15-Year-Old Jack Andraka, the “Edison” of Modern Times?

Posted on February 21, 2013

A 15-year-old teenager could help save millions of people with the revolutionary low-cost diagnostic test that he has invented to detect pancreatic cancer at an earlier stage. Who is this teenage wunderkind? His name is Jack Andraka, and some of the top medical researchers in the United States are calling him the “Edison” of modern times! Andraka has developed a simple dip-stick diagnostic test which can detect levels of mesothelin, a biomarker for early stage pancreatic cancer found in the urine and blood. This new test shows incredible promise, and it could easily revolutionize the treatment of this …

Stand Up To Cancer Funds Cancer Research Dream Teams

Posted on December 6, 2012

by theknowme

There is hardly a person who walks the earth today who has not been affected by cancer in some way. While many cancer research centers… are closing in on discoveries which could one day save the lives of countless cancer patients, there is also a substantial need for additional funding in order for them to continue their research. This is an area where one movement, Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) has started to become a real beacon for hope and support. Just check out what they pulled off at the last World Series, it was truly remarkable:Stand Up To

Chuck Pagano on Cancer; “It’s Already Beat”

Posted on November 5, 2012

by theknowme

It always inspires me how athletes and those in the sports world approach something as devastating as cancer in the same way that they do the game they play. Athletes have a unique ability to channel their competitive nature into transforming themselves to get more out of a circumstance than, at times, even they thought they could.Chuck Pagano, head coach of the Indianapolis Colts was recently diagnosed with Leukemia… and had to step away from the game to undergo treatment. He revisited the team yesterday and after a win over the Miami Dolphins delivered a speech for the

Contemplating Lance Armstrong’s Legacy

Posted on August 27, 2012

by theknowme

I had hoped this day would never come, but unfortunately it has. As Lance Armstrong started to dominate the Tour de France and allegations arose about doping, one could only wonder…what would this mean for his legacy as a philanthropist and advocate for cancer awareness? If he was in fact found to be guilty, would it diminish or overshadow his efforts to bring solace to the millions affected…? As I am not a cancer survivor myself, it is hard to fully understand the positive impact that Lance has had on so many people, and the hope the he has

Open-Source Cancer Research (TED Talk)

Posted on December 12, 2011

by Administrator

We recently came across this amazing Ted Talk by Jay Bradner and felt compelled to share! Jay asks the interesting question of, “How does cancer know it’s cancer”? Bradner, a researcher at Harvard and Dana Farber in Boston (*also check out some other amazing cancer research centers…), works on a breakthrough approach for subverting cancer … and he’s giving the secret away. Jay and his team believe that they have found a molecule that might hold the answer, and its called JQ1. what even cooler, is that instead of patenting JQ1 themselves, they published their findings and mailed samples

Cancer Patients Take Control of Their Own Destiny

Posted on August 22, 2011

by Administrator

Meet e-patient Dave! This riveting Ted Talk hits on one of the most important topics facing health care today, the engagement of patients in their treatment of cancer…, and other diseases. Dave deBronkart explains how e-patients are not just taking control of, but fixing health care. The e-patient movement focusses on the idea that the patient is the most underutilized resource in health care. He concludes with a mantra for this new breed of patient…LET PATIENTS HELP! Check out his incredible talk, and let us know what you think of this idea of patients getting involved:

Phil Mickelson – Golf Champion & Breast Cancer Supporter

Posted on July 22, 2011

by Administrator

Phil Mickelson, the famous left-handed golf champion, has a number of impressive titles: winner of four major golf championships and the winner of 39 PGA events. But he also has another more impressive title: a cancer supporter. Rewind the clock a couple years when Phil’s wife, Amy, was diagnosed with the shocking news of her breast cancer in May, 2009. More shocking: only six weeks later, Phil’s mom, Mary, was also diagnosed with breast cancer…. While prayers and support were being sent out in abundance for Amy and Mary, it became evident that Phil’s world was rocked, too. To

