Archived local news
BreastCancerFYI.org archives the last few years of local events and news, such as those items originally listed on the News and Events pages.
2012
Study looks at effects of exercise
IU graduate student Victoria Lee needs subjects for a study of how exercise affects stress in breast cancer survivors. (Lee is one of Dr. Jeanne Johnston's students, and many WISE program participants know Jeanne.)
Lee is looking for breast cancer survivors over 35 who were diagnosed with stage I-III cancer, completed chemotherapy and completed primary treatment within the past 36 months.
Parcipants will compete five short questionnaires, provide eight saliva samples and wear a physical activity monitoring device for one week. This may sound complicated, but total time invested is about three hours spread over several days. And the benefits are that this kind of research may help future breast cancer patients.
If you qualify, contact Lee at vslee@indiana.edu or 812-856-0583.
Storniolo on Today Show
IU Simon Cancer Center's Dr. Anna Maria Storniolo was featured on the Today Show Feb. 3 to talk about the Jan. 28-29 Super Cure Komen Breast Tissue Bank event.
She is founder and co-lead researcher of the bank, the only one in the world that collects healthy tissue to use in research to find the cause of breast cancer. The two-day Super Cure drew nearly 700 women to donate "normal" tissue for the bank, which is used by researchers all over the world.
Storniolo also answered Today Show's Al Roker's questions about the Komen for the Cure-Planned Parenthood funding flap. She explained that the tissue bank is a funding recipient just as Planned Parenthood is.
Check out the video clip here and learn more about the Komen Tissue Bank at the website.
Koneru practice now part of IMA
Oncologist Karunna Koneru and her oncology practice, the Cancer Care Center, have joined IMA/Premier Healthcare, according to the Herald-Times.
The articled said Koneru and her staff will remain in their office on Second Street and the Bedford location will remain open. In the future, IMA/Premier said it hopes to bring all the oncology services together.
Koneru joins oncologists Jacquelyn Joyce, David Joyce and Mark Dayton at IMA.
Health on the Net certifies BreastCancerFYI.org
For the sixth year, the Health on the Net Foundation has certified this website as one that complies with HON's code that promotes useful and reliable online health information. Learn more about HON or see BCFYI's certificate.
'Big Ten Thinks Pink' March 3
Help the Indianapolis-based Pink Ribbon Connection raise money and awareness a the Big Ten women's basketball tournament March 3 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Tickets are $10, with $5 going to Pink Ribbon Connection, which provides programming and networking to breast cancer patients, survivors and caregivers. To learn more or purchase tickets, call the Bankers Life Fieldhouse at 800-745-3000 or visit the Pink Ribbon Connection's website.
Super Bowl includes breast cancer events
Here's a way to support breast cancer awareness and participate in the Super Bowl festivities in Indianapolis. The Super Bowl Village will be the site of a Pink Pep Rally starting at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 28. Organizers are hoping breast cancer survivors and advocates from all over the state will participate in the rally, followed by a concert at 12:15 p.m. The Super Bowl Village is on the east side of the Lucas Oil stadium on Capitol Avenue.
Jan. 28 and 29, Komen and IU Simon Cancer Center are staging another tissue bank collection at the cancer center. During the two-day event, the group hopes to collect 700 samples from healthy women to be used in research all over the world to find out how cancer begins in the breast tissue. Looks like Komen Tissue Bank will get those samples: All appointments for both days are filled. Check out more at the website.
2011
IU Health research comes to town
Here's a chance for your friends and supporters to be part of ongoing research. Nov. 5, IU Health brings the Komen Tissue Bank to Bloomington. This program collects breast tissue from healthy women to compare to breast cancer tissue in an effort to better understandt the disease.
The oncologists at the IU Simon Cancer Center, through a Komen grant, launched this project in 2007 and now researchers all over the world are using the bank of more than 1,500 samples in their work.
Here's how it works: A tissue sample is taken from one breast with local anesthesia and a needle. The amount of tissue is equivalent to about two peas. Participants also complete a questionnaire and sign a form on informed consent.
To be eligible, you must be 18 or older, have no allergies to anesthetics, not be taking therapeutic blood thinners, have no implants and have not had breast reduction.
Those interested may register at the website or by calling (317)274-2366 to make an appointment.
Read more about this research and some special Bloomington participants.
