But what does that mean? In cancer world, five years without treatment and without a recurrence is considered “cured.” Yes, I was relieved and excited. VERY excited. In fact, I danced a little jig in my oncologist’s office. Literally. Complete with my version of a stylish “cabbage patch” move. But how does this affect my day-to-day life? Knowing I’ve gone five years without those stupid little cells rearing their ugly heads is a HUGE relief. I’ve been fighting cancer most of my adult life, and frankly I’m a bit tired of this monster. However, I’ve already entered a new phase of this cancer nonsense: the World of Late Effects.

The World of Late Effects is a land that many hope to enter, hate once they arrive, but are happy to be there. Huh? Let me explain. Cancer therapy today is basically a carpet-bomb-then-try-to-salvage endeavor. More shotgun than sniper. Ungodly amounts of radiation and hideous amounts of poison are thrown at you, with the goal of killing the cancer. Makes sense, however healthy cells are caught in the cross-fire, resulting in side effects such as hair loss and nausea. Unfortunately, that’s not the end of it.

Treatment is finished, you merrily skip away cancer-free, then three, four, or five years later your body starts misbehaving. Parts start to hurt. Yes, you may be cancer-free, but you’ve entered Late Effects Land which can include organs revolting, premature aging of the body and damaged joints, just for starters.

I was initially diagnosed and treated in 1994, so even though I was still receiving treatment as late as 2005, I’d been visiting Late Effects Land since 1999. Arthritis in my neck. Cataracts in both eyes. And new this year, a breakdown of the bones in both shoulders and both hips, resulting in a shoulder replacement in August with additional joint replacements on the horizon. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Meds such as prednisone are both miracle drugs and the bane of my existence. Frankly, I doubt I would still be here if it weren’t for prednisone – it has been a major player in my battle. As grateful as I am for all it has done for me, I absolutely hate what it has done, and continues to do to the previously healthy parts of my poor body. Thus, the conundrum. It’s taken me sixteen years to get here, and I’m thrilled to focusing exclusively on the World of Late Effects, but I hate being here. However, the alternative is significantly less attractive.

So I guess I’ll stop whining about my battle-wary body and go back to celebrating an amazing milestone. Anyone want to join me in a little jig?

Instead of breaking out your robot moves, celebrate with me by saving 16% off everything in our store for the remainder of 2010. Want free shipping to go along with that? Use coupon code SANTA2010 and receive free USPS Priority Mail shipping.

And remember, a portion of all sales is donated to a variety of non-profit organizations.

Despite my apparent mental issues, I know that having a clean home is important, especially while going through treatment for cancer. But cleaning while you are ill is difficult, even for the nut jobs who say they like doing so. Enter cleaningforareason.org. This  nonprofit offers free professional housecleaning, and maid services to improve the lives of women undergoing treatment for cancer – any type of cancer.

They only accept 50 applications a day (Monday through Friday) and don’t have every city covered, but they do have nearly 800 cleaning partners in all fifty US states and Canada.

Now if only someone would offer free house cleaning to those of us with insane puppies…

Me and Mr. Murray in December 2009.

While I’ve frankly been a mess this past month, I am also filled with gratitude for so many things. I was blessed to have nearly ten years with the most perfect little boy. He was my soul mate and will always be the light of my life. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. I will love him and miss him every day for as long as I live. I was also lucky enough to meet some amazing people who took wonderful care of my baby.

My sweet little Bichon Murray was diagnosed with lymphoma in January 2007. He was just six years old. As I’ve described before, his diagnosis was almost as hard for me to handle as my own. (Ironically, for the same type of cancer.) I knew doggie chemo was available, but there was no way on earth I was going to put my baby through the hell that I had endured. Fortunately, doggie chemo and people chemo are quite different. While they use the same drugs, the doggie dose is significantly lower as the goal isn’t a “cure,” but a remission of several years. At the time, I was told 12 to 14 months was the average survival for dogs on the “gold standard” chemo option. (Which, of course, Murray was going to receive. Nothing but the best for my baby.) He lived 39 months after diagnosis. Even his oncology team agrees that he is a true little miracle boy.

Murray and his buddies on a Home Depot field trip.

