LOCAL CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY ACQUIRES NATIONAL NON-PROFIT
SARASOTA, FL (January 9)

Cancer Support Community Florida Suncoast (CSC) today announced the acquisition of Brides Against Breast Cancer™, a national nonprofit organization. Formerly based in Portland, Oregon, Brides Against Breast Cancer will now be managed by CSC as a support organization.

“We are pleased to ‘tie the knot’ with Brides Against Breast Cancer, whose mission complements our wide-ranging cancer support services and programs,” said Carl Ritter, CEO, Cancer Support Community Florida Suncoast. “Our team is excited to grow both organizations.”

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation assisted CSC with the project's start-up funding. “At Gulf Coast, we look to strengthen nonprofits in our region so they can better meet their missions,” said Teri A Hansen, president and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation. “We are pleased to help the Cancer Support Community make this revenue-generating opportunity possible. It’s a proactive plan that will result in more vital services for our community.”

Known nationwide for its Nationwide Tour of Gowns bridal shows, Brides Against Breast Cancer will contribute to free programs and services offering support, education and hope to cancer patients and their families, according to Amy Paulishak, vice president, business development. “Our outreach and educational efforts around the country help ensure that people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge and strengthened by action,” she said.

TBrides Against Breast Cancer is leasing a 3,500-square-foot space at 6279 Lake Osprey Drive in Lakewood Ranch and will have an administrative staff of four full-time employees. In addition to its offices, Brides Against Breast Cancer will operate a bridal retail store and bridal dress preparation center.

Wedding gown sales are an important fundraising program for Brides Against Breast Cancer. “Our organization makes it possible for future brides around the country to purchase designer wedding gowns at dramatic savings,” said Paulishak. “Most gown prices range from $99 to $799, including hundreds of beautiful new name brand and designer gowns valued up to $8,000.”

Paulishak added that the worldwide support of designers, manufacturers, bridal shops – and women who donate one of their most treasured possessions – support the organization’s Nationwide Tour of Gowns sales. The proceeds from these events go directly to the services providing support, education and hope for those impacted by cancer.

“Here in Sarasota, we are already receiving dozens of donated boxes filled with satin, beaded, tulle, and organza gowns in every shape and size,” she said. “New gowns are arriving daily at Cancer Support Community, and we welcome every donation.” Gown donations are tax deductible.

Through its Nationwide Tour of Gowns, Brides Against Breast Cancer holds more than 40 shows a year, with an average offering of 1,000 or more new or gently worn and designer dresses. The next show will be held in Portland, Oregon, at the Doubletree Hotel, 1000 N.E. Multnomah St., Portland, Friday, January 20 (10am – 8pm), Saturday, January 21 (10am – 8pm) and Sunday, January 22 (10 – 5pm). Admission to the shows is free, although a VIP admission ($20.00) gives attendees a sneak peak at the gowns during “Power Hour” and ability to buy first. A seamstress is available on site for consultation.

“Exclusive designer and couture gowns are frequently available at great savings in our shows and locally as well,” Paulishak said, noting that a large number of the gowns presented at each event are brand new designer gowns donated by designers, manufacturers and bridal retailers.

To date, the Brides Against Breast Cancer™ program has received more than 50,000 wedding gown donations, with an estimated resale value of more than $4 million. This generous endowment is due in part to national media coverage, including magazine articles in Redbook, Family Circle, Woman’s Day, Martha Stewart’s Winter Wedding, Time, Philanthropy World and Modern Bride, along with appearances on Oprah Winfrey, CNN, MSNBC and hundreds of television and newspaper interviews.

Through professionally led support groups, informational workshops and mind/body classes, Cancer Support Community helps people affected by cancer learn vital skills to improve the quality of their lives and make them better partners with their medical professionals. Since 1996, more than 14,000 individuals have made more than 60,000 visits to the center in Sarasota and at satellite locations throughout the area.

For more information: www.cancersupportsuncoast.org or www.bridesagainstbreastcancer.org

ROSKAMP INSTITUTE RESEARCH COULD HELP VETERANS
By Barbara Peters Smith, Herald-Tribune. Sarasota, FL.

Anthony Driscoll, a Booker High graduate with 24 years in the military, including tours for Operation Desert Storm and Afghanistan, has a hard time sitting still.

His foot jiggles constantly, he has trouble remembering things, and a sudden noise takes him right back into the moment of dodging rocket-propelled grenades — all signs of the post-traumatic stress disorder that military doctors have diagnosed in him.

Driscoll went to the Roskamp Institute on Tuesday to hear its associate director, Fiona Crawford, discuss her research into the ways combat trauma can affect the brain. Crawford, who has studied Gulf War Illness, PTSD and traumatic brain injury, is recruiting veterans such as Driscoll here and nationally for a large investigation of how the environment and human genetics interact to help brains heal — or hinder their recovery from the hazards of modern warfare.

"The Alzheimer’s research we have been doing for 20 years is like a roadmap for us" to find new ways to diagnose and treat veterans, Crawford said.

One promising possibility: building on Roskamp’s chemical studies to identify biomarkers in the blood — proteins that change slightly as a result of injury. The military could use this someday in the field, to test everyone in the vicinity of a blast and quickly determine who has suffered a concussion.

State-of-the-art body armor has allowed Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans to survive, and cope with the effects of brain injury — more than 200,000 so far. Because people who have sustained repeated brain trauma are significantly more likely to develop Alzheimer’s, Crawford said, she is especially interested in the "so-called ‘mild’ cases where folks don’t even know they’ve sustained an injury. We now know that repetitive mild injury is extremely detrimental."

Crawford’s team has found a biomarker — one of three common forms of the ApoE gene — that correlates to a risk for poor recovery from traumatic brain injury, and also a higher probability of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The correlation has also been confirmed in mice.

Crawford’s concentration on TBI grew out of its relevance to Alzheimer’s patients. Her team has studied a population of veterans who had sustained brain injuries. After six months, the veterans with the problematic form of the gene were doing worse in memory and function tests than the ones with other forms.

To better understand the role of genetics in the brain’s recovery from combat trauma, Crawford wants to recruit as many veterans as possible. They will be grouped by such factors as age, ethnicity and deployment history, and their blood samples will be mapped against the mice models developed in Roskamp’s lab.

"As you can imagine, we’re going to need a lot of people to make that happen," Crawford said. "I am very confident, with the technology we have, that if we get enough people participating we will be able to see patterns."

Driscoll, who experienced both the chemical assaults of Desert Storm and a year working in Afghanistan’s notorious Bagram prison, is the kind of veteran Crawford hopes to help. He relates his current bouts of depression and anxiety to the near-constant stress of Bagram.

"We had these ‘fallen comrade’ ceremonies where we’d have to line the street and render them our salute as they were carried by, and in the morning we had to go back to the prison," Driscoll said. "The guys I went to combat with — once they get home, they’re all ghosts; they disappear. They drink like me. That’s the way they cope."

Driscoll is seeking a medical retirement from the Florida National Guard, and finds the lengthy process frustrating. He had a job as a veterans coordinator with the 12th District Court, he said, counseling former service members in the criminal justice system. But talking with them made him too anxious to continue the job.

"Their stories started impacting me," he said.

