Friday, May 20, 2011

We, One Voice Against Cancer, called on Congress for the following "Asks." 5/23-/5/24 Lobby Day

OVAC FY 2012 Budget Priorities
OVAC recognizes the importance of federal funding for cancer research, early detection and prevention programs. OVAC also supports federal funding for programs that help cancer patients navigate the health care system and ensure a well-trained and adequately staffed nursing workforce.

OVAC is calling on Congress to:

1. Support funding for the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, and National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. Ongoing cancer research is on the verge of making great progress in the prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer. This progress is in jeopardy absent sustained funding.

2. Support funding for the Centers for Disease Control cancer programs and keep these programs intact while other chronic diseases programs are potentially reorganized. These CDC state-based cancer programs provide vital resources for cancer surveillance, breast and cervical, and colorectal cancer screening, and awareness initiatives targeting skin, prostate, ovarian and blood cancers. Cuts in funding would reduce the number people being served by life-saving screening programs and outreach programs.

3. Support funding for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Patient Navigator Program to help cancer patients navigate the health care system and overcome barriers to access cancer care. Support funding for the HRSA Title VIII Nursing Programs.

4. Support funding for the Food and Drug Administration to further integrate cutting-edge science that will streamline the translation of cancer research from early stage discovery to clinical application.

5. Support funding for the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act. This funding would support the pediatric cancer programs at NCI, CDC, and the Department of Health and Human Services.






*My meetings were held with the offices of Lindsey Graham (S), Jim DeMint (S) and Jeff Duncan (H).

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

ONE VOICE AGAINST CANCER LOBBY DAY DC 2011

I became a cancer advocate with The Lance Armstrong Foundation in 2007 when I was chosen by the foundation to travel with Lance Armstrong and 199 of my constituents, from around the country, to Washington, DC to ask Congress to make cancer a national priority. In 2008, the foundation asked me to lead a local LIVESTRONG grassroots advocacy effort and as a result, ‘Upstate SC for LIVESTRONG was formed. I served as a Track Leader for the foundation at the LIVESTRONG Summit in Columbus, Ohio in 2008 where I was able to present our local group’s advocacy and fundraising efforts with groups from around the country.
‘Upstate SC for LIVESTRONG’ has held LIVESTRONG Day events annually throughout the Upstate for “LIVESTRONG Day” and served various cancer organizations with fundraising and community events. ‘Upstate SC for LIVESTRONG’ joined efforts with the local cancer association to birth the Upstate’s first cancer survivor/supporter dragon boat support group.

And now our efforts continue as we ask the community to vote to bring cancer support to our local organizations, universities and YMCA’s through the LIVESTRONG Community Impact Project Grants. You can cast your vote by visiting: http://vote.livestrong.org/


May 23-24th, LIVESTRONG will join with fellow members of ‘One Voice Against Cancer’, a coalition of 38 cancer organizations, for a lobby day on Capitol Hill. This lobby day is unique, because we all go to Washington, D.C. not to ask for money for our own organizations, but to champion the funding of cancer research, navigation services, and cancer screening programs.

I will be representing LIVESTRONG as a delegate from South Carolina where I will share my journey of surviving two different stage 4 cancers, vulva and breast, while in my 30’s as a young wife and mother.

This year, we will demonstrate the tremendous advances made in the fight against cancer thanks to recent increases in federal funding and urge Congress to build on this progress. Federal funding for research and proven screening programs should be sustained so that past progress isn’t squandered against a disease that kills an estimated 1,500 people in America each day.
Our representatives have some tough choices to make as they outline the budget for 2012, but I am certain that no one could ignore the stories of our group of survivors, caregivers, and warriors in the fight against cancer. We will convey the necessity and urgency of these requests in a way that no one else could do.

Find out more about One Voice Against Cancer at www.ovaconline.org.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

IF YOU VISIT MY BLOG, PLEASE TAKE THE TIME AND CAST YOUR VOTE DAILY FOR THESE UPSTATE ORGANIZATIONS TO RECEIVE THESE LIVESTRONG COMMUNITY IMPACT PROJECT GRANTS

For 'Cancer Transitions,' please vote for Gibbs Cancer Center, Spartanburg, SC
For 'Promotores Program,' please vote for Anderson University, Anderson, SC
For 'Livestrong at the Y,' please vote for Anderson YMCA, Anderson, SC


*For 'Camp Kesem,' we are waiting on confirmation that Anderson University is in the running.. so please hold casting your vote for the camp until we have confirmed.
 CONCERNING THE BALLOT FOR CAMP KESEM & ANDERSON UNIVERSITY: Heard from Livestrong tonight concerning the Camp Kesem CIP Grant that Anderson University should have also been included on the ballot for...'small glitch.' However, he assured me that we'll have the opportunity for the camp to come to AU in the near future. Thx


http://vote.livestrong.org/regions/7/




You may vote daily - voting open until the end of May.


Please share with family and friends and help us bring these funds to the Upstate of SC to help cancer fighters/survivors.

Saturday, May 7, 2011





'Suttleaire' working for Calvary Children's Home.
 http://www.independentmail.com/news/2011/may/06/calvary-home-children-getting-ready-welcome-kids-s/

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Why Are We Not More Somber?

Today Is Not A Day Of Celebration For Me: Article by the wife of a 911 victim.....
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kristen-breitweiser/today-is-not-a-day-of-cel_b_856535.html






I have to agree with her, I mean - how could you not? 


She lost her husband on 911 and she's asking, where is the deeper reflection and why are we not more somber? 


No doubt, America did the right thing - Obama made the right 'call' but have these so-called "Celebrations" been the respectful response.. the empathetic response for those who lost loved ones that day? 
Partying on sacred ground for the death of the one responsible for the death of so many, including her husband - is that sincerity? 
God, Himself, said He takes no pleasure in the death of wicked people - Ezekiel 33:11 
We can be grateful for the victory - but somber. 


So she says.... 


"Forgive me, but I don't want to watch uncorked champagne spill onto hallowed ground where thousands were murdered in cold blood. 


And I don't want to see any ugly blood stained sheets as proof of death or justice.

Nor do I want to think about bullet-ridden corpses being dumped into the sea.

And it breaks my heart to witness young Americans cheer any death -- even the death of a horrible, evil, murderous person -- like it is some raucous tailgate party on a college campus.

Why are we not somber?

Where is the deeper, more meaningful reflection?"











Monday, May 2, 2011

Remembering

Accolades to Intel & Seal Team 6 for bringing Osama Bin Laden to justice!




I have visited ground zero a couple of times since 9/11 - sobering!
The grounds there are sacred - forever consecrated and devoted to the families who lost their loved ones and to our country! 

On this day, we remember the pain of yesterday but rejoice in the victory of today along with the many families who lost their loved ones in New York, at The Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.













This beam was left standing in the rubble of the twin towers. I had heard about the 'World Trade Center Cross' but had to go see it for myself - Breathtaking! 


I have no doubt that God had His hands on every person that died that day. 
It's an evil, painful world in which we live because it's a 'fallen' world. 
God said we would suffer many troubles while here but He also said that He would deliver us from them all. I know in their death and in their suffering, they found life that day.




God Bless America!