Advertising Supplement to The Pentagram, Journal, Standard, Trident, Joint Base Journal, Tester, Waterline, Capital Flyer and South Potomac Pilot
Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust Freedom isn’t free: Serving those who’ve served
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ark Brogan has no memory of the blast in Iraq, but he’s been told that a suicide bomber attacked sometime around noon, that the blast instantly killed his sergeant, and that it nearly killed him too. Mark has been told that shrapnel penetrated his skull and brain, and lodged itself in his spinal cord. He knows that he nearly lost an arm, that he was nearly a quadriplegic ... that he nearly died. But he doesn’t remember any of it. What he does remember is weeks later coming out of a coma and gradually processing where he was and what had happened. He also remembers the moment he realized how close he’d come to death. Rooting through the bag his wife Sunny had packed for him and brought to the hospital, Mark discovered his dress blues and a stuffed animal he’d had since childhood. At that moment, he realized that Sunny had packed for his funeral. Sunny wasn’t there to witness the blast that nearly claimed her husband’s life, but she remembers with crystal clarity every moment of those agonizing weeks when she thought she might lose him. Alone in Alaska, where Mark had been stationed, Sunny received the news. She was told her husband would be in a vegetative state for the rest of his life ... if he lived at all. Mark underwent an emergency craniectomy, a procedure that removed half his skull to relieve pressure on his brain and allowed it to swell. “His head
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Combined Federal Campaign 1 is published by Comprint Military Publications, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of Defense, under exclusive written contract. Contents are not the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government or the Department of Defense. Everything advertised in this supplement must be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron.
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was the size of a football,” Sunny says. “He looked like something out of a horror film.” But he still looked like her husband, and she wasn’t ready to give up hope. “I could tell he was still there,” she says. Soon, he began to show signs that confirmed her intuition. He fought the ventilator and began breathing on his own, something a quadriplegic wouldn’t do. While Mark fought for his life, Sunny immersed herself in research about what his life would be like if he survived. She also prepared herself for the worst. “I kept busy trying to find out what the worst-case scenario was,” she says, noting that this allowed her to “grieve a little quicker so that I could be okay with whatever happened.” She also made sure to catalogue every single medical record. “If I hadn’t had her, I’d probably still be lost in the system somewhere,” says Mark, who finally regained consciousness after a 17-day coma. He recognized his mother and Sunny, but it would be months before he could understand what had happened to him. Five years later, Mark is grateful to be alive, but his life today would be unrecognizable to him. “You have expectations that would work for your old self, but you haven’t accepted that you’re a new person,” he says, explaining the challenges of coping with a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
He had planned on working in business when he got out of the Army, and even had a corporate job lined up, but that dream died with TBI. “Now there’s no way I could handle high stress jobs,” says Mark. “I could not keep track. I don’t have the mental agility or stamina to do those things.” Sunny can’t have a career either, since taking care of Mark is a full time job. With no job and no children, Sunny laments how making friendships is difficult. She and Mark often feel isolated, cut-off from the rest of the world. “Our social lives are pretty much nonexistent right now,” she says, explaining that post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), along with Mark’s hearing loss, makes going out a challenge. Most days are spent going to doctor’s appointments. Sunny has to drive Mark – now epileptic, he can’t drive anymore – and she also accompanies him back to see the doctor because otherwise Mark will have trouble hearing, understanding, and remembering the doctor’s instructions. The blast blew out Mark’s eardrums as well as damaging the part of his brain that processes language. “So between the hearing loss and the location of the brain injury, it’s kind of a double whammy as far as understanding people,” says Mark. It’s hard for him to interact with strangers, because they have trouble understanding his disabilities. Just looking at him, you would never know he was a severely wounded soldier. His hair covers the craniectomy scar. As for PTSD and hearing loss: “They’re both unseen injuries,” says Mark.
As such, Mark feels most comfortable at supportive events with other wounded soldiers who understand his situation and can relate. He is also grateful to have such a committed partner in Sunny. The couple has faced incredible challenges since Mark’s injury, but their bond is a strong one. “The lesson we’ve learned is that people’s lives can be forever changed in the blink of an eye,” says Sunny, “And when that happens, people need help.” For families like the Brogans, that help is available through the DAV Charitable Service Trust. “A world of needs arises for those who survive traumatic injuries as a result of their service, and the DAV Charitable Service Trust is creating new possibilities for disabled veterans and their families,” Mark said. Trust initiatives help veterans with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and those who are homeless or teetering on the brink of self-destruction. It supports rehabilitative therapy, family assistance, prosthetics research and a wide array of services and programs that help veterans. Trust initiatives aid wounded warriors who are returning home and support the families of those living and departed. The Trust provides a lifetime to veterans and their loved ones. “My injury never took away my concern for my fellow soldiers and the veterans who’ve given so much to this country. Initiatives like the DAV Charitable Service Trust play a vital role meeting unmet needs,” Mark said. “And the people who support the Trust are helping make better lives for people who’ve given so much for all of us.”
