Prostate Cancer – DO THIS!!

January 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Help Make Prostate Cancer Research a National Health Priority!

Congress is back in session.  Right now, you’re Representative and Senators are starting consideration of critical legislation that will determine the level of funding for prostate cancer research.  Tell them it’s time to dramatically increase the federal commitment to prostate cancer research.

Prostate cancer research is critical to the health of millions of American men.  Since this year 40,000 men will die from prostate cancer and 200,000 will be diagnosed with the disease, prostate cancer research is more important than ever.  While 20 percent of all non-skin cancers diagnosed in the U.S. are for prostate cancer, less than 4 percent of federal cancer research funds go to prostate cancer.

The Clinton Administration has proposed to increase federal funding for cancer research by 65 percent over the next five years.  Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich has also called for major increases in biomedical research.  Vice President Gore recently commented that scientists are “right on the verge” of major breakthroughs in cancer research.  But Congress needs to pass legislation that boosts federal spending for cancer research — and needs to provide significant increases specific to prostate cancer research.  We need your help make sure Congress gives prostate cancer research its fair share.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among American men and the leading cause of cancer for all Americans. Prostate cancer accounts for 30 percent of all cancers among American men and — last year alone — more than 200,000 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer and 41,800 men died from this disease.

It is clear the federal commitment to prostate cancer research must be increased. Even though prostate cancer accounts for approximately 20 percent of all new non-skin cancers, it receives less than four percent of all federal cancer research dollars. In 1997 more than $250 million in worthwhile prostate cancer research was not conducted simply due to lack of resources.

Research for all diseases must be increased, but particularly research specific to prostate cancer. Although the number of annual deaths are about the same, the federal research commitment to prostate cancer is less than 1/15 that for AIDS and 1/6 that for breast cancer.

It is critical that there be a dramatic increase in prostate cancer research funding that is commensurate with the toll it takes on men and their families.  Support equity for federally funded prostate cancer
research.

 

 

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INTEL AND SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY ANNOUNCE CANCER RESEARCH PROGRAM

January 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I’m all for philanthropic efforts, but any problem in biotech or medicine which is solved (including the ones above) represents a source of profit for somebody. How are they going to pay back all those people who’ve donated their computer time? Is everybody involved truely going to pledge to pursue any answers which come this way, as a completely non-profit venture?  Who says so? Who guarantees so?

There has been a great deal of discussion on this point.  The upshot is that UD are doing this as a business, and are making a profit out of it in the usual way of business.  Oxford University et. al. are doing this as a research project with funding from charity.  They are buying the service from UD using voluntary contributions of computer time because this is a lot cheaper to them and their charities than buying big computer time.  UD are pretty strong on keeping commercial interests and non-profit apart, so there
is little risk of the resources provided for charity finding their way into commercial use.  I do not see this level of commerce as a reason not to contribute.  The level of profits made by UD is really a matter between them and the buyers of their service.  If Oxford thinks it’s OK then I’m happy enough.

I’m living with cancer and a participant in the UD/Intel project. I don’t care if the folks at UD make a few bucks.  I just hope the project is successful and lives are improved. Personally, I think the UD project is the beginning of a great new era in computing. Supercomputing has just become democratic (small d) and cheap.  The guys with the best ideas get the most MIPS. I was part of seti till the cancer project came along.  Now we have 100s of thousands of people donating MIPs to help someone they don’t know.  It makes me proud. It restores my faith that people actually care about others.

 

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Breast Cancer Research Stamps – US only

January 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I received this email from a good friend today. My aunt had breast cancer and survived! That was in the 1950s. She was very lucky. I have a friend who had bc in the 90′s and survived. She is lucky. Now there is something simple each of us can do to help end this disease.

Subject: BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
The notion that we could raise $16 million by buying a book of stamps is powerful!  As you may be aware, the US Postal Service recently released its new “Fund the Cure” stamp to help fund breast cancer research.  The stamp was designed by Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, Maryland. It is important that we take a stand against this disease that reaches so many of our mothers, sisters, and friends.

Instead of the normal $.33 for a stamp, this one costs $.40.  The additional $.07 will go to breast cancer research.  A “normal” book costs $6.60. This one is only $8.00. It takes a few minutes in line at the Post Office and means so much. If all stamps are sold, it will raise an additional $16,000,000 for this vital research.

