Did Paul McCartney ever consider “Band on the Run” to be jinxed? If he did, there had been a couple of good reasons to think so.
He and his Wings group were scheduled to fly to Nigeria to record “Band on the Run.” But some of the musicians never showed, so only Paul and Linda McCartney and Wings guitarist Denny Laine made the journey.
In the studio, McCartney sang lead and filled in on guitar, electric piano, bass, and drums.
“I played a lot of stuff myself,” he said. “It was almost a solo album. Almost.”
Not quite. Wife and partner Linda McCartney added synthesizers and electric piano to the tracks, and Denny Laine offered lead guitar. And both sang backup vocals.
“Band
“Band on the Run” became a fiveminute-plus work that played out like a three-act mini-drama. There was the slow, meandering opening. A hard-rocking section kicked in next. Finally, a dynamic, Eagles-like harmony drove the work to a powerful finale.
the
Paul McCartney and Wings June 1974
But as the trio was walking back to their hotel that night, they were robbed at knifepoint, with thieves snatching their tapes and vanishing into the darkness. The McCartneys and Laine thus had to create a new recording from memory.
Flashback: At one time, the Beatles were a struggling band covering Top 40 hits in German bars. They eventually broke big in the UK in 1962, became teen idols throughout Europe the following year, and conquered America in 1964.
But when the Fab Four began their own music label — Apple Records — in 1968, they “officially” entered the world of Big Business. Consequently, the Beatles often had to endure boring meetings in stuffy boardrooms.
At one such gathering, George Harrison unknowingly handed McCartney a part of “Band on the Run.”
McCartney remembered, “It started off with, ‘If I ever get out of here.’ That came from a remark George made at one of the Apple meetings. He was saying that we’re all prisoners in some way.”
Lyrically, “Band on the Run” opened with the narrator already being incarcerated:
Stuck inside these four walls, Sent inside forever
When the song shifted to the next tier, we heard a prisoner’s lament:
If I ever get out of here
In the final section, we learned of a “jailer man” and how a county judge held a grudge because he’ll have to “search forevermore” but will never capture the elusive “band on the run.”
McCartney later explained that his lyrics involved police hassles and drug problems: “We were being outlawed for pot.” (He preferred marijuana over booze.)
“Our argument on ‘Band on the Run’ was that we’re not criminals … So I just made up a song about people breaking out of prison.”
McCartney later said of his musical creation, “It’s a million things, all put together … a band on the run — escaping, freedom, criminals. You name it, it’s there.”
To McCartney’s delight, his fans embraced the Apple single, which topped Billboard’s chart. Even ex-partner John Lennon, often one of McCartney’s harshest critics, enthusiastically pronounced it “a great song.”
Randal C. Hill is a rock ’n’ roll historian who lives at the Oregon coast. He may be reached at wryterhill@msn.com.
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“To me there is such a joy and beauty being outside in creation,” says John Riddell, who is most happy enjoying the glories of Lancaster County’s changing seasons from the seat of his bicycle. “Riding inside is really boring.”
Riddell, 65, began his fascination with the bicycle as a boy in Princeton, New Jersey.
“I was born in 1958 and rode my bike to school — that was the way you got around,” he says.
In school, he was also an ardent cross-country track athlete and continued to enjoy running until a doctor suggested he find another sport — too much stress on the joints.
“I’ve had a love of biking since 1990,” he explains.
The scenic area around his Quarryville home and Lancaster County’s rail trails has nurtured Riddell’s love of riding.
“We’ve lived here since 1986 and love the smalltown culture. It was a great place to raise children. All four graduated from Solanco High School.
“It’s also a great place to ride,” he continues. “People mostly get out of your way. At least 90% are kind and want you to be safe.”
Riddell explains that he enjoys riding on two levels.
“First, I enjoy challenges. I like to set a goal and achieve that goal — that drives me a lot,” he says.
with an organized group.
On longer rides, his friend, Jeff Worley of Willow Street, is a frequent companion, although he also enjoys solo rides on local country roads.
A challenge can include riding from Quarryville to Ocean City, Maryland, all in one day. In the last 10 years, he has also biked across North Carolina twice, across Florida, and across the state of Kansas
Last summer, in France, Riddell rode a section of the Tour de France in the Pyrenees.
“I rode to the top of a mountain by myself. My wife, brother, and daughter were there waiting for me. It was so exciting and memorable to achieve that goal and to be able to celebrate the achievement with family at the top. A local French cyclist captured the moment with a picture using my phone!”
During the warmer months, weather permitting, Riddell even rides from his home in Quarryville to his office at the Dayspring Christian Academy in Mountville, where he is the director of finance and human resources.
He explains the 50-mile roundtrip gives him time for spiritual contemplation, the other aspect of riding he appreciates.
“Biking helps clear your mind, but it’s also a time for me to talk with the Lord,” he says.
While his three sons and one daughter are also athletic, “this is my thing,” says Riddell. “My wife, Deb, prefers walking and gardening.”
While he rides for enjoyment and meeting personal goals, Riddell is very excited to participate in this year’s 10th annual Empire State Ride (empirestateride.com), a more than 500-mile cycling
adventure from New York City to Niagara Falls to raise money for cuttingedge cancer research at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York.
“When I started down this road, it was all about going on this awesome ride. But in the weeks since then, I’ve been struck by the number of people in my circle who have faced cancer,” says Riddell.
“While I will enjoy the challenge, I am now participating in memory of friends and family members who have lost battles with cancer and to honor those who survived it.”
After raising at least $3,500 in donations (Riddell’s personal goal is now $10,000), he will join about 350 male and female participants for the seven-day ride, from July 20-27, definitely in the heart of summer.
“I don’t mind July,” he says. “I prefer hot rather than cold weather — if it rains, at least it’s warmer rain.”
Riddell continues, “Each day, we’ll ride about 80 miles. We start the ride by 8 o’clock in the morning, after breakfast. Everybody leaves when they are ready. This is definitely not a race.”
Every 20 miles there is a rest stop with snacks and drinks as well as a bicycle mechanic. People who can help with other bike or health problems are also on call.
“We stop for lunch and keep riding to the finish line for that day,” he says. “Then it’s showers and dinner.”
Each night the group hears a different 45-minute presentation about the successes of the hospital and their research.
Afterward, the organizers have set up lawn games and other entertainment, but most people are tired and understandably don’t stay up late. Tents and air mattresses are set up for participants each night.