Step Ahead meets Nov. 9
The next meeting of Step Ahead, the group for women who have completed breast cancer treatment and are looking to stay healthy, is 6 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Scholars Inn Bakehouse East. The group meets the second Wednesday of each month February through November.
Step Ahead formed nearly eight years ago when a group of women who had been attending the Olcott Center's support group finished their treatment but hadn't finished talking with one another. They formed this health-focused group to talk about ways to regain their health and keep it.
Anyone who has completed treatment is welcome to attend. Look for the pink tablecloths at the restaurant. In addition to welcoming us as (a sometimes loud) group, the Bakehouse generously donates 10 percent of our food bills to the Olcott Center.
If you need assistance or information before the next meeting, e-mail BC:FYI.
Look Good, Feel Better at Olcott
The Olcott Center for Cancer Education is hosting Look Good, Feel Better sessions on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every other month. The next date is Nov. 9.
Look Good, Feel Better teaches beauty techniques to womem with cancer who are in active treatment. Not only is this a confidence-booster, but skin also needs special care during treatment.
A trained volunteer cosmetologist will show women how to cope with skin changes and hair loss using products donated by the cosmetics industry. Each attendee receives a free cosmetic kit.
To learn more or sign up for a session, contact the Olcott Center at (812) 353-5669.
Big Man on Campus benefits research
Each year, IU sorority Zeta Tau Alpha sponsors Big Man on Campus, an all-male musical talent show that benefits breast cancer organizations. This year, the fun starts at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, at the IU Auditorium. Tickets are $13.
In previous years, the sorority has raised nearly $200,000 at this annual event and gives the funds to IU Simon Cancer Center, the Vera Bradley Foundation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the American Cancer Society.
This also is the sorority that sent 40 women to Indianapolis last year to donate healthy tissue to the IU Simon Cancer Center and Komen's tissue bank, which makes samples available to researchers around the world.
Are you aware? Join the Oct. 15 walk
Bloomington Breast Cancer Awareness Walk is Oct. 15 and begins at Showers Plaza. This walk is free to all participants, the first 1,000 of whom receive free T-shirts. All money raised is through local sponsors, all listed on the backs of the shirts, and funds support local programs such as the Olcott Center and the Girlfriend Fund. Registration starts at 8 a.m., program at 9 a.m. (including survivor recognition), and walk shortly thereafter.
Herrington takes post at Olcott
Cindy Herrington recently joined the Olcott Center for Cancer Education as a cancer educator and nurse navigator. Herrington was clinical director of IU Health Cancer Services Unit at Bloomington Hospital, where she has worked in nursing since 1986.
Read more about this program at the Bloomington Hospital website.
Zeta Tau Alpha wins Martin award
The 2010 winner of the Melody Martin Breast Cancer Awareness Saves Lives award is the entire IU chapter of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority for its support of breast cancer through activities such as Big Man on Campus and donating to the IU Simon Cancer Center tissue bank.
The group received its award at the Oct. 16 Bloomington Breast Cancer Awareness walk, an annual event started by the late Melody Martin, in whose honor the award was created.
Each fall, Zeta Tau Alpha hosts the Big Man on Campus competition, a revue featuring men dressed as superheroes, performing a capella or other entertainment in their attempts to earn the BMOC title. The group raised nearly $180,000 this year. All money raised benefits Susan G. Komen For the Cure, ThinkPink! awareness programs and the IU Simon Cancer Center.
In January 2010, 40 members participated directly in breast cancer research by traveling to Indianapolis to donate tissue to IUSCC's tissue bank research project. By collecting healthy breast tissue, researchers around the world can compare and conduct experiments that already are resulting in more data about how cancer forms. (Read more about this project in News Archives.)
Komen race set for Oct. 1
Wabash Valley Komen Race for the Cure is Oct. 1. This event at St. Mary of the Woods in Terre Haute is the Bloomington area's official Komen race.
Making Strides Oct. 8
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is Oct. 8 Registration for the American Cancer Society's walk starts at 8 a.m. at Karst Park. The event kicks off at 9 a.m. Sign up, form a team or make a donation at the website.
Think Pink with IU Athletics
IU Athletics will sponsor two "Think Pink" games hosted by the women's soccer and field hockey teams. The events are geared to raising awareness and providing a venue for advocacy organizations to get their messages out to the public.
First up is the women's field hockey game at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, at Armstrong Stadium on the IU campus. The team takes on Michigan State.