I may have been hesitant at first, but I don’t regret for one second anything I did medically for my baby. The chemo did what is was supposed to do, and caused him minimal issues. Of course there were complications, but they were few and far between. Murray spent the overwhelming majority of the last 39 months of his life feeling good and living well. In fact, at the end of March, he enjoyed a fun-filled field trip to Home Depot with a couple of his close friends.

Murray receiving his blood transfusion, March 2010.

I cannot be more grateful to those that cared for my baby – his oncologist, Dr. Stephen Atwater and the team at East Bay Veterinary Specialists in Walnut Creek, CA. I cannot recommend them highly enough. Mr. Murray and I were always treated well by everyone there. The goal was always Murray’s well-being and quality of life. I think they loved my baby almost as much as I did. They even allowed me to stay with him during an all-day and half-the-night blood transfusion. They set us up in an exam room so I could hold him and be with him for the 15 hour infusion. Many of the staff checked in on us regularly, and several sat with me for a several hours after their shifts ended. Truly amazing people, and I hope, lasting friends.

Those who are not “dog people” might not understand the importance of a top-rate doggie oncology team. They care for and provide comfort for the most precious thing in your life, and also for you. If you ever need an oncologist for your furry friend (and I pray you never do) you will not find one better than Dr. Atwater. And if you ever do need one, be sure to tell him Murray sent you.

To help us all out, here’s the five week training plan from the June 2009 Bicycling Magazine. This schedule was created for those training for 25 to 50 mile charity events. (See the color coded pace descriptions at the bottom.)

There is no way on earth that I’d only need five weeks to prepare for this ride. So, I’m using this plan as a guide. I plan to spend the next two months working up to the Week One schedule, with the goal of riding Week One for the last couple of weeks of May. (Notice I say, “goal.” I’ll let you know how it goes!)

Happy cycling! See you on the trails!

Week One (June 7 to 13)

Total Hours: 6

Monday, June 7

OFF

Tuesday, June 8

1 hour        Endurance Pace

Wednesday, June 9

1 hour        Endurance Pace

Thursday, June 10

1 hour        Recovery Pace

Friday, June 11

OFF

Saturday, June 12

2 hours       Endurance Pace

Sunday, June 13

1 hour       Recovery Pace

Week Two (June 14 to 20)

Total Hours: 7

Monday, June 14

OFF

Tuesday, June 15

1.5  hours        Endurance Pace

Wednesday, June 16

1 hour        Recovery Pace

Thursday, June 17

1 hour        Endurance Pace

Friday, June 18

OFF

Saturday, June 19

2.5 hours       Endurance Pace

Sunday, June 20

1 hour       Endurance Pace

Week Three (June 21 to 27)

Total Hours: 8.5

Monday, June 21

OFF

Tuesday, June 22

1.5  hours        Endurance Pace

Wednesday, June 23

1 hour        Recovery Pace

Thursday, June 24

1.5 hours        Endurance Pace

Friday, June 25

OFF

Saturday, June 26

3 hours       Endurance Pace

Sunday, June 27

1.5 hours       Endurance Pace

Week Four (June 28 to July 4)

Total Hours: 8

Monday, June 28

OFF

Tuesday, June 29

1.5  hours        Endurance Pace

Wednesday, June 30

1 hour        Recovery Pace

Thursday, July 1

1.5 hours        Endurance Pace

Friday, July 2

OFF

Saturday, July 3

3 hours       Endurance Pace

Sunday, July 4

1 hour       Recovery Pace

Week Five (July 5 to July 11)

Total Hours: 3.5 + Event Day

Monday, July 5

OFF

Tuesday, July 6

1.5  hours        Endurance Pace +

Wednesday, July 7

1 hour        Recovery Pace

Thursday, July 8

1 hour        Recovery Pace

Friday, July 9

OFF

Saturday, July 10

OFF

Sunday, July 11

Livestrong Challenge

Recovery Pace

Perceived Exertion Level (PEL) 1 to 4 (scale of 10)

A very slow pace; you’re able to hold a conversation.

Endurance Pace

Perceived Exertion Level 5 to 6

A pace that you can endure and speak; typical Saturday-ride effort.

Endurance Pace +

Endurance Pace with four 6-minute intervals at PEL of 9.

Perceived Exertion Level 9 (scale of 10)

A pace which you can’t speak, but not quite all out.

Here are some resources that I found particularly helpful. Maybe Nancy should give them a quick peek:

• Start with Wikipedia, your online source for just about everything. They have a VERY thorough discussion.