The Roskamp Institute is a nonprofit research facility founded in 2003 by Sarasota philanthropist Bob Roskamp. Director Michael Mullan and Crawford were part of a British team that 20 years ago discovered the first genetic mutation that causes Alzheimer’s disease. In 2010 the Roskamp Foundation became a public charity, and the institute has broadened its original mission from studying Alzheimer’s to tackling other neurological disorders.

Of the three areas of research Roskamp is pursuing with military funding, the Gulf War Illness studies of 1991 veterans are the most developed. Sufferers report a range of symptoms, from headaches and memory problems to joint pain and tumors.

"When the soldiers started complaining of neurological signs and symptoms, they were up against a lot controversy," Crawford said. "It is a real condition; there is absolutely no question about it. We now know that GWI is the result of pesticide poisoning, essentially."

Roskamp has developed laboratory models of the syndrome by exposing mice to the same chemicals and pesticides used in Desert Storm. This has revealed "what’s actually going on in the brains of those animals at a cellular level," Crawford said. "We are initiating a program on PTSD, with a similar plan."

In the third area — TBI — the institute is collaborating with specialists at the James A. Haley Veteran’s Hospital in Tampa, one of four Veterans Administration sites for treatment and research of the disorder.

According to the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, the leading military causes of TBI are blasts, fragments, bullets, vehicle accidents and falls. Since 2008, the military has accelerated research like Crawford’s, aimed at improved screening for injured service members before they return to combat.

The Roskamp Institute also is involved in a smaller but related military study, screening 470 troops before and after their deployment.

"We will be matching blood profiles" from both screenings, Crawford said. "We’ll be able to look at those individuals who experience TBI and PTSD and see what has changed."

For more information: www.rfdn.org.

FULFILLING YOUR AGING PARENT’S “LIVING WISHES”
FATHER’S DAY ADVICE FROM MATRIX HOME CARE TEAM

WEST PALM BEACH – As Americans honor their mothers and fathers this spring, Alexander Fiuza suggests a special gift for an aging parent: fulfilling his or her living wishes. “You still have time to make a difference in a parent’s life,” says Fiuza, PhD, Matrix Home Care’s director of client services for Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.  “Don’t wait until it’s too late.”

Several years ago, Fiuza was able to make one of those living wishes come true for a single mother dying of cancer. “She had told her daughter that she regretted never marrying,” he recalls. “Since there was no time to waste, we told the father and found a minister who married them. It was a beautiful ceremony and her living wish came true.”

If an aging mother or father is diagnosed with a terminal medical condition, it’s important for family members to have a heart-to-heart conversation, according to Pernille Ostberg, MBA, RPh, Matrix president and CEO. “This is the time for children to ask their parents how they want to spend their remaining time,” she says. “That discussion should include the parent’s preferred options for care along with two or three living wishes.”

For instance, one father might wish to visit to a vacation home, walk along the beach or spend a few days with his grandchildren. A mother might like to browse through old photographs, touch her bridal gown, or give a piece of jewelry to her daughter. Fiuza says simple wishes can be just as meaningful like preparing a favorite family meal.

“For Father’s Day, ask your dad what’s most important to him,” he adds. “You might be surprised by his living wishes.”

Fiuza says physicians should be honest with patients and family members rather than trying to “sugar-coat” a diagnosis of advanced cancer, dementia or other incurable condition. “Patients don't want to hear that they are dying, and doctors don't want to tell them,” he says. “But family members need to know what’s happening so they can make important decisions.”

Fiuza also emphasizes the importance of preparing a living will to ensure that doctors, hospitals and family members know what to do if a parent can no longer communicate. “Parents should talk with their doctors or caregivers about the options,     so they can make decisions based on their beliefs and values,” he adds. “That’s the right approach for the whole family.”

Based in West Palm Beach, Matrix provides a complete array of services, home health care, disability management so injured employees can quickly return to work, independent senior care based on the needs of the elderly and specialty nurses' services, including wound care, infusion therapy and rehabilitation nursing. Certified as a woman minority owned business, Matrix serves Southwest, Southeast and Central Florida from locations in West Palm Beach, Tampa, Bradenton, Venice, Fort Myers, Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, Coral Gables and Jupiter.

For more information: www.matrixhomecare.com.

Guest Column in the Pelican Press, Sarasota, Florida - Oprah inspires a movement to Give Back

Three years ago, I was on a reality series that changed my life – “Oprah’s Big Give.”  Oprah’s goal was to find America’s “best unknown philanthropist." After 8 episodes involving charitable giving in cities around the country, I was named the biggest giver.  But, the biggest surprise was still to come:  Oprah Winfrey handed me a check for $1 million.  Half, she said, had to be donated to charity. 

Before the show, I was working as a civil engineer, but it was soon clear that philanthropy would become my life’s new path. And, not just because I suddenly had money to give away. The thrill of having more to give to others because of Oprah ignited a quest within me:  How could I do for others what Oprah did for me – empower someone to give more money to charity than they normally do?

As instructed, I gave away the $500,000 to the causes and charities I cared about.  The best thing about Oprah’s gift was that it was not for her favorites, nor anyone else’s. But mine, it was the start of my foundation, one place to do all my giving.  Who ever thought an ordinary guy like me could have his own foundation?  Aren’t foundations only for the rich?

Oprah always speaks of living “your best life.” I believe that each person’s best life is defined in many different ways.  However, the one thing that all “best lives” have in common is the act of giving back, loving and serving our fellow man; being an everyday philanthropist.  Whether you are a doctor, lawyer, electrician, parent, single mom, waiter or living your life some other way, we are all philanthropists and should be celebrated for the good we bring to the world.

It was Oprah’s inspiration and these thoughts that moved me to start GiveBack.org, an online movement that enables anyone to setup his/her own foundation for free. Your GiveBack foundation is a “charitable savings account” where you can give your money away, but most important, where we give you more money every time you shop, go to the movies or go out to eat.  You have more money to give to your favorite charities.

When you join GiveBack.org and use the platform, money accrues in your individual foundation account.  Any amount of money can be distributed to any charity, any time you choose. GiveBack.org  tracks it all and helps you manage giving throughout the year, including one simple tax report for the IRS.  100 percent of the money in an account goes to charity, with no transaction fees subtracted.  

Already, Americans from 49 states have joined, with New York, California, Texas and Florida creating the most GiveBack foundations.  To date, our members have supported over 900 charities. Best of all, the donations didn’t require anyone to squeeze their paycheck any harder.  The site features more than 450 retail partners that reward a cash-back from purchases to the shopper’s foundation.  Members making their everyday purchases through GiveBack are steadily building a bigger account for charitable giving.
 
GiveBack also serves as a fundraising vehicle for nonprofits. For instance, in Sarasota donors who support the Cancer Support Community Florida Suncoast, The Ringling Museum, SPARCC (Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center), Boys and Girls Clubs or any other organization can raise additional money simply by doing something they do almost everyday:  shop.  

Oprah’s gift was her ability to tell a story and pierce the heart of us all, enabling us to be part of the experience.   At GiveBack, we want to share the stories of the everyday philanthropist. Our members have sent us hundreds of stories of how they make a difference in the world. These are the gems of a life, showing how the world can change when we give of ourselves.  Like Oprah, at GiveBack we celebrate these moments.

Stephen Paletta is the CEO and Founder of GiveBack.org, celebrates the philanthropist in us all, with a personal foundation for charitable giving.  The website, launched in 2010, gives people more money to give away and helps manage their charitable giving.  For more information, please visit, https://www.giveback.org/page/About

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States.