“This will be my first weeklong ride without a friend along,” says Riddell. “But I’m looking forward to meeting new people and making friendships. Most participants are from the Buffalo area, including some who have received treatment at the center and just want to give back.”
The event raises about $1 million each year.
As he trains for the ride with growing enthusiasm, Riddell explains, “The more I get into it, the more energizing it is for me to be part of something that will help generations to research a cure for cancer. Understanding how many people have been impacted by cancer in my own life has built momentum in me.”
Riddell feels especially fortunate to be able to participate in such a demanding ride because he has had his own brush with death that could have
the spirit and heart with joy.”
easily ended his biking activities, if not his life.
He tells the story: “Fourteen years ago I was out one Saturday morning in Solanco, training for a long-distance ride. Somehow I fell and had a bad brain injury. A helmet doesn’t keep you from getting hurt — it just helps keep you from getting killed.
“My brain was pushed to one side — I was four days in the hospital, and it was four months before I returned to work. Fortunately, there were no long-term repercussions. I did eventually get back on the bike, but the first five times, I rode with a friend — very slowly.”
Now he sees some benefits from this life-altering event.
“It changed a lot of things in my life and even led to a positive job change to my current position at Dayspring. I’m very thankful to be alive.”
Riddell looks to a future where he’ll continue riding as long as he can. For now, he’ll continue training every day to increase his endurance and muscle strength in the Lancaster County countryside on his Trek Domane, a bike he won during another charity event.
He summarizes, “With riding, you get the physical benefits of staying in shape. You sleep better, have less stress, and get more enjoyment in life. And riding in such a beautiful area as the seasons change fills
on the cover: Riddell and Worley at the end of a fundraising ride in Rehoboth Beach, Del., in August 2021.
WSA addresses the unique challenges that well spouses face every day. If you could benefit from this information, please join us!
Meetings held 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month 7:00 p.m. – Wegmans, 2000 Crossings Blvd., Lancaster, PA 17601
Listings with a screened background have additional information about their services in a display advertisement in this edition. This is not an all-inclusive list of agencies and providers. These advertisers are eager to provide additional information about their services.
Total AL and/or PC Beds: 100
Assisted Living Licensure: Yes
Personal Care Licensure: No
Private Rooms: Yes
325 Wesley Drive • Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 • 717-766-0279
www.BethanyVillage.org • eltorres@asbury.org
On-call Medical Service: Yes
Telemedicine Available: No
Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes
Alzheimer’s Care: Yes
Semi-Private Rooms: Yes (Skilled Nursing
Semi-Private & Private)
Private Pay: Yes
SSI Accepted: No
Short-term Lease/Respite: Yes
Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: Yes
Outdoor Areas/Walking Paths/ Fitness Center: Yes
Medication Management: Yes
Total AL and/or PC Beds: 56
Assisted Living Licensure: No
Personal Care Licensure: Yes
Private Rooms: Yes
Semi-Private Rooms: No
Private Pay: Yes
SSI Accepted: No
Short-term Lease/Respite: Yes
Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No
Outdoor Areas/Walking Paths/
Fitness Center: Yes
Medication Management: Yes
On-call Medical Service: Yes
Respite Care: Yes
Social Programs: Yes
Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes
Transportation (Scheduled): Yes
Personal Car Permitted: Yes
Pets Permitted: Yes
Comments: Featuring private accommodations with aroundthe-clock assistance to help you stay active and engaged.
Total AL and/or PC Beds: 125
evergreen estates retirement Community 1600 East King Street • Lancaster, PA 17602 • 717-394-2208 www.evergreenestatesrc.com • john@evergreenestatesrc.com
Assisted Living Licensure: No
Personal Care Licensure: Yes
Private Rooms: Yes
Semi-Private Rooms: Yes
Private Pay: Yes
SSI Accepted: No
Short-term Lease/Respite: Yes
Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: Yes
Outdoor Areas/Walking Paths/ Fitness Center: Yes
Medication Management: Yes
On-call Medical Service: Yes
Telemedicine Available: Yes
Health Fee-for-Service Available: No
Alzheimer’s Care: Yes
Respite Care: Yes
Social Programs: Yes
Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes
Transportation (Scheduled): Yes
Personal Car Permitted: Yes
Pets Permitted: Yes
• Harrisburg, PA 17102 717-221-7901 • www.homelandcenter.org
Telemedicine Available: Yes
Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes
Alzheimer’s Care: Yes
Social Programs: Yes
Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes
Transportation (Scheduled): Yes
Personal Car Permitted: Yes
Pets Permitted: Yes
Comments: Providing exemplary care in a beautiful environment for more than 155 years, our continuum of care includes therapy services, skilled rehab, 24-hour medical staffing, plus Hospice, Palliative Care, HomeHealth, and HomeCare outreach programs. All rooms include a full bath and kitchenette.
Total AL and/or PC Beds: 95
Assisted Living Licensure: No
Personal Care Licensure: Yes
Private Rooms: Yes
Semi-private Rooms: No
Private Pay: Yes
SSI Accepted: No
Short-term Lease/Respite: Yes
Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No
Outdoor Areas/Walking Paths/ Fitness Center: Yes
Medication Management: Yes
Homewood at Plum Creek 425 Westminster Avenue • Hanover, PA 17331 717-637-4166 • www.homewoodplumcreek.org
On-call Medical Service: Yes
Telemedicine Available: Yes
Health Fee-for-Service Available: No
Alzheimer’s Care: Yes
Social Programs: Yes
Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes
Transportation (Scheduled): Yes
Personal Car Permitted: Yes
Pets Permitted: No
Father’s Day celebrates the special bond between fathers and their families.