Just as important as the money is our support. What a statement it would make if the stamp out sold the lottery this week.  What a statement it would make that we care.  I urge each of you to do two things

 

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Army plays big role in breast cancer research

January 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Jan. 29, 1999) — Through a program administered by the Army at Fort Detrick, Md., the Department of Defense has been funding cancer research since 1992 and is now second only to the National Cancer Institute in funding research for breast cancer. Accomplishments of DoD-funded cancer research include: a sensitive examination to identify breast cancer cells in bone marrow and blood, development of a cluster procedure to group breast shapes into a small number of classes, and development of a quantitative index of breast density.
“The Department’s capability to manage large research programs has been successfully put to the test,” said Col. Irene M. Rich, former Director of the Office of Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs. She said Congress directed DoD to conduct cancer research because of its capability to manage such a large program. Since 1992, the program has administered more than $800 million in breast cancer appropriations. The Breast Cancer Research Program has awarded more than 1,800 breast cancer grants to more than 830 institutions in the U.S. and abroad.
“Our program has invigorated the field of cancer research by bringing new scientists into the field and adapting the program vision annually to address research gaps,” Rich said. “It has been exciting to see these ideas funded and we expect many of the projects to contribute important knowledge to the cancer research field,” added Rich. The research program offers grants in research, training and recruitment, and enhancement of the research infrastructure such as tissue banks.
“We follow promising avenues of inquiry, foster new directions in research, are addressing neglected or under-studied issues and we are bringing new scientists into the field, all with the goal of eradicating the disease,” Rich said. In addition to the $100 million fiscal year 1997 appropriation, targeted breast cancer research appropriations were made as follows: $6 million to support Computer-Based Decision Support Systems, $3.5 million for an Advanced Cancer Cell Detection Center, $3 million for Computer-Aided Diagnostic Research and $2.3 million for calcium signaling research. In response to the March 28, 1997 Broad Agency Announcement, approximately 1,900 proposals were received and 338 awards made by Sept. 30. The fiscal year 1998 awards are pending. For fiscal year 1998, $135 million dollars were appropriated for the BCRP program and $3.5 million were targeted for an Advanced Cancer Cell Detection Center. In response to the March 31, 1998 program announcement, approximately 1,300 proposals were received and 411 awards are currently under negotiation. For fiscal year 1999, $135 million was appropriated for the BCRP.
In addition to congressional allocations, DoD will be receiving research funds as a result of the Breast Cancer Stamp Act of 1997. Passed in August 1997, the act specifies the United States Postal Service will issue a 40-cent First Class Breast Cancer Stamp, 8 cents of which will go toward breast cancer research. Proceeds from the sale of this stamp will fund breast cancer research sponsored by the National Institute of Health and the DoD program.
“The DoD breast cancer research program is an unprecedented partnership between the military, scientists, physicians and the community bringing together different areas of interest to create a highly focused scientific endeavor,” Rich said. Since 1992, 24 Defense agencies have successfully competed for $18.8 million of breast cancer research funds. Some of those agencies are Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, the Department of the Navy, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, Madigan Army Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the U.S. Army Dental Research Detachment and the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.
Research in these agencies has included studies of bone marrow change, hormonal regulation of the Vitamin D receptor in human breast cancer cells, biopsies and gene alteration among other important areas of cancer research. The DoD program has funded 24 percent of the total extramural breast cancer research during the years 1992-1998. Additionally, the program has managed appropriations of $80 million earmarked for prostate cancer research and $17.5 million earmarked for ovarian cancer
research in fiscal year 97 and fiscal year 98.

 

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Why is Cancer research funded by a “Charity”?

January 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Cancer Research benefits the whole state and should be funded by the state (not funded by charity).   Smokers donate £10,000,000,000 (10 billions) to the coffers in taxation each year. This is as opposed to £250,000,000 (1/4 of a billion) raised by Cancer Research from charitable donations.   Taxation donated by smokers is volatile, and as such cannot be resonably dependable as part of the taxation economy of the country.

If only 25% of revenue from smoking taxation was ear-marked directly into Cancer Research & equipment, it would increase their research funding 10 fold (to £2.5 billions per annum). The remainder can still go into the coffers. The government does fund cancer research. Ever heard of the Medical Research Council? The Imperial Cancer Research Fund and the MacMillan Cancer Relief are independent bodies set up by philantropists.

Example: The government gives money to the homeless as social security. Big Issue gives money to them too. Just because Big Issue gives money to the Homeless does not mean the government doesn’t.