JEANETTE BILLINGS
Staff Writer
billings@lbknews.com

One the greatest tragedies of life can be the diagnosis of cancer for you or someone you love. There is a place that offers hope for those who feel stranded and alone in this personal and epic life battle, a place that offers balance, acknowledges the challenges and works to bring awareness about the disease and comfort to those affected – the Cancer Support Community Florida Suncoast, formerly know as the Wellness Community.

Euripides, a writer of Greek tragedies from 480 to 406 B.C., said this, “The best and safest thing is to keep a balance in your life, acknowledge the great powers around us and in us. If you can do that, and live that way, you are really a wise man.”

That quote sums up what CSCFS does for individuals and families dealing with cancer — the organization allows you to live, learn, express and experience in an environment of understanding and compassion.

I was invited Monday to a luncheon at the Lakewood Ranch home of the organization, at 5481 Communications Parkway in Sarasota. I have to be honest; I knew nothing of the organization or their facility prior to my invitation. Probably because I don’t have cancer and no one in my immediate family has cancer…right now.

In 2001 my father was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and cancer of the esophagus, jaw, etc. I lived in Naples then and my father received his treatment in Gainesville at University of Florida’s College of Medicine.

He is 10-years cancer free. I do believe that almost everyone I meet has been affected in one way or another by cancer, perhaps not personally, but through family members, friends and acquaintances. Finding support during a battle with cancer can sometimes be as difficult as finding a treatment. Where do you turn, who do you trust?

The word cancer alone conjures up images of death to many who hear it. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. About one-half of all men and one-third of all women in the United States will develop cancer during their lifetimes. Today, millions of people are living with cancer or have had cancer. The operative word being “living.” The growth in our knowledge of cancer biology has led to remarkable progress in cancer prevention, early detection and treatment. Scientists have learned more about cancer in the last two decades than has been learned in all the centuries preceding.

That being said, often times, what is missing from a diagnosis and treatment plan are the mental and psychological aspects of the disease. CSC Florida Suncoast offers support for those affected by cancer. The way by which they offer help and hope is as varied as the multitude of cancers affecting people. They can educate, assist in managing emotional health, teach you how to be an active patient and partner with your healthcare team, assist in finding support, assist with quality of life concerns, manage the side effects of treatment, offer support and encouragement for caregivers, exercise programs, nutrition guidance and even laughter. They provide all of this in the tranquil and peaceful facility, as well as across Manatee and Sarasota counties through their partnerships within the areas they serve.

New to the area, Program Director Andrea Feldmar is so enthusiastic about the organization that it is infectious. Her biggest concern is getting the word out to the community about the services offered — she wants people to take advantage of CSC’s resources, services and facility.

I attended a luncheon prepared by their community partners at the Manatee Technical Institutes culinary school. Future area chefs prepare meals for guests, community leaders and cancer patients, as well as their families.

Later that day I followed Feldmar to Longboat where she is a support group facilitator on Mondays. I listened in while four Longboaters, led by Feldmar, got about the business of their group. I assumed there would be a lot of handholding and sadness — boy, was I wrong. The group was encouraging, supportive, extremely well educated and informed. One thing that all group members expressed was their wish that more people in the community knew about their weekly meetings and would take part.

On hand that day were Joyce Hage diagnosed in 2007 with cancer; Margot Robinson, diagnosed in 1977; Virgina Spitler who has attended for eight years as a caregiver who lost her husband, Downs Spitler to cancer (he was the former Rector of All Angels by the Sea Episcopal on Longboat), and Howard Rochlin, diagnosed in 1985 and again in 2005.

“This place gives me a sense of connection. I can vet, get feedback, hear advice and share my experiences. Many of us go to the same oncologist, and we can discuss our progress,” said Hage.

“I think some people might not come because they don’t want to hear other people’s problems, so I offer to counsel them in their homes and participate that way,”said Rochlin.

The genesis of the organization
In 1982 Dr. Harold Benjamin created an organization to provide psychological and emotional support to people impacted by cancer following his wife’s experience with breast cancer. He called it the Wellness Community.

In 1991 entertainment icons Gene Wilder, Joanna Bull, Joel Siegal, Mandy Patinkin and other friends started Gilda’s Club (referring to Gilda Radner) to provide emotional and social support to people impacted by cancer following the death of Gilda Radner from ovarian cancer.

In 2009 the Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club joined forces to create an international Cancer Support Community. What makes the organization unique is that all services are free to all people affected by cancer, including families and caregivers of those with cancer. The organization if fully funded by private donations and is an independent 501c3 corporation. The organization’s mission is to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by community.

Learn more by visiting the facility, visiting its Web site at www.cancersupportsuncoast.org or attending a newcomer orientation, an informal meeting that occurs from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Wednesdays. Call the center at (941) 921-5539.

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE DRUG DEVELOPED AT ROSKAMP INSTITUTE APPROVED FOR KEY CLINICAL TRIAL FUNDING IN EUROPE

SARASOTA, FL – An international research consortium led by Trinity College Dublin (Ireland) today announced the selection for funding of a large-scale European clinical trial of Nilvadipine, an Alzheimer’s disease drug developed at the Roskamp Institute in Sarasota. More than 500 Alzheimer’s patients will participate in the multicenter Phase III clinical trial designed to study the effectiveness of Nilvadipine.

“We need many more medicines to move forward into advanced clinical trials in the fight against Alzheimer’s Disease and we are pleased the Roskamp Institute has played such a major role in the development of this drug,” said Michael Mullan, M.D., Ph.D., Roskamp Institute director who, with associate director Fiona Crawford, Ph.D. and lead scientist Daniel Paris, Ph.D., led the research team that developed the drug.  Phase III studies are usually the last step in the regulatory process before a drug can move into clinical practice.

 “Only a handful of Alzheimer’s drugs have ever reached this stage, and most were developed by major pharmaceutical companies.  It’s a tremendous achievement for a research institute like ours to be part of the process,” said Crawford.
Brian Lawlor, M.D., Connolly Norman Professor of Old Age Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, will be principal investigator and coordinator of the US$ 8.4 million Nilvadipinestudy, which is being funded by the European Commission Seventh Framework Programme. More than 20 European clinical sites will participate in the placebo-controlled study.  Anticipated to begin in early 2012, patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease will be recruited to participate.
“Considering the devastating impact that Alzheimer’s disease has on people, there is relatively little research funding being made available to tackle this major killer,” said Lawlor.

The clinical trials will take place in Europe, where Nilvadipine is already approved for use in mild cases of hypertension (high blood pressure). “The process can move more quickly in Europe, and the study findings may help accelerate the process with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA),” Mullan said.

Mullan and Crawford have been studying Alzheimer’s disease for more than 20 years, moving from the UK to Florida in 1991 and to Sarasota in 2003 to establish the Roskamp Institute.  “Some of our recent studies have involved Sarasota area residents, who have contributed to our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and helped move the development process forward,” said Crawford.

In the Sarasota laboratories, the research team discovered that Nilvadipine, a drug approved in Europe for treatment of hypertension, can stop the accumulation of the amyloid proteins in the brain – a development that has been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. A combined Phase I/II clinical trial was completed in Europe by the Institute last year and focused on Nilvadipine’s safety. “The initial results indicated that patients with Alzheimer’s disease were able to tolerate the drug well,”   said Mullan.