Take a look at some of these well-known fathers and their successful children from the world of movies, music, and sports:
• Kirk Douglas and Michael Douglas (acting)
• Tony Curtis and Jamie Lee Curtis (acting)
• Lloyd Bridges, Beau Bridges, and Jeff Bridges (acting)
• Archie Manning, Peyton Manning, and Eli Manning (football)
• Jon Voight and Angelina Jolie (acting)
• Bob Dylan and Jakub Dylan (music)
• Frank Sinatra and Nancy Sinatra (music)
• Ken Griffey and Ken Griffey Jr. (baseball)
• Henry Fonda, Peter Fonda, and Jane Fonda (acting)
Across
1. Rowan Atkinson role, Mr.
5. Hindu princess
9. Jacuzzi
12. Diva’s song
13. Matures
14. Hitching place
16. 2012 Christian Bale sequel, with The
20. Proof word
21. 1982 Pryor, Gleason comedy, The ___
22. Ended a fast
23. Sonny boy, in the UK
26. Goat god
Down
1. 2011 Cameron Diaz flick, ___ Teacher
2. Historic period
3. Tire filler
4. 1967 Sinatra thriller, with The
5. 2003 Costner, Duvall western, Open ___
6. Exchange premium
7. Minus (abbr.)
8. 1987 Beatty, Hoffman comic flop
9. Nimble
10. Luau dish
11. 2005 Ethan Hawke crime drama, ___ on Precinct 13
15. Aquarium fish
17. Barbra’s A Star Is Born costar
27. Brusque
28. Smells
29. Setting of many jokes
30. Cantina cookers
31. Llama land
32. California’s Big ___
33. Hangs around
34. 1992 Michael Caine, Carol Burnett comedy
37. Grades
39. Mother Teresa, e.g.
40. Lily pad denizen
44. Domesticates
45. Address abbr.
46. Classic Alan Ladd western
18. Heavy weight
19. Movie scenery, at times
23. Prune
24. Citrus drink
25. Palme ___ (Cannes award)
26. 2000 Stiller, De Niro comedy Meet the___
27. 1993 Stallone, Lithgow thriller
29. Greyhound, e.g.
30. Buffoon
32. Start of a cheer
33. Hit the jackpot
35. Approves, briefly
36. 1991 Belushi comedy, Curly ___
37. Indian aristocrats
47. Not quite shut
48. Shipwreck signal
49. Tiara
50. Real heel
51. Hoskins of Roger Rabbit fame
52. Make, as a CD
53. 2012 sequel not starring Matt Damon
59. Takes to court
60. Kind of exam
61. Canyon effect
62. Small pouch
63. Wild oxen
64. Bridle part
38. 1984 Mozart bio classic
41. “Far out!”
42. Inseparable
43. Jewel
44. Diplomat’s forte
45. 1995 Liam Neeson, Jessica Lange remake
46. King
48. Paltry amount
49. Softens
51. Pear variety
52. Schnozz
54. Actress Benaderet
55. Gun grp.
56. First-class
57. Vital force of Chinese medicine
58. Over there
Q. I have a box of videotapes from the ’80s and ’90s that I would like to preserve on my computer. What do I need to make this happen?
A. This is easy to do once you have all the pieces you need.
The first piece is something to play the tape that has a video-out connector, such as a VCR or a camcorder.
The second piece is a computer with plenty of free disk space. Video takes up a given amount of space per hour depending on its format, info that can be found with a little research. Just ask Google how to calculate video file size. For example, 720p HD video will require about 1-4 GB of disk space per hour of video.
The third and final piece is most likely something you will need to purchase: a way to get the video from the playback device and into your computer. This piece is not going to be expensive, but it will take some research to figure out what works best with your devices.
Maintaining the independence and quality of life for Lancaster County’s aging population through information, protection, services, and community support
Support the older person’s right to decide his/her own destiny. Encourage consumer self-determination and choice.
Support the older person’s right to risk.
Promote independence and dignity.
Avoid unnecessary/inappropriate institutionalization.
The output of your playback device is almost certainly composite video in the form of RCA plugs colored red, white, and yellow. Your computer probably has USB, either A or C.
You will need a cable that will connect these two connectors together with a small dongle that does the video conversion. These dongles come with different connectors, so buy the one that matches your setup. These are plentiful on Amazon for less than $20.
A couple of caveats: If your computer has an HDMI port, that will not work. Those are output-only connections and cannot be used to convert video.
If you have a Mac, the built-in QuickTime Player can record video sources, so no extra software is needed, just the dongle. If you have a PC, you will probably need software as well, and your best option would be a kit that includes multiple connectors and the recording software.
please see ViDEotAPE on facing page
About Us – The Lancaster County Office of Aging (LCOA) was established 45 years ago as a result of the passage of the Older Americans Act. This act directed states to develop a network of services and supports to help keep older adults healthy and independent.
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging was created to fulfill this mandate. In turn, a network of 52 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) was established throughout the commonwealth to carry out this mission at the local level.
Funding for aging-related services is a combination of state and federal monies, with the Pennsylvania Lottery providing the major source of funding.
In Lancaster County, the AAA is part of county government. We are dedicated to providing Lancaster County residents, 60 years of age and older, with a wide range of informational resources and services as well as advocacy efforts and elder abuse protection.
The LCOA offers the following services:
• Information and referral services
• Long-term living assessments
• Home and community-based support services
• Protection from abuse and neglect
• APPRISE, Medicare, and related health insurance counseling
• Senior center services
• Adult daily living services
• Caregiver support
• Employment
• Ombudsman services
• Transportation
• Legal services
• Health and wellness programming
• Volunteer opportunities
For more information, please call us Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 717-299-7979/1-800-801-3070, visit our website at www.lancoaging.org , or email aging@co.lancaster.pa.us.
To be continued ...
Argh, you just finished part one and now you have to wait a week, a month, an entire season, or even a year before you know what happens and the cliffhanger is solved.
Part one had you on the edge of your seat. But as in Life After Power by Jared Cohen, just wait until you know the next half.
Americans are living longer, which is good news for retirees: It gives them a chance for a second career or a dream job after they’ve officially quit working. It’s an idea that U.S. presidents had, starting centuries ago.
Take, for instance, Thomas Jefferson.
After eight years in office, he graciously stepped away to found a university and to finish other long-dreamed projects. Still, says Cohen, “Jefferson knew that America would have a reckoning over his legacy and over slavery.”
John Adams, son of our second president, appreciatively traveled the world with his father during the elder’s presidency, but Adams’ own term in office was an unhappy one.
Fortunately, after Andrew Jackson took over, Adams’ contemporaries worked to give the former president a seat in Congress and, with no aspirations and no higher office in mind, Adams dared to ignore convention and speak passionately about subjects important to him.
Says Cohen, he “was more decisive than he had been as president.”
Grover Cleveland had a second term four years after he left his first term — and he regretted it.
Just as she always wanted, Nellie Taft landed in the White House, but
from facing page
Q. It is time to replace my old laptop. Of all the new models that are available, which one is a standout value?
A. Walmart is selling the MacBook Air on its website for $699. That is an extraordinary value for a laptop that is durable enough to last at least five years. It has a metal chassis; bright, 13-inch display; lighted keyboard; and exceptional sound.