• Check out some very straight-forward, unbiased information in “plain English” from the Christian Science Monitor:

What the bill means to you

Who must buy insurance?

Who gets subsidized insurance?

What’s a health ‘exchange’?

How long will reform take?

Who will pay for reform?

What will it mean for business?

What does it mean for kids and families?

What does it mean for seniors?

Rules for preexisting conditions

Will it make health care more effective?

• Here’s a complete and thorough background and history from the New York Times.

• And a bit of info that’s a little more in-depth, again from the New York Times.

• The New York Times, once more, with some reader Q&A.

• Here’s a CBS report on the loophole in the legislation that might prevent kids with pre-existing conditions from getting insurance until 2014.

If you still want more info, try a simple Google search: “health care reform” and “health care bill” will get you going.

The fact is, I am not, but not for the reasons you might think. There is no question in my mind that reform of some sort needs to take place, but I’m afraid that this solution is not the answer.

There are fundamental differences in the way many see the role of government and who should be footing the bill for such grand endeavors. I’m not even going to get into those arguments. The issues below are based more upon personal experience with medical insurance and medical care than on philosophical political differences.

Health care is a profit-driven industry.

• I have a private policy with Anthem Blue Cross, whose parent company is Wellpoint. When I first signed up for my policy in 1990 my premium was $27 a month. My most recent monthly bill was for $542. Starting May 1st, I’ll be up to $748 per month. Yup, a 38% increase in just one year. I’m one of the Californians that Anthem Blue Cross feels they aren’t making enough money on. You read that right. It’s not that they are taking a loss, they are just not making ENOUGH money.

Wellpoint CEO, Angela Braly claims the company lost $10 million on individually insured Californians last year, which may very well be the case. She argued that in this economy, of those with private policies, only sick people (ie: those who file claims) are keeping their insurance. Of course that’s what’s happening, premiums that rise at ridiculous rates drive out healthy subscribers. However, those of us with individual policies make up only about 10% of those who are insured by Anthem Blue Cross. In fact, Wellpoint reported profits of $4.7 billion in 2009. (That’s billion, with a B.) And while a $10 million (with an M) loss on the privately insured may sound like a lot, somehow Braly neglected to mention Wellpoint spent $27 million in 2007-2008 on executive retreats.

Anthem covers more than 8 million Californians, including about 800,000 who buy their policies directly. It is on those individually covered people that Anthem has proposed rate increases of up to 39%. While state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner is investigating the company’s plans, his office is largely powerless under California law to stop the rate increase from happening.

• In my previous post, I shared the story of my $70 x-ray that cost $800. Exact same images, just at different facilities. My co-pay on the $800 x-ray was more than the fully billed amount of the $70. So much for coverage. Medical providers can charge whatever they darn well please, with insurance companies only picking up the “negotiated” amount, leaving the patient with a large chunk of the tab.

Access to coverage doesn’t mean access to care.

As previously mentioned, I have pretty decent medical coverage. However, even with my level of coverage, I’m limited as to which tests I can have and what medications I can take. I have a pretty complex medical background and am fortunate that I can be seen at some of the top institutions around. Even so, my insurance has refused to cover certain medications, forcing my docs to come up with less effective alternatives. Because I’ve been heavily treated, I’m also at a much higher risk of developing long-term complications, such as secondary cancers. My docs and I have been trying for the past two months to get my insurance company to approve a standard screening test. Even though I meet their guidelines and had the same test the past two years, they continue to deny me. Does anyone believe that someone with a lower level coverage will get these tests or meds? It’s more likely that access is going to be even more difficult.

When you rush, you make mistakes.

This legislation was rushed and pushed through without a thorough analysis, or enough outside input. (Granted, trying to get politicians to work together is like trying to push a glacier while on roller skates, but reform of this size needed more cooperation. Instead of fighting with the Democrats, Republicans should have been fighting to be a part of the conversation. And Democrats should have been more interested in getting it right, rather than getting it done quickly, for fear of losing their hold on both houses of Congress.) Something of this magnitude should have been vetted much more thoroughly. There is already push-back from the insurance industry regarding coverage of kids with pre-existing conditions. The White House promised that all children with pre-existing conditions will be covered within six months. Not so fast. Turns out, they may not have to be covered until 2014, according to two White House agencies. The legislation was so poorly worded, that it doesn’t even say what was truly intended. Does anyone really think that this is the only poorly worded or ambiguous section? (CBS is my source on this.)

