Thursday, January 31, 2008

February 1st is Give Kids A Smile Day


What's the difference between Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) and National Children's Dental Health Month (NCDHM)?

Give Kids A Smile is an annual centerpiece to National Children's Dental Health Month and is observed every year on the first Friday in February, while NCDHM is celebrated during the entire month of February. National Children's Dental Health Month focuses on providing oral health education to all children despite their economic status. Give Kids A Smile was designed to provide education, preventative and restorative care to low-income children who do not have access to care.



Give Kids A Smile Day
American Dental Association
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 440-2500
gkas@ada.org


Materials available
Contact: Council on Access, Prev. & Inter-professional

Monday, January 28, 2008

Alzheimer’s Target Finally Questioned

The Washington Post published an excellent article, Alzheimers Research Target May Be a Dead End

For nearly 20 years the Beta Amyloid Theory of Alzheimer’s disease has been pursued to the exclusion of a number of other promising disease theories. Chemistry seems to have trumped the near religious zealotry that has delayed finding treatments and a cure for the disease. A study published in the Journal Nature Chemical Biology by a team of chemists at the University of California, San Francisco, found that these candidate drugs form large, unwieldy clumps themselves, rendering them useless as targeted therapy against amyloid in the brain. The author’s suggestion to neuroscientists investigating these agents as potential Alzheimer's therapies: "They should stop."

Perhaps the community can also stop wasting time on PET scanning.

Nothing is wrong with science failing; it is expected. What is wrong, is scientists blithely denying facts demonstrated by clinical experience.

It is time to play catch-up and really find out how to deal not only with Alzheimer’s but also dementia.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

February 1st is National Wear Red Day


The Heart Truth is that one in four American women dies of heart disease, and most fail to make the connection between risk factors—such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol—and their personal risk of developing heart disease.

Challenges remain, and many women still do not take heart disease seriously and personally.

Learn more about The Heart Truth and what you can do—like participating in National Wear Red Day on February 1, 2008—to help those around you to take action to prevent and control their risk factors.

National Wear Red Day—February 1, 2008— is a day when Americans nationwide will wear red to show their support for women's heart disease awareness. This observance promotes the Red Dress symbol and provides an opportunity for everyone to unite in this life-saving awareness movement by showing off a favorite red dress, shirt, or tie, or Red Dress Pin.
This toolkit provides useful information and resources that you can use to help celebrate National Wear Red Day in your community.

For More Information
National Wear Red Day 2008
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Health Information CenterAttention: The Heart Truth
P.O. Box 30105

Bethesda, MD 20824-0105
(301) 592-8573
(240) 629-3255 TTY
(301) 592-8563 Fax
Materials available
Contact: Information Specialist

Monday, January 21, 2008

Teams Identify New Gene Markers for Lupus

A team from Genentech Inc. discovered two new genes linked to lupus which affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans. The discovery of BLK and ITGAM was reported by Genentech scientist Timothy W. Behrens in the New Journal of Medicine. Dr Behrens believes the presence of these genes trigger an immune response that attacks patient's own body. The disease often results in death related the multiple organ failure often caused by cardiovascular illness. Lupus often goes undiagnosed and untreated for years because it is difficult to identify. It is most common in women and minorities.

In a separate study, the International Consortium for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Genetics (SLEGEN) coordinated the planning and organization of a large genotyping and data analysis effort that involved contributions from large group of organizations across the globe. The results also showed evidence linking lupus to nine genes. The results should aid in characterizing the genetic profile of Lupus and should point to new avenues for earlier and more accurate diagnosis as well as identifying paths for new areas of drug discovery.

The Healing Project actively encourages all its members to contribute and participate in clinical studies. Finally, SLEGEN model of consortium based research demonstrates the value of leading scientists collaborating to find answers to difficult questions. Every chronic disease should consider this model as it will eliminate duplicative and costly research while more rapidly providing answers necessary to better diagnosis complex illnesses and initiate drug discovery efforts.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month



January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month

For more information:
National Glaucoma Awareness MonthPrevent Blindness America
211 West Wacker Drive, Suite 1700
Chicago, IL 60606
(800) 331-2020
(847) 843-8458 Fax
Materials availableContact:
PBA Consumer and Patient Hotline

Thursday, January 17, 2008

January is National Radon Action Month



Radon is naturally occurring but can have profound health effects with long-term exposure.