How to Live a Happy & Meaningful Life

Posted on July 19, 2011

by Administrator

There’s a plaque on my daughter’s wall: “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” I was thinking about the word “moments”. We require the use of so many of our moments in those mindless activities for general survival. You know, sleeping, eating, sleeping, eating some more. Add to that our routine activities such as working for a living, managing relationships, minding a home, planning a vacation, taking time to exercise, and the moments are used up faster than we can think about them. A cancer diagnosis…

How to Fight and Overcome Cancer

Posted on July 17, 2011

by Administrator

“You have cancer.” I gasped. The doctor said these words to my husband after a week-long hospital stay which included an assortment of medical tests… to determine the source of his unexplained pain. We were forced into the battle. No swords, no shields, no plans in place; however, the battle against cancer had begun. After the shock wore off, I will always remember the next conversation with my husband when the doctors left the room to give us privacy to cry together. The first words my husband said were: “I’ll fight this thing.” Tears of gratitude poured down my cheeks.

Tidbits from the Know Cancer Forum – Take 3

Posted on July 12, 2011

by Administrator

As you’ve probably heard by now from our last 2 posts…the Know Cancer Forum is a little over 2 years old now and is populated with fabulous little tidbits of information and inspiration! This is post #3 in the series here on our cancer blog… – where we are sharing some of what’s been said when we let you guys "Tawk amongst Ya'selves". :) Once more a LOUD KC SHOUT OUT to everyone who shares here on Know Cancer!!! Together we are changing the way we collectively & individually deal with cancer. Check out some more posts and discussions

Tidbits from the Know Cancer Forum – Take 2

Posted on July 6, 2011

by Administrator

As you may have heard in our last post about the Know Cancer Forum…we're just a little more than 2 years old now and the forum is filled with amazing tidbits of information and inspiration! This is post #2 in the series of posts here on our cancer blog…– where we are sharing some of what’s been said when we let you guys "Tawk amongst Ya'selves". Once again a BIG SHOUT OUT to everyone who shares here on Know Cancer!!! Together we are changing the way we collectively & individually deal with cancer. Check out the most next

Tidbits from the Know Cancer Forum – Take 1

Posted on July 1, 2011

by Administrator

The Know Cancer Forum is a little over 2 years old now and is filled with amazing tidbits of information and inspiration. In a series of posts here on the know cancer blog… – we wanted to share some of what’s been said when we let you guys "Tawk amongst Ya'selves." :) Big ups and a whole lot of love to everyone who shares here on Know Cancer!!! The more we exchange with each other the better we collectively & individually deal with cancer. Without further ado, here’s your first gander at some topics, posts and discussions that went on…hope

“CANCER” is a six-letter word

Posted on June 21, 2011

by Administrator

My husband was sent to the hospital a few months ago with familiar symptoms: abdominal pain radiating to his back. We expected the usual myriad of tests to provide the same result we had experienced before: ulcers. Ulcers are no piece of cake, but treatable. But now: cancer. Seriously? Our first reaction was to go into crisis mode. I couldn’t even say the word “cancer” without an extra swallow to choke it down. I resorted to referring to it as the “c” word but soon realized my word games were giving it more power than it deserved. I started to…

Cancer and Your Career: Overcoming Obstacles

Posted on May 10, 2011

by Administrator

You’ve been diagnosed with cancer and a million thoughts are going through your mind. Of course you worry about your health, you go on an emotional roller coaster ride and you struggle with the uncertainty that the future brings. You feel strong enough to fight and overcome cancer…. But then it hits you – will I lose my job? How do I deal with this while working full time? What do I tell my employer? How much time am I going to need off from work? During a time filled with many emotional and physical stresses, the last thing

Celebrating Survival in Style

Posted on May 2, 2011

by Administrator

A friend of mine from high school is an awesome cake decorator. She does it as a hobby and always posts pictures of her cakes on Facebook. Recently she posted that she had done a “booby cake” for a friend’s “survivor party”. The only “survivor” parties I had ever heard of are the ones where fans of the TV show Survivor get together to watch the show’s finale. She said the cake was a little too graphic to post on Facebook, but to email her if you wanted to see it. I was so intrigued by the idea of a…

Winning the War in the Fight Against Cancer!

