Monday, January 30, 2012

Guest Post: David Haas

Recently I made the e-acquaintance of David Haas, a cancer patient advocate for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. He researches and writes for the betterment of cancer patients around the United States with a particular focus on Mesothelioma, a lung-related cancer of the mesothelial tissue associated with exposure to asbestos. As an example of the disease that many of you probably already have familiarity with, large numbers of the 9/11 first responders are suffering now from mesothelioma.

David reached out to me to ask whether I ever have guest bloggers. I was flabbergasted, having never considered such a thing. I was just grateful to have readers to tell you the truth. But with a readership now extending well into the 400s via various subscription options, it seemed like a wonderful time to form some alliances within the cancer community so that we can join forces in the fight against all cancers.

So I am delighted to introduce David Haas and my first guest poster ever. His topic is not only on point for cancer patients, but surely right in line with some of the goals of the DFMC running team. 

Thank you David for reaching out and for so kindly allowing me to post this article here.

You will find David at http://about.me/haasblaag.

Exercise - A Proven Weapon Against Cancer (David Haas)

Cancer patients are true warriors; however, fighting this disease can feel like a long and treacherous uphill battle. Fortunately, with exercise in the weapons arsenal, the battle becomes a little easier.

Whether a victim is facing a recent cancer diagnosis, aggressive treatments, or a time of remission, exercise can help. Physical activity keeps the body strong, healthy, and primed for the fight.

When a patient first learns they have cancer, most feel helpless. As they deal with painful symptoms and debilitating side effects, many lose their sense of control.  However, engaging in physical activity provides a healthy change and encourages a positive outlook.

Increased Energy Levels

Numerous studies have shown that exercise boosts energy levels and increases stamina. This is extremely beneficial for patients undergoing aggressive cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Cancer treatment is notoriously rigorous, causing extreme fatigue and often making cancer patients sicker than the disease itself.

Exercise helps to combat the treatment battle by building muscle, strengthening joints and bones, improving heart and lung functions, and boosting the immune system. Not only are active patients more energetic, but they also enjoy elevated moods. This greatly improves their outlook, helping them cope better through treatments and recovery.

Improved Survival Rates

Some studies indicate that physical activity may improve survival rates for people with certain types of cancer. For example, a study published in the "Journal of Clinical Oncology” found that prostate cancer patients who engaged in physical exercise enjoyed reduced mortality rates from any cause. And for cancer survivors who have beaten their illness, exercise can prevent the disease from returning.

Enhanced Lifestyles

Any cancer patient who adds exercise to their daily routine will most likely find that it improves their general well-being and quality of life. Not only does exercise have an impact on cancer, but it also reduces the risk of other chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and mental depression. Because it releases serotonin and endorphins, “feel good” chemicals in the brain, exercise produces a feeling of emotional well-being, too.

Most cancer patients can include some form of physical activity into their daily routines. While those going through mesothelioma treatment cannot work out vigorously due to decreased lung functions, they may be able to engage in short walks, gentle stretches, or physical therapy. Breast cancer survivors cannot lift weights or do arm exercises immediately following surgery, but they can do gentle stretching, yoga, and Pilates.

Small steps are a good start for cancer patients, especially if they were sedentary before diagnosis. And even small fitness efforts go a long way toward surviving treatment and winning the battle with cancer.

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Monday, January 9, 2012

Sitting on the fence is harmful to your nether regions.

"I didn't have time to write a short letter, so I've written a long one instead." - attributed at various points to Blaise Pascal, Mark Twain, Voltaire, Samuel Clemens, and probably others too.

Dear Family and Friends:

I've not updated my blog or reached out regarding the DFMC in some time, despite having been accepted for the 4th consecutive year to the Dana-Farber Marathon team. 2011 was a horrific year on so many levels, and these last several months have left me feeling rudderless. I felt myself wanting to withdraw from everything, including running 26.2 miles on a cold April morning from the memories of my hometown toward the memories of my first home city, Boston. If it were not for my dear friend, mentor, and now trainer, Ted Frumkin, I think I would have given up before I started.

Then I started thinking - REALLY THINKING - about why I run. About my sister's diagnosis this summer with colo-rectal cancer, and her slow but highly positive recovery. About how much I love her. About my DFMC colleague and friend, Jenny Firth Sheridan, who I admire so much I can't articulate it, and who has lost three - THREE - of her siblings, all young and in the prime of their 30s, to cancer. About my friend Lori McAuley Dameron, who just lost her mom to cancer after thinking they had it beat. About my friend, Joe Brilliant, who lost his little brother last year to cancer after a mighty and multi-year battle. Susan Lutz, my lost childhood friend, and my friends and fellow survivors Shane and Shannon McBride (and many other McBrides), and on and on. About my friend Tony Brake, who is struggling with his mom's and his brother's concurrent cancers, and ran Boston last year with a stress fracture in less than 4 hours because he loves them and He. Does. Not. Give. Up.