Studies Find Direct Evidence Linking Radon in Homes to Lung Cancer - Two studies show definitive evidence of an association between residential radon exposure and lung cancer. Two studies, a North American study and a European study, both combined data from several previous residential studies. These two studies go a step beyond earlier findings. They confirm the radon health risks predicted by occupational studies of underground miner’s who breathed radon for a period of years. Early in the debate about radon-related risks, some researchers questioned whether occupational studies could be used to calculate risks from exposure to radon in the home environment. “These findings effectively end any doubts about the risks to Americans of having radon in their homes,” said Tom Kelly, Director of EPA’s Indoor Environments Division. “We know that radon is a carcinogen. This research confirms that breathing low levels of radon can lead to lung cancer.”

Source EPA Website:

Affirmative steps can be taken to mitigate exposure to Radon.

For More Information:
National Radon Action MonthU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Radiation and Indoor Air1310 L Street, NW, 4th Floor

Indoor Environments Division

Washington, DC 20005(202) 343-9370

(202) 343-2394 Fax
www.epa.gov/radon/rnactionmonth.html
Materials availableContact: None designated

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Reversal Of Alzheimer's Symptoms Within Minutes In Human Study



The ScienceDaily reported on January 9th an extraordinary new scientific study, which for the first time documents marked improvement in Alzheimer’s disease within minutes of administration of a therapeutic molecule. The article referenced has been published in the Journal of Neuroinflammation.

The new study, entitled “Rapid cognitive improvement in Alzheimer’s disease following perispinal etanercept administration,” and the accompanying commentary, entitled “Perispinal etanercept: Potential as an Alzheimer’s therapeutic,” are available on the Web site of the Journal of Neuroinflammation.

The case study highlighted is a single patient in a 15 subject non-placebo controlled off-label study of the Etanercept (Enbrel). Etanercept is a tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) Antagonist, that is, it blocks the activity of TNF. The agent is a FDA approved for the treatment of various forms of arthritis. Etanercept was administered to the spine under the hypothesis that elevated levels of TNF interferes with neural transmissions in the brain.

Following administration of Enbrel in the subject, his cognitive faculties demonstrated marked improvement within minutes.

The Healing Project consulted with leading experts in drug development and Alzheimer’s disease who have reviewed the article. While only a single case, the methods and measures used on the subject paint a compelling case that a double-blind placebo controlled trial should be undertaken with sufficient power to answer the question whether Enbrel administered through the spine can produce similar results in a large population. Our experts caution, that factors regarding this patient (general health, lack of overlapping morbidities, large cognitive reserve etc.), would limit the likelihood that all patients in a larger trial could achieve a similar result. Further, the effect demonstrated in this patient was not likely to be disease modifying but a result of increased brain efficiency due to the relief of neural inflammation. In addition, the nature of Enbrel would limit its use across the broadest possible population. Finally, no inference can be made regarding Enbrel’s disease modifying properties without a carefully designed trial to answer that question.

A small number of experts have already chimed in dismissing the Alzheimer’s inflammation hypothesis. The dismissal is based upon studies that failed to demonstrate efficacy using NSAIDs. (This would further imply all drug development in dementia should be terminated based on all current theories of the disease. No compound has demonstrated efficacy or ecological validity.) There are numerous reasons why these agents failed to demonstrate efficacy and bear no relationship to TNF Antagonists. Keep in mind, many of these experts are conflicted due to their support of alternate theories of disease treatment, disease diagnosis and disease process. The attempt to summarily dismiss these results confirms why the progress in dementia research has been retarded for two decades.

It is essential that every reasonable avenue research be pursued to relieve Alzheimer's symptoms and hopefully identify a cure. Given our belief, that dementia better characterizes the loss of memory in aging, Enbrel, if proved efficacious, would be an element of a complex treatment protocol that would benefit a large subset of patients along the arc of the illness.

Monday, January 7, 2008

January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month



January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month



Our mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. We carry out this mission through research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies' lives. March of Dimes researchers, volunteers, educators, outreach workers and advocates work together to give all babies a fighting chance against the threats to their health: prematurity, birth defects, low birthweight.

The site has detailed information on nutrition, screening and a healthy pregnancy.

