS Therapy Acceleration Program’s Academic Concierge Division continues to successfully leverage LLS research investments by helping select LLS-funded academic investigators move new therapies toward market approval. On April 22, 2009, LLS will present one of its Academic Concierge projects, headed by Principal Investigator Aaron D. Schimmer, F.R.C.P.C., M.D., Ph.D., Ontario Cancer Institute (shown here), at a meeting with Health Canada (the Canadian equivalent of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) and discuss next steps toward opening a Phase I clinical trial.  Barring any concerns from Health Canada, the program is on track to open LLS’s first AC Division clinical trial in the fall of 2009.

In conjunction with the LLS National Board of Directors meeting held March 13th in Newark, N.J., the Therapy Acceleration Program Governance Committee reviewed the progress of the Cleveland Clinic partnership in the Clinical Trials Program Division and approved a third LLS-supported trial to open at the Clinical Trial Center for Hematologic Malignancies.  This Phase I/II trial will combine two approved therapies, Lenalidomide and Rituximab, for maintenance therapy following high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Also exciting is news that the Cleveland Clinic will utilize three of its community treatment centers when it becomes a trial site for LLS’s partner, Aegera Therapeutics, and the ongoing Phase I/II trial of a new drug (AEG35156). The Cleveland Clinic’s main campus and three regional hospital centers will begin recruiting patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), small lymphocytic lymphoma or follicular lymphoma for treatment with Aegera’s AEG35156, that inhibits a molecule called X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis (XIAP). This is a significant step toward LLS’s goal of enhancing access to clinical trials by “taking the trial to the patient.”

In order to leverage its successful clinical trial partnership with the Cleveland Clinic and to further address issues that currently limit clinical trial participation, LLS hosted a 1 1/2 day workshop this past February in San Francisco. Ron Levy, M.D., professor and chief, Division of Oncology at Stanford University, led discussions in which clinical trials experts reviewed ongoing models for early phase blood cancer treatment trials, including roles for-profit companies and government agencies can play, and considered how LLS can best use its resources to help increase participation in practice-changing trials. Workshop discussions provided many insights that will enable future partnerships for the LLS Clinical Trials Program.

Source: LLS.org (eNewsline)

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