Now, the Roskamp Institute will provide research support for the Phase III clinical trial, such as assessing genetic and other markers for Alzheimer’s disease in study participants.

The Institute’s commercial spinoff, Archer Pharmaceuticals, owns the intellectual property rights to Nilvadipine, and Mullan serves as Archer’s chief executive officer.  “There are always risks involved with drug development and discovery,” said Mullan. “But we must continue to invest in new approaches in the worldwide battle against Alzheimer’s disease.”
The Roskamp Institute is devoted to understanding causes and finding cures for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. The Institute utilizes a broad range of scientific approaches to understanding the causes of and potential therapies for these disorders with an emphasis on Alzheimer's disease. The Institute is located in Sarasota, Florida, and operates a memory clinic onsite.

For more information:  www.rfdn.org

THE SARASOTA YACHT CLUB HOSTS CHAINE des ROTISSEURS FOR EVENING OF  GASTRONOMIC DELIGHTS

Anthony Puccio Welcomed as a Professional Member of the Chaîne.

Sarasota, FL - The culinary team at Sarasota Yacht Club hosted the Sarasota chapter of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs on Sunday, April 17th, with a four-course meal planned and expertly prepared by Check Jack Wenz and Food and Beverage Director Anthony Puccio.

The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs is the world’s oldest international gastronomic society, founded in Paris in 1248. Chaîne is based on the traditions and practices of the old French royal guild of meat roasters. The group is devoted to preserving the camaraderie and pleasures of the table and to promoting excellence in all areas of the hospitality arts and is represented in 70 countries around the world.  In the United States, there are nearly 150 bailliages (chapters), each offering a variety of culinary activities to suit the interests of local members.

“We met and talked to Chef Jack and his team and asked them to propose a menu.  This gives Chef an opportunity to show off his talents,” said Thomas Coundit, Bailli (President) of Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, Sarasota Chapter.  “After the menu is proposed, our membership matches wines to the suggested courses, and then we have a tasting dinner a month prior to the event making suggestions about sauces, flavorings and the wine pairings,” he added.

The event began with Champagne with appetizers including Mote caviar, and a savory cone filled with cherry glazed duck.  The first course included Bouillabaisse, spiny lobster, fresh shrimp, blue point oysters and striped sea bass served table side and paired with Chateau de Segries Tavel, 2009.  The second course featured pear glazed Quail with a potato pancake, and pistachio foie gras paired with Russian Hill Pinot Noir (2007). It was followed by New Zealand Lamb, chanterelle risotto, wilted watercress and served with an Arrowood Cabernet Sauvignon from California.  A fine selection of cheeses and fruits and a dessert of Godiva Chocolate Ciao Hazelnut crème anglaise and Grand Mariner Strawberry completed the feast.
“It`s always an honor to cook for such an organization, this is a group of refined pallets and an eye for detail.  Working as a team, this type of event helps us sharpen our skills as we rise to the occasion. My toque`s off to the Chaîne Society for hosting these events and bringing their culinary traditions to our restaurants and clubs,” said Chef Jack Wenz.

Chef Jack and his team were presented with the Chaine’s porcelain plate award after the meal.  “It is an award of thanks for the accomplishment, participation and your good job for preparing your meal,” Coundit stated.

Anthony Puccio, Food and Beverage Director of the Sarasota Yacht Club, was welcomed as a professional member of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs.  “The Chaîne members were very pleased with the presentation and the execution for the evening, and we were spot on,” Puccio said.

 

BASKETBALL HALL OF FAMER AND BROADCAST ANALYST DICK VITALE TO BE HONORED BY CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY FLORIDA SUNCOAST

Local Radiation Oncologist Will Also Receive 2011 Keystone Award

SARASOTA – Cancer Support Community Florida Suncoast today announced that ESPN basketball analyst and philanthropist Dick Vitale will receive its highest honor, the Stephen H. Goldman, M.D., Keystone Award.
Sarasota radiation oncologist Larry N. Silverman, M.D., will also receive the Keystone Award at the non-profit organization’s 2011 Celebration of Hope dinner on April 13 at the Polo Grill in Lakewood Ranch.

“We are pleased to recognize these two exceptional individuals for their invaluable contributions to the fight against cancer in our local community,” said Carl Ritter, CEO, Cancer Support Community Florida Suncoast (CSC), which serves patients, survivors and families in the Manatee-Sarasota region free of charge.

Ticket sales and event sponsorships for the 10th annual Celebration of Hope dinner and awards ceremony support the organization’s work. Chair Dr. Dwight Fitch, Co-Chair Dr. Claudia Mallarino, and Honorary Co-Chair and Emcee Lauren Dorsett from ABC 7 will preside at the event, which honors one layperson and one medical professional from Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

Vitale is TV’s most prominent college basketball analyst and unofficial ambassador for the sport. He joined ESPN during the 1979-80 season following a successful college and pro coaching career. Today, his commentary can be heard on television, radio and his weekly ESPN.com column.

A long-time Sarasota resident, Vitale is also a noted philanthropist, serving on the board of The V Foundation, a non-profit cancer research organization founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late North Carolina State University basketball coach Jim Valvano. He has co-chaired the annual V Foundation Golf Classic and hosts an annual V Foundation Gala. Vitale has also awarded five scholarships annually to the Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota. In 2002, Sarasota Magazine named him one of the area’s most influential citizens.

Dr. Silverman is one of the Gulf Coast’s leading radiation oncology specialists. Board certified in radiation oncology. Dr. Silverman has published numerous scientific abstracts in his field and presented his research findings before national oncology conferences. Currently, Dr. Silverman is involved in several research projects and publications involving cancer treatment.

“Our two winners embrace CSC’s mission to help people affected by cancer through the healing powers of hope, support, education and patient empowerment,” said Ritter. “They also reflect our organization’s long tradition of service.” CSC’s predecessor, The Wellness Community, established the Stephen H. Goldman, M.D. Keystone Award in 2001 to honor one of its most dedicated supporters.

Through professionally led support groups, informational workshops and mind/body classes, CSC helps people affected by cancer learn vital skills to improve the quality of their lives and make them better partners with their medical professionals. Since 1996, more than 11,000 individuals have made more than 60,000 visits to the center in Sarasota and at satellite locations throughout the area. For more information: www.cancersupportsuncoast.org.

Bringing hospitalized children home for holidays

By Janice Williams and Susie Mantilla-Lage

Almost all children who have been hospitalized with a serious disease would like to spend the holidays at home.

Being able to celebrate the seasonal festivities with parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and grandparents can be a dramatic morale booster for the ailing child and everyone else in the family. It's also far more convenient for the parents, who can plan their activities without daily hospital visits.

But parents should consider a number of factors in weighing whether to bring a young hospital patient home. After all, no one wants to jeopardize the child's recovery.

Since every child - and every family- is different, the first thing parents should do is sit down with the child's physician and a hospital staffer to learn whether the appropriate ongoing care can be provided at home.

For instance, a nurse may be able to give intravenous (IV) medications to a child with leukemia either at home or in the hospital setting. However, a child suffering from brain trauma may need round-the-clock monitoring in a hospital's intensive care unit.

Once it has been determined that a child can come home for the holidays, the next step is to draw up a plan of care that outlines the child's needs and the responsibilities of family members and home care professionals. Often children need skilled nursing as well as occupational and physical therapy. These services can all be provided in the home. A hospital social worker or discharge planner can assist to be sure nothing important falls through the cracks.

