CindyA

Volunteer today to become a LUNGevity Social Media Ambassador! Social Media Ambassadors are social media professionals, technology enthusiasts, networked individuals and/or social media users who volunteer for LUNGevity by utilizing their online communities to help promote LUNGevity activities and events and to promote lung cancer awareness. We are looking for volunteers who are committed to LUNGevity, our mission, and the lung cancer cause. These volunteers are able to dedicate 2 or more hours a week to promote LUNGevity online, active on at least 2 social media sites and have 100 friends/followers on each site. If this describes you, email calmendarez@lungevity.org to apply for the SMA program. If accepted as a SMA volunteer, you will receive support, training materials, an official SMA badge for your site, a LUNGevity shirt and wristband and opportunities to lead others. Apply today!

(New Jersey) Leon Hess Cancer Center at Monmouth Medical Center, a Barnabas Health facility, will offer a free lung cancer education and screening event on Tuesday, November 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. http://www.mmccancer.com/thoracic/research-lung/index.html

Chicago: This Sunday October 26th Don't miss The Immunotherapy Patient Forum for Melanoma, Kidney & Lung Cancers. Register today! http://www.jotformpro.com/form/42266827790969

Don't miss Ken Rosenthal wearing the LUNGevity ( Bow Tie Cause ) tie during the World Series October 24th! Thank you, Ken, for raising awareness about lung cancer and supporting those affected by this disease!!

We are honored to have won Celegene's Innovative Impact Award ! Read more about the 3 winners in the link below. http://www.celgene.com/innovation-impact-2014-winners/

Hi Randy, please feel free to have her contact us for support. Here is the link to get started. http://events.lungevity.org/site/PageNavigator/LUNGevity_LifeLine.html

We need your help. We are looking for support mentors to encourage and connect with newly diagnosed support seekers. We are sending out our next shipment of LifeLine Mentor reference binders. If you haven't received yours, apply today! Encourage other survivors & caregivers to become a mentor and we will arm them with the tools they need. www.lungevity.org/lifeline

Hi Mary Ann, I'm sorry you have a reason to find us. We are glad that you picked us for support. Please know we will be here as much as you'd like us to be. There are a lot of friends here on the board who will be able to give you advice. I'm including a link that you may find useful. If you have any questions about this site or the Foundation, please do not hesitate to contact me. http://events.lungevity.org/survivors/index.html

Recommended read: Crizotinib Treatment Recommended For ROS1-Positive Lung Cancer, According to Study http://lungcancernewstoday.com/2014/10/08/crizotinib-treatment-recommended-ros1-positive-lung-cancer-according-study/ Crizotinib treatment has been revealed to be effective against ROS1-positive lung cancer, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The research team presented their work at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) meeting, reporting that crizotinib treatment lead to a meaningful tumor shrinkage in 36 of 50 participants and suppressed tumor growth in 9 other participants. Crizotinib is an FDA-approved drug to treat patients with non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC)caused by rearrangements in the ALK gene (about 4% of the cases). Alice Shaw, MD, PhD, first author of the publication, affiliated with the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Cancer Center explained in a MGH’s press release that several reports describe crizotinib interactions with ROS1-positive lung tumors yet “this is the first definitive study to establish crizotinib’s activity in a large group of patients with ROS1-positive lung cancer and to confirm that ROS1 is a bona fide therapeutic target in those patients.” In another MGH study from 2012, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology , it was reported that 1 to 2% of all NSCLCs are actually driven by rearrangements in the ROS1 gene. “ROS1 encodes a protein [structural similar to the one encoded by the ALK gene] that is important for cell growth and survival, and deregulation of ROS1 through chromosomal rearrangement drives the growth of tumors,” Dr. Shaw stated in the 2012 MGH press release. This study enrolled 50 patients with ROS1-positive NSCLC, who received 2 daily doses of crizotinib. In 18% of patients tumor growth was ceased while 72% saw their tumor sizesignificantly reduced; the response to the treatment had an average duration of 17 months. Importantly, 25 of the 50 patients participating in the study continued receiving crizotinib and showed no evidences of tumor progression. After a continuous repetition of the treatment, a common procedure in other targeted cancer therapies, patients developed resistance to the treatment. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of this drug lasted longer in ROS1-positive cancers than in ALK-positive ones. “Fortunately, the remissions induced by crizotinib in ROS1-positive patients are quite prolonged, and resistance appears to emerge much later, on average, than what we have seen with other targeted therapies for lung cancer and melanoma,” Dr. Shaw added in the press release. Crizotinib’s treatment is approved by the FDA to be administered in ALK-positive NSCLC but, given the recent discoveries, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommend patients suffering with advanced lung cancer to be tested and considered for crizotinib treatment if they have ROS1-positive cancer. The study was funded by Pfizer, the pharmaceutical company holding crizotinib in the market under the brand name Xalkori, the National Cancer Institute, Uniting Against Lung Cancer and Be a Piece of the Solution.