At 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, the women's soccer team kicks off against Penn State at Armstrong Stadium.
If your group would like to be recognized on the game day program or if you have any additional information to distribute or display, contact Catherine Campbell.
Look Good, Feel Better at Olcott
The Olcott Center for Cancer Education is hosting Look Good, Feel Better sessions on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every other month. The next dates are Sept. 14 and Sept. 28.
Look Good, Feel Better teaches beauty techniques to womem with cancer who are in active treatment. Not only is this a confidence-booster, but skin also needs special care during treatment.
A trained volunteer cosmetologist will show women how to cope with skin changes and hair loss using products donated by the cosmetics industry. Each attendee receives a free cosmetic kit.
To learn more or sign up for a session, contact the Olcott Center at (812) 353-5669.
Get ready to outrun cancer
The annual Hoosiers Outrun Cancer event is Sept. 24. This fundraiser supports the Olcott Center for Cancer Education in Bloomington. New this year is Friends Asking Friends. Participants can fundraise for the Olcott Center by simply reaching out to friends and family utilizing easy-to-use online tools. Online registrants may customize their own fundraising pages, including using Facebook and Twitter.
Get the Fever -- at a discount
The Indiana Fever is hosting a Breast Health Awareness Night during the game against the New York Liberty Aug. 13, and the Fever has a special offering for survivors. In addition to lots of giveaways and promotions, women who are part of a breast health group may purchase tickets for $10 instead of $24.
"Breast health group" loosely is survivors or women who attend support groups, such as Step Ahead. To buy tickets at this special rate, call (317) 917-2805 for details.
These games are lots of fun and is the WNBA's way to promote breast health awareness. Learn more at the Fever website.
Play bridge, golf to support Girlfriend Fund
Two longtime events to support the Girlfriend Fund at the IU Health Olcott Center for Cancer Education are on the calendar this summer.
The Girlfriend Fund provides financial assistance to cancer patients in need, usually to help with services not covered by insurance.
- Spend an afternoon playing bridge with friends and do a good deed at the same time. Bridge for the Olcott Center Cure is June 8. Contact Judy Goen at 812-824-2059 for more details.
- Tee Up Against Cancer, formerly Scramble for a Cure, is July 10 at Eagle Point Golf Resort. Register by July 1 to play. For more info, email Donna Karcher or call her at 812-824-4310.
Help Whip Cancer with Pampered Chef
Bloomington-area Pampered Chef independent consultant Bonnie Waters is reminding readers that May is Help Whip Cancer Month, when $1 of each limited edition pink product purchased goes to the American Cancer Society.
To date, the company and its associates have donated more than $6.7 million to the ACS through Help Whip Cancer events in May and October each year.
Check out Waters' page to place an order. Click on "Shop Online" at the bottom left, then click "invited to a show" on the next screen and type in "Breast Cancer" to ensure that the donation is made.
For more information about Help Whip Cancer, visit the Pampered Chef Web site.
Support Step Ahead, support ACS
American Cancer Society's Relay for Life events are popping up all over central Indiana this spring. (See a list of area events here.)
The Relay for Life Monroe County event is June 10-11 at Karst Farm Park. At the website, you can form your own team or join one already established. The website lets you track your team's fundraising progress.
Don't forget the Relay for Life Survivor Lap, when all survivors of any form of cancer take to the track in a show of support and solidarity.
For more information, call 812-391-4468, email your area volunteer or visit the website.
Step Ahead, the support group for women who have been treated for breast cancer, has formed a team and we'd love to have your support. Log onto our Relay for Life Web page to contribute to our team.
Step Ahead members should meet at 6 p.m. Friday, June 10, at the park. Look for the green and white canopy. Bring a lawn chair, friends and family, and walk the survivor lap with your fellow Step Ahead-ers!
2010
Green Bean goes pink
The Green Bean coffee shop at Fourth and Madison will donate 10 percent of all sales through the end of the year to the Girlfriend Fund when patrons say "pink ribbon" when ordering.
The Girlfriend Fund, adminstered by the Olcott Center for Cancer Education, provides funds to cancer patients who incur unexpected expenses or need to purchase items (such as wigs) not covered by insurance. Breast cancer survivor Cathy Logue founded the group 10 years ago when she observed fellow patients' financial problems.