One of the important decisions for families is who will provide daily medications, wound care or other medically related services for the child. Some parents can handle these tasks with some training, while others prefer to have a professional take on such responsibilities.

Recently, we provided home care to a 12-month-old child who was failing to thrive. It took our nurse several weeks to teach the mother to feel confident she could use a tube to feed her daughter. On the other hand, we assisted a 14-year-old boy with cystic fibrosis who had developed an infection and needed IV antibiotics. Both the parents were more than willing to learn the processes needed to help their child. However, the grandparents needed reassurance that their loved one would be all right.

Once the child is home, parents and other family members should think about that child's needs when making holiday plans. For instance, a large crowd may make the child uncomfortable and increase the youngster's risk of catching a cold, sore throat or the flu. Generally, it's not a good idea to have 50 people over for Thanksgiving or to host a New Year's party for 100 of your closest friends in such cases. Save those big celebrations for another year, when the child is healthy again.

Gift-giving plans may also need to change to accommodate an ill child. A boy or girl who will be in bed throughout the holidays will be more likely to appreciate a TV to watch movies, a new board game or art supplies, rather than a bicycle, scooter or soccer ball. Those types of active gifts should be put on hold until the child can enjoy them.

Holiday menus may be another concern. Some children may be content with smaller portions than usual. Others may find themselves wanting different types of foods - a milkshake or hamburger probably would taste good after a month of hospital meals. Parents should also talk with their pediatrician or a nurse about timing - when foods or drinks should be consumed in relation to a child's medications.

It's essential for parents to remain focused on ensuring the health of the child, despite the many holiday distractions. For example, parents and siblings should wash their hands frequently to reduce the risk of passing along germs. They may also need to turn down the volume of an iPod or home theater system so the child can take naps or sleep through the night.

Finally, parents should be sure they have complete contact information for their pediatrician and home care agency in case a problem arises during the holidays. That provides peace of mind for parents and continuity of care for the child.

Janice Williams is an experienced heath care manager and an advocate for the aged. Susie Mantilla-Lage, RN-BSN, serves as director of nursing for Matrix Home Care in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast region. Matrix provides a complete array of health care services, serving Southwest, Southeast and Central Florida. For more information, www.matrixhomecare.com.

Support system: The Cancer Support Community's new buildinig

The new Cancer Support Community building in Lakewood Ranch uplifts clients through its architecture

Formerly The Wellness Community, Cancer Support Community-Florida Suncoast's new facility in Lakewood Ranch is expected to qualify for LEED Gold certification as a green building, said architect Michael Carlson.
STAFF PHOTOS / HAROLD BUBIL

Source Herald Tribune; By Harold Bubil
Published: Sunday, October 17, 2010 at 1:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 4:12 p.m.

If anything, people who have just been given a cancer diagnosis need a friend.t the Cancer Support Community Florida Suncoast's green new facility in Lakewood Ranch, architect Michael Carlson has given them eight, in the form of 500-year-old pine logs serving as support posts. He says they are like "old friends."

Recovered from river bottoms, the logs are the distinctive architectural feature of the $6.1 million building, which will be dedicated Nov. 12 with a black-tie gala. The four, 30-foot-tall main posts support a 156-foot-long archway -- "the bridge of hope" -- that peaks at 35 feet above the building's courtyard, linking the structure's two sections.

"They have so much warmth and character to them," said Carlson, one of the region's leading green architects.

"When you walk in here, these are sort of like your old friends ... who have been here forever and are solid as a rock. You can touch them and feel them. They have that sense of permanence."

The posts are from longleaf pine trees that were harvested in North Central Florida in the 1800s and floated down the Suwannee River to sawmills. But some of the logs sank, preserved for a century in the muck.

Goodwin Heart Pine of Micanopy, south of Gainesville, recovers the logs and sells them to builders. The eight logs at the Cancer Support Community cost $30,000, said Carlson.

To make the design more dynamic, the posts are perpendicular to the arch, not the ground.

"It would be a lot more stagnant if that were the case," said Carlson.

Stagnant just would not do at the Cancer Support Community. Peaceful, yes. Stale, no.

"Place matters" to cancer patients, says Johnette Isham, one of the leaders of the "Building Hope" construction program.

Several design charrettes and a lot of research went into the design of the 11,142-square-foot CSC. Senior Vice President Jay Lockaby said one of the research points "was to make an arrival experience, to have an obvious point of entry for someone new to the place. To have a ... warm environment for them to come into."

CSC program participant Dawn Moore, a breast cancer survivor, says there's "a very peaceful sense" in the new building.

That is fitting, as the CSC's mission is to provide psychological and social support to cancer patients and their relatives and caregivers, free of charge. CSC is part of the largest professionally trained network of cancer support facilities in the world, resulting from a merger of The Wellness Community and Gilda's Clubs, named for the late comedienne and ovarian cancer victim Gilda Radner.

"There was always the sense that this project had to convey hope to people," said Carlson, who added that the building did not take long to build, but took a long time to plan. "So I looked for something that could convey that sense of hope in the architecture.

"The arch form is a traditional form that symbolizes strength and permanence. Conceptually, the shape of the rainbow is the eternal symbol of hope."

Interior spaces, which were designed by students at the Ringling College of Art and Design and TRO Jung/Brannen, are distributed among two buildings, 40 feet apart.

The spaces include a meditation and exercise studio, a library, an education room, an art studio for children to encourage self-expression, gallery spaces, an Internet café, counseling and meeting rooms of various sizes; a large multiuse room for events, fundraisers, yoga and tai-chi, with a teaching kitchen (good nutrition is stressed); and outdoor areas for tai-chi, dining and healing gardens.

The complex has restful vistas of a nature preserve that is part of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch.

Color choices replicate colors found in nature, which is believed to be more beneficial for cancer patients.

"A lot of that thinking came from the Ringling College class," said CSC board member David Shaver. "One of their senior classes devoted an entire semester to this building. They did the original color palette."

"The group rooms are quiet, with a living-room feel, but you know you are not at home," said Lockaby. "This is where we do support groups, primarily, and individual and family therapies."

The building, intended as it is to foster better health, includes many of the standard green features that make up the United States Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) program. Carlson expects that the building's design has earned enough "LEED points" to qualify for the LEED-NC (new construction) Gold certification.

Green design starts in the parking lot, where LEV (low-emission vehicles) get the prime parking spots. Seldom-used outlying spaces are sodded rather than paved. The pavement is concrete rather than blacktop to lower the "heat-island" effect.

The five-acre site, secluded yet convenient to Interstate 75, was a blank slate for the architect, enabling Carlson to orient the building so that the longer walls face north and south.

"It looks like it's at some random angle," said Carlson. "So it makes the site more dynamic, and gives us the passive solar orientation that saves us energy."

Overhangs on the sunny south side of the building are 4 feet, but just 2 feet on the shady north side. That is attention to detail. "Just real traditional, passive, energy-saving features," said the architect.

Another traditional feature is the roof, a standing-seam metal assembly mounted atop structural insulated panels. The walls are insulated concrete forms (ICFs) with an insulative value of R-30. Windows and doors have double-pane insulated glazing with low-emissivity coating, and they are impact-resistant.

"It's just a great building envelope," said Carlson.