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Chesapeake Bay Foundation Military volunteers give time and toil for a healthier bay
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y Andrea Moran Chesapeake Bay Foundation Hampton Roads Communications Coordinator
Whenever the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) sounds the call for volunteers, members of our military respond in force. For more the twenty years, hundreds of military volunteers in Hampton Roads have turned out to help remove hundreds of thousands of pounds of debris and litter from beaches and marshes during Clean the Bay Day, an annual statewide litter pickup event organized by CBF. In fact, military personnel helped coordinate the first-ever Clean the Bay Day in 1989. Since then the Hampton Roads military community, especially the Navy, has provided more than 31,000 personnel for Clean the Bay Day. Men, women, officers, and enlisted staff supported the massive cleanup this year from Norfolk Naval Station, Portsmouth Naval Hospital, Little Creek
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Amphibious Base, Fort Story, Ocean and Dam Neck, Fort Monroe, Langley Air Force Base, Fort Eustis, Yorktown Naval Weapons Station, Cheatham Annex, and Fort Norfolk Army Corps of Engineers. “If it wasn’t for the outpour of volunteer support from our military, Clean the Bay Day could not achieve the massive impact it does every year,” said CBF’s Tanner Council, Grassroots Coordinator. “We whole-heartedly thank them for their commitment to cleaner, healthier waterways.” While environmental stewardship is the most visible result of CBF volunteer projects, teamwork, camaraderie, and fun are added benefits. That was clearly evident earlier this summer as 30 crew members from the U.S.S. Truman had fun helping build a living shoreline in Sarah Creek in Gloucester County. Forming a bucket brigade from the eroding shoreline out into waist-deep water, the sailors tossed 1,700 heavy bags of oyster shells through the air and mounded them carefully on the river bottom to form a berm, joking and splashing while they worked. This
important shoreline restoration project will eventually create a thriving oyster reef and protect the shore from further erosion. Earlier this year, the same group of Truman sailors helped CBF construct
concrete reef balls to help restore oysters in Chesapeake Bay waterways. CBF works hard in many ways to restore the Chesapeake Bay to better health. Many of our volunteer projects would never be as successful without
the muscle power and cheerful dedication of our military service volunteers. We salute and thank them. For more information about CBF volunteer opportunities, go to cbf.org/volunteer.
THE ARMY DISTAFF FOUNDATION / KNOLLWOOD Where no eligible resident is ever turned away or asked to leave for financial reasons.
Please designate #44795
The Army Distaff Foundation has funded retirement housing and health care services for residents of Knollwood, a non-profit community for retired military officers and their families, since 1962. Please help us continue this great tradition by contributing to the Army Distaff Foundation.
Please designate #44795.
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6200 Oregon Ave. NW Washington, DC 20015 (202) 541-0492 or (800) 541-4255 www.armydistaff.org Combined Federal Campaign 1 - Advertising Supplement
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Archdiocese for the Military Services
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he crackling of not-too-distant gunfire pierces the dry air around Marjah in southern Afghanistan, an unincorporated farming community of 80,000 situated in the poppy fields—as the crow flies, about 60 miles west of Kandahar. At a United States military outpost, Father Carl Subler dons his vestments, trying to say Mass for a small group of troops taking a break from their combat patrol to rest and draw courage from the presence of Christ in the Gospel and the Eucharist. The grating rat-atat-tat in the distance makes it difficult to pray and serves as a constant reminder of their un-peaceful surroundings. It is coming from a firefight between fellow U.S. Soldiers and Taliban insurgents, no farther away than the length of three U.S. football fields on the other side of some buildings. A soldier says, “Hey Father, let’s move in behind the Stryker, that way we don’t get hit by any strays (bullets).” Father Subler decides that’s a good idea, so they relocate the Mass to a position behind the armored
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Hope on the horizon Without the chaplains, U.S. servicemen and women fighting our nation’s wars would go without access to confession, communion or anointing of the sick. vehicle. Such is a day in the life of a Catholic military chaplain serving on the front lines of battle. Father Subler is among active military chaplains endorsed by the Archdiocese for the Military Services (AMS) to provide for the pastoral care of Catholic individuals and families in the U.S. armed forces, military academies, VA medical centers and U.S. government civilian posts overseas. Geographically, the AMS is the largest archdiocese in the Church, trans-
national without territorial boundaries. It is present throughout the world wherever U.S. military personnel are stationed and anywhere outside the country were federal civilian employees are assigned. Catholic military chaplains accompany the men and women in uniform wherever they may go, including war zones and battlefronts. The AMS receives no federal funding. Therefore, the unique, global circumstances under which the faithful of the AMS and its chaplains operate require particular attention to ensure that the needs of these Catholics, many of whom are serving or have served in harm's way, are met. Across the nation and around the world, an estimated 1.5 million Catholics depend on these priests for spiritual and sacramental care, including record keeping for sacraments such as baptism and matrimony. Without the chaplains, U.S. servicemen and women
