AUXILIARY CHAIRMAN: LOIS ZVORAK
To provide awareness of the importance of continuous research, education, early screening and treatment for our members, their families and people in our communities as a major role in eliminating cancer.
FIRST GRANT
1. SURGERY AND TREATMENT, ACUTE CANCER: Member must be hospitalized, have surgery and therapy (chemo, radiation, etc). Outpatient surgery will qualify. Member also qualifies if she has leukamia, lung. lymphona or pancreatic cancer.
2 TREATMENT ONLY: Chemotherapy, radiation, etc. (Given intravenously or orally). Biopsies without hospitalization.
3. SKIN CANCER: Incision, excision WITH skin graft.
4. SKIN CANCER: Incision, excision WITHOUT skin graft.
SECOND GRANT
1. SURGERY AND/OR TREATMENT: Surgery, hospitalized and/or treatment.
2. TREATMENT ONLY: Chemotherapy, radiation, etc. (Given intravenously or orally). Biopsies without hospitalization.
3. SKIN CANCER: Incision, excision, WITH or WITHOUT skin graft.
Looking for Cancer Resources: Go to Breast Cancer Resource Center in Tacoma. WA
Circle Marh 3 on your calendar, 6pm, to remind you to attend our guest speaker, Mariyln Levinshon's forum on cancer issues. She is a volunteer' she taught 10 years as a community health nurse and is currently in her 7t h year hosting meetings at the Breat Cancer Resource Center on 12th St. This forum is open to anyone; nonmembers, relatives and neighbors. Let's have a great turnout.!
In the Ladies Auxiliary VFW "our Dreams Become Rainbows" through our combined efforts to educate and support programs like Cancer Aid and Research. We have to get information such as the cancer warned signs showm below, out to everyone.
SIGNS THAT SHOUDL SEND YOU TO THE DOCTOR:
1. Unusual bleedng or discharge
2. A lump or thickening anywhere on the body
3. Persistent change in bowel or bladder habits
4. Change in a wart or mole
5. Persisten indigestion or difficulty swallowing
March in Colorectal Cancer awareness month.
FEBURARY 2009
Cancer is a disease characterized by the development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and invade and destroy normal body tissue. There are more than 100 types of cancer and the majority of these cancers occur in people without known risk factors. It does not discriminate; it strikes all races and age groups. it does pick on the older generation with 77% of cancers being diagnosed in people 55 and over.
The individuals chance of recovery is ailitated by early detection. Even with our best efforts more than 500,000 individuals are expected to die of cancer this coming year. This fact alone highlights the need for cancer education efforts and research development. Our organization must continue education about warning signs, early detection and prevention. Please attend Tuesday, March 3, 6pm when Marilyn Levensohn will address these issues and answer questions. It is open to all interested parties, not just members.
JANUARY 2009
An important program is CAREGIVER. If you know someone with cancer, help them by taking them to the doctor, their treaments, sho0p for them, visit with them; these are some things you can do for them. They need all the support, help and love you can give them.
Don't forget, there are two grants available to Auxiliary members. The post does not have cancer grants. Contact Eloise Sharp or me for more information. Remember, there are some restrictions so call us!!
Life members, be sure to pay your $4 yearly Cancer dues.
Marily Levinsohn has agreed to giving another presentation regarding cancer issues for anyone to attend, invite friends and relatives, neighbors, men and women. She taught at PLU 10 years as a community health nursing consultant, five years at the Breast Cancer Resource Center. It will be a Saturday, the newsletter will have time and date.
DECEMBER 2008
We have a National Director, Department Chairman, Auxiliary Chairman with many good ideas flowing down through these levels. Without your support these ideas will not go far. I am sure many of you have got great ideas for fundraising. Don't wait for things to filter down, let me know of your idea. This program impacts so many people that all of us should be supporting it. If you are unable to attend the auxiliary meetings you can still participate by sending in a donation. Remember, if you know of a member who has cancer, contact our auxiliary treasure or myself with the infomation.
Also let me know if we have any caregivers in our membership? I'm to put it on my yea4r end report.
Dime-A-Day is a National Program. So dar, there have been very few returns but it runs all year so participate and send in your Dime-A-Day donations.