Reclaimed water is filtered and reused for toilets. The 16-SEER air-conditioning has multiple zones. Some floors are renewable bamboo or cork, while high-traffic areas have carpet tiles. Some of the light fixtures have energy-saving LED bulbs.

Of critical importance for the CSC's clientele, paints are low- or no-VOC; they offgas very small amounts of the toxic volatile organic compounds found in standard paints.

In the landscape, shade will be provided by 300 mature sabal palms transplanted onto the site, so that the owners do not have to wait for shade trees to grow. Although the plants, including philodendrons and bromeliads in the courtyard, are Florida-friendly, and there is little grass on the site, the landscape has ample hardscapes and rock gardens, along with several soothing fountains.

"The idea was to develop gardens that would promote healing," said landscape architect David Young. "Get people in the gardens to alleviate stress. They have choices about which garden they want to go to, whether they want to go to a sunny spot or a shaded area, an area with water, an area void of water, more contemplative spaces in the back. It's about freedom of choice and comfort and accessibility."

Young said the landscape is designed with a component of LID low-impact development, allowing rain water "to come off the hardscaped areas and into planting areas, before it goes into a catch basin or retention ponds, so we can use it first for irrigation," he said.

Carlson is pleased with the project's result.

"It is the most important building I have ever done," he said, adding, "There were a whole lot of people who worked on it. Architecture has to commit at some point to be something. That was the most successful part -- that it (the design) took all these ideas and consolidated it into one strong, singular idea."

Related Articles:

• www.mysuncoast.com/content/news/manateenewsroom/story/Cancer-Support-Community-opens-in-Lakewood-Ranch/QY3JDKOuWE-Zmf7OnVZR9g.cspx
• www.pelicanpressonline.com/editorial/105351313.html
• www.pelicanpressonline.com/editorial/102962914.html
• www.yourobserver.com/news/east-county/Front-Page/102020108435/Cancer-Support-Community-opens-Ranch-facility
• www.heraldtribune.com/article/20101017/ARTICLE/10171010
  

SARASOTA, Fla. -- With the completion of a new resort-like clubhouse, Sarasota Yacht Club www.sarasotayachtclub.org (SYC) is beginning a new chapter in its 84-year history while revitalizing the city’s waterfront scene.

“Our beautiful multipurpose clubhouse is designed for the future,” said SYC Commodore Kay Goodman. “With dining rooms and lounges overlooking Sarasota Bay, a pool and fitness center, and a full-service employee team, our clubhouse offers an ideal venue for members’ family and social activities such as weddings, birthdays and anniversaries.”

Featuring a sail-like fabric roof and modern glass and stucco exterior, SYC’s 22,000-square-foot clubhouse on John Ringling Boulevard is oriented to maximize the site’s waterfront setting, according to Sarasota architect Tom Denslow, DSDG, Inc. “The new clubhouse is a striking example of coastal contemporary design, driven by innovation and function, that reinforces the club’s connection to sailing,” he said.

Elevated over 71 spaces of covered parking, the multi-level clubhouse provides panoramic views from throughout the building, including a variety of indoor-outdoor dining options, formal and informal lounges, two dance floors and an “honors gallery” for yachting trophies, photographs and memorabilia. The new facility overlooks the club’s busy marina, which can handle 100-plus vessels, including yachts up to 100 feet.

Upon arrival at a covered porte-cochere, SYC members and guests will travel along a 90-foot lobby that extends through the building and provides a direct view of the main dock in the marina. The main lobby has a wood floor inlay inspired by a classic teak and holly ship deck and is surrounded by blue terrazzo with a compass rose medallion at each entrance.

“A luxury yacht was the inspiration for our design,” said Susan S. Bardin, director of interior design, Peacock + Lewis in North Palm Beach. “When you walk in, you want to know you're in a yacht club. Interior details include royal blue colors with red accents, teak woods and fixtures inspired by deck prisms that were used to light ships below decks and at night.”

Sarasota-based Tandem Construction completed the new clubhouse in March, just 15 months after the ground-breaking. The club operated from an interim facility during the construction process. Designed to withstand 130-mph winds, the building incorporates numerous environmentally friendly features, including natural skylights, recycled materials, thick insulation and a highly efficient air-conditioning system.

“Tandem Construction is proud to be part of the team that created another iconic building that will grace the Sarasota skyline for many years,” said Nathan Renner, project manager.

Goodman said the new clubhouse was carefully planned to accommodate the club’s 511 memberships with space for 200 more in the future. “Over the next five years, we expect to see significant growth,” she said. “Although we have one of the best marinas on the west coast of Florida, if not the entire state, only about half of our members own a boat. Those members, along with our boaters, enjoy our club’s many social activities, outstanding food and recreational programs. SYC is not just a yacht club – it’s become a resort without the rooms.”

Founded in 1926, Sarasota Yacht Club is one of the original 13 members of the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs. SYC is a private membership club. It welcomes inquiries regarding club membership and boat slip availability.

For more information, go to www.sarasotayachtclub.org

Note to editors: additional photos available upon request.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6268767&lang=en

Funding by Non-Profit Collaborative Group Will Spur Testing of Non-Invasive Methods for Monitoring Brain Tumor Responses to New Therapies

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Brain Tumor Funders’ Collaborative (BTFC) today announced the award of 11 one-year feasibility grants of $100,000 each to teams of researchers and clinicians developing the types of tools needed to translate scientific discoveries into effective new treatments for brain cancer patients. The BTFC’s second joint initiative for brain tumor research is intended to accelerate the testing of different kinds of brain tumor response markers – reliable, easily monitored biological signals that can reveal if and how a tumor is responding to therapies.

“Each project focuses on a unique approach to solving a vexing problem encountered by clinicians and researchers dedicated to improving patient outcomes from one of the most deadliest types of cancer,” said Dr. Susan Fitzpatrick of the James S. McDonnell Foundation, one of the eight BTFC members. The other seven participating organizations are American Brain Tumor Association, Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, Goldhirsh Foundation, Ben and Catherine Ivy Foundation, National Brain Tumor Society and Sontag Foundation.
“Having the ability to monitor brain tumor characteristics consistently and reliably using non- or minimally invasive approaches is of particular importance to patients, especially for children,” said Susan L. Weiner of the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation.

Elizabeth Wilson of the American Brain Tumor Association, added, “When time is of the essence, being able to quickly and accurately determine the effectiveness, or not, of the available therapeutic approaches could make all the difference to a patient’s longevity and well-being.”

According to the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States, approximately 22,000 people annually are diagnosed with a primary malignant brain tumor, and another 38,000 have nonmalignant brain tumors. Because brain tumors affect neural and cognitive functions, both the disease and its treatment have a high incidence of disability.

"Tragically, this year an estimated 13,000 people will die of brain tumors," said Dr. David R. Hurwitz of the National Brain Tumor Society. "Over 3,700 children under the age of 15 are diagnosed with this disease. In addition, pediatric brain tumors have surpassed leukemia as the leading cause of cancer death in children."

Inaugurated in 2003, The Brain Tumor Funders Collaborative is a strategic effort among private foundations and non-profit organizations to pool their resources and focus their research dollars toward specific therapeutic goals. “Advancing brain tumor research requires scientists, clinicians, and funders to come together around the same table and identify what needs to be done,” said Rita Berkson of the Goldhirsh Foundation.

