Grant Writing Workshop Free to NCFCCC Members and Friends

Members of the North Central Florida Cancer Control Collaborative (NCFCCC) are invited to attend a grant writing workshop with Jeannette Peters. As a grant writer, Jeannette Peters has been responsible for more than $21 million of federal, state and private foundation funding to community-based nonprofit organizations since 1995. Jeannette frequently serves in Washington, DC as a reviewer for grant programs in the Administration for Children and Families, the Department of Education and the Corporation for National and Community Service. She works with nonprofit organizations nationwide to improve organizational effectiveness, sustainability and impact.

The event will be held Wednesday, May 16, from 2:00 – 4:00pm at Santa Fe College, Center for Innovation and Economic Development, located at 530 West University Ave. in Gainesville.
             
The event is free of charge and is open to NCFCCC members and friends of members.

Space is limited to 60 attendees. Register early by emailing lredding@wellflorida.org.

Learning About Mesothelioma Cancer and its Causes

With only one state – California – ranking higher than Florida in incidence of mesothelioma and asbestosis deaths, it is important for Floridians to understand the realities of this serious asbestos-related disease.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is rare — diagnosed in approximately 3,000 people in the United States each year — but the cancer is still a very serious threat. It typically affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart. The two most common types of mesothelioma – differentiated by the location of the original tumor – include pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most common, making up around 75 percent of diagnoses. Peritoneal mesothelioma makes up about 10 to 20 percent of mesothelioma cases.

Patients often experience a number of serious symptoms, including chest pain, coughing and shortness of breath. These symptoms typically increase in severity as the cancer progresses.

Mesothelioma is difficult to treat, but several drugs have been approved for mesothelioma therapy. The most common treatment approach involves surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which can extend life expectancy for approximately a year from the time of diagnosis.

What Causes Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure, which occurred most frequently in industrial occupations such as:

·       Construction work

·       Power generation or maintenance work

·       Auto repairs

·       Insulation work

People can also be exposed to asbestos through the environment or through a secondhand source. There are no naturally occurring asbestos deposits in Florida, but there are numerous jobsites where the fibers were used, including the Atlantic Dry Dock, the Pensacola Naval Air Station and NASA stations on the Space Coast. Public buildings, schools, construction sites and homes built before the 1980s are also potential sources of asbestos exposure.

When asbestos is inhaled, the fibers are easily trapped within the mesothelium. Because the body has a hard time expelling the fibers, once they have become lodged inside the body, they can remain there and trigger cancerous changes until mesothelioma develops. However, it is important to note that not everybody who is exposed to asbestos will develop an asbestos-related disease. It generally takes years of heavy exposure in an occupational setting for a person to be at risk of asbestos-related diseases.

Non-Asbestos Related Causes of Mesothelioma

Although cases of non-asbestos related mesothelioma are the definite minority, other causes of the cancer include:

·       Radiation exposure

·       Exposure to non-asbestos fibers like erionite

Asbestos exposure is responsible for more than 80 percent of mesothelioma cases, with some studies reporting even higher percentages of causation. Avoiding asbestos exposure remains the primary method of mesothelioma prevention.

Author bio: Faith Franz is a writer for the Mesothelioma Center. She combines her interests in whole-body health and medical research to educate the mesothelioma community about the newest developments in cancer care.

UF Shands Cancer Center Minority Cancer Awareness Forum

In celebration of April 15-21 as Minority Cancer Awareness Week, please join us for the inaugural Minority Cancer Awareness Forum to take place Friday, April 20. The forum is designed to connect cancer disparities scientists, community leaders and cancer advocates with each other to foster opportunities for collaboration and to share information.

When: 8:30 a.m. to noon, Friday, April 20

Where: Health Science Center Communicore Building
C1-9 Lecture Hall

RSVP: spressey@cop.ufl.edu by Thursday, April 19!

A full morning of presentations and interactive panel discussions featuring UF cancer disparity clinician-scientists and their community partners is planned. Following the presentations, a cultural competency workshop for those who pre-register will take place.

RSVP by April 19 to spressey@cop.ufl.edu
For more information, visit cancer.ufl.edu

Cancer Connections April Meeting

Please join us on April 25th !

Dr. Laurel Warwicke of Community Cancer Center of North Florida  will speak about  advancements in radiation treatment, including the use of electron therapy as an alternative to surgical treatment of skin cancer.  Dr. Warwicke will discuss traditional, external radiation and the newer, internal radiation - High Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy.

