Relay for Life by The Southern Illinoisan

Relay For Life

How your support of Relay For Life supports those who need it most

Cancer is not in recession! Times are tough. We can’t turn on the television or read the newspapers without hearing about the economic challenges our country, our region and our towns are facing. Unfortunately, one entity that is not affected by this recession is cancer. Cancer does not care if stocks are up or down. Cancer is a constant. Cancer never sleeps. It knows no limits. That’s why it is important now to continue efforts to eliminate this disease. As a community we must to continue to rally together to help eliminate this disease that has

For more info on the American Cancer Society or for help with cancer-related issues, call 618-998-9898 (option 3) or illinoiscancerhelp.org. affected so many of us. Now more than ever those who are battling cancer need our help. I challenge all Southern Illinoisans to come together and help in the

fight against the disease that has claimed too many lives. There are several ways to help the American Cancer Society achieve its mission of eliminating cancer; you can donate your time, money, service or participate in a Relay For Life, to name a few options. If you’d like to find out how to get involved with the American Cancer Society and fight back against cancer, please call 618-998-9898, option 3. Or log on to www.cancer.org — Shawnna Donovan American Cancer Society Communications Council Chair Southern Regional Board of Directors

• To subscribe: Call 618-351-5000 from Carbondale, Murphysboro and DeSoto; 618-997-3356, option 2 from Williamson County; or 800-228-0429, option 2, between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

www.thesouthern.com The Southern Illinoisan (USPS 258-980) is published daily for $178 per year at 710 N. Illinois Ave., Carbondale, IL 62901. The Southern Illinoisan is owned by Lee Enterprises, Inc. of Davenport, Iowa.

• To place a display ad: Call 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 618-529-5454, option 6; from Williamson County, 618-997-3356; or toll free: 800-228-0429, option 6.

• Bob Williams , publisher

• Content: Les O’Dell, text; The Southern

bob.williams@thesouthern.com

photos

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The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is an overnight, life-changing event that brings 3.5 million people every year to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and empower individuals and communities to fight back against a disease that takes too much from too PROVIDED BY ACS many. Funds raised through the Emma Cline, a young cancer American Cancer Society survivor, takes part in the Relay For Life help make 2011 Wayne County Relay. possible critical cancer research and programs such as Patient Navigation Services, which provides seamless access to services and resources for The American Cancer cancer patients. Society depends on Funds support local volunteers to make a patient programs that world with less cancer. If include free you are interested in transportation to cancer becoming a volunteer in treatments, matching any capacity please newly diagnosed patients contact us. There are with cancer survivors for many different ways to get support and helping involved: women going through Cancer resource chemotherapy focus on volunteers needed to help their inner and outer guide patients and beauty. families through the Goals include reaching challenges of cancer at out to cancer survivors local treatment centers. and caregivers, lighting Flexible schedules let you the track with luminaria, work as few as four hours and raising funds for a month. We provide cancer research and training. Contact Penni. programs to help area Quitsch@cancer.org. residents stay well, get Road to Recovery well, and fight back yearvolunteers provide round. transportation to and Throughout our region, from their cancer about 14,050 individuals treatments. Contact were diagnosed with maria.flint@cancer.org. cancer last year, and To learn how to get more than 6,219 died from involved with Relay For the disease. Life, call 618-998-9898, Programs supported option 3 or email by the American Cancer jennifer.lee@cancer.org. Society Relay For Life

Be a Relay volunteer!

include the following: Patient Resource Centers: Provide information to better understand a cancer diagnosis, practical dayto-day assistance to remove barriers and answers to questions concerning areas such as insurance, resource matching and referrals. Road to Recovery: Volunteer driven program that provides cancer patients transportation assistance to and from their treatments when possible. Reach to Recovery: Connects newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with survivors to help them cope with their diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Support to Recovery: Provides peer-to-peer support to individuals with any type of cancer to help them manage the emotional and physical aspects of the disease. Look Good … Feel Better: Teaches women going through chemotherapy and radiation treatments beauty techniques to help them cope and boost their self-image. Wig Bank: Gives a free wig or headwear to patients who have lost their hair because of chemotherapy. Around-the-clock access to cancer information and resources: Cancer Information Specialists offer information and support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at 800-227-2345. Or vist online at www.cancer.org and illinoiscancerhelp.org.

