Thank you To Our Sponsors!

Thank you for supporting the 12th Annual Laurel Auto Group Pro-Am Charity Golf Classic. We hope you enjoyed your day as much as we did planning it. We appreciate the support you have given financially and personally. We want you to be assured your dollars have been and will be well spent providing education for women of all ages about gynecological cancers.

Sincerely,

The Smith Family

Master Sponsors:

AutoTrader.com, Catanese Group, First National Bank of PA, FOX 8, ABC 23 and THIS TV, Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Whalley Charitable Trust

 

Eagle Sponsors:

Cambria Somerset Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Group, CTC Foundation, EMAP, Hyundai Motor America, Jeram Marketing, Miller Auto/Colours, PA Academy of Cosmetology, PNC Bank, Sherwin Williams

 

Birdie Sponsors:

Casey and Erin Craig, Johnstown Wire Technologies, JWF Industries, Toyota Financial Services, Zurich Insurance

 

Par Sponsors:

Dent Wizard, Double Eagle Promotions, Ellen and Bill Burke, The Harris Family, JESCO INC, The Faralli Family, Diloreto Landscaping, AmeriServ Financial

 

Tee Sponsors:

1st Summit Bank, A-1 Vending Company, BCI Equipment Specialists, Bonerigo Automotive, Specialty Service LLC, Carl and Noma Irvin, Carman’s Wholesale, Cars.com, Cintas, The Uniform People, Crown American Associates, Daily American, Ebensburg Office Supply, Fisher Auto Parts, Frank and Rose Arcurio, General Cleaning Service of Johnstown INC, George Trailers INC, Golden Oil Company, Harris Funeral Home, H.F. Lenz Company, Jeffrey P. Hooper D.M.D., Joey Dels 2001 Caterers, Kent Automotive, Lux Painting Services, Marc-Service Inc, Penn Highlands Community College, Pro Disposal Inc, Quaker Sales Corporation, Rent Jungle LLC, Rizzo’s Restaurant, Ron’s Tire Sales, Schwartz Auto Parts, Tribune Democrat, Von’s United Beverage Co., Zepka Harley Davidson, Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, Our Town/Daily American, Brickley Construction Company, Central PA Auto Auction, Minahan Sign Company, Ourisman Toyota, Bill and Jean McKelvey, Gap Preowned, Mckolosky Chiropractic, Sheetz INC, Payless Rent a Car, Mount Aloysius College, Stoystown Auto Wreckers, Enterprise Rent a Car, Lockard Company, Gleason Financial/Gallagher Benefit Services, ADP Dealer Services, CARFAX, 1st Team Advertising, Western PA Orthopedics.

 

Please remember the symptoms of Ovarian Cancer:

Bloating

Feeling of fullness, gas

Frequent or urgent urination

Nausea, indigestion, constipation, diarrhea

Abnormal Bleeding

Unusual fatigue

Unexplained weight change

Shortness of breath

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) Will Participate in the Golf Classic On Monday at Sunnehanna

As many of you are aware, the Smith Family's annual Laurel Auto Group Pro-Am Charity Golf Classic will be held on Monday, July 23rd at Sunnehanna Country Club.  This year during the event, we will be hosting a lemonade stand near the #13 tee box and 100% of the money raised will be donated to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF).  This foundation has raised millions toward finding a cure and funding innovative childhood cancer research projects nationally!  That said, if you (and your family) are available, please come out and join me in this national endeavor to fight childhood cancer and share the experience in giving back!

Please visit their fundraising page for more information or to donate.
http://www.alexslemonade.org/mypage/85819

The Story of Joanna Montgomery

Joanna Montgomery gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and then five days later found out the mass on her fallopian tube, discovered during birth, was an aggressive form of cancer. That was December 2011.  Follow her incredible journey as she not only fights this disease but experiences all of the joys (and exhaustion) new motherhood has to offer. On YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV18ONAQWcM&feature=youtu.be or on her blog http://thestir.cafemom.com/column/mommy_has_cancer

Ovarian cancer patient wants to help others pay for treatment

Crystal Elliott is trying to help others who are battling Ovarian Cancer pay for their treatment.