Green Bean owner Caroline Clay started her shop two years ago and had wanted to support the community in some way. She announced earlier in October her decision to contribute to the Girlfriend Fund through the end of the year.
Stop by, order a latte and lunch, give your server the code words ("pink ribbon") and support the Girlfriend Fund all at once. In addition to a full line of coffee beverages, the Green Bean serves salads and sandwiches, baked goods and wines, and provides free Wi-Fi. Check out its website for more details and directions.
Bracelets raise money for Komen team
Show your support on your wrist with elegant wire-mesh bracelets handcrafted by Bloomington's Cindy Jackson and her sister-in-law. They hope to raise $1,000 for their team that will race in the April Race for the Cure in Indianapolis.
Bracelets come in pink ($25) or silver mesh ($35) and include a bead with pink ribbon. For each bracelet sold, $10 goes to the Komen race fund.
To order or learn more, contact Jackson by e-mail.
T-shirts support FORCE
Local FORCE coordinator Lori Stapleton is taking orders for T-shirts with half the proceeds supporting FORCE, Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered. The group strives to create awareness and offer education about genetic links to ovarian and breast cancer.
Check out the T-shirts at Tiny Little T-shirt Company.com (Lori especially likes the one featuring little pink sneakers that says "Life: Go the Distance.")
Make a selection, and e-mail Lori with your order so that FORCE receives the contribution.
Are you aware?
Yep, it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month and if you are reading this website, you probably are all too aware of the disease.
It's the Breast Cancer FYI.org tradition to sound off a bit during this annual "pinking" of the consumer world and to ruminate a bit on what you can do that really puts your money where it counts. Click here to read the 2010 version.
Meet us at the Awareness Walk
Join survivors and their friends and family to make a stand for breast cancer at the Bloomington Breast Cancer Awareness Walk Oct. 16. This fundraiser traditionally benefits the Olcott Center for Cancer Education, often the Girlfriend Fund. Participants don't pay to walk. Instead, the sponsors listed on the backs of the T-shirts contribute all funds.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Fill out the registration form in advance by downloading it from the website or by clipping the ad in the Herald-Times. Or, you may fill out the form at the T-shirt pickup site.
During the program, the organizers will honor survivors and announce the Melody Martin Breast Cancer Awareness Saves Lives Awards.
Look Good, Feel Better at Olcott Center
The Olcott Center for Cancer Education is hosting Look Good, Feel Better sessions on the third Wednesday of every other month from 1-3 p.m. The last one of the year is Dec. 15.
Look Good, Feel Better is an American Cancer Society program that teaches beauty techniques to womem with cancer who are in active treatment. Not only is this a confidence-booster, but skin also needs special care during treatment.
A trained volunteer cosmetologist will show women how to cope with skin changes and hair loss using products donated by the cosmetics industry. Each attendee receives a free cosmetic kit.
To learn more or sign up for a session, contact the Olcott Center at (812) 353-5669.
FORCE now features local contact
A recent Step Ahead meeting featured guest speaker Lori Stapleton, the outreach coordinator for the Indianapolis chapter of Facing Our rise of Cancer Empowered, or FORCE.
FORCE aims to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by hereditary breast and ovarian cancer by making sure all have access to information and to support research.
Stapleton, a nurse by training, is a survivor who now as an advocate helps raise awareness about hereditary cancer. About 10 to 15 percent of cancers are hereditary, depending on the type of cancer. BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 have been identified as "breast cancer genes" but they also are associated with an increased risk for ovarian cancer. The main hereditary colon cancer syndrome, called Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC), can also be associated with an increased risk for ovarian cancer or uterine cancer.
FORCE's mission includes offering information and counseling for those who are positive for the genes and who may be seeking advice on advanced screening or other diagnoses.
Stapleton said she will try to arrange informational meetings in the Bloomington area. Already, she has attended and led some meetings and outreach events in Indianapolis. Contact her by e-mail at loris@facingourrisk.org.
Dr. Wise returns
Dr. Alan Wise has returned to the practice of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at 1455 W. Second St. in Bloomington.
Many area women sought his help with breast cancer reconstruction when he was practicing here several years ago. Anyone with questions may call (812) 336-6060 or visit the website.
Bloomington-based IU research looks at fulvestrant
Indiana University scientists' work on proteins that may affect how fulvestrant (Faslodex) works is reported in the March issue of the journal Cancer Biology and Therapy.