This level of technology cost thousands of dollars five years ago, and the M1 MacBook Air is faster than almost anything else except for more expensive
that wasn’t the dream of her husband, William. What he really wanted was a seat on the Supreme Court, and he was delighted when it was offered.
Herbert Hoover was “a hero” when he entered the office and one of the most reviled men in America when he left it.
Jimmy Carter left office in “humiliation,” but then made the world a better place.
And George W. Bush literally brushed his term in the White House aside.
If the next president to vacate the Oval Office knows what’s inside Life After Power, he’ll have some nice guidance.
And you’ll have an interesting look at a part of the presidents’ lives, in a way that’s often ignored in historical accounts. Author Jared Cohen gives readers a detailed, backstage peek at the months after the election, and it’s not always the smooth ride you might imagine.
The life of a former president, with his pension and security, is not necessarily one of leisure; in fact, Cohen shows how troublesome it can be for someone with unfulfilled vision. Aspiring politicians, please note: You may want to take Cleveland’s advice to young Franklin Roosevelt … Certainly, Life After Power is for anyone who imagines what next spring will look like for the guy who doesn’t get the votes. And if you love presidential history, you won’t be able to part with it.
The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. Terri has been reading since she was 3 years old, and she never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 14,000 books.
Apple laptop models and high-end, Intel-based laptops that run Windows. Although Apple apps are available on this laptop, it is fully capable of supporting everything you currently do online via familiar software. You can choose to use Google Chrome, Google Docs, and Gmail, for example. Mix and match services you are already using alongside Apple’s built-in apps, or ignore Apple’s apps entirely and use what you prefer.
This MacBook Air is the best of both worlds, in a slim, relatively inexpensive package.
Bob has been writing about technology for over three decades. He can be contacted at techtalk@bobdel.com.
Eastern box turtles, Blanding’s turtles, and wood turtles are beautifully colored, camouflaged species in the northeastern United States. These species demonstrate divergence (branching out) and convergence (coming together).
These attractive kinds of turtles have characteristics in common. They live in or near ponds and streams in woods and are omnivorous, eating invertebrates, berries, carrion, and other edibles.
All are active by day and hibernate through winter, box turtles under mounds of dead, fallen leaves and soil and the others in mud at the bottom of ponds and slow streams.
Females of all species lay four to eight eggs in holes they dig in loose soil in June. But many turtle eggs are dug up and eaten by striped skunks and raccoons. Surviving young hatch in August or September.
Box turtles and Blanding’s turtles diverged from a common ancestor. They both have domed top shells called carapaces, which are ribs and backbone grown together, as in all turtles. And both kinds have hinged plastrons, or lower shells grown from sternum bones. Those shells together protect turtles.
However, box turtles live on woodland floors, while Blanding’s mostly inhabit ponds and slow streams in or near bottomland woods.
The muscular hinge on each box turtle’s plastron closes that shell tightly, with the turtle inside. But that same hinge on a Blanding’s turtle’s plastron doesn’t close as tightly.
Blanding’s turtles drop into protective water when threatened. But box
turtles can’t do that, so their plastron evolved to close tightly to keep predators out — an adaptation that made a big difference.
Mature male box turtles have 6-inch dark carapaces with yellow, camouflaging streaking and are handsome with orange or yellow scales and skin on heads, necks, and front legs. Female box turtles are not as colorful but still attractive.
Mature Blanding’s turtles have 8-inch carapaces and are mostly dark all over, with yellow throats and chins, and small, yellow dots on their carapaces that almost resemble the yellow streaking on box turtle carapaces.
Box turtles and wood turtles are not related but are similar because they adapted to the same habitat (convergence). Wood turtles, however, spend half their time in slow streams in woods.
Handsome, mature wood turtles have 10inch brown carapaces with yellow streaking and orange on their necks, throats, and front legs. Wood turtles also have dark, intelligentlooking eyes that are appealing.
All these species, and other kinds of turtles in the world, are decreasing in numbers because of habitat loss, collecting for the pet trade, being killed on roads, and an increase in fur-bearing predators. Please leave wild turtles in the wild.
These three types of attractive, interesting turtles illustrate divergence and convergence. And they are fun to see in their natural habitats.
The 34th annual Lancaster Senior Games took place May 6-10 at Spooky Nook Sports in Manheim.
Coordinated by the Lancaster County Office of Aging and assisted by more than 300 volunteers, county residents age 55 and older competed in more than 40 athletic events.
Most popular were hip-hop dance, line dancing, folk dancing, and pound exercise, with new events including ladder golf, cornhole, and bocce.
Because of rain, organizers had to scramble to relocate the pickleball events indoors and bump those events back a day, said Lisa Paulson, Senior Games coordinator with the Office of Aging.
“We still had over 130 players attend, even though the day was changed at the last minute,” she said.
Javelin events were held indoors this year, which yielded a higher number of participants, Paulson said.
Running events could be moving indoors in 2025 so weather won’t be a factor. Next year’s Senior Games will be held May 5-9, 2025.
ww w.lancseniorgames.org
“Exercising Body, Mind , and Spirit.”
Were you one of the 748 participants at this year’s Lancaster Senior Games? You might find yourself — or a friend — below! Event results and more photos can be found at lancseniorgames.org.
A crayon is a stick of pigmented wax used for writing or drawing. Wax crayons differ from pastels, which use a dry binder, such as Arabic gum powder, mixed with the pigment. In oil pastels, the binder is a mixture of wax and oil.
Ancient Egyptians left pictures on stones 5,000 years ago using a pigment with refined beeswax, heated and set. The Greeks used wax, tar, and pigment to decorate ship bows in 350 BC. Evidence of mixing wax with pigment for drawing is present in the Roman times.
Leaping ahead, by 1900 black marking crayons were made from dry carbon black and different waxes. These are known as Staonal® brand marking crayons today and are used in many industrial settings.
In 1885, two cousins, Edwin Binney and C. Harold Smith, started a company to manufacture red ironoxide pigments used for painting barns and lamp black pigment used to make rubber tires black. They soon expanded their product line, creating slate school pencils and dustless chalk. While visiting schools, they observed the need for coloring tools for educational use.
