cancer corner live

Since last summer, Cancer Corner Live has been a rich, dynamic forum in which survivors and caregivers as well as medical professionals can share and learn from one another. Well-known survivors like Matthew Zachery of i2y have made guest appearances. A nationally syndicated program, Cancer Corner Live has weekly shows on different topics of interest to the cancer community.

summer issue of bridges

Check out the summer issue of Bridges here.

rock & run @ nasdaq

Since returning from Philly, things have been extremely busy. In fact, I've felt a bit overwhelmed recently but I think things will begin to settle down soon.

Yesterday afternoon I joined several other MSKCC cancer survivors at the NASDAQ to help spread the word about the upcoming Rock & Run on June 7th.

© 2009, The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.

Reprinted with permission.

© 2009, The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.
Reprinted with permission.

© 2009, The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.
Reprinted with permission.

For about 30 seconds with the beginning of the closing bell at 4pm, we could be seen at the podium on CNBC. Afterwards, photographs of us were taken in front of the NASDAQ building in Times Square. The star guest (whose name I can't remember), who rung the bell, is also a cancer survivor and stars in Broadway's Mama Mia.

Beginning just this past weekend, car traffic was banned from Times Square in an effort to reduce congestion in the area. So, it was interesting to see dozens and dozens of New Yorkers and visitors chilling out leisurely in lawn chairs right smack in the middle of what used to be one of the city's most traveled crossroads.

I had walked by the flashy NASDAQ building many times in the past, but never thought I'd actually ever walk inside let alone see my face displayed on its enormous electronic facade.

cancer news

Unemployment Hits Cancer Survivors Harder

off to philly

Yep, I'm off to Philly this morning for my sister's graduation this weekend. I'll be back some time Tuesday.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

upcoming teleconference

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will host a free teleconference titled Emerging Therapies in Leukemia, Lymphoma, & Myeloma on Tuesday, June 16th from 12:00 - 1:30PM EST.

Participants will learn about emerging therapies for these blood cancers; the role of clinical trials in treatment; and how to decide if a clinical trial is right for you.

Registration is necessary in order to participate.

seeking opinions about BMT resources

I subscribe to the nbmtLINK's e-mail list and received the following message this afternoon. For those who have had transplants or their caregivers, this may be of interest.

May 12, 2009

Dear BMT Recipients and Caregivers: The National Bone Marrow Transplant Link, the National Marrow Donor Program's Office of Patient Advocacy, and Evantage Consulting are evaluating how bone marrow transplant recipients and caregivers found information about their disease and transplant. We are conducting this study to learn how best to offer transplant patients and caregivers comprehensive information resources online.

We would like to interview transplant recipients who: - Are one to two years post transplant - Are over the age of 18 - Used the internet to find health information We would like to interview caregivers who: - Are over the age of 18 - Cared for a transplant recipient who is now one to two years post transplant - Used the internet to find health information

Each interview will be conducted over the phone, last approximately 60 minutes and will take place between May 25 and June 5 on a day and time convenient for participants. Interview questions will be about how transplant recipients and caregivers found information about their disease and its possible treatments upon diagnosis. If you are interested in participating, please provide the following information to Emily Peterson (epeterso@nmdp.org) by Monday, May 18: - Your name - Your age - If you are a transplant recipient or caregiver - Diagnosis - Month and year of transplant - Phone number Those who are selected will be contacted by phone by Emily from the National Marrow Donor Program OR Elizabeth Sipple from Evantage. Those who complete an interview will receive a $25.00 Visa gift card. Thank you for your time and consideration, Emily Peterson Senior Resource Development Specialist National Marrow Donor Program Office of Patient Advocacy 612-884-8471 or epeterso@nmdp.org

a virtual donor drive for jasmina and kai

Like so many, I've been moved by six-year old Jasmina's desperate search to find a matched unrelated donor. For her aggressive form of leukemia, a bone marrow transplant holds the only hope of a cure.

Kai, who is four-years old, is also suffering from leukemia. He too is searching for a life-saving donor.

These two remarkable, resilient kids have inspired me. I contacted DKMS, which is coordinating the donor search for both Jasmina and Kai, to find out how I may be able to help. The result is this virtual donor drive.

So, I need your help. If you're healthy, I hope that you will register to become a bone marrow donor. Even if you are not found to be a match for Jasmina or Kai, you may be the single hope that someone else has been waiting for. To register, all it takes is a cheek swab. The testing kit it mailed right to your doorstep. Just mail it back. It only takes one person to save a life.

As the fortunate recipient of an anonymous donor's selfless generosity, I can speak firsthand about how critical this period is right now to these two precious kids and their families.

In order to register as a donor you must first check to see if you are eligible, then you must read about the commitment involved to ensure that you understand what it means to register as a bone marrow donor.

Once you have done this, send an email to info@dkmsamericas.org stating that you are eligible and understand your commitment. Please include the following drive code: DBC001.

Though I have not yet had the great honor of meeting the individual, who saved this stranger's life, I hope our paths will cross in the not-to-distant future. Just think: you may be the match for Jasmina, Kai, or someone else. Please spread the word!

day +628

I have received a flood of gracious e-mails regarding my NYT essay. A writer, of course, generally assumes that he or she will hear favorable words from family and friends, which there were but I was really taken by some of the heartfelt messages from strangers. I even heard from a book publisher.

Presently, I'm in the process of revamping my photo gallery. I had hoped it would be completed by the publication of the essay, but it just wasn't possible. So, I hope within the next two weeks you'll find a more dynamic web page of my work.

