Drum Roll Please- New KOH Website

I am pleased to have been involved in the newly redesigned Kaleidoscope of Hope website.I think you will find it chock full of information about ovarian cancer , the latest ovarian cancer research news and the researchers we support. If you are newly diagnosed or a survivor you will find information about support groups ( local, online , and one-on-one) . The best part is you will be able to learn how you can take part in KOH events, volunteer and of course how to make a donation toward ovarian cancer research projects. Be sure to read about this year's grant award winners as well as researchers KOH has supported in the past. Just look under Funded Research.


Go ahead - go check it out---------- www.kohnj.org


Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

Save the Date: First Ovarian Cancer Symposium in NJ

I have been working for the past few months with the heads of a number of ovarian cancer organizations in NJ as well as the ovarian cancer subcommittee of the Gynecological Cancer Workgroup for the NJ Cancer Control Plan to bring organizations whose mission is to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and funds for ovarian cancer research together for an event.

I am pleased to announce that on June 12, 2010 we will hold the first ever Ovarian Cancer symposium in NJ.

ONE FORCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Developing Synergies Among Organizations Fighting Ovarian Cancer in New Jersey and the Delaware Valley

SPONSORED BY:

~ CAPITAL HEALTH ~

~ TEAL TEA FOUNDATION ~

~ EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE ~

~ CANCER INSTITUTE OF NEW JERSEY ~

Saturday, June 12, 2010 ~ 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ

Join us as we unite to fight ovarian cancer.

While each participating organization has its own specific mission and audience, each exists to fight the “whisper” by raising awareness, educating, and fundraising.

GOALS OF THE SYMPOSIUM INCLUDE:

· Learning about each organization represented;

· Finding ways to act together as political advocates for change;

· Developing a state-wide/Del Val calendar of events;

· Identifying specific activities for September –- National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month; and

· Coordinating awareness/fundraising/community programs

Participating organizations include: Kaleidoscope of Hope (OCNA), Maureen Fund, Mary Anne Mazanec Ovarian Cancer Foundation, Meghan’s Message, National Ovarian Cancer Coalition - Del Val & N. Jersey branches, Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, Ovarian Cancer Subcommittee of the Gynecologic Cancer Workgroup of NJ, Teal Talk On Tour, Teal Tea Foundation, Teal Wings of Hope Foundation, Turn the Towns Teal®, and Women of Teal.

For more information contact Jean Shipos 267-994-6430

or email njovcasymposium@gmail.com

I will keep you posted when registration begins.

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!

A Weekend of Ovarian Cancer Foundation Activities

Busy weekend ahead.
Team JLO:
Tonight, I will be getting together with Team JLO which raises funds for the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation. Team JLO is named in honor of my friend, Janice Lopez who passed away last September after an almost four year battle with the disease. Her sons continue the team in her honor . Nick and I have joined with the Lopez family to help raise awareness of OC by hanging teal ribbons in Edison in September,Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month .

Team JLO is holding their 4th Teal Night for Life tonight beginning at 5pm at the Olive Branch Restaurant in New Brunswick, NJ. There is no cover charge but donations are welcome. So come out for good food, good drink and great company. Oh, I almost forgot there are some pretty awesome prizes. So look for me tonight- I'll be wearing teal.


Kaleidoscope of Hope Foundation:
Saturday night I continue my OC activities. Nick and I will be attending the Kaleidoscope of Hope Foundation's Annual Spring Gala. The Gala will once again take place at the Westin Governor Morris in Morristown, NJ. I can't wait to get together with the other Board Members and our supporters to celebrate a year of fundraising. We will be awarding this year's research grants to researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Alabama. We will also present our Founders Award to my Avon walk friends Janice, Kathy and Mariclaire- "The Jersey Shore Girls". There will be live and silent auctions and the night's MC will be Gary Fisch , owner of Gary's Wines and also known as the "Wine Guy" from the Food Networks "Hot Off the Grill".
There is a surprise too that we've been working feverishly on over the past few weeks. It should be a fantastic night!

Dee
Everyday is a Blessing!

Thank you Senators Menendez and Lautenberg -

Our NJ Senators, Menendez and Lautenberg, are two of only 15 Senators who have gone on record in support of increased funding for ovarian cancer research. The Dear Colleague letter, authored by Senator Menendez and Senator Snowe, asks for $30 million for the Department of Defense Ovarian Cancer Research Program in 2011.

Thank you Senators for your continued support !