In 1903, Binney and his wife, Alice, developed a line of wax crayons under the name Crayola, a French word meaning “oily chalk.” The wax composition was not popular with artists because of poor paper adhesion.
In response, Binney & Smith began to market to educators for children. The 1903 yellow-andgreen boxes were marked “school crayons.” Each box contained the colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, brown, and black, the same colors available in the eight-count box today.
The first eight-packs of Crayola were sold door to door for a nickel ($1.77 in today’s dollar).
For the first 40 years, each Crayola crayon was hand rolled in paper wrappers with their distinctive labels and names. Wrapping was automated in the 1940s.
The Crayola brand has introduced the 16-, 24-, 32-, 48-, 64-, and 96-packs over the last 100 years. According to Crayola, they currently manufacture 120 standard crayon colors with an expanded line of specialty crayons like metallic, gel, and glitter crayons for a total of 152 crayons.
The unique crayon smell is associated with beef tallow, or fat, used in the
secret recipe. Stearic acid in beef fat is released in the manufacturing process, giving crayons their characteristic smell. The tallow creates the waxy consistency and adds to the strength of the crayon itself.
With increasing diversity in schools, teachers reported that children could not color themselves with realistic skin colors. “Global Pack 1992” added a full range of multicultural skin tones.
In 2020, Crayola introduced a line of 24 colors named “Colors of the World” to reflect nearly 40 skin tones of people globally.
Crayola released a line of foodscented crayons in 1994. The wax sticks came in coconut, cherry, and licorice. By July 1995, Crayola had discontinued them because some children ate the crayons.
Binney & Smith was purchased by Hallmark Cards in 1984. It was renamed Crayola LLC in 2007. Today, 5 million Crayola crayons are produced each day. Over 2 billion crayons are sold each year across 60 countries.
More than 500 colors have been retired or renamed. Survey results from 1993 and 2000 report shades of blue are the most popular colors.
Crayons have not changed much since 1903. They are still made from heated paraffin wax and beef tallow mixed with pigments. They are cooked and molded into individually wrapped sticks and assigned winsome names. They still have the stearic acid smell.
Coloring is not just for children. Pull out a few broken pieces, called “leftolas,” and get busy!
Doris Montag is a homespun historian and an exhibit curator who researches and displays historical collections of ordinary things, such as can openers, crochet, toy sewing machines, hand corn planters, powder compacts, egg cartons, and more. Contact or follow her on Facebook, HistoryofOrdinaryThings.
Nancy J. Schaaf
Is it possible to improve your memory? Many of the most effective ways involve actions you can begin today.
Everybody wants to preserve their memories because they are a significant part of our identities. When we lose them, we feel like we are losing pieces of ourselves.
Additionally, having a good memory serves many practical functions in our daily lives. Our memory helps us accomplish both basic and complex tasks.
Older adults who take proactive steps to prevent memory loss are often more adaptable, independent, and satisfied during their senior years.
The brain can change, collect new information, create new neural connections, and store important information in longterm memory. We can also improve or maintain our short-term memory by developing good habits and seeking out new learning opportunities.
Seniors have success with easy and practical memory-enhancing methods. Here are some examples:
Chunking: When trying to memorize a long sequence of numbers or a long list of words or items, break them down into smaller groupings. It also helps to group items by category, bundling them into easier-to-manage
chunks of information.
Acrostics and acronyms: Create a short poem from a word or sequence of letters you need to remember. For example, when I learned to read music, the space notes spelled F A C E, and the lines were E G B D F for the acrostic “Every Good Boy Does Fine.” Acronyms serve a similar purpose. For example, geography students are often taught to use the acronym “HOMES” to remember the five Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior.
Planning and organization: Keep a notebook or day planner handy with a calendar and plenty of space for writing down various activities and appointments. At the beginning of each week, create a list of things you’ll be doing in the days ahead. Then, each day, make a detailed to-do list. If you are comfortable with technology, a smartphone or digital tablet can be your planner.
Talking out loud: Just as writing information down helps our brains put information into long-term memory, so does talking about it.
So, to avoid forgetting why you’ve entered a room, tell yourself where you’re going while on the way there. Or, to remember more complex information, try explaining it to someone else.
Cues and reminders: Give yourself visual or auditory prompts to help you remember what you need to do. From Post-it notes to alarms, it’s easy to use these simple reminders. Just place them where you’re most likely to see or hear them. Also, do your best to leave essential objects in prominent locations related to the tasks you have to do. I always place my keys on a small table near the door.
Additionally, I have lost track of my phone numerous times, so I have found that if I only place it in three locations, my search area narrows, and I am more likely to locate it.
Keep challenging yourself: Mental stimulation is vital. However, to improve your memory, you need to do more than what you are already good at.
The more you challenge your brain, the more you can enhance your memory. So, finding hobbies or activities that keep you
please see MEMoRY on facing page
Dear Savvy Senior,
Does Medicare cover any weight-loss treatments for overweight retirees? I just turned 65 and need to lose about 100 pounds and would like to know if Medicare can help.
– Overweight Owen
Dear Owen,
Yes, traditional Medicare does indeed cover some weight-loss treatments, like counseling and certain types of surgery for overweight beneficiaries, but unfortunately it doesn’t cover weight-loss programs or medications.
Here’s what you should know.
For beneficiaries to receive available Medicarecovered weight-loss treatments, your body mass index (BMI), which is an estimate of your body fat based on your height and weight, must be 30 or higher.
A BMI of 30 or above is considered obese and increases your risk for many health conditions, such as some cancers, coronary heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, stroke, and sleep apnea.
To find out your BMI, the National Institutes of Health has a free calculator that you can access online at nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/ bmicalc.htm.
If you find that your BMI is 30 or higher, Medicare Part B will cover up to 12 months of weight-loss counseling conducted by a medical professional in a primary care setting (like a doctor’s office).
Most counseling sessions entail an initial obesity screening, a dietary assessment, and behavioral therapy designed to help you lose weight by focusing on diet and exercise.
Medicare also covers certain types of bariatric and metabolic surgery for morbidly obese beneficiaries who have a BMI of 35 or above and have at least one underlying obesity-related health condition, such as diabetes or heart disease.
You must also show that you’ve tried to lose weight in the past through dieting or exercise and have been unsuccessful.
These procedures make changes to your digestive system to help you lose weight and improve the health of your metabolism.