Relay For Life

Dollars at work: Where it goes

Jump with Jill

In 2012 in Illinois, the American Cancer Society will: z Deliver free services for 35,000 newly diagnosed patients. z Support $21 million in active research grants. z Help tens of thousands learn to reduce cancer risks. The American Cancer Society is the only charity that fights all cancers on all fronts in all Illinois communities, so what you do hits close to home. Take a look at some of the patient services your Relay dollars help fund: $15 supplies a custom help kit for a newly diagnosed patient, filled with information and sections for records, appointments and more. $40 provides a roundtrip ride to cancer treatment for a patient. $45 furnishes a new, custom-fitted wig for a woman who has lost her hair to chemotherapy. $100 provides one-onone counseling to a patient who needs help overcoming barriers to quality cancer care. The American Cancer Society is a proud recipient of the National Charity Seal from the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance. This makes it easy for you to give with confidence. z 72 cents of every dollar go to fight cancer in research, prevention, early detection, free patient services. z 21 cents to raise mission-critical funds, honor survivors and remembered loved ones lost to cancer z 7 cents goes to general costs and overhead

Educational rock ‘n’ roll concert coming to region, thanks to national partnership

— American Cancer Society

PROVIDED BY ACS

Jill Jayne, a registered dietitian and musician, knows how to reach children with a live, interactive rock ‘n’ roll show that teaches them about taking excellent care of themselves. She uses original music, movement-based learning and compelling characters.

Jump with Jill is a live rock ‘n’ roll concert about nutrition that travels to schools across the nation. It will be coming to the region in May. The show takes childhood obesity by storm, serving as a kid-appropriate solution for reinforcing classroom learning and supporting a healthier cafeteria menu. By using original music, movement-based learning, and a compelling character, Jump with Jill uses the same tools normally used to sell junk food and keep kids sedentary into a powerful tool for teaching healthy habits. The interactive experience not only makes eating breakfast and drinking water cool but helps increase retention of these important health messages. Created by registered dietitian and musician Jill Jayne, Jump with Jill has been performed nearly 600 times for almost 100,000 kids all over the United States. The American Cancer Society is pleased to partner with the Illinois CATCH onto Health Consortium to bring the message of Jump with Jill to the youth of Southern Illinois. — American Cancer Society

Luminaria: A moving tribute to loved ones You see them at every Relay For Life event, and you cannot help but be moved by the softly glowing luminaria bags. Each bag carries the name of a someone who has died from the disease, and serves as a way to honor the memory of those who have been lost to cancer and to those who survived their fights. Local Relay events sell these luminaria as a fundraiser, with money supporting cancer research, education, advocacy and patient services. If you would like to honor someone you know, simply fill out the form (at right).

The Southern Illinoisan April-July 2012 Page 3

Relay For Life

Real people, real stories of hope, courage and spirit Tobhe Barnett’s children Logan, 10, and Celine, 5, provide a source of motivation and inspiration, as their father battles prostate cancer. While they took the news pretty hard initially; now they help take care of their dad and shower him with affection; he says that’s what inspires him to keep up the fight.

‘I’m making the best of it’ Fighting cancer leads to more positive attitude for Leteisha Pugh BY ADAM TESTA THE SOUTHERN

was floored. Her grandson, Caleb, died in October 2006 from Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma. He was 8. “It just totally shocked me,” she said. “When Caleb was diagnosed, so few people were doing research on it. To know someone was doing it right next to me gave me chills. It still does.” Nehring became close friends with Heine’s family, who joined her Relay for Life team, Caleb’s Warriors. Together, they continue to raise awareness and funds and to search for a cure. Through her volunteer efforts, which have reached every level from Relay team leader to the Illinois Division Relay For Life Task Force, Nehring tries to do her part. “To keep his memory alive, I had to do something positive,” she said.