Posted on April 27, 2011

by Administrator

Perhaps more than any other disease, dealing with and recovering from cancer is often thought of in the same terms as warfare. In the language used to describe recovering from cancer we hear words like courage, fight, battle, winning, and losing. Singer Carly Simon was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997. She said that in some ways cancer brought focus to her life. She is quoted as saying, “When you actually have a battle, it’s better than when you don’t know who to fight.” The battle against cancer… does invoke many of the same images used in war. It is

“Garden variety” breast cancer?

Posted on April 25, 2011

by Administrator

When my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer… last year I was amazed that the doctor called her at her office, during work hours, to tell her the news. I guess I thought these things were told to you in person, maybe with the support of a family member or friend by your side. I was even more surprised when we went to meet with him and he called her cancer “garden variety breast cancer”. I suppose that’s a good thing, but when you think of your mother and cancer, “garden variety” are not the next words you expect to

Crossing Items Off Your Bucket List

Posted on March 24, 2011

by Administrator

"As of lately in life, I've started really diving headfirst into writing a bucket list — and as quickly as I've been writing it, I've also been crossing it off. I'm a big believer in the power of positive thinking and I very much like to believe that the Zig Ziglers, Tony Robbins, and Buddhas in the world, really know what they're talking about. So it comes as no surprise that I'm a seeker outter of all things inspirational…, motivational, moving, etc whenever surfing the web…. whether it's for ideas of where in this big world to go to

“Inspiration” – by Katie Johnston

Posted on March 20, 2011

by Administrator

When I first started toying with what to write about this week, I went down three other possible avenues before finally detouring to other websites that stopped me in my tracks so suddenly, that I knew I wouldn’t be choosing a topic this time, but it would be choosing me. While perusing websites, reading the news, doing some research of my own; I stumbled upon an article at random that led me to a great quote that ironically led me to even more great inspirational quotes…… so alas, here’s some food for thought today. Among the first article I

Pressing Pause: The day I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer

Posted on February 15, 2011

by Administrator

So often, my life has seemed to move in fast forward. One minute I’m graduating college. The next I’m getting married and buying a house and starting a career. Now I’m quaking as I bring my first baby home from the hospital. Before I know it, I’m putting that same child on the school bus for her first day of school. Bang, zoom, zip. All I can do is try to grab memories as they fly past, stuff them in my pocket and hope like hell they’ll still be there when things slow down and I have a moment to…

From Brain Tumor to Dream Changer

Posted on February 15, 2011

by Administrator

Cancer is many things. For Mark Young…, 25, it was a dream changer. Young was a college student living a charmed life. Tall, handsome, witty and talented, Young had countless friends and was the oldest son in a close knit family led by mom, Penny, and dad, Mark. As a baseball player for Norfolk State University, it seemed certain that Young was going to be one of the lucky ones who truly gets to live his dream: to play professional baseball. Baseball scouts were interested in him, and as his college career drew to a close, it didn’t seem

A Mother’s Words Help Heal Her Children’s Grief

Posted on February 15, 2011

by Administrator

Losing a mother is always a traumatic event. When Omar Sneed, 22, and Sienna Sneed, 23, lost their mother, Ernestine, to Acute Myelogenous Leukemia earlier this year they were, as would be expected, overcome with grief…. Sienna had an infant daughter, Lorynn Graycee Bennett, that her mother doted over constantly and it saddened her that Lorynn would never fully know the love of her grandmother and what an amazing woman she was. As they dealt with their grief, they began to go through their mother’s things. It was during this sad process that they found something that would help

The Day I Found Out

Posted on January 7, 2011

by Administrator

The day a person is diagnosed with cancer is one of the most difficult days of his or her life. While the Internet holds an endless supply of cancer related information, genuine emotional support can be hard to find. TheDayIFoundOut.com features 22 compelling videos of cancer survivors, young and old, offering inspiration, insight, and advice to help cancer patients take the first steps toward beating their disease. Currently the site profiles patients diagnosed with breast cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, lung cancer, prostate cancer, sarcoma and testicular cancer…. The site