Some common bariatric surgical procedures covered include Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, which reduces the stomach to a small pouch that makes you feel
MEMoRY from facing page
challenged and mentally engaged is essential.
But remember that you also need to feel joy when you do them and have a clear path for building upon what you learn as your skills become more advanced.
For example, a lot of older adults benefit from learning how to speak new languages, conducting genealogy research, cooking gourmet meals, or
full even following small meals.
Alternatively, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding inserts an inflatable band that creates a gastric pouch encircling the top of the stomach.
What’s
Unfortunately, original Medicare does not cover weight-loss programs, such as fitness or gym memberships; meal-delivery services; or popular weight-loss programs, such as Jenny Craig, Noom, and WW (formerly Weight Watchers).
Medicare also does not cover any weight-loss drugs, but it does cover FDA-approved diabetes drugs that have unintentionally become very popular for weight loss.
Medicare Part D plans cover Ozempic and Mounjaro for diabetes only, not for weight loss! So, your doctor will need to prescribe these medications for diabetes in order to get them covered.
Medicare also does not cover Wegovy or Zepbound because they’re approved only for weight loss.
The reason behind the weight-loss drug omission is the Medicare Modernization Act, which specifically excluded them back when the law was written 20 years ago. They also excluded drugs used for cosmetic purposes, fertility, hair growth, and erectile dysfunction.
Without insurance, weight-loss medications are expensive, often costing $1,000–$1,300 a month. To help curb costs, try websites like GoodRX (goodrx. com) or SingleCare (singlecare.com) to find the best retail prices in your area.
Or, if your income is limited, try patient assistance programs through Eli Lilly (lillycares.com), which makes Mounjaro and Zepbound, or Novo Nordisk (novocare.com), the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy.
If you happen to be enrolled in a private Medicare Advantage plan, you may have coverage for gym memberships and some weight-loss and healthy fooddelivery programs.
These are considered expanded supplemental benefits and have gradually been added to some plans to provide coverage for nutrition, health, and wellness. Contact your plan to see what it provides.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book.
identifying various species of plants or birds.
Stay optimistic about your future and know that the mind you want might be achievable with just a few simple adjustments to your current lifestyle.
Nancy J. Schaaf, a retired RN, worked as a school nurse, a nurse supervisor at a men’s prison, and a health educator. She earned her BSN at Edinboro University. She is a freelance writer whose health articles appear in magazines throughout the U.S. and Canada. She can be reached at nancyjschaaf@gmail.com.
As a pharmacist, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of proper treatment in managing asthma. In this article, I will provide a comprehensive overview of the various types of prescription medications used to treat asthma.
Inhaled corticosteroids are one of the most commonly prescribed asthma medications. They work to reduce inflammation in the airways, but they don’t work in seconds, so they are not considered a “rescue” inhaler. Two popular examples of these drugs are Flonase and Qvar.
Next, a common category of medications are bronchodilators, which help to relax the muscles in the airways, improving airflow and reducing asthmatic symptoms.
There are short-acting and long-acting beta-agonists, and there’s a big difference
between those two.
The short-acting drugs often contain albuterol, and these are rescue inhalers because they can improve breathing very quickly! An example of a long-acting beta-agonist is Serevent®, and your doctor can prescribe these medications for you.
Leukotriene modifiers are available now too. These drugs block the effects of inflammatory substances in the airways (leukotrienes) to reduce inflammation and improve breathing.
I would say the most popular medication in this category is montelukast (Singulair). It’s usually not used by itself because it works better in combination with other asthma medications.
Most people with asthma take the medications above. For a few resistant cases, doctors will add in a drug from the class of “biologics,” and these are newer. Reserved for more serious cases, we have medications like Xolair, Nucala, and Fasenra.
If you’re dealing with asthma, and you’ve read something here that can help you, please research it and call your physician. I want to emphasize the importance of working closely with a healthcare provider because, with asthma, you need a personalized treatment plan for yourself.
Keep in mind these medications just manage symptoms and give you quality of life, but they are not curative. To effectively treat (and possibly cure) a condition like this, you would need to consider lifestyle changes, e.g., stop smoking/drinking, manage your weight, and, most importantly, avoid the triggers.
Some triggers are virtually impossible to avoid, while others are highly modifiable. The most common triggers for asthma include pet dander, dust, household chemicals, pollution, smoking, food coloring, bacteria and viruses, and weather changes.
Your genes and prior medical history play a role in how well you can manage your symptoms, but I have to say, no matter how long you’ve had asthma, there is always hope for a partial or even full recovery! I truly believe that.
With proper treatment, trigger avoidance, and medication management, individuals with asthma can effectively manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
I have a much longer version of this article on my website in case it interests you or a loved one. I am also offering a free e-book on the immune system. To receive this, visit my website, suzycohen.com.
Please be sure not to make any changes to your medication protocol without consulting your physician first.
information is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat your disease. For more information about the author, visit suzycohen.com.
Lancaster County Office of Aging is conducting a mail-only program this year for the Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers.
Vouchers will not be distributed in person at senior centers this year.
Each eligible participant will receive $50 in vouchers (one time) to be used at approved farmers markets to purchase Pennsylvaniagrown fruits and vegetables.
Vouchers may be redeemed until Nov. 30.
To be eligible, individuals must be age 60 by Dec. 31, 2024; live in Lancaster County; and have household income less than $27,861 for one person or less than $37,814 for two people.
Those living in personal care or nursing homes are not eligible.
To receive the 2024 vouchers, individuals should mail a completed application to Lancaster County Office of Aging, where they will be processed and vouchers then issued by mail.
The Office of Aging is accepting applications now, and voucher distribution will begin June 1 on a first-come, first-served basis until Sept. 15 or until vouchers are gone.
Application forms are available from the Lancaster County Office of Aging website (lancoaging.org/documentcenter/view/2145) or by calling (717) 2997979.
After May 1, applications may also be picked up at:
• Columbia Senior Center – 510 Walnut St., Columbia, (717) 684-4850
• Elizabethtown Senior Center – 70 S. Poplar St., Elizabethtown, (717) 367-7984
• Ephrata Social Services – 227 N. State St., Ephrata, (717) 733-0345
• Lancaster Neighborhood Senior Center – 33 E. Farnum St., Lancaster, (717) 299-3943
• Lancaster Rec Senior Center – 525 Fairview Ave., Lancaster, (717) 3997671
• Lititz Senior Center – 201 Market St., Lititz, (717) 626-2800
• Millersville Senior Center – 222 N. George St., Millersville, (717) 8719600
• New Holland United Methodist Church – 120 W. Main St, New Holland (porch pickup)
• Next Gen Senior Center – 184 S. Lime St., Quarryville, (717) 786-4770
• SACA Senior Center – 545 Pershing Ave., Lancaster, (717) 295-7989
The completed application should be mailed to: Lancaster County Office of Aging, 150 N. Queen St., Suite 415, Lancaster, PA 17603.