Crystal Elliott said finding out she had ovarian cancer was a life-changer. It was in January, a few days after major surgery to remove painful tumors from her ovaries. Doctors told her she would need months of chemotherapy treatments to make sure the aggressive form of the disease was banished from her body. Soon after, Elliott began to get big bills for portions of her care not covered by private health insurance. More than once, she had to pay $800 for a $4,000 injection needed as part of her chemotherapy regimen. While she was able to pay her bills, Elliott said she started thinking about all the people who might not be able to afford the high price of beating cancer.

Health statistics show that about 22,000 women a year are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, typically in those older than 60. Nearly 15,000 women die from the disease each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And as the U.S. economy continues to slump, Elliott said, she hates the thought of any woman having to choose between paying for pricey cancer drugs or feeding her family. Even as she continues her own exhausting treatments, Elliott recently gathered a group of friends and colleagues together to create a board of directors for the nonprofit foundation they named Teal Life. The color teal has been used nationally in recent years to signify ovarian cancer.

For about two years, Elliott has owned and operated Tessie Lee's Café in the building that houses local IRS offices on Montlimar Drive in Mobile. She tries to go in to work most mornings, she said, to help bake fresh cookies and cupcakes for customers. In recent months, Elliott sold T-shirts in the lobby of the building, collecting about $2,800 to cover start-up costs of the foundation.Besides helping women who need assistance paying for cancer treatments, Elliott also wants men and women to know more about the early signs of the disease. Symptoms of ovarian cancer include persistent bloating, feeling full even when eating little, and abdominal pain.

"They call it the silent killer because most of the symptoms resemble something else," Elliott said. "It affects the way your bowels move and causes stomach pains."

Next month, Teal Life will have its first fundraiser on July 22 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the OK Bicycle Shop on Dauphin Street in downtown Mobile. Live music, food and a silent auction will be featured, she said. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by calling 251-343-6595 or visiting the website teallifefoundation.org after July 1. The café Elliott opened two years ago was named for her deceased grandmother, who encouraged her to follow her dreams. "God's plan just worked it all out," Elliott said. "It's totally changed my life to be able to help others." Elliot, 41, said her doctors are hopeful about her prognosis. When the Teal Life website is up and running in July, she also hopes to include information there to assist others with similar health issues.

"People who have friends that are diagnosed with any type of cancer," Elliott said, "send them a text message, see how they are doing, take them some food or just take them out of the house when they feel better. That's been the most helpful thing."

Article courtesy of: http://blog.al.com/live/2012/06/ovarian_cancer_patient_wants_t.html

Fertile Hope by Livestrong

An excellent resource for those battling cancer who worry about infertility after medical treatments. If you have fertility-related questions or would like more information related to the Sharing Hope financial assistance program, call toll-free 855.220.7777 , or complete an online intake form for the LIVESTRONG Navigation Services program.

Fertile Hope is a LIVESTRONG initiative dedicated to providing reproductive information, support and hope to cancer patients and survivors whose medical treatments present the risk of infertility.

Cancer & Fertility Information

From fertility risks to fertility preservation techniques to parenthood after cancer options, find educational information to help you make personal, educated decisions before or after cancer treatments.

• Fertility Risks
• Parenthood Options
• Special Populations
• Pregnancy and Children After Cancer
• Questions to Ask Your Doctor
• How to Choose a Doctor or Service
• FAQs

Research & Trials

Whether you are looking for current available data or would like to conduct research to help answer the myriad of questions that still exist, we hope the following pages are helpful to you.

• Published Research
• Current Studies

Cancer & Fertility News

Read a wide array of articles about fertility preservation, parenthood after cancer and survivorship.

