Real Men Wear Pink?

That's what Andy Strummer says. He's raising money to support the American Cancer Society, and explains why here.

Bill Blake Fundraiser Dec. 1

Northampton County Assistant District Attorney Bill Blake is fighting cancer. Thanks to the generosity of many people, a GoFundMe page established for Bill by Attorney Abe Kassis has raised over $11,000. It is really touching to see so many people dig into their pockets. There are lots of classy people out there.

But Abe is planning more. I'll let him tell you about it himself.

FROM ABE KASSIS: Thank you everyone for the OVERWHELMING response to this page. I can tell you that Bill and his family are so grateful for this amazing show of support.  

All of us involved want you to know about a "Happy Hour" planned for December 1, 2016, at the Holy Family Club in Nazareth. Pass the word around. There will be light fare and a cash bar. All net door proceeds will go to help with family's expenses. The Verdict, comprised of some local attorneys (including yours truly) will be performing. Please refer to the attached flyer for more details.  

Thank you all so much.

Abe

My Sister

My sister had a double mastectomy a few days ago. I am a mean brother who ignores his sisters, but I visited her today. I told her not to touch me because I don't want to get cancer.

That's the way we joke.

My sister-in-law was there, and said she has prayed for my sister every day for years.

"You mean you've been praying for my sister for years and she still got cancer?" I asked.  "Better change your prayer."

Now you know why I'm a mean brother.

My sister said that, next year, when she's recovered, we'll have a big Boob-B-Que. 

If you are the praying kind, please say a few words for my sister this weekend. She's much nicer than I.

Pink Heals Tour in Lehigh Valley This Weekend

If you see a pink fire truck on a Lehigh Valley Street this weekend, it's not your imagination. The "Pink Heals Tour" will be here to raise awareness and money for local people battling cancer, with a special focus on women. According to founder Dave Graybill, "We focus our labor of love on the women of this country and wage war on anything that may harm her starting with cancer!"

Pink firetrucks will visit St. Luke's Anderson campus in Bethlehem Township between noon and 3 PM on Saturday. Nancy Run Fire Company's Safety Officer, Bill Andress, states that there will be numerous other activities going on as well, from face-painting to clowns.

Here's the complete schedule:

Saturday, 8/24:

Applebees, Rte 191, Bethlehem, 8 AM - 10 AM, $7 flapjack breakfast.

St. Luke's Anderson Campus, Freemansburg Ave, Bethlehem, Noon to 3 PM

Keystone Pub, Easton Ave, Bethlehem, 5 PM - 7 PM

Sunday, 825:

Nazareth Borough Park, Noon - 5 PM

Max

Max just finished his sophomore year at Penn State Hazleton. He's on his way to being the first person from his family to complete college. He's a fitness buff and looks like a linebacker. But he's never played in organized sports, preferring instead to play parts in the Rocky Horror Picture Show. He's a bit of an iconoclast, much like his old man, who is one of my best friends. That's how I know Max.

Over the weekend, I noticed on Facebook that Max shaved his head. I laughed, thinking that he was just being a nut like many college kids.

Yesterday, I learned that Max shaved his head because his girlfriend had cancer and lost all her hair. He did it for her. Bald and bold.

She lost her battle on June 4.

Age 19.

An actress and singer at Dorney Park and Wild Water Kingdom, she was a theater major at Northampton Community College.

Her name was Kalee.

Though her young life has ended, what Max did for her gives me hope for us all.

Dent Applauds FDA Decision to Issue Warnings About Tanning

For the past four years, LV Congressman Charlie Dent has been urging the FDA to require warnings on tanning devices, just like the warnings you might see on a pack of cigarettes. Well under a proposed Order issued on Monday, the FDA will now The FDA will require warnings that clearly informs consumers about the risks of using tanning beds; warns frequent users of sunlamps to be regularly screened for skin cancer; and alerts users that tanning lamps are not recommended for people under 18 years of age.