JONESBORO —Leteisha Pugh was down, out and about ready to give up. Last July, she felt pain in her shoulder, presumably from moving furniture. A THE SOUTHERN week went by and the pain was still Leteisha Pugh says her outlook on life changed prevalent. She went to a doctor, who after her diagnosis. ‘I’ve changed,’ she says. ‘I’m diagnosed it as tendonitis, and she began happier and appreciate all I have.’ undergoing physical therapy. By November, there came a period of time in which she couldn’t move her arm for three or four days. “We noticed there was a lump on my shoulder that was starting to grow,” said Pugh, 23. More tests would reveal the problem to be sarcoma of the bone. She began chemotherapy in December, and last month, she had surgery to remove more than two inches of her shoulder bone, because the tumor was rooted inside. There were times she didn’t know how to move ahead. Chemotherapy treatments caused her to lose her hair, and emotionally, she felt like she’d lost her pride, her beauty. She just wasn’t sure she could carry on. But as time has passed and she’s had more time to adjust, her attitude has changed. Meet Pugh today and she’ll be wearing a smile on her face, glowing with positive vibes and voicing her uplifting opinions on the outlook for her future. In fact, people who knew her before may even be surprised with her shift in attitude. “I know I hadn’t been as happy of a person as I should have been,” Pugh said. “Knowing I have cancer and it could be taken from me, I’ve changed. I’m happier and appreciate all that I have.” Having been helped by her friends, family and organizations like the American Cancer Society, she’s also changed her personal habits. While in the past she would walk past individuals collecting money for various charitable causes, she now feels encouraged to lend a helping hand, knowing there’s someone out there who needs it. The experience isn’t one she ever imagined having, but she said she believes it was essential for her life and character. Now, even though she had to quit school and her job, she tries to remain positive — for herself, her 1-year-old daughter, her friends and family and everyone else out there struggling with similar dilemmas. Pugh encourages people to be strong, not to sit around feeling down but to get out and about and to discover true inner beauty. “I’m making the best of it,” she said. “Even being bald, I can still be beautiful.”

adam.testa@thesouthern.com / 618-351-5031

PAUL NEWTON / THE SOUTHERN

Brian Heine, a senior at Trico High School was awarded a summer biochemistry research grant in 2011 through an American Cancer Society program designed to encourage talented students to pursue careers that advance cancer research.

‘It’s amazing ... to be making a difference’ 19-year-old Brian Heine searching for a cure in the research lab BY ADAM TESTA THE SOUTHERN

CARBONDALE — Brian Heine’s new research project granted him a great opportunity — but it came with a steep learning curve. As a junior at Trico High School, Heine’s guidance counselor directed him toward an American Cancer Society-sponsored program that would allow him to work in an authentic lab. He applied and was accepted. The first few days on the job were when things got interesting. “I went from doing cutesy high school chemistry projects to graduate-level work in a lab in a matter of days,” he said. Heine spent last summer researching Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer and the most common form of soft-tissue sarcoma occurring in

children, with scientists and students at SIU. While his enrollment in that particular program has ended, Heine continues his work in the lab, spending his days off from school and his free time at the lab. The experience has been an eyeopening one, as it has allowed him to see exactly where money donated to the American Cancer Society is being spent. “It’s amazing to be 19 and doing something that’s actually making a difference in the world,” Heine said. No matter the long-term ramifications of the research being done by Heine and the doctors he’s working with, their efforts have already had an effect close to home. When Brenda Nehring, who serves on the ACS’s leadership board in Southern Illinois, heard about Heine’s specific research, she

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ADAM TESTA THE SOUTHERN

‘I’m still here living, fighting it’ Tobhe Barnett credits information, support in his cancer battle BY ADAM TESTA THE SOUTHERN