RSVP to Barb Thomas by Monday April 23rd if you wish to be counted for lunch.
A $3 donation or a healthful dish to share is requested.  If you are not able to RSVP in advance, feel free to bring your lunch with you.

Meeting are held in the Hope Lodge conference room from noon to 1 p.m.

For more information please email me at BnBBarb@aol.com

Women and Wellness: Staying Healthy at Every Age and Every Stage

Saturday May 5th
Hilton University of Florida Conference Center
8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Physicians will talk about a variety of health topics that women face today; there will be free screeings, wellness information and gifts. Topics will include common gynecologic conditions, breast and heart health, and women's cancers. Breakfast and lunch are provided. The fee is $20 per person.

For more information call 1 800 611-6913  or  www.WomensHealthClick.com

sponsored by North Florida Regional Medical Center

Shands Yoga & Meditation Schedule

Chair Yoga for Wellness 
Mondays 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Criser Cancer Resource Center, South Tower, 1st flr
While appropriate for all, this restorative chair yoga class is dedicated to those living with health conditions who desire restorative movement, breathing exercises and guided relaxation.  Free.

Community Yoga
Mondays 5:15pm - 6:30pm
Criser Cancer Resource Center, South Tower, 1st flr
This is a longer community class that includes meditative flow, toning postures, breathing exercises and guided relaxation. Cost is $5.

Beginning Meditation
Tuesdays & Thursdays 3:30pm - 4:00pm
Sanctuaries of Silence and Peace, South Tower 2nd flr
Guided meditation to support your peace-of-mind and happiness.  Free.

Lunchtime Yoga for Staff
Thursdays 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Serenity Room, North Tower, 7th flr, rm #7502
Flow in and out of this class as time permits, and enjoy an opportunity to relax your mind, restore your body and renew your well-being. Offered to all hospital staff.  Free

Yoga for All
Thursdays 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Criser Cancer Resource Center, South Tower, 1st flr
Join us for an hour of gentle stretching, adaptive postures and breathing exercises designed to tone the body and lift the spirits. This class is suitable for patients, family, staff and members of the community.  Free.

Cancer Resource Guide

We're updating the Cancer Resource Guide for North Central Florida. The Guide is a valuable tool for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and family members. Listings are free of charge—it is a public service of North Central Florida Cancer Control Collaborative and WellFlorida Council.

Please submit your listing by emailing jdygert@wellflorida.org by April 9, 2012. Be sure to include:
Name of organization/support group/program
Description
Address
Contact Name
Contact Email Address
Contact Phone Number
Website Address

The Cancer Resource Guide for North Central Florida has been in high demand by the cancer community—so much so that we've received grant funding to create an online version of it to be launched July 2012. You can see a print version of last year's Guide by visiting www.ncfcancercontrol.org.

Please notify other organizations that provide services to this community so that they may be listed in the Guide as well.

Feel free to call April with any questions at 352-313-6500 ext. 104.

Video Premier: WORD on Prostate Cancer

Do you love comedy? Join us in the Public Premier of the WORD on Prostate Cancer Video
Featuring Local Talents:
Mr. Gaddy
QQuincy
Mr. Cooper
Mr. King
Franco & Tony of "So Sharp Barbershop"

Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 6:00 pm
Greater Bethel AME Church
701 SE 43rd Street, Gainesville, FL  32641

The first 100 Black Men (age 40-70) at the event will be eligible to provide formal feedback to us on the video and receive a $10 Walmart Gift Card for feedback.

Light refreshments will be provided from 6:00-6:30PM.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Yoga of Awareness Program

Tools for living with less stress & greater ease
8 Tuesdays
May 22 - July 10, 2012
5:30 - 7:30pm

Presented by Tammy Bernard, M.Ed., RYT, Shands Arts in Medicine Yoga Practitioner
Yoga of Awareness is an evidence-based mind-body program developed at Duke University Medical Center. As Reported on CNN, Business Week and USA Today, participants experienced improved sleep, vigor, and relaxation. The course includes:
-Gentle yoga & guided relaxation
-Mindfulness practices & group sharing
-Guided meditation & breathing exercises

While the program was originally developed to support cancer survivors, it is appropriate for anyone desiring to more skillfully ride the waves of life's inevitable challenges and is approved for 16 continuing nursing education contact hours and 16 CE's for social workers.

This course is offered at a reduced rate of $85.00 and includes a manual and practice CD's.

For more information, please email: Tammy@yogaforhealthcare.com or call 352-733-0880