The April 15, 2008 issue of Woman's Day has a wonderful article about "Your Anti-Cancer Action Plan".  It captures the essence of the FIGHT BACK message and has some great information.

The article talks about how lung and breast cancer rates are stabilizing, but that there seems to be a rise in skin, thyroid and kidney cancers, possibly due to obesity.  The article goes on to explain by making some lifestyle changes we can have a major impact on our chances of developing cancer.

One of the parts of the article that I particularly liked was the "Eat to Beat Cancer" segment.  It highlights foods that we can eat as part of our regular diet to help protect against a variety of cancers.

The article also highlights some individuals who have battled cancer and actions that they have taken.  It ends with the screening tests that save lives.  There is even a blurb about ACS CAN and how cancer affects the uninsured and underinsured.

In whole it was one of the best articles that I have seen lately about cancer.  I loved how it used the FIGHT BACK messaging. 

Well after a little more than a month of living the FIGHT BACK life I am happy to report that I have taken some positive steps in my life.  I returned from Dallas and immediately scheduled my mammogram.  I am happy to report that my breasts are healthy! 

I have also continued to work on eating better, making healthy choices.  This is certainly an area that is tough for me but I continue to keep trying.  I have made some real PROGRESS in getting active.  In fact last evening my daughter and I took a little walk and it soon became a 7+ mile "evening stroll".  I can tell you that the first 5 miles were beautiful in Northern Michigan, but the last 2+ miles were sure ugly.  Hip replacement here I come!

I continue to support my oldest brother in his fight to stop smoking.  This has been a 40+ year addiction for him, so it is not happening that he should be smoke-free overnight, but he is making some great PROGRESS. I am proud of him and wish him the best.

OH my!  How exciting was the national leadership summit.  I can't believe all the excitement and empowerment that this event held for me and hundreds of other people with the same mission!  The beauty and power of the Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back ceremonies was so wonderful.  I still can't express properly how I feel. 

I have to make sure that I don't go overboard with all my thoughts and wants for my local Relay For Life.  I can't believe how empowering the event was for me.  I had planned on getting my mammogram this fall, the day after returning home from Dallas I scheduled it and already had it!  I have been trying to eat healthier this summer, and now I have a real passion for it and I am getting active.  But the most exciting part of my "empowerment" is being a life saver!  Not just for me, but those that I love.

My oldest brother has smoked for about 40 years, I talked with him (again) about quitting smoking, he has been making healthier choices this past year.  For the first time in all the times that I have talked with him, he said that he would love to quit smoking, but didn't think that he could.  I had done some research and suggested some medication to him.  HE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH HIS DOCTOR!  Monday he is taking the first steps in 40 years to quit smoking!  I am so proud of him!

2007-06-14

Our State Lobby Day was wonderful.  The weather was fantastic, sunny with beautiful fluffy clouds.  It was the largest Lobby Day yet for Michigan.  We were to talk with our lawmakers about the HB 4163 and SB 109 which would make Michigan Smokefree including bars and restaurants.  We also were talking about restoring and increasing funding for the Healthy Michigan Fund, which helps with some early detection and treatment programs.

I am happy to report that the majority of the Michigan Senators and Representives supported both these "asks".  Let's just hope that they carry through with their votes.  We can only follow through and watch how they vote on these important subjects.

It was fun to catch up with Relay For Lifers and passionate volunteers for the American Cancer Society who I met while in Washington, D.C.  It is wonderful to network with others who are passionate about RFL and ACS.  It is great to get wonderful ideas on games and Mission Delivery ideas.  The "Wall of Memories" is a fantastic way to pay tribute to those who have lost their battle to cancer and I am hoping to incorporate this in our Relay next year.  I think that we can expand and have a "Wall of HOPE" which could celebrate those who have survived and/or are currently undergoing treatment.

Just when I thought that I would become less involved in my local Relay For Life I attended the Northern Michigan Relay Rally this past weekend and I am READY TO RELAY!  I am excited about Relay for Life as I was a few years ago.  I met some exciting individuals and got to see a few of the people that I met at Celebration on the Hill.  The training staff was wonderful and of course the CR's and Bob Burian from the Northern Michigan ACS office were fantastic.  I have a renewed energy for Relay and I really and ready to RELAY!

 Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to put this event on and I want everyone to know that I really appreciated it.