I just saw the latest OCF news release on the national news wire -- hope it garners the whole oral cancer issue (and this group) some valuable publicity.

Here's what it said:

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Aug. 2 /U.S. Newswire/ -- If you are one of the more than 300,000 people worldwide affected by oral cancer each year, http://www.oralcancer.org could be your new best friend.
At http://www.oralcancer.org patients, caregivers, and health care professionals alike are finding answers, support, and new allies in their struggle against this deadly disease.
The web has changed our world in many ways, but one of the most positive examples is the ability for oral cancer patients to connect with others who are fighting the same battle, or with survivors who have been down this difficult road ahead of them. Through real time exchanges of experience and knowledge on The Oral Cancer Foundation

That is really impressive!

There is a prime time TV ad running in Australia at present linking mouth and throat cancer with smoking. It is a very graphic advert and the graphics will be repeated on cigarette packets.

http://www.cancerinstitute.org.au/cancer_inst/campaigns/healthwarnings2006.html

Helen

This is wonderful. I actually found this site due to Eyewitness news Channel 7 in NY. They had Oral Cancer as a subject, and referred to this site in their website. Bravo!! Word is getting out. This site has been so helpful to me. Thank you all, And God Bless you all.

One small success at a time.... never fast enough, never with enough money to accomplish the goals that we have. But we will keep chipping away at this disease with the resources that we have available, we will not give up hope of progress, we will use every resource we can find.... hopefully finding allies along the way and strategic partners that will help us reach our goal of reducing the death rate. Even knowing the path to success, we are trapped in small steps until more people become aware, assist the cause, and share our values with us.

Leslie,

Thanks for posting the link. I had not seen it yet.

Helen,

We will NEVER see anything like this in the US with the tobacco lobby what it is here. What a shame!

That's a great campaign. It is bound to be successful.


Jerry

That piece was so well worded.

Despite the fact that I am angry and disappointed in my Aunt's prognosis, no- let me change that to: BECAUSE I am angry and disappointed in my Aunt's prognosis because of her inability to use the facts and information wisely, face the truth and become pro-active for herself; I will continue to spread the word and the information on this website that I have been visiting everyday for the past 3 1/2 yrs.

It has been an honor to know all of you fine people and be involved with such an important cause. Please keep fighting everyone!!

Lisa your post sounds like you will be moving on from OCF. I hope that is not the case. You have so much to offer others coming down the path behind you. 3.5 years is a lot of experience, a lot of first hand knowledge. Caregivers, and relatives are just as much a part of the equasion as the patient. Hope we to continue to see you here.

Lisa,

I had the same reaction as Brian to your post. I hope that we misread your post and that you will continue to be an active member of this forum.

Jerry

Lisa, please continue to post, we need you here! Love, Carol

Thanks Brian, Dr. Jerry and Carol. I'm sorry if I gave that impression. No, I will remain. I am just experiencing some anger and disbelief at this lousey situation our Aunt is in, as is my husband and my Uncle. We are now experiencing "the calm before the storm" so to speak. Soon I will be switching hats from relative to helping caregiver as my Aunt begins to lose her battle to this beast. I have promised my Uncle that I will be there to help him take care of my Aunt when hospice steps in. In addition, my mother-in-law (Aunt Rosemary's sister) is one of those rare "unknown primary" patients for whom SCC plays a significant role and although I am not close to her and will not be involved in her care, I am following the details of her battle and treatment through my husband and our family members. <sigh> It's damned hard when people put up a good fight and every attempt to put out this forest fire fails.

Hi Lisa, know that you are in my thoughts and prayers as is Aunt Rosemary....Love, Carol p.s. email me anytime.