Women's responsiveness to the second-line breast cancer drug fulvestrant may depend on whether the cancer cells are expressing two key proteins, CK8 and CK18. Read the latest from the IU News Room.
Scramble for a Cure June 30
Scramble for a Cure is June 30 at Eagle Pointe Golf Resort with 18 holes in tournament format or nine holes just for fun (teams or individuals). A dinner and raffle follow that evening. Those who don't golf are welcome to attend the dinner only. Register by contacting (812)824-1865 or (812)824-8278.
The women of The Point near Lake Monroe host several events each summer to raise money for the Girlfriend Fund, which helps cancer patients afford items and services not covered by insurance.
Golf, Bridge and even Spa Day for a Cure in June
The women of The Point near Lake Monroe are hosting several events in June to raise money for the Girlfriend Fund, which helps cancer patients afford items and services not covered by insurance.
First, Judy Goen is hosting Bridge for a Cure June 9 at Eagle Pointe Golf Resort. The lunch and 24 hands of party bridge starts at 11:30. Call Judy at (812)824-2059 for details.
Judy and Ruth Fey will host Spa Day for a Cure June 15 at the Goen home from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Make an appointment to pamper yourself with a manicure, massage, pedicure or mini-facial as well as check out demonstrations and shopping from a variety of vendors such as Pampered Chef and Uppcase Living. Contact Judy for an appointment.
Scramble for a Cure is June 30 at Eagle Pointe Golf Resort with 18 holes in tournament format or nine holes just for fun (teams or individuals). A dinner and raffle follow that evening. Those who don't golf are welcome to attend the dinner only. Register by contacting (812)824-1865 or (812)824-8278.
June 7 car wash benefits Relay for Life
Take your car for a quality scrubbing and contribute to Relay for Life all at the same time June 7.
Once again, Bloomington Car Wash owner Ralph May will donate a percentage of the day's take to the WISE Relay for Life team. The car wash, at 542 S. Walnut St., generated $345.02 for the team last year.
WISE (Working out to Increase Strength and Endurance) is a program for cancer patients and survivors who want to stay fit and healthy. It is sponsored by Bloomington Hospital, Monroe County YMCA and other area medical organizations.
Thanks to Kathy and Susan, Relay for Life leaders who are arranging several fundraisers for the team, including this one.
Pink Ribbon hosts HER2+ program
Pink Ribbon Connection and the Cancer Care Community will present "Understanding HER2+ Breast Cancer" at 6 p.m. May 27 at the Cancer Care Community, 5150 West 71st Street, Indianapolis. The program will provide an overview of HER2+ Breast Cancer, as well as information on the diagnosis, treatment and management of this disease. Dinner will be served. Please RSVP by May 25 by calling (317)663-8750.
Help Whip Cancer with Pampered Chef
Bloomington-area Pampered Chef independent consultant Bonnie Waters is reminding readers that May is Help Whip Cancer Month, when $1 of each limited edition pink product purchased goes to the American Cancer Society.
To date, the company and its associates have donated more than $6.7 million to the ACS through Help Whip Cancer events in May and October each year.
Check out Waters' page to place an order. Click on "Shop Online" at the bottom left, then click "invited to a show" on the next screen and type in "Breast Cancer" to ensure that the donation is made.
For more information about Help Whip Cancer, visit the Pampered Chef Web site.
Amelia Project gives update on tissue bank
Breast Cancer: FYI attended the 12th annual Amelia Project meeting at IUPUI in February, the first time the project has offered programming for both researchers and advocacy groups.
Funded by the Indianapolis affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the one-day event serves as an update for IU Simon Cancer Center researchers on a variety of topics and allows them to present their current work in seminars and poster sessions. For advocates, sessions included talks on chemobrain, bioethics and quality of life and therapeutic individualization.
The top news, though, was about the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Tissue Bank findings. Doctors Anna Maria Storniolo and Susan Clare and patient advocate Connie Ruffenbarger head the program, which for six years has collected breast tissue from healthy volunteers. They said when conducting research, scientists had access to cancerous tissue but not healthy, which would enable them to make comparisons at the genetic and cell levels.
The researchers, together with Komen, have staged collection events, often at Komen races, to encourage healthy women to undergo a painless and brief process of extracting healthy tissue. The tissue bank now has cell lines available for researchers all over the world to study. Komen contributed over a million dollars to the bank, and Oracle contributed funds to enable the exchange of information for researchers over the Web.