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fighting our nation’s wars would go without access to confession, communion or anointing of the sick. But as more and more chaplains reach the military retirement age of 62, their numbers are declining. Since 911, the number of active Catholic U.S. military chaplains has dropped from more than 400in 2001 to approximately 270 this year, leaving their services in increasingly greater demand among those they serve. Hope is on the horizon. Over the past four years, under the stewardship of His Excellency, the Most Reverend Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., the AMS has seen a steady increase in the number of young men entering seminaries in various dioceses throughout the country and in Rome to become military chaplains. Their numbers have climbed from only three in 2008-09, to 12 in 2009-10, 23 in 20102011, and 31 in 2011-12. Meanwhile, the AMS is processing hundreds of additional inquiries from prospective military chaplains. The AMS expects anywhere from five to 10 more to enter seminaries next year, with still more to come in years to follow. For the AMS, the growing influx of new seminarians poses a dilemma – that is, how to pay for its share of their five-year education. The cost is typically $25,000 per year for each seminarian. In most
Getting to where I need to go has only resulted in my being in a couple of firefights. Since chaplains don’t carry weapons, I just stayed low until the shooting stopped. Then we pick up and continue our patrol to our destination.” cases, the AMS splits tuition and related costs 50-50 under a co-sponsorship program with each diocese where the seminarian is educated, ordained and incardinated. By agreement, the seminarian will give the diocese three years of parish service immediately following ordination before joining the military, and will return to the diocese upon completion of his military career. In just four years, the AMS’s annual seminary bill has climbed from less than $40,000 to more than $350,000. The Knights of Columbus recently announced a new “Venerable Father McGivney Military Chaplain Scholarship” that will provide $200,000 a year over the next five years. The archdiocese is now in search of additional
funding sources to make up the difference. In the meantime, chaplains like Father Carl Subler remain active in the trenches, eagerly awaiting reinforcements. Describing a typical day in his deployment to Afghanistan, Father Subler says, “Most of the time I can get to where I need to go via helicopter or Stryker, but sometimes at outposts with the smaller platoon-sized elements, we have to get to it on foot. Walking in on foot of course means that you are subject to enemy small-arms fire, Getting to where I need to go has only resulted in my being in a couple of firefights. Since chaplains don’t carry weapons, I just stayed low until the shooting stopped. Then we pick up and continue our patrol to our destination.”
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NCAC, Boy Scouts of America
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n June 21, 1911, a group of community leaders met at the Willard Hotel on Pennsylvania Ave NW in Washington, DC and put into place the structure for what is now the National Capital Area Council (NCAC), Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Their vision was “to organize the boys…into units and teach them, or cause them to be taught through duly designated leaders, discipline, patriotism, courage, habits of preservation, self-control and the ability to care for themselves in all exigencies of life.” A century later, NCAC is putting that vision into practice on a daily basis for 61,900 boys and girls through the dedication of more than 22,800 registered adult volunteers and countless known and unknown supporters. Our resources are focused on ensuring every youth in this area has the opportunity to grow up into positive, productive, contributing members of society by learning leadership skills and developing strong character and healthy living habits. Scouting helps young people develop selfreliance. It teaches them perseverance, instilling in them courage to overcome life’s obstacles and character to face life’s challenges. As they earn merit
Timeless values badges, youth in Scouting learn critical and creative thinking skills. They learn effective problem-solving techniques and how to work as part of team while they test the limits of their determination through goal-setting. Outdoor adventures, a key element to the Scouting program, offer an opportunity to keep “mentally awake” and “physically strong” while building their appreciation for the environment. The positive impact of Scouting affects not just the youth, but his family, friends, schoolmates and community. Achievement becomes a point of pride and spreads through all facets of the Scout’s life – personal, academic and social. Youth in the Scouting program develop a deep-rooted understanding of their role in society and understand the causal impact of their actions. They become valued members of constructive peer groups, giving them a stronger sense of self-worth, belonging and purpose. Former U.S. Secretary of Defense and Distinguished Eagle Scout Robert Gates once remarked, “Caring beyond one’s self is fundamental not only to Scouting, but also to democracy and to civilization itself.” In celebration of that thought, NCAC will host its Third Annual Scouting Salutes
the Military on October 26, bringing together the local and national community in support of the tremendous service - on and off the battlefield - rendered by the men and women of our armed services. The concept of the event is unique, simple and powerful: NCAC honors one active duty enlisted person who personifies the values found in the Scout Oath and Law to represent each of the five military branches – Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. For more information, please visit www.BoyScout-NCAC.org/salutethemilitary. October will also play host to NCAC100, the Council’s one-day anniversary extravaganza. It will be held at Camp William B. Snyder in Haymarket on October 22 and will include including the World’s Longest Pinewood Derby Track, historical Scouting demonstrations/displays, special gatherings for Scouting alumni and affinity groups, main stage events, food, fun, games and activities for Scouts of all ages! Open to the entire Scouting family and the community, this celebration will showcase the Scouts of yesterday, today and tomorrow. More details and registration information can be found at www.BoyScouts-NCAC.org/NCAC100.