With all the various activities going on recently coupled with a stretch of rainy days, I haven't been on any shoots for about 2 weeks. My last attempt was to capture long exposure shots of passing traffic at the intersection of 165th Street and the Grand Concourse after sunset.

After 3 shoots at this spot, I still am not satisfied with what I have. So, I'll just have to return and try again.

On Friday afternoon, I had a job interview for a potential teaching position. I also gave a demo lesson on Lincoln's leadership during the Civil War. Upon leaving the school, I felt really optimistic and the weather was remarkable. There was a cool, refreshing breeze and it was in low 70s. Spring had definitely arrived. So, I walked around enjoying the youthful bustle of Morningside Heights where I was, ate lunch at an Indian restaurant, and then, headed downtown to the MOMA to check out a really rich and electic exhibition, Into the Sunset: Photography's Image of the American West. What I really enjoyed about this exhibition was its diversity and scope. Photographs, both spectacular and mundane, from the 1840s to today were included. Some of the show's most interesting pieces, I thought, were the daguerrotypes and the elaborately decorated framed cases in which they were held.

Saturday afternoon I met up with an old friend, who was in town. She had an extra complimentary ticket to Essentially Ellington at the Time Warner Building in Midtown, where we listened to seven high school jazz bands from across the country compete in the hope of earning a coveted spot on the stage of Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall tonight. Most of the pieces were naturally by the Duke himself, but Benny Carter was represented for the first time too. It was a very fun and refreshing experience.

Yesterday evening I received a call back from the school and was offered the position which I accepted enthusiastically. Though the position is temporary (from September to December), it's a precious first step in gaining experience.

Our life's work is to use what we have been given to wake up. If there were two people who were exactly the same - same body, same speech, same mind, same mother, same father, same house, same food, everything the same - one of them could use what he has to wake up and the other could use it to become more resentful, bitter, and sour. . . . That's the challenge of now: What are you going to do with what you have already - your body, your speech, your mind?
- Pema Chodron

jasmina's very promising news

Two Bone-Marrow Matches Found for Jasmina Anema, 6-Year-Old Leukemia Victim

hope for kai and jasmina

Four-year old, Kai, is searching desperately for an unrelated donor to cure him of a rare type of leukemia. Several donor drives have taken place recently in the NYC area and more are on the way. The next one will be this Friday and Saturday, May 8th and 9th, at Whole Foods Market Tribeca at 270 Greenwich Street in Manhattan. For more information, please call 917-287-4039.



Six-year old Jasmina is also searching for a donor. Remember, it only takes one donor to save a life. I know from my own experience. Please spread the word about these two wonderful kids and find out how you may be able to help.

my essay is in sunday's nyt

Several months ago, I blogged about my interest in submitting an essay to The New York Times describing my love affair with the Harlem River and its many bridges. For months I had read the remarkable NYC-themed stories in the "New York Observed" column and thought, hey, I think mine could make it here as well. I worked on the piece off and on and after several revisions, I submitted it and remarkably, the paper accepted it.

For those in the NYC area, it will be in the "New York Observed" column of the City section of tomorrow's NYT. However, you can also view it online now: The Bridges of Bronx County.

I hope you enjoy it.

Someone very recently told me that I had become a rock star. If cancer is a prerequisite for stardom, I'll pass. My desire to write this piece was rooted in the humble confidence that I had a story worth sharing. That's it. But it's just one of the thousands of other inspirational tales of survivorship out there. Its submission was aimed at reminding folks that in the face of adversity, we possess the ability to tap into an amazing pool of energy: our own innate goodness and courage. This journey has taught me that some of life's most enriching experiences can come from the most difficult and unexpected circumstances.

Life is challenging and painful, but also beautiful, exciting, precious, and brilliant.

rejoice

Earlier this week, someone shared this Buddhist adage:

If you have a headache, rejoice, for you have a head.

day +619

Finally! Yes, I finally found a moment to blog a bit. This week has been uber busy but great. Lots of positive things are happening.

Last weekend, I and a good friend saw the film, Sugar, downtown.



I had seen a few posters advertising the film, but really didn't know much about it. It follows the story of a promising Dominican pitcher, who leaves his family and homeland for the hope of success in the Big Leagues. Through his journey in the US, he has moments of greatness but also struggles with the high expectations of those back home as well as his minor league club not to mention dealing with the challenges of language, culture, and economics. He also makes a stop in my Bronx neighborhood, which was really funny to watch because I knew all the places that were filmed. We both thought the film was lively, earnest, and refreshing.

On Monday, I participated in the opening reception of the annual patient art show at Sloan. The show ended yesterday. As of Wednesday, 4 out of my 5 bridge photographs were sold, so it went extremely well. Dozens of friends came by which was great.


I stuck to the nocturnal theme. All but one were taken at twilight.

As some of you know, I'm also working with Sloan to spread the word about its Rock & Run celebration on June 7th. In its third year, the Rock & Run on the River is a 5K run/walk and survivorship celebration along the Hudson River. Brunch, yoga, live entertainment, and family-oriented activities will continue throughout the morning following the race. More than 4,000 individuals participated in last year's Rock & Run. We're working to make this year's even bigger.

Proceeds from the event will help to support the hospital's Cancer Survivorship Initiative, which is composed of a range of programs focused on addressing the important long and short-term issues that survivors face after treatment.

I'm featured on the Rock & Run's website: Duane's Story.

And at least one of the promotional ads for which I was photographed a few weeks ago is ready.

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Magazines & Newspape

lymphoma today

The spring issue of the Lymphoma Research Foundation's publication, Lymphoma Today, is available online. Check it out.