For more information:
National Birth Defects Prevention MonthMarch of Dimes
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
(914) 997-4488
(914) 997-4763 Fax
askus@marchofdimes.com
http://www.marchofdimes.com/
Materials availableContact: Pregnancy and Newborn Health Education Center

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Train to Support Cures for Blood Cancers









We encourage all members of our community to particpate in supporting research to cure blood cancers. Team in Training has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. In its 20 years, this effort has raised over $700MM and partipants benefit by keeping themselves in shape.

For information regarding meetings throughout the country visit Team in Training. New York City inofrmation meetings are listed below.

New York City Chapter
8th Floor, 475 Park Avenue SouthNew York, NY 10016
ph: (212) 448-9206Local Staff Contacts

Registration for the Summer Season Marathon events is open until Friday, February 22nd and Monday, March 3rd for the Nautica New York City Triathlon. Don't Delay. The events offered for the Summer Season are:


If you are interested in registering for one of these events, please fill out our Tell Me More Form to learn more about information meetings in your area. You can also call the New York City Chapter at (212) 448-9206, ext. 234. Don't miss the opportunity to experience the rewards of completing a marathon, half marathon, or century ride while helping to accelerate cures for leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma - blood cancers that continue to take the lives of thousands of Americans every year. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Information Meetings
Join us for one of the following 2008 Summer Season Team In Training® Information Meetings to learn more about the program and to meet our staff, coaches, mentors and honored teammates. At a meeting you will be able to register for the event of a lifetime!
If you would like to see some more information about our sports, click on any of the sport specific sheets below:Run Specific SheetTriathlon Specific Sheet Cycle Specific SheetWalk Specific Sheet
Please click here to learn more. You may also contact us at (212) 448-9206, ext. 234, or tntnyc@lls.org .

SUMMER SEASON INFORMATION MEETINGS The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Saturday, January 12
11:30amPark Slope Brooklyn Library
431 6th Avenue
(at 9th Street)
Brooklyn

Saturday, January 12
11:0amWest New Brighton Library
976 Castleton Avenue
(at North Burgher Avenue)
Conference Room
Staten Island

Monday, January 147:00pm
The East 96th Street Branch Manhattan Library
112 East 96th Street
(between Lexington and Park Avenue)
Upper East Side

Monday, January 147:00pm
Trinity School
139 West 91st Street
(between Amsterdam & Columbus Avenues)
School Cafeteria
Upper West Side

Wednesday, January 166:30pm
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
8th Floor
475 Park Avenue South (between 31st and 32nd Street)
**Exclusively for Walkers**
Midtown

Saturday, January 1911:00am
The Westside YMCA
5 West 63rd Street
(between Broadway & Central Park West)
King Alfonso Room
Upper West Side

Tuesday, January 22
7:00pm
Credit Suisse
Eleven Madison Avenue
(entrance on Park Avenue)
Auditorium
Midtown

Wednesday January 23
6:30pm
Carroll Gardens Brooklyn Library
396 Clinton Street
(at Union Street)
Brooklyn

Thursday, January 24
7:00pm
Citibank Building,
2 Court Square
(Intersection of 44th Drive and Jackson Avenue)
2nd Floor Conference Room
Queens

Thursday, January 31
7:00pm
Schulte, Roth, and Zabel
919 3rd Avenue
(Entrance on 55th Street)
Midtown

Wednesday, February 6
6:30pm
New York Society for Ethical Culture - Auditorium
2 West 64th Street (at Central Park West)
**For Marathon and Cycle ONLY**
Upper West Side

Wednesday, February 27
6:30pm
New York Blood Center - Auditorium
310 East 67th Street
(between 1st & 2nd Avenues)
**For Triathlon ONLY**
Upper East Side

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

A Path to a Cure for Fragile X



The Healing Project wishes to congratulate Dr. Mark Bear’s team at MIT in demonstrating targeted gene therapeutics potential in curing disease. A team scientists led by Dr. Bear have been able to correct many of the abnormalities associated with fragile X syndrome in a rodent model. There is currently no treatment or therapy for fragile X syndrome. Fragile X syndrome is caused by loss of the gene for "fragile X mental retardation protein" (FMRP). It affects about 100,000 people in the United States and is also a leading known genetic cause of autism.

Based on these results, human trials focused on mGluR5 should begin next year by Seaside Therapeutics. The company was co-founded by Dr. Bear and pharmaceutical industry veteran, Randy Carpenter, MD.