It first appeared in the clinical medicine section of the New England Journal of Medicine, and has since quickly gone viral around the world. This image shows the scary effects of sun exposure over time. Luckily, this gentleman had no evidence of skin cancer, and is undergoing treatment for his unilateral dermatoheliosis. “The clear message to the rest of the medical community and the world is that the sun greatly accelerates the aging process and is also a complete carcinogen,” Dr. Joaquin Brieva said. “Sun-avoidant behavior, the use of sun-protective gear, and UVA and UVB sunblocks are encouraged not only for cosmetic reasons, but for cancer prevention as well.” This is yet another reason to make sure you protect your skin and WEAR SUNSCREEN.
Way to make me a proud 2009 alum, Texas 4000 riders! Have a great 4,500 mile bike ride and good luck on your journey to Alaska!
Just in time for summer, the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention declared today, Friday, May 25, 2012 as “Don’t Fry Day” to encourage sun safety awareness. Make sure you wear sunscreen while you are enjoying the outdoors this weekend. Above all else, have a happy and SAFE Memorial Day weekend (and remember: it’s not just about barbecue, beer, and a day off from work this Monday—it’s about honoring the men and women who have died fighting for the U.S.A.)!
NPR’s Richard Knox details why a new colon cancer test called flexible sigmoidoscopy may be less expensive and honestly, easier on the patient than conventional procedures. Currently, the most common screening method for colon cancer for Americans age 50 and older is a colonoscopy. The good news is that in the past 30 years, there’s been a 30 percent decrease in incidence (risk) of colon cancer thanks to these types of screenings, and awareness, too. The bad news is that the actual prep work and time involved for a colonscopy procedure can be a pain in the…well, you know. Regardless, “as Dr. Inadomi of the University of Washington says: ‘The best test is the one that gets done.’”
Texas 4000 for Cancer is a University of Texas at Austin-based organization, in which students partake in the longest annual charity bike ride in the world. The riders make the 4,500 mile trek from Austin, Texas to Anchorage, Alaska to spread hope, knowledge, and charity in the fight against cancer. I had the privilege of completing the ride in 2009, and I’m so happy that the organization keeps growing (evidenced by their partnership with LIVESTRONG) and getting the word out about cancer awareness. Their first annual Hope Day is next Saturday, May 26 at the Whole Foods in downtown Austin from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you’re free, come out and support this great event, which will include lots of fun, games, and most importantly, hope!
Over the Hump!
I’m definitely over the hump of the work week, as well as over the hump of my fundraising requirement. In fact, I’m up to over $9,100 fundraised for LIVESTRONG! That’s not too far to go until I meet the $10,000 fundraising total to climb Kilimanjaro with an awesome and inspiring Survivor Summit 2012 team. I’m almost at the summit of this fundraising mountain, and I would love to have your help with these last $900!
Thanks so much to everyone for the kind donations so far. With each passing day, I’m getting more and more ready to take on this 19,341 foot challenge. I hope that the fundraising and awareness generated from my climb will help make the lives of cancer fighters, survivors, and caregivers a little easier with support from LIVESTRONG’s incredible cancer programs and services.
Texas 4000 for Cancer’s first annual Hope Day is almost two weeks away on Saturday, May 26 at the Whole Foods in downtown Austin, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Support the Texas 4000 team’s mission of spreading hope, knowledge, and charity all 4,500 miles from Texas to Alaska, and beyond.
Come out to My Event Tonight to Fight Cancer
Come join me tonight at 7:00 p.m. at a party to celebrate the completion of my 200th beer at the Flying Saucer (in The Triangle at 815 West 47th Street Austin, Texas). In addition to hanging out with yours truly, you’ll also get a chance to partake in my $100 bar tab until it runs out. I will only indulge in one tasty craft beer, so I need some help from a lot of friends to finish my tab!
When I’m officially recognized in the “Ring of Honor” for tasting 200 beers over the past two and half years, I’ll be asking patrons of the bar to support my Kilimanjaro charity climb with Survivor Summit to fight cancer, which benefits programs and services at LIVESTRONG.
If you can’t make it out, but want to help, you can still donate online. With almost less than $1,500 to until I reach my fundraising goal, any amount helps. Thanks to everyone for the support so far, and cheers to raising money, awareness, and hope in the fight against cancer.
Dam That Cancer
Dam That Cancer is a stand-up paddle board event and signature fundraiser for The Flatwater Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides access to mental health services for worthy individuals and families affected by cancer.
Every paddler raises over $1,500 for The Flatwater Foundation and travels the entire length of Lake Austin, from Mansfield Dam to Tom Miller Dam—21 miles in all. Proceeds from this event provide access to mental health and wellness programs for those affected by cancer, who otherwise could not afford it.
This summer’s third annual Dam That Cancer fundraiser will take place on Monday, June 4, 2012, with a “We Paddle, You Party” fundraising celebration at the finish line at Hula Hut after the paddle. I’m volunteering at this year’s party and I’m honored to be supporting such a cool cause! You can support them, too, by donating to a paddler or coming to the event.
So come out for some great summer fun on June 4!
Skin cancer is a big deal. Want to avoid it, and maintain a healthy, youthful look for years to come? Remember to use sunscreen regularly and don’t go to a tanning salon (there is no such thing as a “base tan”). Find more prevention tips, as well as the ABCDE’s of skin cancer, in the link above.
Lisa's reflections on summitting Kilimanjaro and raising over $10,000 for cancer programs and services at LIVESTRONG.