NRA CIVIL RIGHTS DEFENSE FUND Established by the National Rifle Association
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Asserts and defends the human, civil and Constitutional rights of law abiding Americans to keep and bear arms through precedentsetting litigation and education programs
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CFC #10006 703-267-1254 September 2011
Children’s Emergency Relief International
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s the youngest of his siblings in the poor Eastern European country of Moldova, Alexandru was placed in a Moldovan orphanage because his parents could no longer afford to care for him. Unfortunately for many children in Moldovan orphanages they age out after graduation from the 9th grade at age 16 or 17 and are forced to leave. With no life skills and no means to survive, most are subject to life on the streets where they often fall prey to human trafficking or prostitution. Alexandru was an intelligent child and dreamed about going to high school and then to college after graduating from the 9th grade in the orphanage, but due to his financial situation, he did not think it was possible. However, the young boy who had now grown into a young man was introduced to Children’s Emergency Relief International (CERI). CERI is an international organization aimed at caring for children and providing them with a brighter future. In Moldova, CERI had a Transitional Care Program
Changing lives, charting futures Alexandru was an intelligent child and dreamed about going to high school and then to college after graduating from the 9th grade in the orphanage, but due to his financial situation, he did not think it was possible.
waiting for him after he graduated from the orphanage’s education system. CERI’s Transitional Care program steps into the gap to help these youth continue their education, make good life choices, and learn to support themselves and keep them from the life of poverty and crime that many of their peers face. Through this program Alexandru was provided with life-skills train-
ing and a social worker who advised and assisted him financially, emotionally, and academically during his high school education, his university education, and until he was able to live independently without financial support. CERI has been able to help Alexandru succeed in his dreams to go to high school and to a university. He attended the Technical University of Moldova, where he studied energetics and graduated with high grades. He is now working in the energetics field and has become a productive young man, fully able to support himself. CERI is privileged to be a part of children’s lives like Alexandru. Children’s Emergency Relief International touches the lives of thousands of hurting children like Alexandru and their families in not only Eastern Europe but also in Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa. With innovative programs like transitional living and establishing the first foster care system in countries like Sri Lanka, CERI is able to change the lives and futures of those we serve.
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American Kidney Fund
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A young woman’s resilience in the face of chronic illness eing diagnosed at 22 years old with end-
stage kidney disease was a shock for Addrisa Ankrah. She cried. She was depressed and discouraged. But she was surrounded by special people who loved and encouraged her. She learned that instead of life ending with this devastating diagnosis, life was just beginning. “I am not defined by this disease,” states Addrisa, “but by who I am. Today people tell me I inspire them with my smile and my energy – even after three hours of treatment at the dialysis center.” As a young adult, Addrisa is sensitive about appearance. Several times a week she receives dialysis treatment, which leaves a permanent and obvious mark on her arm from the needle that connects her to the dialysis machine. Addrisa fields embarrassing questions from strangers and casual acquaintances and must explain about her chronic illness. But Addrisa gets comfort from the poetry she writes. She works full time and spends time with friends and family. And she helps others. “I feel empowered when I help empower others. Living with kidney disease myself, I know what it means to receive desperately needed support. I’ll do whatever I can to help ease the suffering of a sister or brother living with kidney disease.”
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Animal Welfare Institute
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Resources for victims of family violence
ane finally was able to escape her abusive husband, but she had to leave her beloved dog behind. When she received a photo showing her husband about to cut off the dog’s ear, however, she returned home. Had she been able to find a temporary placement for her dog, she might have been able to get away for good. The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) wants to help victims of family violence to leave safely without having to worry about their companion animals. Since its founding in 1951 as the first organization to lobby Congress on behalf of animals, the Animal Welfare Institute has been breaking new ground in its mission to alleviate the suffering inflicted on animals by people. One of AWI’s newest initiatives addresses animal cruelty crimes and seeks to accomplish two goals. The first is to assist families who are experiencing abuse against a spouse or partner, child, or elderly family member, as well as their companion animals. To achieve this, it has created a new repository of resources for victims of family violence and the law enforcement and service agencies involved in such cases. The connection between animal abuse and other forms of violence has been firmly established through experience and scientific studies. Among the most well-documented relationships is the one between animal cruelty and domestic violence, which manifests itself in many ways. Up to 71 percent of victims entering domestic violence shelters have reported that their abusers threatened, injured, or killed the family pet; batterers do this to control, intimidate, and retaliate against their victims. In just one recent case in Florida, a son brutally beat his elderly mother’s dog in order to intimidate and manipulate her. Batterers threaten, harm, or kill their children’s pets in order to coerce them into allowing sexual abuse or to force them into silence about abuse. Because of their strong attachments to their pets, victims of domestic violence may delay leaving a dangerous situation because of fear for the pet’s safety. Victims and their families need help; so do their companion animals. Through its “Animals and Family Violence” program (www.awionline.org/safehavens), AWI provides practical tools and information, such as the National Safe Havens Mapping Project, a listing by state of programs that help to place the companion animals of domestic violence victims. A valuable resource for helping domestic violence victims and their pets reach safety, this database eventually will cover all states and will be searchable by zip code. There is also information about states that allow inclusion of companion animals in Temporary Restraining Orders.