The IU chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha (pictured), which for many years has taken on breast cancer as its philanthropic mission, arranged for 40 members to take a bus to the cancer center Jan. 23 to make their donations.
The next collection date is June 12 at the IU Simon Cancer Center, 1030 W. Michigan, Indianapolis. To donate, contact Pat Mitchum at pamitchu@iupui.edu or (317)274-2366.
2009
Awareness walk awards two local activists
The Bloomington Breast Cancer Awareness Walk awarded two local residents for their work for community programming.
Dr. Fadi Haddad was awarded the Melody Martin Breast Cancer Awareness Saves Lives honors for his work as a surgeon and his efforts to raise funds for local services, such as digital mammography. He also fields a large team during each year's Hoosiers Outrun Cancer event, which supports Bloomington Hospital's Olcott Center.
Cathy Logue won the same award for her work in launching the Girlfriend Fund, which makes available funds for cancer patients' needs not covered by insurance. Logue, a breast cancer survivor, realized that some women could not afford wigs, were unable to keep up with bills when they were off work for treatment or had other financial problems as a result of illness.
The fund now is administered by the Olcott Center, through a board of directors. The Bloomington walk often has donated the funds it raises to the Girlfriend Fund.
Logue is the fourth winner of the award, which has gone to community volunteers. Haddad is the first winner from the medical professional community.
The walk raises money through sponsorship of community business and organizations, all of which are listed on the back of the free T-shirts distributed to participants. BreastCancerFYI.org has been a sponsor the last four years.
New Mission of Hope group meets monthly
Sherwood Oaks Christian Church is sponsoring a cancer support, Mission of Hope, for anyone touched by cancer. The group meets at 6 p.m. the last Tuesday of each month at the Fireside Room at Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, 2700 E. Rogers Road. For more info, contact ebedwell@socc.org or log onto the group's Web site.
Olcott adds all cancers group
The Olcott Center for Cancer Education is adding a monthly support group for people with all types of cancer and their caregivers. The new group will meet the third Tuesday of every month at the center, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Social worker Marcia Doran will facilitate.
Olcott continues to offer a weekly all-cancers group on Monday afternoons, 3-5 p.m., at the center, and the breast cancer support group every Wednesday 7-8:30 p.m.
For more information, call the Olcott Center at 353-5569.
Faith-based groups forming
Cope by Faith Cancer Support Groups, sponsored by Natalie Hamrick at Indiana University School of Medicine, are forming now. The series is designed to help cancer survivors use their spirituality to help them through cancer's major issues. Protestant, Catholic and Non-Religious Spiritual groups available. Contact (317) 274-0263 to register.
The Cope by Faith Protestant Cancer Survivor Support Group already is organized and meets Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., at St. Francis-Mooresville. Free group is led by Lynne Hamrick, cancer survivor, and is sponsored by the IU School of Medicine. Contact Enola McBride at (317)274-0263 to register.
Car wash supports WISE Relay team
The WISE Relay for Life team's car wash May 4 netted $345.02 to the fundraising efforts. Bloomington Car Wash owner Ralph May donated this money as a percentage of his day's income. He said there were about 40 more cars than usual, a good turnout for a cloudy Monday.
Organizers Susan Strom and Kathy Frick send along their appreciation to all who had their cars washed that day and helped the WISE team's efforts for the American Cancer Society.
WISE (Working out to Increase Strength and Endurance) is a program for cancer patients and survivors who want to stay fit and healthy. It is sponsored by Bloomington Hospital, Monroe County YMCA and other area medical organizations.
Help Whip Cancer with Pampered Chef
Bloomington-area Pampered Chef independent consultant Bonnie Waters is reminding readers that May is Help Whip Cancer Month, when $1 of each limited edition pink product purchased goes to the American Cancer Society.
To date, the company and its associates have donated more than $6.7 million to the ACS through Help Whip Cancer events in May and October each year.
Check out Waters' page or for more information about Help Whip Cancer, visit the Pampered Chef Web site.
Hospital partners with CaringBridge
It's hard to keep friends and family updated on your illness, treatment or hospitalization, and family members often must repeat the same information to phone callers and well-wishers. Now, Bloomington Hospital is partnering with CaringBridge.org to help patients create Web sites that chronicle their treatment and experience so that all of those concerned can keep up the patient's status.
