CAPTAIN CURE

The enemy...cancer.

The battlefield...a young boy named Jack.

The hero...CAPTAIN CURE.

Captain Cure creator, Ty Wakefield, knows all about the enemy cancer. An osteosarcoma survivor who remains in treatment, Ty has drawn the enemy, the battlefield and the hero in comic book terms to help explain to children (and adults) what happens when cancer attacks your body or that of someone you love. From symptoms to treatment and side effects, Captain Cure and his partner MetRex engage in battle against evil cancer.

Chances are beyond good that each of you knows a cancer survivor. And chances are that you and others have questions this comic book can answer.

Check it out! http://www.captaincure.net/

Today The Work Begins

Today the real work of change begins.

Informed and inspired by my training at the Industrial Areas Foundation (founded by Saul Alinky) I became an organizer. Young and eager, I set out to empower others to right wrongs and build community. It was a glorious, if humbling, career full of Iron Rules (Never do for others what they can do for themselves.) and the hope that we were "the wind beneath your wings" when we encouraged, taught and moved others to action.

So, years later, no less committed, no less hopeful, but infinitely more aware...here is what I know:

Strong winds are hard to sustain, producing a less than steady climb - but a climb nevertheless.

There is no finish line. This is life, not a novel. Individually the only finish line is death. Collectively, we must learn and relearn truths, gain and regain progress, form and reform relationships.

No indiviual effort makes the critical difference, but all efforts are necessary to succeed.

We may become tired, discouraged and convinced of failure - but fortunately we won't all be there at the same time.

Sometimes we will be elated and hopeful beyond reason. That's OK too.

Occassionally, we will think before we act. Mostly that will end well and mostly we will be forgiven.

What we must always do is honor the humanity and the common cause of a diverse people; giving respect and never mistaking discord for destruction, yet hewing to our vision and values.

The work of change does not really begin today, it continues today. But it continues with greater hope, wider recognition and a new generation of believers.

Inauguration...for my Grandchildren

I return to blogging after a long hiatus while I made my minuscule contribution to today's Presidential Inauguration. And it is with that subject I shall start.

Like millions of others, I was inspired, awed, elated and hopeful as I watched history being made in such dramatic and conclusive fashion. Yes, I hung on every word and image. One great gift of retirement is that a person can experience, at least electronically, the world and it's occasions as they happen. Today was my indulgence in a panoply of moments that hold the hope of a better world for all.

However, I am struck buy a singular thought relative to my age. Having lived through more than one "historical moment" I find that today is different in an important way.

I saw Kennedy, King and Kennedy taken from us. And then, like many younger Americans, I witnessed the horror of 9/11. All these moments in history were ones that fit the "I remember where I was when..." significance. But all the previous memorable historic moments in my lifetime were ones filled with sadness, anger, despair and a loss of faith.

And then there is today. With the possible exception of the moon landing, no other public event in my lifetime has provided the sense of hope, of being on the right path at the right time, of being called on for the best in each of us, of community and peace and justice forthcoming by the sweat of our own brow.

Like many, my life has been filled with private moments of hope and reward, love and laud, glories of the past and gifts of future. Public hope is much harder to come by and takes a common vision made whole by both symbols and action. President Obama today was our symbol. We all must be the action.

LIVESTRONG SUMMIT

And then came Ohio.

The Second Lance Armstrong Foundation Summit was held at Columbus, Ohio and I was privileged to not only be a return delegate but a member of the Steering Committee. Among the many highlights:
· Hearing Dr. Richard Carmona, 17th Surgeon General of the United States and currently of the Canyon Ranch Institute announce the National Call to Action on Cancer prevention and Survivorship. (http://www.nctacancer.org/)
· Dr. Harold Freeman of the Ralph Lauren Cancer Center in Harlem gave the keynote speech.
· Stephanie Spielman, cancer survivor and spouse of football’s Chris Spielman who put his career on hold to care for Stephanie when she was diagnosed with breast cancer told of their cancer journey and their “Caregiver Award and Celebration”.
And the thousand delegates, all committed to fighting cancer at the grassroots and national levels, underwent many hours of training on the skills needed to build an effective movement for making the fight against cancer a national priority.

For a wonderful summary and lots of great pictures of the Summit visit the LiveStrong Blog at http://www.livestrongblog.org/.

And here is why this is as important to you as it has become important to me.

The numbers remain staggering:

1.4 million Americans are expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year.

Nearly 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.

560,000 Americans are expected to die from cancer this year, or more than 1500 each day…the equivalent of 9/11 every two days.

With the support of the Lance Armstrong Foundation we have begun the Lewiston/Clarkston Valley LiveStrong Army focused on raising public awareness for the need to make cancer a national priority, raising money and initiating projects that address cancer issues and providing services locally that respond to the needs of cancer survivors, family, friends and caregivers here in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley. One of nearly two hundred local LiveStrong Armies nationwide we have:
· In cooperation with St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, begun the first Cancer Support Group open to cancer survivors, caregivers, family and friends regardless of type of cancer. The LiveStrong Cancer Support group meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at SJRMC at 7:00PM.
· In cooperation with the North Idaho Colorectal Cancer Coalition we will be at the Nez Perce County Fair with the Super Colon (yes, a walk through colon complete with polyps).
· We are assisting in the establishment of the Captain Cure Foundation to market Captain Cure Comics for children with cancer and use the funds to meet needs of local cancer patients.
· We will continue to provide speakers, fair and event booths and materials as part of our outreach and education program.
· We hope to provide local medical practitioners with materials to be given at diagnosis which can assist newly diagnosed patients in dealing with the many new issues and feelings they face.
· We are exploring cooperation with Immerman’s Angels to provide direct one-to one contact for the newly diagnosed with survivors by type of cancer, age, location or any other desired variable.

Most importantly, each of you is invited to participate. If you live in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley, consider joining us the third Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM at the Wells Fargo Bank in downtown Lewiston (9th & Main). And spread the word to family and friends that the fight against cancer needs all of us. If you live out of the Valley, look for a local LiveStrong Group or contact me for information.

Test for mobile blogging :-).

LiveStrong Challenge...Portland 2008

June contained numerous family highlights. A long visit from sister Michele and her husband Justin was followed by Stephanie and the grandkids...the most welcome visit a grandma can have. Fun, fast, full of love. And time passes too quickly by far. We then all the trooped to Portland where Michele, Stephanie and I rode bicycles on the 70 mile LiveStrong Challenge in support of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. My third LiveStrong Challenge, 2008 was the most special for the shared experience with sister and daughter. And the grandkids met us at one of the rest stops with signs of support and encouragement.

In a single month an exciting and restoring trip with my husband, family visits, extended time with grandchildren and a shared effort for a good cause...can life be any sweeter?

Red Rock Adventure

Moab...Canyonlands...Capitol Reef...Escalante...Bryce...Zion - names that ring with stark desert beauty and red rock. Our trip through Southern Utah in May encompassed temperatures in the high 90's to snow. With Al on the Husky, mostly off road, I followed in the truck free to stop, stare and photograph the many wonders through which we passed. Arriving each evening at the motel with adventures to share the motorcycle riders were often dusty and dirty, but always exultant. I always had a camera full of new vistas. And refreshments :-). It was a relaxed and refreshing meander through spectacular country in the company of special friends old and new. Thank-you to Gary and Peggy, Tom, Ken and most especially to Al for a treasured memory.