Movember Foundation on a Course to Create a Global Men’s Health Movement

Posted on November 9, 2010

by Administrator

November is well-known as American Diabetes Month and the month of Thanksgiving. It's also Aviation Month, Vegan Awareness Month, Stamp Collecting Month, Novel Writing Month, and Peanut Butter Lover's Month. But what not everyone knows is that November is also the month in which tens of thousands of men from around the world grow out their moustaches to raise millions of cancer-fighting dollars. The initiative is called Movember…, a combination of "moustache" and "November." Here is an explanation of the idea behind the moustache movement from the Movember Foundation website: "The idea for Movember was sparked in 2003 over

Celebrity Breast Cancer Fighters

Posted on October 19, 2010

by Administrator

Though we are nearing the end of October and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, there are still many women that will be given the hard news of breast cancer this year. Although breast cancer has many risk factors associated which can increase your chances, it can appear shockingly to many across the spectrum regardless of health, race, or income. Though there are things you can do to lower your chances of breast cancer, getting a regular breast screening… is the best way to catch it at its most treatable stages. Indeed, many women have lived through breast cancer, and use

Letters to God Red Carpet World Premier

Posted on April 29, 2010

by Denise L. Pereira, M.D.

Oh, what a night! It’s hard to put an exact order to the top ten nights of my life but the Letters to God (LTG) Orlando premier is most certainly on that list! On March 31st the LTG actors, actresses, producers, partners and supporters walked the red carpet at the Plaza Theatre smack in the heart of downtown Orlando—and what a love-fest it was! :) Those guys are up there among the kindest most thoughtful group of individuals that we Know Cancer …folks get to work with. It all started with the red carpet walk and a 2 hour mingling

Camp Kesem Creates a Week of Fun for Kids

Posted on March 9, 2010

by Denise L. Pereira, M.D.

In February 2001, Sam and Matthew’s father was diagnosed with prostate cancer. For five years he fought to live, then passed away when Sam was 10 and Matthew was 8. Their mother says, “Living with and losing a parent to cancer is something no child should ever have to experience.” Three years later, the boys’ mother discovered Camp Kesem…. She didn’t know much about the camp, but knew that the boys needed to be with other kids who “got” what they were going through. At first Sam and Matthew were reluctant to join in. But within 30 minutes

40 ways to live a Happy, Meaningful Life!

Posted on February 2, 2010

by allensmith

Just had a little inspiration thrown our way from our old friend Steph and figured we’d share! It’s called LifeBook and was originally posted here…. There’s some great rules to live by…enjoy! Health: 1. Drink plenty of water. 2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar. 3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants, and eat less food that is manufactured in plants. 4. Live with the 3 E’s — Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy. 5. Make time for prayer and reflection 6. Play more games. 7. Read more books than

Know Cancer Partners with Possibility Pictures on its new film Letters to God

Posted on January 5, 2010

by Denise L. Pereira, M.D.

I am very excited to announce Know Cancer’s partnership with Possibility Pictures on their film “Letters to God!” The movie is about a young boy’s battle with cancer who finds strength and hope in writing letters to God. Created by the team who made Facing the Giants and Fireproof (which was voted the #1 independent film of 2008), the movie is destined for greatness. Know Cancer is proud to be the official cancer social network… for moviegoers looking for post-movie support. There is a little story to tell about how Know Cancer linked up with the incredible Letters

The Journal of Eva Sifis (continued) – April 22/23

Posted on September 2, 2009

by Denise L. Pereira, M.D.