So, what?

So what does all this have to do with my argument against this health care reform legislation? Bottom line, it was rushed into and does nothing to address the primary issue: health care is an excessively profit-driven business. For the most part, all that matters is the bottom line, not the well being of their subscribers. And despite mandating coverage for all, there are apparently no checks and balances in this legislation to control costs and protect consumers.

I understand and agree that businesses should make a profit. Otherwise, why would anyone even be in business. Unfortunately, the health care industry has become too profit-driven. Wellpoint’s CEO argues that, “Insurance industry margins are dwarfed by the margins of others in health care.” For comparison, Wellpoint had a profit margin of 7%, the pharmaceutical industry had a profit margin of 20%, and biotech’s was 29%. True, Wellpoint’s was smaller. But these other two industries actually produce products. They have research and development costs. They are literally trying to cure cancer. All the insurance industry does is collect money from a whole bunch of people, then fight like hell to avoid paying it out.

I may be naive, and I am clearly not an expert, but there seems to be some common sense components that are not a part of this legislation:

• Allow insurance companies a reasonable profit, but with a cap.

• Permit competition across state lines for insurance companies.

Many times just getting something done is better than nothing. I hope I’m wrong, but I have a very bad feeling that this reform package is not one of those times.

Additional source: New York Times

Coming next: My favorite resources that explain the health care reform legislation.

This graceful being took a tumble a few weeks ago and broke a couple of bones in her foot. The disappointing part? I don’t even have a good story. No table dancing in Vegas. No spectacular snowboarding wipeout. Nope. My leg fell asleep and I didn’t realize it. I took two steps on the sleepy gam, foot buckling under me both times. I then fell, full body weight on top of my foot. Since I’m just that smart, I tried to do the oh-so intelligent thing and “walk it off.” My foot had other ideas.

So, I took a trip to the emergency room of my local hospital. Middle of the day, middle of the week. It was just me and an active toddler who knocked his chin on the family’s coffee table. (Truly an exciting day in the ER.) I was brought to the back, had a PA (Physician’s Assistant) check me out and sent me down the hall for x-rays. They did a foot series and an ankle series, for a total of eight images. I waited a bit more than a half hour for the results. The PA had called an orthopedist (bone doc) for a consult. They discovered I had two broken bones, put me in a temporary cast and told me to follow up with the ortho doc in a week. So far, so good. No complaints.

A week later I met with the orthopedist. They removed the temporary cast and I had the exact same series of x-rays taken in their office, a total of eight images once again. By the time I hobbled across the hall and returned to my room, the doc was right behind me. We sat at the computer in my exam room and he checked the images. Nearly instant results. They set me up with a pretty, pretty purple cast and I was on my way.

Fast forward a few weeks and I receive the explanation of benefits from my insurance company. Here is the x-ray only portion of the two statements:

Hospital

Billed my Insurance Company: $813.75 + $831.25 = $1,645

My Co-Pay: $230.09

Doc’s Office

Billed my Insurance Company: $70 + $76 = $146

My Co-Pay: $19.81

The hospital charged 1,127% more than the doc’s office for the EXACT SAME item. ONE THOUSAND PERCENT MORE. My co-pay on the hospital bill is more than the fully billed amount from my doc’s office.

So, why is this the case?

1) If you go to any ER, they have to treat you no matter what. Because of this, many people use hospital ER’s as their walk-in free clinic whenever their kid has a runny nose. Hospitals have to cover the cost of the “indigent” and uninsured who come to the ER for treatment, then never pay. So who ends up paying their bills? The financially responsible and/or insured patients.

2) Hospitals bill insanely high rates to insurance companies who only pay a “negotiated” portion, never the fully billed amount. They then charge that same rate to an uninsured person. The result? More uninsured people not paying their bills and unreasonably large co-pays for those with insurance.

3) Hospitals are a for-profit business and have stock holders to make happy.

4) And frankly, it’s because they can. Most people who end up in the hospital are in urgent need of medical care. When your life is on the line, you are not going to take the time shop around and compare pricing structures. On top of that, have you ever looked at a detailed hospital bill? There is no way anyone could ever make any real sense of it. Those bills are so confusing it would take a team of forensic accountants months to figure one out. You couldn’t compare “apples-to-apples,” even if you tried.