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The new webpage also provides downloadable materials, links to other useful websites, and opportunities to network with others in the larger community who are working to help domestic violence victims and their families. AWI’s second goal is to improve the enforcement of anti-cruelty laws and the prosecution of animal abusers. It has partnered with the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys to provide training, technical support, and other assistance for prosecutors, members of the law enforcement community, and other involved parties to enhance the prosecution of animal abuse and animal fighting crimes. Research has shown that criminals and troubled youth have high rates of animal cruelty during their childhoods, perpetrators were often victims of child abuse themselves, and animal abusers move on to other crimes. In 1997, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reported that 70 percent of the individuals it prosecuted for cruelty between 1975 and 1996 had been involved in other crimes, and animal abusers were five times more likely to commit a violent offense against other people. Another all-too-common connection exists between animal fighting (which includes both dog Combined Federal Campaign 1 - Advertising Supplement
fighting and cockfighting) and gangs, drugs, gambling, illegal guns, and other offenses. The Animal Legal and Historical Center at the Michigan State University College of Law describes dog fighting in these stark terms: “The notion that dogfighting is simply an animal welfare issue is clearly erroneous…. The magnitude of criminal activity concurrently taking place at the average dogfight is of such a scope as to warrant the involvement of a wide range of agencies, including local, regional, and federal law enforcement agencies and their specialized divisions such as organized crime units, SWAT teams, and vice squads, as well as animal control agencies and child protective services.” Animal abuse is more than a “gateway” offense however. It is also a crime in its own right. It is a crime everywhere in the U.S., and certain egregious acts are felonies in 47 states and the District of Columbia. But not all laws are created equal; a felony in one state may still be a misdemeanor in another. In some states, cruelty rises to a felony only upon a second or third offense, or only if the animal dies; if the animal survives, no matter how severe his injuries, it is still a misdemeanor.
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Prevent Cancer Foundation
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Putting cancer prevention first in the community!
lthough cancer prevention is a notion that has only recently captured the attention of mainstream America, it has been the core of the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s, (formerly the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation) mission for the past 25 years. At the Foundation’s inception in 1985, “cancer prevention” was almost non-existent, limited largely to smoking cessation efforts. Cancer, at the time, was akin to a death sentence; therefore, researchers and their funders were focused entirely on treatment and a cure. The benefits of a healthy lifestyle, the idea that obesity, lack of exercise, and a diet high in saturated fat might have a direct link to certain cancers seemed far-fetched. Likewise, routine screenings were limited to mammograms and pap smears, and a cancer diagnosis remained something to be whispered about—even if one in three Americans would have to face it. “Prevention was not in the mainstream,” recalls
Small victories in the fight to “Stop Cancer Before it Starts” would not be possible, however, without the continued support of our donors. We are grateful for your support, and hope you continue to join us in the fight against cancer. Carolyn Aldigé, president and founder of the Prevent Cancer Foundation. “I think the attitude of most people was that cancer was a disease you were either going to get or you weren’t. There wasn’t anything you could do to keep yourself from getting it.” The Foundation has worked to change that way of thinking with 25 years of funding research, education and community outreach programs.