For those of you who are new readers, this is a continuation of the journal entries of a courageous and inspiring woman named Eva. She has overcome tremendous odds, lived/traveled all over the world and is currently battling Hodgkin's Lymphoma…. Continue reading about her journey through her first days as a cancer patient… Wednesday, April 22, 2009 Well today is the day my hair comes off. It’s not coming out much, only a few strands. It probably would hold out another week or so but that’s it. I’m not holding on to a lost cause. I don’t have enough

Beads of Courage – Encouraging Positive Coping Strategies for Children with Cancer

Posted on August 3, 2009

by LauraSavageau

Seeing a child go through a battle with Cancer is heartbreaking. It’s hard to know what to say or do as they are going through the tough emotions and confusion that comes with this fight. How do you help them cope and find meaning in their illness? Well, Beads of Courage, an organization that implements evidence-based supportive care programs in children’s hospitals has developed a program to do just that. Colorful beads, each having a meaning are given to a child marking big milestones throughout their treatment; blue ones represent each trip to the cancer clinic, white for chemotherapy…

Incredible Dance Routine on the Impact of Breast Cancer

Posted on July 24, 2009

by LauraSavageau

It can be hard to put into words the impact breast cancer has had on so many. With that said, Tyce Diorio…, a choreographer from So You Think You Can Dance put together a powerful dance piece displaying the impact it’s had on him. It’s incredibly touching, and dancers Melissa and Ade performed it beautifully commanding your attention to this very hard-hitting topic. Enjoy! (…and don't forget your tissues)

Inspiring Quotes: When Words can be More than Words

Posted on July 22, 2009

by stephaniepizzo

Most of us have life mottos that we like to live by, a sort of inspiration to be that better person, or maybe just a motto to get us through everyday life or tough times. Great thinkers before us have shared classic inspirational quotes… that will resonate through time, a visionary quote that gives us all that glint of life. Gandhi, Ralph Waldo Emerson (a personal favorite of mine), Albert Einstein, Confucius, Thomas Jefferson, the list could go on for days of great thinkers that have given us words to live by. Words of inspiration can take us many

Phil Mickelson’s Mom Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

Posted on July 7, 2009

by nicole

The past couple of months have been rough for pro golfer Phil Mickelson and his family. As of earlier this week bad news has struck again, not only has Mickelson’s wife Amy been diagnosed with breast cancer, Mickelson’s mother, Mary, has been diagnosed with breast cancer as well. According to the Examiner…, “Phil's sister Tina reported the news to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Tina told the paper that she wished for the news of her mother to be made known so that Mary could receive the same prayers and support that Amy did from the players and fans

The Journal of Eva Sifis (continued) – April 17-21

Posted on July 7, 2009

by Denise L. Pereira, M.D.

For those of you who are new readers, this is a continuation of the journal entries… of a courageous and inspiring woman named Eva. She has overcome enormous odds, lived/traveled all over the world and is currently battling Hodgkins Lymphoma. Continue reading about her experiences from her first days with cancer… Friday, April 17, 2009 I had woken when they brought the breakfast tray in about 7.30 but lay in a bit of a stupor for a while. Thank god the Oncologist came in today and said they were decreasing those Dexie drugs yet more. This is why I am

Peapod: Who Says Grocery Shopping has to be a Chore

Posted on June 30, 2009

by Administrator

Peapod began in 1989 when two brothers, Andrew and Thomas Parkinson, decided to improve the lives of others with this phenomenal convenience. Since that time, Peapod’s online grocery has served over 13 million customers in 22 U.S. markets and is busier than ever. Determined to change the way Americans shop for food and dedicated to provide an excellent experience to every single customer, Peapod has grown into an online industry leader. Peapod even allows people to easily find specific nutritional products, create shopping lists, use manufacturer coupons and take advantage of weekly specials. Need a recipe that includes the items…

“Charlie’s Angel” Farrah Fawcett Dies at 62

Posted on June 25, 2009

by nicole

Farrah Fawcett, 62, lost her battle with anal cancer today, Thursday June 25, 2009. Diagnosed in 2006, Fawcett spent the last 3 years fighting for her life with both conventional and alternative treatments. Fawcett was known as a high-spirited 70’s icon with hair that most women have tried tirelessly to attain. She has been recognized for her roles in “The Burning Bed”, “The Guardian” and of course the notorious “Charlie’s Angels”. MSNBC recently released a heart wrenching documentary… that portrayed the late actress’s struggle while fighting cancer. It showed her with an indescribable admiration for life and a strength

The Journal of Eva (continued) – From Diagnosis to Chemo

Posted on June 9, 2009

by Denise L. Pereira, M.D.

