Stand up to Cancer
Today my father emailed me a link that brought on a lot of different emotions, thoughts, and feelings. The article (LINK) is about a new drug for people who have Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, or CLL, and a few other types of Leukemia.
The drug, Ibrutinib, has had amazing results in its clinical trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Some of the patients showed that the cancer did not advance at all, and when the whole study period was over, about %85 of the patients were still alive. "scientists report that the experimental drug, which differs from broadly acting chemotherapy agents by specifically targeting certain cancer-causing processes, significantly prolongs the life of patients" This new method of "local" chemotherapy, is one reason why these new drugs are being more effective and having less side effects.
So why all the thoughts and emotions? My mother, Karen, died after a brutal, 7 and 1/2 year battle with CLL. So when I first read the headline I had a moment of what ifs…but I got over that quickly. What this really shows to me is that WE CAN beat cancer. This disease, that had no great treatment options just a few years ago, now has an extremely effective, low side-effect option available. So next time you are thinking about a loved one who fought cancer and lost,make a donation in there memory. Give to cancer research. These days, you can even give donations to a specific kind of cancer, at specific cancer research centers. If your broke give a dollar. If your rick, give $50,000; If you have a little extra money, and cancer has tried to take your life, give $1,000. Anything can make a difference. Did cancer take your mother? Help fight the disease that killed her. Is your cousin fighting cancer? Make a donation to fight that cancer right back. After a charity event my friends and family threw for me in 2011, I donated some of the money to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and some more to the Sloan Kettering Cancer Center CLL research. And I know it made a big difference.
And if you are still not inspired to give, watch this clip of Bill Murray and the rest of the "cast from 'Scrooged.'
posted by Chowder Kranichfeld @ 11:09 AM
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