One day, during a recent journey through several southeastern states, I knocked on an unmarked wood door, uttered a password, and was admitted into the throwback of a Prohibition-era speakeasy.
Another experience was a horse-drawn carriage ride through a picturesque town that has served as backdrop for more than 100 movies and television series.
Adding to the enjoyment of dropping by Savannah, Georgia; Beaufort, South Carolina; and other historic gems was time spent traveling from one to another.
I was aboard the American Eagle, an American Cruise Lines ship, during a voyage from Amelia Island, Florida, to Charleston, South Carolina. Carrying 90-180 passengers, this “small ship” was designed specifically to navigate this country’s waterways and coastlines.
The company operates more than 50 itineraries that visit 35 states, skipping over-touristy ports in favor of smaller, often-overlooked on-shore treasures like
those I visited.
I tend to stay away from sailing across oceans on megaships carrying many hundreds — and sometimes thousands — of passengers, with a collection of rides, slides, and other exciting, adrenalinrushing activities that would be at home in an amusement park.
In addition — and this isn’t easy for a travel writer to admit — I don’t do well when the sea kicks up.
Instead, I stick to calmer bodies of water. The vessel on which I recently traveled followed part of the Intracoastal Waterway, the stretch of rivers, canals, and bays that runs from Massachusetts to Florida.
Rather than staring at ocean waves day after day, I joined other passengers choosing from a selection of outings available at each port. For starters, there was a visit to the Prohibition Museum in Savannah, the only one of its kind in the nation.
Exhibits, dioramas, and other displays bring the “Roaring ’20s” to life in a
Think you or someone you know would make an interesting profile story for 50 plus Life?
We are looking for central Pennsylvanians over age 50 who have a unique hobby, passion, or history of volunteer work, or who are a part of an interesting local club.
Ideal story candidates are willing to talk about themselves and to be photographed.
Note: Please get your nominee’s permission before submitting them!
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colorful way. They include a truck transporting alcohol through a mob of angry protestors and the famed evangelist Billy Sunday preaching against “king alcohol.”
At the end of the displays stands a nondescript door. I knocked three times; a small slit opened and a menacing voice asked, “Who sent you?”
Any name will do in response, and I was admitted into a room crowded with other museum-goers enjoying the kinds of libations that were popular back when alcoholic beverages were illegal.
Hollywood’s love affair with Beaufort (pronounced Byoofert), South Carolina, began in 1914, when a film was shot there. Its streets, lined by graceful antebellum homes and canopies of Spanish mossfestooned oak trees, are a photographer’s dream.
I faced a challenge selecting from a long list of land tours that were available each day. In Charleston they included a visit to Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, founded in 1676, and Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired.
Those who went ashore at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, could check out a wildlife preserve or take a dolphin cruise. Brunswick, Georgia, meant visiting a 19th-century rice plantation or sailing on a shrimping boat.
As far-reaching as was this variety of things to see and do on land, it was equaled by the selection of activities offered aboard the ship.
Lecturers described the next day’s shore excursions and delved into topics like music of the Civil War and early American religion. Fun and games
included bingo, trivia, and arts and crafts.
A veterans appreciation ceremony honored passengers who served in the military, and those traveling on their own had a solo travelers meetup.
Evening entertainment was equally varied, featuring musicians, singers, a talented ventriloquest, and a Gullah woman. She described and portrayed the culture, music, and food of that African American ethnic group, who live predominantly in the Southeastern states.
Speaking of food, it added to the enjoyment of the trip. Virtually around-the-clock dining opportunities proved challenging for weight-watchers. Nibbles and noshes were available throughout the day, and a snack bar offered light breakfasts and lunches.
Dinner menus often reflected the tastes of the region through which the ship was sailing. For example, main-course selections included local favorites like crabcakes, barbecue pork chops, and shrimp and grits.
After gallivanting around the world, Victor Block still retains the travel bug. He believes that travel is the best possible education. A member of the Society of American Travel Writers, Victor loves to explore new destinations and cultures, and his stories about them have won a number of writing awards.
Shopping for groceries can be like navigating a maze: so many choices in every aisle, food packages covered in marketing claims, and little direction on what is truly healthy and what isn’t.
People want to make healthy choices for themselves and their families, but how can they when the information available to them can be so overwhelming?
For years, the Nutrition Facts label on the back of food packages has provided important nutrition information, such as the amount of calories, fat, sodium, sugar, protein, and vitamins and minerals.
But all the numbers can be confusing, and they’re not readily visible. Given America’s high rates of diet-related disease and illness, advocates say that more must be done to make sure consumers have the information they need to make healthy choices.
That’s why the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which sets standards for nutrition labeling, is developing a new labeling system that would appear on the front of food and beverage products, offering clear and concise information to help people quickly and easily identify healthier foods.
Research from other countries shows that front-of-pack labeling helps consumers make healthier purchases and even gets manufacturers to make healthier products.
What could a front-of-pack label look like? More than 40 countries already require it.
Some countries use stoplight colors like red, yellow, and green or a grading system like a report card — A, B, C, D, E — to indicate how healthy a product is. Other countries use a warning system that indicates whether products include high amounts of added sugars, saturated fat, or sodium. Approaches like these make it easy for consumers to understand with a quick glance what’s healthy and what’s not.
The success of front-of-pack labeling in other countries suggests it will help people in the United States make healthier choices that can improve well-being and reduce high rates of diet-related diseases, including some forms of heart disease and cancer.
In fact, the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) recommended such a system more than 10 years ago, and national polls show most Americans support it.
The FDA plans to release a proposal for a front-of-pack food-labeling system in the United States that can get everyone out of the food-shopping maze. To learn more, visit yourethecure.org/FOP.
“Clear, concise, front-of-pack nutrition labeling is the answer,” says Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. “After all, grocery shopping shouldn’t require a degree in nutrition.”