 

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TERRY FOX 5K RUN FOR CANCER RESEARCH

January 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The Canadian Club of New York invites you to participate in the fourth annual Terry Fox Run in New York City to benefit cancer research at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The Run is a non-competitive family fun-run for 5K (3.1 miles). There is no Run-entry fee. Coffee, bagels and juice will be available to all participants, volunteers and spectators.

The Terry Fox Run is a special event organized for the purpose of bringing Canadians, Americans and all others together to raise money for cancer research in the name of a true Canadian hero.

About Terry Fox

At 18 years of age, Canadian Terry Fox learned that because of bone cancer his right leg would have to be amputated above the knee. While it was devastating news, Terry had a fighting spirit that would not be defeated. Moved by the pain and despair of cancer patients he met during his time in the hospital and the therapy that followed, Terry was convinced that cancer research could find the cure but funds were in short supply. Two years later, Terry began training for a cross-country run. He planned to run from one coast of Canada to the other to raise awareness for cancer research. Running on one good leg and one artificial leg,

Terry covered some 3,000 miles in training and, on April 12, 1980, at St. John’s, Newfoundland, he dipped his artificial leg into the Atlantic Ocean and began what he called The Marathon of Hope.

For the next 143 days he ran the marathon distance of 26 miles per day, crossing 3,330 miles until, on September 1, 1980 near Thunder Bay, Ontario – well over half way to British Columbia and the Pacific Coast – Terry was forced to stop. The cancer spread to his lungs. Terry died on June 28, 1981, a month short of his 23rd birthday. But his legacy of hope continues on today with Terry Fox runs in more than 40 countries around the world.

Fund Raising

Funds will be raised by runners collecting pledges based on their participation in the Run and by direct donations for cancer research. [Pledge/Donation sheets are available and should be used for this purpose.] All contributors will receive a charitable tax receipt from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Canadian receipts will be issued upon request.

Terry Fox Run in New York City

The first-ever Terry Fox Run in New York City was held in 1994. On a combined basis the 1994, 1995 and 1996 Terry Fox Runs in New York City have raised approximately US$100,000 for cancer research. During the first three years the following persons have been involved with the New York Run: Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor, Paul Shaffer, Music Director of the David Letterman Late Night Show, Betty Fox, Terry’s mother, Darrell Fox, Terry’s brother, Breeda McClew, National Director of the Terry Fox oundation in Canada, Colin Campbell, Head Coach of the New York Rangers, Kevin Lowe, star defenseman for the New York Rangers, former Olympic medallist Karen Percy-Lowe, Natasha Henstridge, Canadian actress, and Jeff Berman, founder of the Cancer Support Group of the New York Road Runners Club. We have been especially pleased with the participation of Dick Traum. Dick is an above-the-knee amputee whose success in the NYC marathon inspired Terry to run his Marathon of Hope. Many members of the Achilles Track Club and the Achilles Track Club for Kids – organizations for runners with disabilities – have also participated. A number of people from the Post-Treatment Resource Program at Memorial Sloan-Kettering have also participated.

 

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Modine Joins Cancer Research Foundation

January 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) – Actor Matthew Modine has joined the board of directors of The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research. “I was much honored to be asked to join the Foundation’s board of directors,” says Modine. “With the loss of my father, I am one of many who have witnessed firsthand the incredible pain pancreatic cancer causes.” The 45-year-old actor joins 10 other board members for the philanthropic organization founded in 1998. Pancreatic cancer claims approximately 31,000 Americans each year.

“One of our key objectives is to increase national awareness of pancreatic cancer,” says Charles Dolan, chairman of The Lustgarten board of directors. “Matthew, and the visibility he brings, will play an important role in helping us achieve that goal.” Modine has starred in numerous films including “Full Metal Jacket,” “Gross Anatomy,” “Pacific Heights” and “On Any Given Sunday.” He most recently appeared opposite Kate Hudson in “Le Divorce.”

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Low budgets for lung cancer research

January 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

If Gayle Levy, 40, has to have any kind of cancer, statistically it should be breast cancer, which accounts for 29 percent of new cancer cases among women in this country. But Levy, a Northbrook mother of three, was diagnosed earlier this year with lung cancer, or what experts term “the invisible cancer.”

Why invisible? Even though lung cancer is the No. 1 cancer killer of men and women, it suffers from a dearth of research funds and a lack of publicity. In 1999, lung cancer research dollars amounted to $950 per death, compared with $8,860 per breast-cancer death, according to the American Cancer Society. And as far as publicity goes, nearly everyone knows that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and that its symbol is a pink ribbon. Not nearly as well known is the fact that November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and its symbol is a clear ribbon rimmed with a gold border.