Patients don't have to be tech-savvy, and the WiFi-capable hospital already lends laptops to patients and has a staff who can help patients get started. The easy-to-use CaringBridge service allows patients to journal, blog or otherwise make announcements or updates to friends and family they want to keep apprised. CaringBridge users can choose from three levels of privacy, and their sites can not be found through Internet search engines.
BH communications consultant Michelle Crowe said the new service already is in place. The service is free, and you don't have to be a patient in the hospital to use it. Visit the CaringBridge.org Web site for details.
New therapist offers lymphedema treatment
Cyrilla Bishop, clinical director and physical therapist at Physiotherapy Associates in Bloomington, is trained to treat breast cancer patients for post surgery treatment of edema, decreased shoulder range of motion, lymphedema prevention and lymphedema.
Bishop has a masters degree in physical therapy from the University of Indianapolis and trained with Julia Osborne, a pioneer in the field, at Oncology Rehabilitation in Denver, Colo.
Physiotherapy Associates is at 1355 W. Bloomfield Rd. Contact Bishop at (812)336-7910.
2008
Booklet lists central Indiana services
Young Survival Coalition's Resource Guide now has an Indianapolis edition, which lists doctors, support groups, wig and prosthetics shops and other services. You may download a PDF version of it here, or check out the Young Survival Web site.
Digital mammography available
SIRA is offering digital mammography and, soon, this technology will replace traditional mammography. The recent Hoosiers Outrun Cancer proceeds will go towards the Women's Health Initiative, which is funding digital mammography. Bloomington Hospital and SIRA will operate the program, with digital mammograms available at SIRA. Read more about the program at Bloomington Hospital and SIRA.
Monroe Hospital interim CEO Fred Price said in an Aug. 28 interview with the Herald-Times that digital mammography "will be our first step in our women's health care initiative strategy."
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SIRA offers breast MRI
Southern Indiana Radiological Associates (SIRA) now offers breast MRI. For more information, talk to your oncologist, surgeon or gynecologist or call SIRA at (812)333-7675 or (800)957-4621.
Breast MRI is considered a good tool for examining especially dense breasts and works in conjunction with traditional mammography. For about two years, SIRA has been using a digital computer program to help radiologists further evaluate traditional mammography, so breast MRI adds to the arsenal of diagnostic tools.
To read more about breast MRI, check out this link from Imaginis.
Local walks big successes
The Bloomington Breast Cancer Walk Sept. 30 was a big success, thanks to sunny skies that held out despite weather predictions, a big crowd and a special award in honor of walk founder Melody Martin, who died last year.
Oct. 7, Hoosiers Outrun Cancer, too, drew record crowds who enjoyed a perfectly blue Hoosier sky. This year, a survivor celebration included testimonials from two Bloomington High School South seniors and two breast cancer survivors, Michelle Combs and Tessa Bent (pictured, right). Then, red-shirted survivors received red balloon bouquets which they released to the skies all at once, sending their hopes and wishes for all cancer patients up, up and away.
After they catch their collective breath, organizers of both these events will turn their sights on next year, and will be looking for volunteers to ensure yet another year of bringing awareness and dollars to the community.
BMOC pageant raises funds
Have fun with these crazy college kids by attending Big Man On Campus, a pageant a la American Idol that pits IU men against one another in a talent contest. The audience votes for the winner at this Oct. 13 benefit for breast cancer research.
Organized by IU's Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, the event starts at 7 p.m. at the IU Auditorium. Tickets are $12 each, available by contacting Katie Peterson at (502)641-9900 or by e-mail at petersok@indiana.edu.
2005
BC:FYI goes to Washington
A note from Gena Asher:
I attended the Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure in Washington, D.C., June 4 as a representative of the Wabash Valley Affiliate in Terre Haute. This year, the Wabash Valley group gave over one-third of its grant funds to three Bloomington-area organizations: The Olcott Center for Cancer Education, The Take My Hands Massage Therapy program and the Community Health Services program, which provides screening to women who have no other access to mammography. You can see that Komen dollars benefit area programs.
I also attended a couple of sessions of the Komen conference, June 5-7, and heard researchers, survivors and advocates address topics from new treatment strategies to complementary therapies. My report is at Breast Cancer: FYI Goes to Washington.