I thought about all of my friends and family who have lost their loved ones to cancer, or who are lucky enough to have seen the odds beaten, but never stop worrying about the dice coming back a bad roll. Not one of us has been untouched by cancer. Not a one.

So, so many others. Too many to name. Some 2 or 3 years old, some 80, some in between. All loved. All left a hole in their wake when they departed.

And I remembered what I'd forgotten in 2011: I have been cancer free for 13 years now and it has to be for a reason.

Those 26.2 miles, those approximately 55,000-odd footsteps marathon day, the hundreds of training miles prior ... all of it is given freely and with joy to the loved ones we know and have seen saved through proper cancer screening and treatment, as well as to the loved ones we have lost too soon to cancer.

So I'm running. And I am asking your support, because although I know this isn't my last year with the DFMC, it is highly probably I will take 2013 off to go sit on a mountain somewhere (within driving distance) to find some answers, some peace, and my path forward.

This year I will run for my sister, Beth and, for the 3rd year, as Aaron Eatough's Pediatric Partner. Aaron is my cousin Lisa's son who was treated successfully at Dana-Farber and Children's Hospital in Boston for a glioma on his brain stem. Aaron turned 4 this year ... he stands a good likelihood of remaining in remission and we celebrate that every moment.

Two people who I love who are alive today with many years ahead of them thanks to the progress in early cancer identification, treatment, and protocols. Three, if you count me. Hundreds, if you tally up the people whose names I honor and bear on my race singlet.

Will you support Dana-Farber through my run? 100% of every dollar goes straight into research protocol. 100%. Donations can be made directly at my personal Dana-Farber page, here ... aka http://bit.ly/H1202-in-2012.

Here are my historical fundraising totals:
2009: $13,984.00
2010: $ 6,059.00
2011: $ 7,159.20
______________
Total: $27,202.20

This year, by April 16, I hope to break $13k in donations with your help as well as 5 hours in time with Ted's guidance. I so appreciate any support you can give. Thank you for coming along with me.

XO, Helen

Friday, October 21, 2011

New Record Broken!

Team members (left to right) Hillary Hall, Amy Chambers, Denise Nolan, and Jan Ross, director of Marathon and Running Programs, present the ceremonial "BIG CHECK" Barrett Rollins, MD, PhD, Dana-Farber's Chief Scientific Officer and DFMC teammate.
No, not a new record for my longest marathon run ever. No need to be a smarty pants. I heard you.

THE 2011 DANA-FARBER MARATHON CHALLENGE TEAM broke all records and raised a new all-time high of $4,598,628.50.

Yes. That is Four Million, Five Hundred Ninety Eight Thousand, Six Hundred Twenty Eight Dollars (and fifty cents). Of which, ONE HUNDRED PERCENT (100%) goes directly into cancer research and care. 100%.

Yes, Virginia, it is possible to do good and do well all at once and still be grammatically correct.

* * * * *

Thank you, everyone who made this possible. Thank you for this and every year you have supported Dana-Farber and every one of us and those you love.

My teammates and I each train hundreds of miles through the winter and run to honor the memories of those we love and lost, those we love who survived, and (for me on a personal level) to celebrate being cancer free for now 13 years (!).

We train with thousands of special people in mind and hope in our hearts. On race day, thoughts of those special people carry us when the going gets tough and onward to the finish line. We run as a gift of love and faith, and we run in hope.We train to ready for a who-knows-what-the-weather-will-bring April morning, to run 26.2 miles essentially downhill from Hopkinton to Boston, Hopkinton Hillers Level to Sea Level (except for the 3-ish, hell-ish, uphill miles circa mile 17).

If you’ll be in Boston April 16, 2012, I hope you’ll watch the marathon and cheer us on. In case you are wondering, my personal mantra that I yell to myself as I train alone and start to falter, which you can feel free to incorporate, is to scream loudly "PICK IT UP, BITCH." Works for me. Not sure how it will work hearing it from you but give it a go. Just smile when you say it.

If you are able to help support the DFMC's efforts to understand - and therefore one day cure - cancer - please do so by visiting my fundraising page at The H1202.

Thank you!