Source: StatePoint
County Office of Aging
Are you a Lancaster County resident who is 55 years and older seeking full or part-time employment? e 55 + Job Bank program through the Employment Unit at the Office of Aging offers various employment possibilities to meet your goals. Based on an evaluation of your skills and abilities, we can match you with a position needed by a local employer. Some employers are specifically looking for mature workers because of the dependability, reliability, and experience they bring to the workplace. Full-time and part-time positions require varying skill levels and experience, with a wide range of financial compensation. Interested candidates should contact the Office of Aging Employment Unit at 717-299-7979 or by email aging@lancastercountypa.gov
Lancaster County Office of Aging
150 North Queen St., Suite 415 Lancaster, PA 17603
Meet Rabito, a charming 2-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair.
Rabito finds himself at the shelter because his previous caregivers developed severe allergies. Despite his shyness, he’s an incredibly sweet guy with one of the softest purrs you’ll ever hear. He’s had experience living with a 10-year-old child and another cat, getting along well with both. However, he’s never lived with dogs.
Rabito is looking for a patient and loving forever home where he can continue to blossom. Could that home be with you?
Rabito’s ID number is 236936. Please send your application to the Lancaster Center for Animal Life-Saving at adoptlancaster@humanepa.org, or give the shelter a call at (717) 393-6551 to learn more.
Jonathan J. David
Dear Jonathan: When I die, I want to give one half of my estate to my children and the other half to certain friends in need and charities. I do not have a large estate, but I have been a good steward of my money and have an investment portfolio worth over $2 million.
Although my children have all done well for themselves and don’t need to receive an inheritance from me, I am concerned they might challenge my will when they realize who I have included as beneficiaries.
Can they do that? If so, how do I stop them from challenging my will?
Jonathan says: Your children have the right to challenge your will, but that doesn’t mean they would be successful if they do.
So long as you meet the criteria in your state for making a will and it is prepared and executed in accordance with state law, it is unlikely that any challenge brought by your children would be successful.
The criteria for making a valid will, besides complying with the execution requirements of the state you live in, are first, being of legal age, which is 18 in most states, and second, being of sound mind and having the mental capacity to make the will.
Having mental or legal capacity means that you:
• Know the nature and extent of your property, i.e., the assets you have
• Know who the natural objects of your bounty are, i.e., who your family members are
• Understand what you are doing, i.e., understand what you are disposing of, whom you are naming as your beneficiaries, and that you are making and executing your will voluntarily
Having said the above, I recommend you share with your children what you plan to do and even document that the conversation took place. This will avoid them being surprised later, as well as give you the opportunity to explain what you are doing and why. Open and honest communication, in my view, is the best way to discourage arguments and potential challenges later.
I also recommend you have an estate planning attorney prepare your will on your behalf.
Good luck!
Jonathan J. David is a shareholder in the law firm of Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C., 1700 E. Beltline N.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49525.
Resource Directory delivers information about essential local resources, including: health and wellness, legal, financial, home improvements, leisure, and, of course, living and care options.
Help them find you be being included in Lancaster County’s premier annual directory of resources for members of your community.
More information than ever is available to consumers. This publication zeroes in on a targeted market rather than using blanket advertising.
is a collection of businesses that understands the mindset, special needs, and wants of older adults and who are willing to personalize their approach to the consumer.
is not comprehensive: Because there are fewer organizations listed than in the Yellow Pages or on the internet, you are more likely to get noticed.
The directory is cross-promoted in 50 plus Life and in On-Line Publishers’ other publications, giving maximum exposure.
Ad
Contact your marketing consultant or call 717-285-1350 now to be included in this vital annual directory.
Multiple myeloma, a cancer of the blood’s plasma cells, has had recent treatment developments.
This cancer is a hematologic malignancy, meaning it begins in blood-forming tissues like bone marrow. Multiple myeloma occurs most commonly in people ages 65-74.
It was estimated that more than 35,000 people in the U.S. were diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2023.
Normal plasma cells are found in the bone marrow and are an important part of the immune system, according to the American Cancer Society.
In general, when plasma cells become cancerous and grow out of control, this is multiple myeloma.
Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is an important part of treatment for multiple myeloma. In the U.S., as many as 8,000 ASCTs are performed each year in patients with multiple myeloma.
Patients with multiple myeloma should speak with their doctor or transplant team to learn about ASCT and if it’s the right treatment approach for them.
“An increasing number of patients are candidates for ASCT, which, when successful, has shown progression-free survival in people with multiple myeloma,” said Henry Fung, MD, FACP, FRCPE, chair, Department of Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapies, Fox Chase Cancer Center.
Stem cells are early cells that can develop into different types of blood cells, including plasma cells. The ASCT process starts by removing or harvesting the patient’s own stem cells, including blood or bone marrow, through a procedure called apheresis. Stem cells are collected, frozen, and stored.
The patient typically undergoes conditioning chemo, and the stem cells are then thawed and returned (transplanted) back into the patient. The stem
cells travel to the bone marrow, engraft, and then start making new, normal blood cells.
The success of ASCT depends on adequate mobilization of stem cells during the treatment process.
Poor mobilization can be attributed to a variety of risk factors, including increased age, evolving induction regimens, previous treatment, and previous radiation therapy, among other risk factors.
Prior to apheresis, patients go through induction therapy to reduce the amount of cancer cells in the blood.
Depending on induction regimens and mobilization strategies, up to 47% of patients have had challenges collecting target numbers of hematopoietic stem cells for ASCT after one apheresis session.
Due to the unpredictability in treatment and the possible need for multiple apheresis sessions, there’s the potential for significant burden on patients, care partners, and apheresis centers.
There have been advancements in the treatment approach in multiple myeloma, including in induction regimens and stem cell mobilization, and it is important for patients to understand their options.
“Patients have, for example, the ability to seek information on ways to reach target collection goals with the fewest numbers of apheresis sessions,” continued Fung. “Fewer apheresis sessions may mean giving patients time back to spend in ways they enjoy.”
For more information about multiple myeloma and ASCT, visit the American Cancer Society at cancer.org, the HealthTree Foundation at healthtree.org/ myeloma, BioLineRx at biolinerx.com, or the International Myeloma Foundation at myeloma.org. (BPT)
We were thrilled to be back for the 25th annual Lancaster County 50 plus EXPO on May 8 at the Wyndham Resort! Did you join us? If so, you might find yourself here! If not, see what you missed — and please, join us next time!