MURPHYSBORO — Tobhe Barnett found himself unable to eat. He knew he was losing weight, but being unemployed, he lacked health insurance and prolonged visiting a doctor as long as he could. When he did go for a medical visit, he was treated for a bleeding ulcer, but the problems didn’t stop. He woke up in the middle of the night, coughing up blood, and had no choice but to visit the emergency room. He wound up admitted to the facility for week and a half. “I put it off as long as I could — which I shouldn’t have,” said Barnett, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer. Many people are like him, quick to dismiss symptoms as something less serious. What might seem like a flu could truly be something more serious. That was a lesson Barnett learned the hard way. Now, he wants to share his story with

others, so they don’t have the same fate. “It’s best to get check out as early as you can,” he said. “If I had this checked out before, they may have been able to stop the progression.” But some forms of cancer, like Barnett’s, can almost be phantoms, hiding from detection and not rearing their ugly head. Doctors told the Murphysboro resident that his cancer could have been around as long as a year before being discovered but symptoms didn’t surface until much later. Two years before his diagnosis, Barnett had been checked around his 40th birthday, and everything came back clear. “It’s very important for people to stay on top of their health, both men and women,” he said. The diagnosis and the news came as a shock to Barnett and his children, 10-year-old Logan and 5-year-old Celine. But Barnett resolved to win the battle, and he remains strong spirited and positive. He’s not quite in remission yet, but well

on his way. Doctors seem to have good prognosis, as long as he can keep his bones healthy. When that milestone arrives, he and some close friends plan on sponsoring a benefit fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Without the assistance of that organization, Barnett believes he wouldn’t be alive today. The staff of the ACS has helped him secure necessary medications, as well as provided counseling and other services to Barnett and his family. But two others have played a role in his recovery and positive attitude — Logan and Celine. When they first heard the news, they were pretty shaken for a few weeks, but now they shower their dad with love and affection, helping keep his spirits high. “I’m still here living, fighting it,” Barnett said. “I appreciate every day now. Every moment I get with them, all the small things, it’s sobering. It really is.” adam.testa@thesouthern.com 618-351-5031

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Relay For Life

PROVIDED BY ACS

Those caring for loved ones fighting cancer participate in the 2011 Perry County Relay For Life.

Find your time to join the effort: Relay For Life schedule of events Relay For Life of Southern Illinois is set to take place at many locations through the region. Many than 17,000 participants and volunteers make these events possible. To get involved, call Jennifer Lee at 618-998-9898 option 3. Here are the upCountyming relays: Edwards County: July 20, 6 p.m.-6 a.m., West Salem Square Franklin County: July 13, 6 p.m.-6 a.m., Frankfort Park Jackson County: Carbondale, April 28, 5 p.m.-5 a.m., Carbondale Community High School, Bleyer Field Jackson County: Murphysboro, June 8, 6 p.m.-6 a.m., Murphysboro High School Track Jefferson County: June 15, 6 p.m.-6 a.m., Mount Vernon High School Hardin/Pope Counties: June 1, 6 p.m.-6 a.m., Hardin County K-12 School Hamilton County: June 1, 6 p.m.-6 a.m., County Courthouse Square Massac County: May 18, 6 p.m.-6 a.m., Fort Massac State Park Marion County: Centralia, June 8, 6 p.m.-6 a.m., Centralia High School Track Marion County: Salem, June 22, 6 p.m.-6 a.m., Salem High School Perry County: May 18, 6 p.m.-6 a.m., Perry County Fairgrounds Randolph County: June 22, 6 p.m.-6 a.m., Sparta High School Saline/Gallatin Counties: June 15, 6 p.m.-6 a.m., Eldorado High School County Complex Union County: June 8, 6 p.m.-6 a.m., Anna-Jonesboro High School Track Wabash County: June 1, 7 p.m.-7 a.m., Mount Carmel High School Washington County: May 11, 6 p.m.-6 a.m., Nashville Grade School Wayne County: June 22, 6 p.m.-6 a.m., Leo French Park White County: June 8, 6 p.m.-6 a.m., Bradshaw Park, Carmi Williamson County: June 15, 6 p.m.-6 a.m., Marion Junior High School