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The goal of the Prevent Cancer Foundation is to “Stop Cancer Before it Starts”, a goal which is carried out in 3 ways: • by supporting cutting-edge research to increase the body of science of cancer prevention and early detection • by educating individuals and communities about how to prevent cancer, reduce risk, and
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practice healthy behaviors • by providing community-level prevention and early detection services, with an emphasis on medically underserved communities Since 1985, more than $120 million has been provided in support of cancer prevention research, education and outreach programs nationwide and have played a pivotal role in developing a body of knowledge that is the basis for important prevention and early detection strategies. The Prevent Cancer Foundation is proud to have carefully vetted and funded more than $40 million in grants and fellowships funding in cancer prevention and early detection research to early career scientists and researchers at over 150 leading medical institutions across the country. These scientists have done everything from pioneer research that led to the development of the HPV-vaccine, which can prevent nearly 70% of cervical cancer incidents; to founding the investigation that will clarify the roles of sunlight, vitamin D, and diet in skin cancer; to determining if early immune system-based intervention strategies will prevent leukemia development in “atrisk” (those with genetic abnormalities) individuals. The Foundation’s public education programs have applied this scientific knowledge to teach the public on ways they can reduce their cancer risks. The Foundation has developed a variety of educational programs and resources that teach people how to reduce their own cancer risks, including Breast Health Education for Young Women, a nationally-available interactive skill-building program designed to encourage young women to develop lifelong healthy habits, and the Prevent Cancer Super ColonTM, an 8-foot-high, 20-foot-long educational tool that promotes colorectal cancer awareness and the importance of screening. Additionally, the Prevent Cancer Foundation supports a variety of community outreach programs that promote screening and early detection among all populations, particularly the underserved. Examples include the State Fairs Health Awareness and Screening Booths program, which provides cancer screening and prevention education services at State Fairs in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Kansas, offering lifesaving screenings to rural populations who otherwise would not have access. Today, most experts agree that a third of cancer deaths can be prevented through lifestyle changes and through early detection and screening. We have a long way to go to reach that goal, but we can find inspiration in how far we’ve come. The statistics speak for themselves: Cancer incidence rates decreased 1.1 percent per year from 1992 through 1998 among all persons in the U.S. In 2003 and 2004, the cancer death rate declined by about 2 percent each year. That’s an estimated 25,000 American’s each year! These small victories in the fight to “Stop Cancer Before it Starts” would not be possible, however, without the continued support of our donors. Over the years, The Combined Federal Campaign and workplace giving employee programs across the country have contributed more than $7.5 million to the Prevent Cancer Foundation (formerly Cancer Prevention & Research Foundation). We are grateful for your support, and hope you continue to join us in the fight against cancer. The Prevent Cancer Foundation’s mission is to save lives through cancer prevention and early detection. We will continue to work in support of this mission until we no longer lose loved ones to this disease. Please visit our website for more information at www.preventcancer.org and find us on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Remember us – CFC #11074. The Prevent Cancer Foundation wishes the Combined Federal Campaign a Happy 50th Anniversary – Your gifts truly make a difference! September 2011
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Fisher House Foundation Because A family’s love is the best medicine
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rivate First Class Matthew Zajac was the lead truck on a raid in Baghdad, Iraq when his Humvee was ambushed; causing him to lose both legs and severely damage his right arm. Five months into his deployment, Lance Cpl. David Chirinos started feeling sick to his stomach, the symptoms leading up to a colon cancer diagnosis. Army mom Brenda Davis was at home in Georgia when she got a call that her daughter, Army Specialist Jessica Carter was on her way back to the states with pregnancy complications. Tech Sgt. James “Jim” Davis was on a rescue mission in a dangerous Afghan Valley when his helicopter was shot at from an insurgent cave below them, resulting in a round going through his right leg. Life happens – and these examples are reality for many of our military families. On the 10th anniversary of September 11, we are reminded just how necessary Fisher Houses are and the pivotal relief they provide families. Fisher House provides a “home away from home”
Fisher House provides a “home away from home” for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers throughout the U.S. and in Landstuhl, Germany. Expansion of the program would not be possible were it not for the support of service men and women and federal civilian employees that comes each year through the Combined Federal Campaign. for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers throughout the U.S. and in Landstuhl, Germany. Expansion of the program would not be possible were it not for the support of service men and women and federal civilian employees that comes each year through the Combined Federal Campaign. The donations allow the Foundation to build new Fisher Houses, and to support their other programs.
Since inception in 1990 Fisher Houses have provided help for more than 142,000 families, a savings of more than $165 million in lodging and transportation costs alone. Each Fisher House is beautifully decorated; and offers guests a common kitchen, family, dining, living, and laundry room in addition to their own private suite with a handicapped accessible restroom. A unique private-public partnership, once the
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YOU WOULDN’T LEAVE YOUR BUDDIES OUT ON THE FIELD; DON’T LEAVE THEM OUT ON THE STREET.