I really like the look of the new message boards. You can even "like this" in the bottom right corner. Thank you for starting the Just for Fun today Donna! The sun is shinning here in Dallas also, it's about 90 degrees out today. I am looking forward to those Fall temps I keep hearing everyone else is having. Chat with you soon, Cindy

Hi everyone! What are your plans this weekend? I have a full weekend which is nice. Tonight we will celebrate my Dad's birthday and tomorrow night celebrating with our friends on their new home. Fun, but I'm a t-shirt & jeans girl who likes to just have days where I stick my feet in the pool and watch my kids play in the backyard while my husband whips up something on the grill. Next week I get to man a table for the Breathe Deep DFW walk. I'm pretty pumped about it because this time in 2011 is when I was first introduced to LUNGevity by helping to hand out shirts. I hope to inspire someone about advocating for lung cancer. You never know, right?

(MICHIGAN )Beginning Oct. 1, Oakwood is offering free low dose CT lung cancer screenings to individuals who enroll in its lung cancer screening program. Funded through the Oakwood Foundation, the program is designed to identify any cancer in its earliest stages when treatment is most successful. This free service is available to the first 100 enrolled participants who meet the established criteria. For more information about low dose CT scanning, lung cancer screening and to enroll in Oakwood’s lung screening program call 313-593-8045. http://www.pressandguide.com/articles/2 ... 544316.txt

We are looking for volunteers who are committed to LUNGevity, our mission, and the lung cancer cause. These volunteers are able to dedicate 2 or more hours a week to promote LUNGevity online, active on at least 2 social media sites and have 100 friends/followers on each site. If this describes you, email calmendarez@lungevity.org to apply for the SMA program. If accepted as a SMA volunteer, you will receive support, training materials, an official SMA badge for your site, a LUNGevity shirt and wristband and opportunities to lead others. Apply today!

