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May 13, 2006

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope you all have a wonderful Mother's Day! Love you, Mom!

Posted by Tracy at 08:46 PM | Comments (0)

March 09, 2006

Dana Reeve and Lung Cancer

I was so sad to hear about the death of Dana Reeve. It's hard to believe that someone who gave so much of herself in caring for her husband, Christopher Reeve, would have her life cut so short. Add to that the fact that she leaves behind a son of 13 who has already been through too much and it becomes a great human tragedy. Because she didn't smoke, many people are wondering what could have caused her lung cancer. Some speculate that the stress of taking care of her husband might have caused it. Others have said she might have been exposed to harmful levels of radon gas, as are tens of thousands of others every year. Perhaps some unknown chemical exposure caused it. Whatever the cause, it's important that our awareness of lung cancer in women be heightened. Lung cancer kills more women every year than breast cancer, yet breast cancer receives much more research funding and awareness. Perhaps that is the one good thing that will come out of Dana Reeve's passing: the realization that lung cancer is not just a "smoker's disease" and that it is a bigger threat to women than breast cancer.

Posted by Tracy at 03:50 AM | Comments (1)

September 09, 2005

Cancer Patients Affected by Hurricane Katrina

I received an e-mail from the American Cancer Society letting me know they are offering information for cancer patients affected by Hurricane Katrina:

The American Cancer Society is offering information to help cancer patients affected by Hurricane Katrina, as well as their caregivers, deal with the devastating impact of the disaster. For information on national and state-specific on-the-ground and online resources for food, shelter, transportation and medical assistance, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 (cancer information specialists, including oncology nurses, are available to answer calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week) or visit www.cancer.org.

“The American Cancer Society recognizes that many people hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina were already battling for their lives – against cancer,” says Society CEO John R. Seffrin, PhD. “We want those people to know that we're available 24 hours a day, by telephone and online, and that we are developing systems to help ensure that the unique health care and treatment needs of cancer patients will continue to be met. The Society’s network of staff and volunteers nationwide are working diligently to ensure that people touched by cancer continue to receive the care and compassion they need, now more than ever.”

Posted by Tracy at 03:59 PM | Comments (0)

September 04, 2005

Anne Rice on Hurricane Katrina

Anne Rice, a New Orleans native, has a piece in today's New York Times called "Do You Know What it Means to Lose New Orleans?"

Now nature has done what the Civil War couldn't do. Nature has done what the labor riots of the 1920's couldn't do. Nature had done what "modern life" with its relentless pursuit of efficiency couldn't do. It has done what racism couldn't do, and what segregation couldn't do either. Nature has laid the city waste - with a scope that brings to mind the end of Pompeii.

Here's a roundup of what some papers around the world are saying about Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath this Sunday morning:

"You're on your own, Britain's victims told" (UK Guardian)

"Australians still stranded in New Orleans" (The Age, Australia)

"Kiwi cop one of six remaining in Katrina aftermath" (New Zealand Herald)

"America Humbled" (LA Times)

"New Orleans turning to the dead as refugees evacuate" (USA Today)

"In Mississippi, a feeling of neglect" (MSNBC)

"Horror dome finally empties" (NY Daily News)

"Many evacuated, but thousands still waiting" (Washington Post)

"A prayer for old New Orleans" (Newsday)

Posted by hdiaries at 06:05 AM | Comments (4)

September 02, 2005

Hurricane Katrina Donations

I would like to donate to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, but am hesitant to donate to the Red Cross because they have a poor track record in recent years of actually getting all the money and donations to the people who need it. Most sites and tv stations are promoting the Red Cross as the place to which we should all donate. Nobody needs another link to the Red Cross site. They do a lot of good work but there are other organizations that need our help, too. So, I thought I'd list some alternative organizations that are working hard to help the people (and animals) affected by this catastrophe. Here is what I've found so far:

America's Second Harvest
"America’s Second Harvest - The Nation’s Food Bank Network. The nation's largest charitable hunger-relief organization has activated its disaster mode in response to Hurricane 'Katrina'."

Preservation Hall Hurricane Relief Fund
"This fund is established by Preservation Hall to provide musicians with financial support during this tragic time. 100% of money raised through this fund will go directly to New Orleans musicians."

Habitat for Humanity
"Following Hurricane Katrina’s catastrophic strike on the Gulf Coast, Habitat for Humanity International is announcing an emergency appeal for funds to help Habitat families and other low-income families in the affected areas recover and rebuild."

The Humane Society
"In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, The HSUS has launched a massive relief effort to rescue animals and assist their caregivers in the disaster areas. Our highly trained Disaster Animal Response Teams are now in Louisiana and Mississippi coordinating a multi-state animal rescue and recovery effort."

I will update this list as I find more alternatives to the Red Cross. Please post a comment here if you have found an organization you feel should be listed here.

Posted by Tracy at 07:07 PM | Comments (0)

September 01, 2005

Hurricane Katrina

I've been rendered speechless for the past couple days by the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. I've been watching the news coverage with my mouth open in disbelief. I think it's safe to say none of us has ever seen anything like it. It is officially the worst natural disaster in U.S. history and the news from the scene only gets worse with each passing day. New Orleans is now an uninhabitable wasteland. There is civil unrest and chaos everywhere. In addition, a health crisis is brewing with water full of sewage, dead bodies, snakes, alligators, mosquitos, and who knows what else. It's a "toxic stew" that is going to start making people sick very soon, if it hasn't already. As this article in the New York Times explains:

"The officials said they were particularly worried about outbreaks of disease spread through sewage contamination of drinking water, spoiled food, insects, and bites from snakes and other animals."

To make matters worse, the hospitals are out of commission. If they don't get everyone evacuated soon, the situation is going to be grim. Sadly, thousands of people are still trapped in attics and roofs and it looks like it will take a while to get them all out.

Also from the article:

"Other worries will focus on bites from poisonous snakes like the cottonmouth, an excellent swimmer. Alligators could also be a menace, as could raccoons, which are capable of spreading rabies and leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that can lead to meningitis, kidney damage and liver failure."

I hope the health situation does not become too grim and they can evacuate everyone who's still alive before it's too late. My heart goes out to everyone involved. I've been to New Orleans and it's such a unique city, full of history and wonderful people.

I hope one day it will regain what it has so tragically lost.

Posted by Tracy at 04:07 AM | Comments (0)