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Relay For Life American Cancer Society teams with Egyptian Health Department to fight youth obesity Because the data is clear that after tobacco use, obesity, physical inactivity and poor nutrition are the biggest risk factors for cancer, the American Cancer Society is initiating a statewide effort to fight back. The Illinois Division of the American Cancer Society has awarded 18 youth obesity prevention community grants to nonprofit organizations across the state, including $16,750 to the Egyptian Health Department, with plans to implement the Coordinated Approach to Child Health program at Hardin County and Pope County Schools. Studies show 70 to 80 percent of obese children and adolescents become obese as adults. Since 1980, obesity prevalence among children and adolescents has almost tripled in the United States. “So many serious, chronic diseases are related to obesity,” said Phyllis Wood, CATCH director at Egyptian Health Department. “The most effective response is to ensure that children learn the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and stay physically active; therefore, we must focus on early ages. We are so pleased to partner with the American Cancer Society to address childhood obesity as a means of preventing cancer and other major diseases for future generations.” — American Cancer Society

Cancer survivors (above) take their first lap around the track at the 2011 Franklin County Relay For Life event in West Frankfort. At left, Tara Jacobs, with Smith Girls’ Baking to Beat Cancer team, talks with some customers during Marion’s Relay For Life in June 2011 at Marion High School.

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO

Julia Jamison of Herrin and her 1-year-old sister, Cori, complete a lap during the 2011 Relay For Life event in Herrin.

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOS

Diet and physical activity: What’s the cancer connection? Whole grains: Aim for at least 3 servings of whole grains each day. There are easy ways to add whole grains to your diet — eat oatmeal at breakfast, choose whole-wheat bread or wraps for your Eat a healthy diet lunchtime sandwich, whip up brown rice at Eating well is also important to improve your health and reduce your cancer risk. Take dinner instead of white. Processed and red meats: Cutting back on a good hard look at what you typically eat processed meats like hot dogs, bologna and each day and incorporate the following luncheon meat, and red meats like beef, pork suggestions to build a healthy diet plan for and lamb may help reduce the risk of colon Be more active yourself: and prostate cancers. These foods are also Vegetables and fruits: You need to eat at Being active helps reduce your cancer risk high in saturated fat, so eating less of them by helping with weight control, and can also least five servings of vegetables (including legumes) and fruits each day, especially those and eating them less often will also help you reduce your risk by influencing hormone lower your risk of heart disease. with the most color (a sign of high nutrient levels and your immune system. More good content). These foods are packed with news — physical activity helps you reduce The bottom line vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and many your risk of heart disease and diabetes, too! other substances that work together to lower So grab your tennis shoes and head out the One third of all cancer deaths are related to risk of several cancers, including cancers of door! diet and activity factors. Let’s challenge The latest recommendations for adults call the lung, mouth, esophagus, stomach, and ourselves to lose some extra pounds, to colon. Not only that, if prepared properly, for at least 30 minutes of intentional increase our physical activity, to make vegetables and fruits are usually low in moderate to vigorous activity a day — this is healthy food choices and to look for ways to calories, so eating them in place of higherover and above usual daily activities like make our environments healthier places to using the stairs instead of the elevator at your calorie foods can help you control your live, work, and play. — American Cancer Society office or doing housework — on five or more weight. Except for quitting smoking, the best way to cut your risk of cancer is to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, to be physically active on a regular basis and to make healthy food choices. The evidence is strong: Each year, about 550,000 Americans die of cancer; fully one-third of these deaths are linked to poor diet, physical inactivity and excess weight. These are things we can control.

days per week — even better, shoot for 45 to 60 minutes. For kids, the recommendation is 60 minutes or more a day.

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