Now, it’s certainly reasonable for emergency care to cost a bit more. Fair enough. Obviously, there are other factors that go into cost difference between a major hospital and a smaller doctor’s office, with overhead being a major contributor. But come on, a THOUSAND percent more?

One of the best decision I ever made in my life was the private health insurance policy I purchased in my 20′s. I was just out of college and had yet to find a job with benefits. My plan was to keep this private policy until I found a “real” job. The last thing I wanted was to be was hurt or in an auto accident, without insurance. I ended up holding on to the policy even after getting a job with benefits, and it’s a good thing I did. Little did I know that just after my 28th birthday I would be diagnosed with cancer. I’m thankful every day I had this policy. Fifteen years after my diagnosis I was still receiving treatment and I have a host of complications that require regular follow-up. If not for this policy I would be dead or bankrupt. Twenty years later I still have that same policy, now because I am a walking, talking pre-existing condition.

Now, one would think I would be a fan of the recently passed, so-called health care reform. I have a need for regular medical care and I’m the definition of “pre-existing condition.” I know the value of health insurance first-hand and am at the mercy of one large insurance company.

The fact is, I am not, but not for the reasons you might think. There is no question in my mind that reform needs to take place, but this solution is not the answer.

Tomorrow, I’ll tell you why.

Accepting (let alone asking for) the help of others can be quite difficult. Ego kicks in. You believe you are a superhero and don’t need anyone to help you with anything. In your mind, you are the same healthy, capable person you ever were. You feel like a failure when you’re unable to take care of even the most basic of chores, such as meal preparation, laundry or grocery shopping. Asking someone to do these things for you is admitting you are wrong – you can’t do it all yourself. It means accepting you have limitations. It means you are human. (Don’t MAKE me admit that!)

There are ways to work around the delusional ego, however. Instead of leaving the asking up to the person in need (“Let me know if you need anything.”), take the initiative and offer specifics:

• I’m going to the grocery store, do you need milk/juice/bread?

• I have to run to Target, do you need laundry detergent/soap/toilet paper?

• I’m running errands this afternoon, can I pick up your dry cleaning/mail anything for you?

Quick tip: If you are already going the the grocery store/cleaners/post office, help like this feels less like an imposition and is easier to accept.

Or take over a task:

• Do a load of laundry – either pick up the dirty stuff and return it clean, or sit with them while you do a load at their home.

• Mow your neighbor’s lawn when you do yours.

• Pick up their kids from school or take them to the park.

• Take their dog for a walk around the neighborhood.

Quick tip: Timing these chores can be tough. It’s difficult to know when laundry needs to be done or carpets vacuumed. Consider assembling a coupon book.

Create a Coupon Book

Coupon books make great gifts and can be a fun family project. The only limitation is your imagination.

• Think of several activities or chores you’d be willing to do: dog walking; load of laundry; home cooked dinner; trip to the grocery store; movie night; etc. (And be certain you are willing to do these things.)

• It’s never a bad idea to throw in coupons for a hug, silly joke, or late night phone call.

• Create a coupon (or several) for each activity. Here’s a great way to include your kids –  break out the construction paper, markers, glitter and stickers and have them get crafty and make the coupons for you. They feel like they’re helping, and frankly, who doesn’t love a craft project?

• Present the coupons to your friend tied together, in a decorated envelope, or in a gift bag.

Coupons make great mementos (especially those made by kids), plus it’s much easier to ask for a favor when you already know your loved one is willing to do it.

Check out more tips for friends and family here.

Imagine training your entire life and having one shot to make your dream come true. Just one race. One ride. One skate. And you do it. The performance of a lifetime. The drive, determination and toughness these athletes possess is awe-inspiring. But what if you don’t rise to the occasion. You fall. You stumble. Or you simply get beat. Does that take anything away from you? Are you any less driven, determined or tough? Does that make the athlete less of a Olympian? Absolutely, unequivocally, no.

Much like life, the journey is what’s so important. Walking into the opening ceremonies behind your country’s flag. Walking through the park on a perfect spring day. Mingling with the other Olympians in the athlete’s village. A dinner out with your family or friends. Having fought well and with honor. Simply doing your best.