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Not long ago, these men were out on the streets. Today, they are being reunited with their families, and have jobs and homes. Since 1980, the Coalition’s 13 transitional facilities and shelters have provided a safe, stable environment for thousands of homeless men, women and children. With your generous donation, you too can help a homeless individuals and families regain www.dccfh.org self-sufficiency and return to independent living. 1234 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite C-1015
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Fisher Houses are built, they are donated to the military or VA, who become responsible for their operation and maintenance. Accommodating anywhere from 16 to 42 family members, Fisher Houses provide an inviting place for families to relax and recuperate with the support of families around them, who are dealing with similar situations. It is CFC dollars that help Fisher House Foundation pay lodging fees for every family who stays at a military Fisher House. CFC donations help fund other Fisher House programs too. One of these is the Hero Miles program, which provides military members and their loved ones nearly 25,000 round-trip airline tickets, sending them to the bedside of injured service members recovering at military or VA medical centers. After Matt’s Humvee was ambushed, he was sent to Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, where he recuperated for over a year. Throughout his recovery and rehabilitation, his father Mike was there every step of the way, staying at the Fisher House to help support his son. Matt now lives in New Mexico and is attending New Mexico State University for mechanical engineering. David currently resides with his wife in a Fisher House at National Naval Medical Center, but is doing well enough to return to Camp Lejeune and start his next journey with his new bride. Jessica gave birth at National Naval Medical Center to a beautiful and perfectly healthy baby girl in February. Jessica’s mom never left her side. And finally, Jim is still recovering from his wounds at Travis AFB in California, residing at the Fisher House with his wife and two children. Fisher House Foundation is privileged to help support our heroes and their families by providing lodging and transportation. After all, a family’s love is the best medicine. Donating through the CFC to Fisher House Foundation (Agency code 11453) helps provide direct support to “our greatest national treasure…our military service men and women and their loved ones.”
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Lupus Foundation of America
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Research brings new hope to people with Lupus for improved quality of life
hile most adults can describe the warning signs of several well-known diseases, one serious and potentially life-threatening condition has remained out of the consciousness of a large portion of the workforce. The disease is lupus. Lupus develops when the immune system is out of balance with the rest of the body, causing inflammation and damage to any tissue or organ in the body. Inflammation caused by lupus can damage the heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain, resulting in significant disability or death. Fortunately, for most people who develop lupus, early recognition, diagnosis and proper medical care of the disease often can prevent or reduce serious health complications, such as heart attacks, strokes, seizures, and kidney failure.
Diagnosis Can Be Difficult Lupus is difficult to detect and diagnose because many initial symptoms of the disease
Fortunately, for most people who develop lupus, early recognition, diagnosis and proper medical care of the disease often can prevent or reduce serious health complications, such as heart attacks, strokes, seizures, and kidney failure. may be dismissed as nothing serious. Common symptoms of lupus include joint pain, fatigue, fevers, and skin rashes. Because the disease develops mostly among young adults, and disease activity comes and goes over time, more than half of the people with lupus suffer several years before doctors can make an accurate diagnosis. The average time that passes between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis is more than four years, requiring
visits to three or more doctors. Diagnosis usually is made through a careful review of a person's entire medical history, coupled with an analysis of the results obtained from routine laboratory tests and some specialized tests related to immune status. The Lupus Foundation of America Website includes a short questionnaire that can help assess a person’s status. It is available online at
See LUPUS, Page 17
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www.lupus.org/checklist, or call the LFA at 800-558-0121 to request a free brochure.
Research Offers Promise for New Treatments Through research sponsored by the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA), new information about how the immune system functions is providing insight into the progression of lupus and ways to impede or halt disease activity. The LFA is advancing research on the disease by bringing down barriers that have obstructed progress in understanding the underlying cause of lupus and development of new, more tolerable and effective treatments. Learn more about the LFA’s National Research Program at www.lupus.org/research.
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The key to offering animals the most protection possible, however weak or strong the statute, lies in vigorous enforcement of the law and prosecution of violators. While there are many in law enforcement and the courts who recognize animal abuse for the violent crime that it is and act accordingly, there are those who do not take it seriously, treating it as no more urgent than a parking infraction. Others genuinely want to act decisively but may lack the necessary resources, support, or expertise. Weak laws are bad enough, but additional problems may arise from confusion over jurisdiction or limitations in coverage—or by pressure to
LFA Has Unique Dual Mission The Lupus Foundation of America is the oldest and largest national nonprofit voluntary health organization focused on improving the quality of life for people with lupus. The LFA’s unique dual mission serves the ongoing needs of people affected by lupus today while leading efforts to find a cure – from care to cure!™ Through programs of research, education, and advocacy, the LFA is leading efforts to bring national attention and resources to bear upon lupus. The LFA participates in the Combined Federal Campaign through the National Community Health Charities federation. Federal employees, including postal and military personnel, can support the LFA through the CFC by designating Agency #10566. For more information about lupus and the LFA, please visit the LFA Website at www.lupus.org/cfc.
dispose of cases quickly. That is why AWI is committed to ensuring that prosecutors and others in the law enforcement and judicial communities receive the d training and support they need. Animal cruelty and animal fighting crimes not only victimize some of the most innocent and vulnerable members of society, but they also create a culture of violence–and a cadre of violent offenders—that affects children, families in general, and society at large. AWI is working to ensure that crimes involving animals are taken seriously and pursued vigorously. Preventing and prosecuting these crimes will benefit both the animals and the entire community by reducing the overall level of violence and changing the path of potential future violent offenders.