The District cancer basket theme for our mid-winter conference is Happy Fourth of July. If you or a merchant you know, has an item to donate it would be appreciated. Remind the donor that it will help fight cancer and promote more research. We will urge all our members to use their services. Call 253-475-3318 for more information.
NOVEMBER 2008
Our program has three goals; education, research, and assistance to members who have cancer. This year will be a challenge because two of the three roals require fundraising. With the cost of living increasing drastically, funds for most of us will be in short supply this year. Our Cancer Aid & Reseach program raised more than $2.7 million at 2007-2008 program years. These funds provided for a $100,000 research Fellowship, cancer grants, listening things for more than 3600 cancer stricken members, $135,000 split between four cancer treatment centers, hospitals, and grants for research to facilities in each department. Remember, it was your efforts that accomplished all of this. Without your support our program won't go far. If you have some great ideas for fundraising please let me know. This porgram impacts so many people that all of us should be supporting it. If you are unable to attend the meetings you can still participate in the programs by donating. Also, if you or a member you know has cancer, contact our Auxiliary Treasurer or myself, Lois Zvorak, at 253-475-3318. Remember November 20 is Smoke-Out Day.
OCTOBER 2008
CANCER! It is the dreaded word to all of us. Many have either experienced it ourselves or have a friend or loced one with it. There are many signs to watch for and things we can do to heop nip it in the bud. First: be aware of your own body and any changes. Mammograms, pap smears regularly for women and prostrate exams for men. The signs that should send you to the doctor are: unusual bleeding or dischange, a lumo or thickening in the body, s sore that doesn't heal, presistent change in bowel or bladder habits, change in a wart or mole, and espcially persisten indifestion, pain, difficult swallowing. November is Lung Cancer month and also the Great American Smoke Out-November 20.
So fat I have had no response to the National Program for the "Dime a Day: for cancer program. A dime a day for September would have been $3.00 and for the month of October it would be $3.10. Checks can be made out to Post 969, Ladies Auxiliary. Mail to me at 3715 McKinley Ave, Tacoma, WA, 98404-3035.
SEPTEMBER 2008
This year we have several dnew programs to help fund Cancer Aid & Research. Our BIG program from National is "A Dime a Day". Donate a dime each day to help find the cure. It pays into the Cancer grants and for Postdoctoral Cancer Research Fellowships. We are aware of all the rising prices but the dcost of treating Cancer is much greater! "Because We Care" (theme for this year) the National "dime a day" program will go on all year long!
Send your "Dime A Day" donation to Lois Zvorak, 3715 E. McKinley Ave, Tacoma, WA, 98404. Make the checks payable to "Ladies Auxiliary, VFW Post 969". The Dime a Day amount for September would be $3.00 (30 days in the month).
AUGUST 2008
Cancer vaccines: Widespread use of vaccines has changed the landscape of public health. Vaccinations can prevent once common illnesses like polio, diphtheria and tetanus. Last year a vaccine designed to prevent viruses linked to cervical cancer was approved by the FDA. This release raised interest in the possiblity of other vaccines that could be used to prevent or treat other cancers.
Your body's natural defense to disease ist he immune system. When a disease causing microorganism is detected, your immune system mounts its' defese in the form of antibodies and cells that fight off the ivader. It seeks and destroys any substance it doesn't recognize. Vaccines for infrectious diseases capitalize on the mechanism by introducting a weakended form of antobodies of the actual disease that destroy the germs you're exposed to and works with your body to create immunity.
JULY 2008
What a thrill to know our Auxiliary has made an impact on getting information out to the public and we have been recognized for it. As your chairman for another year. I would love to know how many have been affected by the articles they read in the newsletter. Do contact me and let me know! I have done my best to let you know HOT IT GOT STARTED, what the Cancer Grant is, who's eligible, and where and how you apply for the Cancer Grant.
I've shared personal information on the cancer treatment I had and also on various other types that affect both men and women. Unfortunately, this Grant is only available to Auxiliary members and Junior Girls units at this time. We are sure that National Headquarters recognized that all members need this coverage and will be working to implement it in the future.