Whether you are an athlete or battling cancer, how you fight is as important as the outcome. The Olympics have one winner every four years. Aside from the random vampire, I have yet to hear of anyone who lives forever. For most of us, we have the same odds of winning a gold medal and eternal life. One-in-no-way-Jose.

But that didn’t stop the Jamaican bobsled team. Or Eddie the Eagle. Or those I know who fought hard against the nastiest opponent of all. Is the fact that they didn’t win gold, or are no longer here take anything away from their battle? Hell, no. They gave it everything they had – Olympians and cancer buddies alike.

Unfortunately, I don’t think NBC understands that. Despite thoroughly enjoying the competition, I’ve been quite disheartened by their coverage of the medal ceremonies. Apparently the only thing that matters is the Americans who win gold. Granted, I haven’t watched all 612,000 hours of coverage, but I have yet to see a medal ceremony that doesn’t have a member of Team USA on the top of the podium. And even when there are two Americans on the podium, we don’t get to see the “non-winner” receive his or her medal, or even get a shot of them during the national anthem. During the entire song we get such a close-up of the winner, we can practically count their nose hair. Apparently in NBC’s world, finishing second or third is a huge disgrace.

But to be fair, it’s not just NBC. I have a long, personal gripe with Nike. Since the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic games I have done my best to boycott anything Nike. Why? They had a billboard in the athlete’s village that said, “You don’t win a silver, you lose a gold.” SERIOUSLY? In the ATHLETE’S VILLAGE? At the OLYMPICS?

Corporate America may not “get it,” but my fellow cancer buddies do. It doesn’t matter if you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.

Team introtocancer.com at the 2009 starting line.

The event will be held Sunday, July 11th in San Jose, CA. This year there are four biking options: 10 mile, 50 mile, 65 mile and 100 mile. (Unlike past years, it doesn’t look like there is a run/walk in San Jose.) Last year our team completed the 10 mile, this year the bulk of us are shooting for the 50 miler. HOWEVER, just because that’s what I’ve signed up for, doesn’t mean the whole team has to choose that distance. Only want a short leisurely ride? Go for the 10 miler. Looking for something a bit more challenging? Go for the century. A single team can split up however we choose. In fact, you can be part of the team and not even show up!

Participate Without Showing Up?
How is that, you ask? This year the Livestrong Challenge has a new category: the Virtual Challenge. There is no fee to participate, you simply register, join our team, fundraise and receive incentives, without actually participating the day-of. With a minimum of $50 raised, you receive an event t-shirt and water bottle. (And chances are, a goodie for participating as part of team introtocancer.com!)

Nitty Gritty Details
If you sign up between now and April 11th, the registration fee for any of the rides is $45; after that, it’s $50. The fundraising minimum is $250. (Believe it or not, that’s not too hard to do. There are several online tools to help you get there, and I plan to have team fundraisers to help us all out as well.) All ride participants receive a Livestrong water bottle and T-shirt and there are several cool incentives for those who raise more than the minimum, earning the first one at just $500.

Once again this year we plan to go down to San Jose on Saturday afternoon to pick up our registration packet and enjoy the expo. We’ll have a yummy dinner then get a good night’s sleep at a hotel right at the starting line, as it’s an early start on Sunday. (Well,  7 a.m. is early in my book!)

I’ll also be ordering team jerseys for anyone who is interested. (Check them out in the above photo.) These are custom biking jerseys, complete with wicking fabric, longer back, and all that cool biking stuff. You can choose your size then make adjustments to things like the sleeve and jersey length. Price depends upon how many we order. Once we get closer to the event, I’ll have more info available.

To prepare, I do believe we will be having regular “training rides” once the weather cooperates a bit more. I also have a training schedule from Biking Magazine that I will share. Plus, all introtocancer.com team members will receive something special and amazing for just being part of this fabulous team. (I don’t know what yet, but I KNOW you’ll love it!)

Ready to sign up?
Click here to join our team.

Want more event info?

Here’s the event link.

And the San Jose-specific link.

Obviously, this is a fundraiser for Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong Foundation, an organization that has taken the lead in the fight against cancer. Among other things, they have exceptional free resource materials (most notably, their binders), support services, fund groundbreaking research and have taken the lead in advocacy. This is an organization that I believe is doing amazing things, and am proud to support.

We’d love to have you, your family and friends join us. Feel free to pass the info around. Any questions? Ask away!