In a news release, Dent cites an American Academy of Dermatology study finding that the ultraviolet radiation from indoor tanning increases the risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, by 75%. 

“We are rightly concerned about preventing kids from smoking because of the cancer risk and other health risks. It doesn’t make sense to stay silent about the inherent danger these devices pose to people’s health. Parents and kids have the right to know the risk they’re taking,” Dent observes.

Blood Drive Raises Leukemia Awareness

Bottom row, L to R: Valacious Rose, Victoria Rose, Kianily Rose
Top Row: Jessenia Velez
Face-painting skills on display at blood drive

Despite Hurricane Sandy, which forced a change of venue at the last minute, a blood drive in memory of Tanya Rosado was conducted on November 4 at Sacred heart Church in Bethlehem Township. During a seven-month battle with AML Acute Myelogenous Leukemia two years ago, Tanya received numerous blood transfusions. She is survived by her husband, David Rosado, and daughter Jayden, age 8.

Tonya's mother, Judy Negrete, organized a blood drive with Miller Keystone Blood Bank "to give back what was given to her that allowed my daughter to survive some of the toughest situations during her journey."

Next year, Judy is planning a 5k in her daughter's memory, to raise awareness of leukemia.

Tracey Johnson, Christine Darrah and Xizavier Griffin wait their turn in the crisp air. 

Breast Cancer Survivor: My Faith Kept Me Strong

It was the last thing Hellertown resident Jacqueline Yelovich ever expected to hear. There was no history of it in her family. She never even smoked. She was only 40-ish. Yet after a routine examination in 2008, she learned she had breast cancer. "I thought I was going to die," she said. Not only did she live, but Jacquie just completed her fifth breast cancer awareness 5-k earlier this month.

A Fountain Hill native and self-employed title searcher at the Northampton County Courthouse, Jacquie knew she'd have to undergo surgery and radiation. "I sucked it up and I did it," she said, explaining that the staff at St. Luke's Cancer Cure Unit are wonderful. She experienced side effects, from headaches to irritated skin. But she continued working. "My faith kept me strong," she explains.

In addition to her faith, Jacquie has made lifestyle changes. She avoids processed foods, drinks more water than she did and has reduced her alcohol consumption.

Like Jacquie, her children did not know what to do when she was first diagnosed. Now her son Mitch asks her to speak to others with breast cancer. And daughter Rachel joins her mother in those 5-ks, along with walks along the Saucon Rail Trail. She dresses in pink, in honor of her mother's fight.

"I'm lucky and I'm blessed," explains Jacquie.

So are we.

A Childrens' Crusade Against Cancer

Thirty-six children will be diagnosed with cancer today. One out of five of them will die. The CureSearch Walk is an attempt to reduce the forty thousand children being treated for cancer today to zero. On October 14, over five hundred people gathered at Bethlehem Township's Municipal Park, for the second year in a row, to walk for a cure. Among them were approximately twenty-five children wearing green medals to symbolize that they are fighting and surviving. They raised $91,000 to fund children's oncology trials at 180 hospitals, including hospitals here in the Lehigh Valley.

Bailey Seibert, age 7, along with her dog Coco, is one of "Ella's Fighing Tutus."

Here are some other of "Ella's Fighting Tutus." They look like they just finished the caber toss at the Celtic Classic.

Palmer Elementary teachers and students walked in honor of cancer survivor and fellow walker Sammi Zupko, age 7.

Cancer survivor Ryan Glose, age 9, decided to run and was in the leader's pack.

Though Isiah Kressler Wood is just two years ago, he applauds his fellow fighters and survivors.

As walkers winded their way though Municipal Park, Lehigh Valley Lacrosse players stopped their game to applaud some real fighters.

CureSearch's Kelli Very claims the LV walk is among the very best of the 90 that have been organized throughout the country this year.

For more pictures, check out my Facebook Album.