Information courtesy of: http://www.fertilehope.org/learn-more/index.cfm

How to Tell Someone You Have Cancer

Telling your loved ones that you have a cancer diagnosis isn’t easy. Below are some tips that will help on this journey.

Do You Have to Tell Everyone?

Many people feel the need to announce their diagnosis to everyone around them when they are first diagnosed with cancer. Feeling as if everyone should know is normal; however, it's not always best. You may find that it is best to only tell those who you know will be a positive support system, such as immediate family and very close friends.

Finding the Right Words

The biggest challenge is saying the words "I have cancer." Saying those words aloud can release emotions that you may have been suppressing. Telling someone somehow makes the disease more real; it is validating. Although it may be difficult in finding the right words, it is very therapeutic, because you are admitting you are sick. This is the first step in coping with cancer-admittance. When people first hear the word “cancer," they automatically think the worst. It is your responsibility to educate them on the extent of the disease. The more at ease and knowledgeable they are, the more effective support they can give to you. Being surrounded by people whose anxieties and fears are obvious and excessive will not allow you to cope in a healthful manner. Remember, how you are coping is more important, not how they are dealing with your disease.

Telling Your Spouse or Partner that You Have Cancer

Your spouse or partner will likely be the first person you confide in about your cancer diagnosis. He or she will likely be your caregiver during treatments and can be the best support system you have. It is important to be completely honest about your cancer and what your prognosis is. Allowing he or she to accompany you to appointments will make you feel less isolated on your journey. When you have a partner who gives you ultimate support, combating cancer begins to feel like teamwork, and you will feel empowered!

Telling Your Children that You Have Cancer

It is never easy to tell children bad news. As parents, we have a natural instinct to protect their feeling, and we often do so by omitting information. Many psychologists agree that this hurts them more in the long run, so being straight forward and honest is best. It's important to let your children know that you have cancer and to be honest about what is cancer. Don't assume they automatically know what it is, because they often hear it on television. Explain the physical process of how it develops and what treatment you are going to have. Some experts recommend delaying telling children until you are aware of the extent of your disease and what course of treatment you will be taking. Children understand best when they can see the whole picture, not just little pieces. Remember to be confident. Your optimism about beating cancer will reassure them. It's also important for them to know that your disease is not contagious, and it won't affect them physically. This may even be one of the first questions they ask you. They are not being selfish. Children often hear about people catching a cold or the flu and naturally assume it may be the same for cancer. How you explain it to your children and what information you choose for them to know depends on their age. If you have any questions about telling your children and what affect it may have, consult a child psychologist or pediatrician. He may be able to coach you on what to say and what not to say.

Telling Friends and Family

Again, be candid and honest about your disease. You can pick and choose what details you would like to share. Remember, though, these are the people who are going to be your support system. Being straightforward about your fears and anxieties are essential.

 

Information courtesy of: http://cancer.about.com/od/newlydiagnosed/a/tellingfriends.htm

The National Garden of Hope

 

Remember women touched by Ovarian Cancer by participating in  the National Garden of Hope, a part of the Honoring the Journey Ceremony at the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance annual conference. Participants will be given a packet which will include a picture of the woman being honored along with a packet of forget-me-not seeds and asked to plant them when they return home.

The goal is to create a National Garden of Hope symbolizing our community: spread across the country but tied together by our concern and care for one another. We need your help to seed our Garden of Hope across the country. Please submit pictures of any woman you want to honor and remember to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance by Friday, June 29, 2012, along with a short statement about her (no longer than 50 words). You may mail or email the photo.

Items may be mailed to:
Ovarian Cancer National Alliance
Attn: Elizabeth White 901 E Street NW, Suite 405
Washington, DC 20004

Items may be emailed to ewhite@ovariancancer.org.

Please include the name of the woman to honor or remember and 50 words about her. Please note that photos will not be returned; they will accompany the seeds to their new corner of our National Garden of Hope.

Information courtesy of: http://www.amcnetwork.com/OCNAconference/gardenofhope.htm