“Lung cancer is looked at as the cancer that gets no respect,” says Levy, whose cancer is now in remission. “It’s a smokers’ disease–you’ve done it to yourself.” That, however, doesn’t apply to Levy, who has never smoked, or a 32-year-old friend of hers, who has never smoked and yet has lung cancer that has spread to her brain.

In fact, non-smokers now account for nearly 20 percent of all new lung cancer cases, and former smokers account for half the new cases diagnosed every year, says Jan Healy, advocacy program manager for the Alliance for Lung Cancer (Alcase), a Vancouver, Wash.-based non-profit group. In addition, women account for a growing number of new cases, Healy says.

Alcase hopes to change some of the public’s misperceptions about lung cancer with a series of seven rallies to be held around the country on Saturday. “The point of the rallies is to focus public attention on the need for more federal research dollars for lung cancer, early detection and treatment, and also to insist that state tobacco settlement money be devoted to those suffering the effects of tobacco-related illnesses,” says Healy. So far, only New York has done that, she adds.

 

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E.coli was used to “smuggle” the enzyme into cells

January 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

A genetically altered version of the food poisoning bug E.coli could be used to destroy cancer cells, say scientists. Cancer Research UK experts used a neutralised version of the bacteria to deliver a cancer-killing enzyme directly into the cells. It provides scientists with a method of breaking through the previously impenetrable barriers around the cells. In tests using E.coli, over 90% of cancer cells were destroyed.  Using bacteria to treat tumours is an innovative new approach to the problem

Professor Robert Souhami, Cancer Research UK The bacteria were carrying an enzyme called purine nucleoside phosphorylase into cancer cells. It works in conjunction with a powerful anti-cancer drug called 6-MPDR. The drug cannot be activated until the enzyme is inside the cancer cells. When researchers targeted mouse tumours with the bacteria and drug combination, it appeared to slow down tumour growth and cause large numbers of cancer cells to die.

‘Efficient delivery’

E. coli bacteria are found naturally in the human gut and only a few strains are harmful. The research by experts at the Cancer Research UK Molecular Oncology Unit at Barts and the London Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry used a version of E coli that had been modified so it could no longer grow, divide or cause disease. Scientists added a gene called invasin, which gives E. coli the power to enter human cells by passing through their outside membranes – which it cannot normally do.

They also added a second gene, called listeriolysin O, which instructs the E.coli bacteria to release the cargo it is carrying once it is inside the cancer cell. Dr Georges Vassaux, of the Cancer Research UK Molecular Oncology Unit, who led the research, said: “It’s notoriously difficult to get some types of therapeutic molecule inside cancer cells, which is why we turned to living organisms to do the job for us.

“With a few important genetic modifications, we were able to turn bacteria into efficient delivery capsules, able to penetrate the outside membrane of cancer cells and protect their precious cargo until safely inside.” He said the therapy may also attack cancer cells a second way. “We also think that introducing bacteria into a patient’s body, albeit harmless, neutered ones, will provoke the immune system and help to direct it against the tumor.”

Professor Robert Souhami, Cancer Research UK’s director of clinical and external affairs, said: “Developing new drugs tends to grab the headlines, but equally important is the development of new systems to efficiently deliver treatments to cancer cells. “Using bacteria to treat tumors is an innovative new approach to the problem and may offer the potential to target cancer cells with a range of different therapeutic molecules. “It could open up exciting new avenues of cancer treatment.” The research is published online by the journal Gene Therapy.

 

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Cancer research funds

January 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Last Sunday hundreds of boaties took to the water for on of the biggest annual fundraising efforts, The 1994 Sail for Cancer Research. Cancer Research costs a lot of money because you need specialised staff and special machines to keep the people alive who do have Cancer. Cancer Research is important because hundreds of thousands of people in Australia and other countries are dying of this terrible disease. The effects of cancer are that the body organs on the inside of your body slowly decay or rot away which leaves you to slowly get more and more fragile by the day.

Cancer Research costs a lot of money because you need special medication to keep them alive.  People are raising money by going in this race and the people who own the regattas and the major yacht clubs will be contributing to the research. The owners of the yachts have gotten people to come aboard there boats and they would have to pay a certain amount of money.  I think that it is a great idea that people can raise money and have a good time at the same time while raising money for a good cause.

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