Published on September 23, 2014 Ellis Fischel Cancer Center Offers Free Lung Cancer Screenings Early identification of lung cancer critical for long-term smokers COLUMBIA, Mo. — According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate of a lung cancer patient increases by 44 percent when the cancer is identified in stage 1. To catch the cancer early, Ellis Fischel Cancer Center is offering free lung cancer screenings to individuals who are at-risk for developing the disease. “More people die from lung cancer each year than from any other type of cancer,” said Marcus Wade, M.D., a chest fellowship-trained radiologist at Ellis Fischel Cancer Center. “It’s estimated that more than 159,000 people die from lung cancer each year. If we can catch the disease early, patients are much more likely to live a longer, healthier life.” To qualify for a free lung cancer screening, individuals must meet the following criteria: Be between ages 55 and 74 Have a minimum 30-pack year smoking history; for example, have smoked one pack of cigarettes each day for 30 years, two packs a day for 15 years or three packs a day for 10 years Be willing to participate in a screening program and discuss smoking cessation Using low-dose CT scans, experts at Ellis Fischel Cancer Center look for abnormal nodules, or masses, in the chest. If an abnormal nodule is discovered that requires further evaluation, Ellis Fischel Cancer Center’s team of radiologists and multidisciplinary thoracic oncologists are on hand to treat patients who are diagnosed with lung cancer. Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, and at least 80 percent of lung cancer deaths are attributed to smoking. Lung cancer mainly occurs in older individuals — two-thirds of lung cancer patients are 65 or older. Additionally, those who are exposed to second-hand smoke are more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers. “For these screenings, we are looking for individuals who are current smokers or who have stopped smoking within the last 15 years,” Wade said. “Once you have stopped smoking for 15 years, the odds of you getting lung cancer decrease, but it is still important to be aware of the symptoms of the disease.” Most individuals with lung cancer do not show symptoms until the disease has developed into later stages, though symptoms can occur in people with early stages of lung cancer. Symptoms of lung cancer include: A persistent cough that worsens with time Chest pain that often is worse with deep breathing, coughing or laughing A hoarse voice Coughing up blood or a change in color of spit Shortness of breath or a new onset of wheezing Reoccurring infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia For more information about scheduling a free lung cancer screening at Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, call (573) 884-1140. Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, a part of University of Missouri Health Care, is a certified member of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Network®. Ellis Fischel Cancer Center offers patients with all types of cancers a comprehensive health team and innovative diagnostic and treatment options. http://www.muhealth.org/news/2014-news- ... creenings/

I understood it was humor. No worries. I too am a frequent Facebook user. Thanks again for staying engaged on this board, you all are awesome! Who wants to start the Wednesday posts?

Maybe there will be one soon? I'll pass on your suggestion to Katie.

Dallas COWBOYS won! Just saying. Nice to see you posting again Randy. Thank you for being apart of a great group of those supporting the BEST online message board!

Lung Screening Criteria The low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) shows a 20 percent reduction of lung cancer mortality than those screened with a chest x-ray, according to results of the National Lung Screening Trial. St. Charles Cancer Center offers an LDCT program. To be eligible, you must: be 55-74 years old be a current smoker or have quit within the past 15 years If you meet the above criteria and are interested in participating in a free lung screening, complete the form on the right and our cancer screening coordinator will assist you in signing up. PROGRAM DETAILS How much does it cost? The initial screening is free of charge thanks to the partnership between St. Charles Foundation and Central Oregon Radiology Associates along with donations from our generous community members. How often do I need to be screened? The program offers an annual screening for three years. The initial screening is free.* This does not include any follow-up that may be recommended in between the annual screening. *Visits to your family doctor before or after the procedure, subsequent tests and any necessary treatments are not included. What if follow-up is recommended? The results will be given to your primary care provider who will review them with you and determine a follow-up plan. Any additional follow-up scans ordered will be eligible to submit to your health insurance. What if I don’t have a primary care provider? We can help locate a primary care provider from a list of clinics that offer services on a sliding scale fee based on income. https://www.stcharleshealthcare.org/Our ... -Screening

The free screening initiative at West Penn was designed as a pilot project with the expectation of implementing the program throughout the Allegheny Health Network. Schumacher says cost of care continues to rise as cancer is diagnosed at a late stage. Participants must be age 55 to 74 and have smoked more than “30 pack years.” That’s one pack a day for thirty years or the equivalent such as two packs a day for fifteen years. http://wesa.fm/post/west-penn-hospital- ... -screening

Are any of these in your dinner tonight? (from our friends at Meals to Heal) https://www.facebook.com/MealsToHeal

Who are you thinking of today? Send them a "thinking of you card", 100% of this gift will support research for early diagnosis of #lung cancer. Click on the link below to learn more. http://events.lungevity.org/site/PageSe ... pirational

Hi Donna! I'm so glad to see your posts in the Just for fun forum. The weather where you are sounds beautiful. I'm sure the harvest moos was out here in Texas too but I was busy chasing my kids and getting them to do homework and all that good stuff. It's still hot here, it's supposed to get up to 101, and we have a chance of thunderstorms this evening. Then on comes the "cool front" with 80 degree temperatures tomorrow. My son is anxiously awaiting the cooler temperatures so he can wear his Spiderman hoodie that I bought during the summer break. I'm so sorry for the loss of your husband. My heart feels for you. Positive thoughts headed your way. I look forward to your next post.