For those of you who are new readers, these are ongoing journal entries of a courageous and inspiring woman named Eva. She has overcome enormous odds, lived/traveled all over the world and is currently battling Hodgkins Lymphoma. These are 3 entries she wrote from her day of diagnosis through her first experience with chemo…enjoy :) Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Well, there it was, today. I was moved to Calvary Hospital. I get moved here and start losing it in the car almost immediately. I was being childish and plain rude. I could see the way I was behaving but had…

Welcome to the Know Cancer Community!

Posted on May 29, 2009

by nicole

After many months of hard work and dedication, the Know Cancer Team is thrilled to announce the launch of our one of a kind Cancer Community! It has been a long road and we are proud to finally share this adventure with you. Our goal is to provide the cancer community with all the resources they need including the latest social networking & communication tools, access to health care professionals and an open forum for support and inspiration. Join the Community… and check out all the cool features, and be sure to let us know what we can improve

The Journal of Eva – The begining…

Posted on May 27, 2009

by Denise L. Pereira, M.D.

Eva is a courageous and inspiring woman who I’ve had the privilege of getting to know through our community. She has overcome enormous odds and lived/traveled all over the world, as you will quickly see by reading her profile. Residing in Australia, Eva is Know Cancer’s first International Member…much love to our Aussie friends on the other side of the globe :) Currently, she is battling Hodgkins Lymphoma… and was brave enough to share her journal entries from the first experiences as a cancer patient. Over the coming months we will all get a closer look at her

Golfer Phil Mickelson’s Wife, Amy, is Diagosed with Breast Cancer

Posted on May 21, 2009

by nicole

Amy Mickelson, the wife of three-time golf champion Phil Mickelson, a supporter and friend to many, and mom of three has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. Sports fans all over the world are saddened by this news and Mickelson puts the rest of his PGA tour on hold. According to an article on the ESPN… website, Sarah Strange, a breast cancer survivor and wife of former Ryder Cup captain Curtis Strange, said "Amy Mickelson's outgoing personality would play a big part in her recovery. She's such an upbeat person, and I think she'll approach this in the same

Hair loss a familiar chemo side effect, but Red Lobster cheese biscuits tasting like lard???

Posted on May 7, 2009

by nicole

In between tweets the other night I stumbled across this compelling article on "how to counter the side effects of chemo." Hair loss is familiar as a chemo side effect, but Red Lobster cheese biscuits tasting like lard? That’s odd (and unfair)! It got me thinking of all the other possible side effects doctors "neglect" to mention for one reason or another before you start chemo. So of course, I posted a tweet in Twitterland: QUESTION: "Anyone doing chemo…?? What is one side effect the doctors neglected to mention? Just curious…" I was particularly intrigued by some of

“Cancer”…no such thing in Chinese Medicine!

Posted on April 13, 2009

by Denise L. Pereira, M.D.

Constance Fraatz is a dear friend of mine and a skilled acupuncture specialist. In her lifetime she has unfortunately had to deal with cancer in some of her closest family members. Constance was kind enough to offer her expertise at our Know Cancer “Community Awareness Fair” on February 22nd of this year…and her display of dedication to giving back through health, well being and Chinese Medicine was truly inspiring. Here is some insight she provided for the Know Cancer Community……enjoy! “Cancer” is a modern day term and has no parallel word in Chinese Medicine. However, the recognition and study

Grafton Roll, an Old Dream from a Young Inspiration

Posted on March 18, 2009

by Danielle

At our first Know Cancer Community Awareness Fair, we partnered with the most informative and influential Cancer Organizations to heighten cancer awareness in Orlando…our home! The day was filled with live music, tasty treats, and raffle giveaways, all to raise money for the Florida Hospital… Cancer Institute. At the event, a young man named Grafton Roll approached us asking if he could read a speech that he wrote. His speech was originally done as a school assignment to honor Martin Luther King with a work inspired from King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Since his mother has battled