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Club Beyond/Military Community Youth Ministries
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Digging into the trenches with military teens
ilitary teens know that freedom isn’t free. The silent casualties of combat are the wounded hearts of military families. As military activity in the Middle East continues, the social fabric of military families is wearing thin with each deployment. Of the 1.2 million children of military personnel, 25 percent (approximately 300,000) are teenagers between the ages of 12 and 18*. Many of these military teens cannot remember a time when overseas conflicts have not affected their lives. They deal with crippling uncertainty every time one or sometimes both of their parents are deployed to combat zones. They have friends whose parents have lost limbs or perished, and the fierce fear of similar perils in their own family is constant. For military teens, the war starts over with every deployment. These teens’ lives are riddled with insecurity, inconsistent peer and family structures, and frequent moves. All of these struggles—plus the classic difficulties of adolescence—create significant trenches that often keep a military teen from knowing true joy in his or her life. Military
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teens crave peace, stability, lasting relationships, and above all, unconditional love. Club Beyond/ Military Community Youth Ministries (MCYM) recognizes that although military kids may walk the same school hallways as other teens, they live in a very different reality. In 1980, Club Beyond/ MCYM was created as a separate 501(c) (3) to be an ecumenical partnership that serves the teens and families of the United States Armed Forces. Known as Club Beyond® to the middle and high school youth, our staff members forge meaningful friendships with these teens to help them face the unique and challenging aspects of life as a military “brat,” which in many instances is a long way from the familiar surroundings of their American culture. We are an ecumenical program that partners with the different chaplains and chapel communities on military installations to reach military teens. In addition to chapel connections, MCYM represents partnerships between three wellrespected Christian youth ministries-- Young Life, Youth for Christ USA, and Life Teen. Our
trained staff of over 90 adult leaders at more than 45 worldwide locations invests in teens’ lives, sharing God’s love and mentoring them. Consisting of weekly meetings during the school year and fun activities year-round, Club Beyond seeks to “Celebrate life with military teens, and introduce them to the Life Giver, and help them become more like Him.” Primarily, Club Beyond leaders provide a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, and a friendly hug when they’re most needed. MCYM/ Club Beyond is a proud member of the ECFA and Charity Navigator. Additionally, we were recognized in 2010 by Ministry Watch as one of the Shining Light “Top 30” Exemplary Ministries and ranked #1 among fellowship evangelism ministries. We are one of only 8 other ministries who have been highlighted by Ministry Watch for the past four years consecutively! Club Beyond/MCYM continues to grow with the purpose of reaching every military teen. * (according to the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University)
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Catholic Charities
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Helping overcome mental health challenges and beginning careers serving others Harold’s battle with bipolar disorder cost him jobs, a home and his marriage. But it has also opened a new world. He takes what he has learned from his past to work with each of ACT’s 80 clients. He is part of a team of doctors, clinicians and volunteers – the same people who helped him succeed. Harold is enrolled in community college classes, and he hopes to earn a degree in social work. “It’s good to give back,” Harold said with a smile. “It’s good to help others.” Catholic Charities plays a central role in addressing poverty and isolation in the Washington-metropolitan region. Each year, more than 100,000 people received assistance, much of it the most basic of needs, from a Catholic Charities program. With the compassion of more than 800 dedicated staff in 77 diverse programs in DC and five Maryland counties, Catholic Charities provides a holistic approach to identifying and offering relief for family and individual crises, and assisting all
who are in need regardless of their religious, social or economic background. Mental illness and homelessness is just one of many crises Catholic Charities helps families and individuals overcome. The agency also offers services to help adults further their education, find employment or secure food. The agency serves children and teen parents and helps keep households safe. Adults and children living with developmental disabilities are given an opportunity to grow and participate in their community. Catholic Charities works with immigrants and refugees seeking a new and safer life here in our region. And Catholic Charities provides a safe place to sleep to more than 1,300 men, women and children each night. Help Catholic Charities help others find a home and find hope. With your support, Catholic Charities can help many more reach a stable life and begin to build a better tomorrow. Our CFC# is 83997.
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ach morning, Harold Johnson greets colleagues and clients at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington (CFC# 83997) with an ear-to-ear smile. For about a year, he has worked as a Peer Specialist for the Anchor Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team. He does his job very well. After all, he knows what it’s like - he’s been in their shoes. Peer Specialists go into the community to help clients fill out legal paperwork, get prescription refills and visit the doctor. Having overcome his own mental health battles, Harold’s clients trust him and listen to his advice. Just a few years ago, Harold was devastated by a divorce and left reeling from the loss of an apartment. Homeless, he moved from shelter to shelter until he found Anchor and its housing program. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, placed on a regimen of therapeutic medications and began meeting one-on-one with Dr. Irvine Barnes, now the director of the ACT team.
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