September 23rd – 1:30pm - 2:30pm ET, CancerCare - Understanding Diagnostic Technologies Targeted Therapies”, http://www.cancercare.org/connect_works ... 2014-09-23 October 22nd – Ask The Experts: Legal and Career Advice Teleconference http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/comm ... s-oct-2014

Massachusetts (Boston) – September 6th, 9:00am – 3:30pm, For ALK, ROSI, and EFGR Lung Cancer, Live from the Omni Parker House Hotel http://cancergrace.org/acquired-resista ... ber-6-2014 Ohio (Columbus)— Regional HOPE Summit Columbus, a survivorship conference for lung cancer survivors. Saturday September 6th noon-6pm, networking reception from 6-8pm. Registration encouraged. http://www.lungevity.org/columbushope Texas (Arlington) – September 18th, Cancer Care Services Orientation. Arlington Cancer Center 10:00am – 11:00am http://arlingtoncancercenter.com/ https://www.facebook.com/events/630684117029485/ Texas (Houston) – MD Anderson, September 19th-20th, Anderson Network Cancer Survivorship Conference. http://www.mdanderson.org/patient-and-c ... rence.html Washington (Tacoma) – St. Joseph Medical Center, 3rd Tuesday of every month, 3:00pm- 4:00pm “Fitting Food Into Your Fight Against Cancer”. https://www.chifranciscan.org/classes-a ... ps/#cancer

BALTIMORE —During this coming Friday's "Stand Up to Cancer" telethon, many in Maryland may see a familiar face. Organizers of the fundraiser have flown a retired Baltimore police officer and his wife to the event in L.A. to share his story of survival. 11 News I-Team reporter Deborah Weiner sat down with Officer David Gobin before he left. Just a few years after he retired from the Baltimore Police Department's K-9 unit, Gobin received horrible news: He had lung cancer. His loving wife, Stephanie, was told he had a 15 percent chance of living for one more year. "I figured, I'm going to die, but I'm not going to die easy," Gobin told Weiner. "(It's been) six years and four months, and I'm still alive. There's not a big group of us." Gobin endured surgery, radiation and two difficult chemotherapy clinical trials. "Nothing has worked, but they kept me alive. What more could I ask for?" Gobin said. After those treatments came a two-year experiment at Johns Hopkins Hospital using drugs that are aimed at restoring the immune system's ability to spot and attack cancer. It was another clinical trial, this time for immune-based therapies, called PD-1. "It was a one-hour infusion, easy-peasy. It was every two weeks for two years. I had enough chemo in me to float a boat," Gobin said. Success came early for Gobin, and it has lingered. He has now gone 19 months without any cancer treatment at all. "This PD-1 has inhibited the two cancers from growing or spreading or doing anything. I'm living with cancer, not dying from cancer," he said. Gobin has become a poster child for the promising cancer therapy. Though he only has 50 percent lung capacity, he is living a normal life in Manchester. The former cop said he called upon his street smarts to battle the ultimate opponent. "You're in a fight you can't quit. If you quit, you die. It's the same thing with cancer," he said. At age 64, Gobin and his wife are enjoying his retirement from law enforcement while thankful for every day they have. Weiner asked him what he sees in his future. "What do I see in my future? A lot of years," he responded. The "Stand Up to Cancer" telethon will air on all major networks, including NBC, at 8 p.m. Friday. Read more: http://www.wbaltv.com/health/retired-md ... z3CI9BMKqh