Kay Verble of the Sontag Foundation agreed on the need for a collaborative approach to attacking brain cancers. “We are learning both the pitfalls and the tremendous advantages of working together, to sharpen our own ability to invest strategically in the brain tumor research effort,” she said.

The 11 funded projects were selected during a multi-stage review process from more than 54 responses to the BTFC call for proposals. At the end of the year, the BTFC will evaluate progress and consider further investments.

Prior to announcing the awards, BTFC representatives spent 18 months meeting with experts and exploring a variety of translational research opportunities. “Our analysis of the brain tumor research landscape identified the need for reliable brain tumor response markers as a priority,” explained Rob Tufel of the Ben and Catherine Ivy Foundation.

“Although the current armamentarium for treating brain tumors is limited, a number of new treatment options will be coming online,” said Suan Marshall of the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. “Validated tumor response markers will be a necessary component of research and clinical decision making.”

Despite the dedicated efforts of researchers and clinicians, the identification of successful treatments for brain tumors remains elusive. “We believe the unusual case of eight private funders working together in a spirit of cooperation and openness sends a powerful message,” said Fitzpatrick. “It is time for some new ways of attacking this devastating disease.”

The funded research will be carried out at the following institutions:
Children’s Hospital Boston
Emory University School of Medicine
Johns Hopkins University
Massachusetts General Hospital
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
University of California (David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA)
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
University of Washington
Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Additional details on the principle investigators and projects can be found on the BTFC website: www.braintumorfunders.org.

Brain tumor facts are available at http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancertopics/types/brain/

Contacts
James S. McDonnell Foundation
Dr. Susan M. Fitzpatrick, 314-721-1532
susan@jsmf.org

Source: James S. McDonnell Foundation and Brain Tumor Funders’ Collaborative
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WILL TIGER WOOD’S WIFE BENEFIT FROM A POST-NUPTIAL AGREEMENT?
    Boca Attorney - Doreen Yaffa - Says Post-Nup Can Help Salvage Troubled Marriages

BOCA RATON, FL (Dec. 7) – Golfer Tiger Woods may be able to salvage his marriage if his wife Elin agrees to a multimillion-dollar post-nuptial agreement, according to Boca Raton attorney Doreen Yaffa, a board-certified matrimonial lawyer.

“If media reports are accurate, Tiger and Elin Woods are amending their pre-marriage agreement after the extensive coverage of his ‘transgressions’ – a potentially positive step for both of them,” said Yaffa. “By settling the big financial issues, a post-nup would allow the couple to work on the emotional side of their relationship.”

Woods is the latest of a string of high-profile celebrities who have stated they want to stay with their wives despite marital problems.  For instance, TV host David Letterman in October confessed to a string of affairs, made a public apology on his show and said he hoped his marriage to Regina Lasko would survive.

“If these men are serious, a post-nuptial agreement can help salvage their marriages,” says Boca Raton attorney Doreen Yaffa, a board-certified matrimonial lawyer. In recent years, Yaffa has helped several couples resolve their marital issues with a “post-nup,” a contract that is similar in many ways to a pre-nuptial agreement signed before marriage. In fact, a pre-nuptial agreement can be turned into a post-nup at any time if both husband and wife agree.

“Post-nups are rare today because most people don’t understand the concept,” says Yaffa, managing partner at Yaffa & Associates. “But if there were more post-nups, I believe the divorce rate would probably be lower.”

Now, when someone comes to her office who wants a divorce, Yaffa says the first question she asks is, “Are you sure your marriage is over?” If the person is not sure, she suggests considering a post-nuptial agreement.  “In every case, the spouses who signed a post-nup are still married,” Yaffa says.

A post-nup allows a couple to plan for the equitable distribution of savings, investments, real estate and personal property in the event of a divorce, Yaffa says.
It’s a flexible document that can be structured to accommodate an couple’s specific needs and goals.

“In South Florida, which has many second marriages, a post-nup can be a very positive tool for improving a relationship,” Yaffa says. For example, it can resolve inheritance issues that might otherwise cloud a new marriage.

“A post-nup can assure that the children of a prior marriage receive a share of the marital assets,” she says, “almost like estate planning. Or if you received an inheritance from your uncle for $1 million, your spouse would be entitled to 50 percent. But with a post-nup, you can split amount in any manner you choose.”

One of the most common reasons for a post-nuptial agreement is infidelity. Typically, the husband has an affair, and then wants his wife to take him back. 

In these cases, a post-nup can be structured with a “bad boy” clause that includes a penalty for further infidelity, Yaffa says. For instance, the agreement could specify that the wife would get $5 million in addition to the normal distribution of marital assets if the husband cheated again.

However, a post-nup will not cover any issues pertaining to children, such as custody or visitation, because those provisions would not be legally enforceable under Florida law. As Yaffa says, “The state has the right to decide what’s best for the children.”

Yaffa & Associates specializes in complex and sophisticated family law matters, both domestically and abroad. For more information,  www.yaffapa.com.

CAT OR DOG MIGHT BE ‘PURR-FECT’ HOLIDAY GIFT FOR SENIORS, SAYS MATRIX HOME CARE PSYCHOLOGIST

WEST PALM BEACH – When choosing a holiday gift for an older relative, consider a warm and fuzzy dog or a cat. A pet can provide companionship, open the door to neighborhood conversations and even improve a senior’s physical health, according to Matrix Home Care psychologist Alexander Fiuza, PhD, as director of client services for Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.

“A dog or cat can be the ‘purr-fect’ gift for a senior,” said Dr. Fiuza. “A pet offers a feeling of love and connection, which is very important to someone who is living alone or lacks companionship.”

Taking care of a pet can also change an elderly person’s lifestyle, opening the door to new daily activities, such as taking a dog for a walk or playing hide-and-seek with a cat. “Petting a cat or playing with a dog relaxes a human, as well as a pet,” added Dr. Fiuza. “By helping to relieve those internal stresses, a pet can improve the quality of life for an elderly person.”

Studies of nursing home residents found that seniors who were around pets smiled more often and were more alert than those who did not come into contact with animals. Holly Bedgio, RN, Matrix’ director of clinical operations/risk management agrees with those findings. “I believe pets can be a real morale-booster to almost any senior,” said Bedgio. “After I gave a small dog to my mother, who is living at home, I could see a real improvement in her attitude toward life.”

Dr. Fiuza notes clinical research studies show that having a pet also can provide physical health benefits for the owner, such as lower blood pressure and reduced cholesterol levels. A three-year study of 5,741 people in Australia found that pet owners had lower blood pressure and triglyceride and cholesterol levels than did non-owners

“A pet can be the ideal holiday gift,” said Dr. Fiuza, “providing a loved one with companionship for many years.”

About Matrix
Based in West Palm Beach, Matrix provides a complete array of services, home health care, disability management so injured employees can quickly return to work, independent senior care based on the needs of the elderly and specialty nurses' services, including wound care, infusion therapy and rehabilitation nursing. Certified as a woman minority owned business, Matrix serves Southwest and Southeast Florida from locations in Tampa, Bradenton, Venice, Boca Raton, Pompano Beach and Coral Gables.
For more information, www.matrixhomecare.com.

MIAMI, FL (NOV. 19) – Randy A. Fink, MD warns that new government recommendations regarding breast cancer screenings may be a serious step backward for women’s health.

“Early diagnosis is critical to the effective treatment of breast cancer,” said Fink, a Miami-based board-certified specialist who was recently named one of “America's Top Obstetricians & Gynecologists” by the Consumer Research Council.