Now for those outside of NJ ,who read this blog ,please check this OCNA page to see how you can call your Senators and ask them to support the Dear Colleague letter.
Time is running out ! Please make your call tomorrow April 7,2010.

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!

Eliminating the NJ Commission on Cancer Research

I received an e-mail yesterday telling me some disturbing news. On July 1, 2010, the Governor is planning to eliminate the NJ Commission on Cancer Research the only state body that awards cancer research dollars. Their mission is To ensure that the citizens of New Jersey receive the fullest benefit of our nation’s fight against cancer through the promotion and funding of research into the causes, prevention, and treatment of cancer.

Some facts-

• The NJCCR was founded in 1983.
• This program has been so successful it was cited by the President's Cancer Advisory Board in 1989 as an ideal model to bring research to communities.
• In 1995 a law was signed which provided the inclusion of the check off box on the state's income tax form dedicating funding for the Breast Cancer Research Fund
• In 1999 the NJCCR with dedicated health professionals had reached the first of its kind agreement with health insurers who agreed voluntarily to pay for routine care in all phases of cancer clinical trials.
  
• In 2007, an intensive and independent evaluation found that NJCCR funded cancer researchers leveraged over $10 back to NJ laboratories for every $1 awarded, with more than $350 million in research dollars returned to NJ laboratories over the years.
• In 2009, NJCCR & CINJ co-hosted the NJ Summit on Cancer Survivorship. Participants are in the process of developing a 5 year statewide action plan to enhance survivorship in NJ.
• NJCCR receives revenue from dedicated funding sources like the Tobacco Tax, voluntary income tax donations and the Conquer Cancer License plates, it performs its mission at no cost to the general taxpayer.

NJCCR has touched my life in a number of ways.After my diagnosis in 2005, I received a copy of the “Resource Book for Cancer Patients in NJ” published by the NJCCR from the Wellness Community. I found support services that I could use and shared information provided in the book with others diagnosed with cancer.I participated in a clinical trial at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey and continue to be treated there. One of my gynecological oncologists, Dr. Lorna Rodriguez has received grants from the NJCCR for ovarian cancer research. And last November, I was a participant in the NJ Summit on Cancer Survivorship. It is essential that the money be restored to NJCCR so that New Jersey’s progress in the war against cancer can continue and the plan developed at the Summit can be implemented.

You can read more about the Commission in their Annual report.

I will send a letter to the Governor to ask him to not eliminate the program. Will you join me?

The governor's address is:

The Honorable Chris Christie

Office of the Governor

P.O. Box 001

Trenton, NJ 08625


Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

Do You Like the Change?

I received an e-mail from the Blogger Team the other day about new blogger templates and layouts. I thought I would give it a try. So I've spent the last hour and a half customizing the layout and template of this blog.
Well....What do you think? Are the colors OK? Can you read the posts in the new font? Do you think the two columns on the right are too close to each other?
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and have a good week.
Dee
Every day is a Blessing!

Has it really been over a week?

I realized today that I've been involved in so many other things the past week that I haven't posted to this blog.

I've spent lots of time organizing numerous drawers and closets in my house. I am also slowly going through years of accumulated things in my basement. I guess the sunny, warm weather has me with a bit of "spring fever". I was smiling yesterday though as I came across a group of photos from when we first brought home our Pug dog, Kona. He was so small. I didn't realized how small he was and how much I miss the little guy.

Most of the time I've spent on the computer has been related to my role as a Board Member of the Kaleidoscope of Hope Foundation. I've been working on some information pieces and well as a special project which I can tell you about after our Spring Gala. The Spring Gala will be held at the Westin Gov Morris on April 10, 2010. We will be awarding our research grants , and honoring "The Jersey Girls" who have organized and run our successful Avon-by-the-Sea the past three years. I help register walkers each year and have had the pleasure of working with Kathy,Janice, and Mariclaire. For more information about attending this year's Gala click here. For more info about our research grant awardees and the Gala, click here.

The last big chunk of time has been spent reading the Health Care bill on the Thomas site. I like making up my own mind about things - so instead of hearing other people talk about the bill I figured I would read it myself. If you read this blog regularly you know I like to read things related to health care like medical journals reporting the latest research related ovarian cancer. I've read 120 pages of the Bill so far so far. Want to read it too? Click on http://thomas.loc.gov/ ; click on HR 3590 in the column on the right; click on the text of legislation; and click on the link next to number 7.

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!