In a report released Monday, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said most women should start regular breast cancer screening at age 50 rather than 40. It also said women age 50 to 74 should have mammograms every two years, rather than every year, and that doctors should stop teaching women the techniques of breast self-examination.

The task force, which advises public policymakers, said these guidelines were intended to reduce harm from overtreatment. Many doctors are concerned that insurance companies will rapidly adopt these recommendations for cost savings.

“As we are finally making strides toward early diagnosis of breast cancer, it is surprising this group has suggested we abandon our efforts at screening women in their 40s, who account for one-fifth of new breast cancer cases,” said Fink, who is medical director of the Miami Center of Excellence for Obstetrics & Gynecology. “I fear these new recommendations will cost lives.”

While breast self-examination has not been shown to improve survival in women ultimately diagnosed with breast cancer, Fink said a woman should remain alert to changes in her body of which she herself will be most keenly aware.

“I resent that a government statistical analysis would stand in the way of a woman’s understanding of her body, and suggest that she ignore such an important part of herself,” he said. “I remain confident teaching my patients how ‘normal’ feels, and continue to believe that self-examination is important for ongoing good health.”

Fink is a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, which continues to recommend screening mammography starting at age 40.  The American Cancer Society also stands by the existing guidelines, and encourages that women discuss their concerns with their doctors, rather than interpreting the government recommendations on their own.

Fink serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Family Planning and BabyCenter.com, and his research interests include sexuality, fertility and contraception. For more information: www.drrandyfink.yourmd.com.

JENSEN BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Thanksgiving has come early for Hibiscus Children’s Center, a nonprofit organization that cares for abused and neglected children on the Treasure Coast of Florida. A gracious benefactor, who is passionate about assisting needy children worldwide and wishes to remain anonymous, today purchased for $850,000 The Travels of Babar co-signed by former First Lady Barbara Bush and her son, Jeb Bush, the 43rd Governor of Florida.

The book is part of a larger collection up for auction this week through November 24 that includes signed childhood favorite books from some of the most famous people in world, including President Obama, Maya Angelou, John Glenn, Jimmy Buffett, Hugh Hefner, Tiger Woods, Senator John McCain, Oprah Winfrey, Jack Nicklaus and Jane Go...

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DARIEN, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Noah Webster, the author of the first American dictionary, was born 250 years ago October 16th.

A patriot with many talents, Webster served in the American Revolution and rubbed shoulders with the great figures of the day. George Washington read Webster’s works which proposed ideas that later became part of our Constitution. Noah Webster and Ben Franklin became great friends with a common interest in spelling reform. Webster also practiced law, believed and fought for copyright laws, wrote textbooks, and was editor of New York’s first daily newspaper – American Minerva. Noah Webster, however, is best known for his achievement that is the cornerstone of education and literacy today – the first dictionary of American English.

In 1783, N...
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JENSEN BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Eyebrows of rare book and signature collectors will rise this fall when an extraordinary collection with a tender mission will be available for an online and live auction beginning November 9-24, 2009 (www.eBay.com ). Dubbed The Little Auction That Could (www.littleauctionthatcould.org), the 70+ collection includes signatures from some of the most iconic figures of our time, including President Barack Obama, John H. Glenn, Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, J.K. Rowling and Tiger Woods.

Volunteer mom Karla Preissman wanted to foster a love of reading among children living at Jensen Beach, Florida-based Hibiscus Children’s Center who have suffered from abuse and neglect. First, she helped create a library within the non-profit shelter and filled it with ...
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TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Matrix Home Care today announced the opening of a new office in Tampa, extending the company’s network throughout the Gulf Coast.

“We are committed to working closely with families, physicians and insurance companies to deliver personalized cost-effective patient care in the home setting,” said Pernille Ostberg, MBA, RPh, president and CEO of the West Palm Beach-based company, which is certified as a woman minority owned business.

Along with its new central Tampa office, located at 410 S. Ware Blvd., 8th Floor, Suite 43, Matrix (license # 20080096) serves Southwest and Southeast Florida from locations in Bradenton, Venice, Boca Raton, Pompano Beach and Coral Gables.

“Tampa is a major healthcare and insurance center,” Ostberg said,...
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SARASOTA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After celebrating a “topping off” construction milestone, Sarasota Yacht Club (SYC) is moving toward completion of its sparkling new waterfront clubhouse in February 2010.

Yacht club members and Sarasota civic leaders will hold an evening reception on August 28 after construction crews finished the highest point of the 47-foot tall structure. A palm tree and American flag were raised to the roof to mark the accomplishment.

“With its coastal contemporary design, sail-like fabric roof and modern glass and stucco exterior, our new yacht club will be a beautiful addition to the downtown Sarasota skyline,” said SYC Commodore Bill Chastain. “Our architects understood our objectives and designed what we believe will be the most specta...
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SARASOTA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With U.S.-Cuba relations warming up this spring, the Sarasota Yacht Club (SYC) will host a May 21 forum on plans for the 2010 Havana Regatta and other steps to rebuild nautical ties between the two nations.

Dr. Timothy F. Ashby, an attorney with Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP in Miami and national expert on Cuban–American trade issues, will discuss potential changes in U.S. policies toward Cuba, and how the SYC’s support for binational sailing competitions, education and marina development programs could lead to stronger Gulf Coast ties with Cuba.

“We expect widespread interest in our forum in light of the new climate in Washington,” said SYC Commodore Bill Chastain. “Allowing U.S. sailing teams to participate in the 201...
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WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, the eight North American private funding organizations comprising the Brain Tumor Funders’ Collaborative announced a new funding initiative aimed at accelerating development of non- or minimally-invasive methods for monitoring if, when, and how human brain tumors are responding to investigational therapies. This represents the second round of funding offered by a unique collaborative funding effort representing private foundations and patient advocacy groups. The BTFC inaugurated its funding program in 2005, awarding grants to three multi-institutional, collaborative research projects. The BTFC’s primary goal is bridging the “translational gap” that can prevent promising laboratory findings from yielding new medical treatments. In...
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SARASOTA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cuba’s sailing team has invited Sarasota Yacht Club (SYC) to participate in an offshore race near Havana, restoring a 70-year-old international tradition.

Citing the Sarasota club’s distinguished nautical heritage, the Hemingway International Yacht Club (HIYC) in Havana extended an invitation for U.S. boaters to compete in the Regatta Castillo del Morro, a 15-mile race from Marina Hemingway to the port of Havana and back.

The SYC sailing team, headed by Jay Meyer, recently applied to the U.S. government for permission to participate in the June 6th regatta. “We see this as a chance to renew friendships between two nations that once enjoyed spirited competitions,” said Meyer. “We have also been asked to help coach or train the l...

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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Many seniors are facing difficult financial choices due to Florida’s economic downturn. But maintaining good health should still be a priority, according to Pernille Ostberg, MBA, RPh, president and CEO of Matrix Home Care, www.matrixhomecare.com, a statewide home services firm.

“Whether you are taking care of a family member at home or using the services of a professional caregiver, it’s essential to be sure that economic conditions have not jeopardized the level of care,” said Ostberg.

Because financial pressures can affect a senior’s physical, mental or emotional state, Ostberg said family members should pay close attention to the early warning signs of health problems:

• A decrease in social activities, such as going o...
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