My husband just let me know that Al Roker talked to some onocology nurses that were holding a sign about it being Lung Cancer Awareness Month out in the plaza this morning. He didn't do a full interview but he gave us a touch of publicity. I had written letters to him, Dr. Nancy Snyderman, Ellen, Oprah, Bonnie Hunt and several local television programs to no avail. I also asked for a proclamation from our (Michigan) governor. So far I have heard nothing from any of the 12-15 letters that I sent out. Sad when you can't even get a response from anyone. Maybe they just don't know what to say.
Anyway, I am hoping that my letter that I wrote to Al struck a small cord in his heart and he took it an ran to the nurses in the plaza this morning.
Sharon
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Todays "Today Show"
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- By Granny888
- Posted November 4, 2009 at 8:34 am
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I didn't see it, but that's the kind of publicity we need. More noise like this and lung cancer will be "elevated" as some of the other cancers were -- it's just taking a while we don't seem to have as many warriors.
I do about a 60-90 second speech to each and every person I get on the phone whether they are calling bout the mortgage, the cable, the electric ... lol ---- you name it they get a bit of an earful. Some are patient some actually seem to appreciate it but I make sure no one forgets.
I start with "Wow there's a sea of pink out there isn't there? Yea. Did you know it's lung cancer month next (or this) month? Yea, nobody does. But now you do, and before I get off my soap-box I'm just going to tell you that nonsmokers and children get it too and that as many die from it as do all the other cancers combined so if you have a chance for just one donation think about lung cancer, with the higher mortality rate. And pass it on."
Just enough, I might shorten it if people tune out but most don't and they always make you "wait for the computer" anyway.
- By pw
- Posted November 4, 2009 at 8:41 am
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It's very sad to say but unless you have been, TOUCHED BY IT IN YOUR OWN LIFE, it is so often overlooked! I wish there was a screening method (Chest Xray for instance) made available and paid for by insurance companies for early detection....maybe then the statistics would change so that it wouldn't be such a deadly disease. As we know many times Lung Cancer is found by accident and often times too late to cure....Makes me very sad!!
- By 8wall
- Posted November 4, 2009 at 10:08 am
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Sharon
Bravo to you!!!! Great job..I'm behind you 200%.It's your efforts that help.Thankyou!!!
dan
- By TamiO
- Posted November 4, 2009 at 11:17 am
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My mom called me yesterday and said that the woman who plays "Mrs. McClusky" (the aging neighbor who babysits Lynette's kids) on "Desperate Housewives" was on The View on Monday, and that she is struggling with lung cancer right now. She talked about all the of things we just said - no funding, no sympathy.... hopefully that will help.
- By pattytwo
- Posted November 4, 2009 at 11:55 am
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I was a fanatic about my husband's heart so I insisted he always visit his cardo. Doctor. Heart diease runs in his family. I insisted he have a full examination. He also had lower back problems , so there was consistant exams there as well. Silly me, I thought a full exam by a heart specialist would include a chest xray so we didn't know that this demon was lurking. If only there was an insurance rule that everyone has to have an annual chest xray it would save so many lives and yes so much money. Chemo is big business. So we didn't find out until he was alerted by the pain in his upper back. WE were delighted when he had the extreme pain in his upper back, we thought his back Doctor had missed something in all the years that he treated the lower back. We were stunned when two doctors told us "we are very sorry, it's very serious, you have very little time left." So spread the word to everyone you know how important that annual xray is to your health. My husband is only 55 and has never smoked.
- By sharon717
- Posted November 4, 2009 at 12:10 pm
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You can go to the View's website and watch the entire show. Sadly her interview is the very last one of the show.
Sharon
- By nanag
- Posted November 4, 2009 at 1:30 pm
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I was just wondering maybe we could send this web site to various entertainers? Tehy have fan clubs right?
- By sharon717
- Posted November 4, 2009 at 1:59 pm
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With all the letters that I wrote, I suggested that they visit this site along with the Lung Cancer Alliance site to learn insight in to what we are all about.
Sharon
- By ECC72
- Posted November 4, 2009 at 4:50 pm
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I saw the interview with Kathryn Joosten, and she did have about 4 minutes to mention lung cancer. I wish she did have more time, but she did stress of the "you smoked and brought upon yourself" attitude towards Lung Cancer and it is the leading killer of all cancers.
I am a 37 year old mother of two little boys and I was diagnosed with non-small cell three years ago. I have had chemo twice and 3 surgeries. I have never smoked nor grew up in a house of smokers. I am not shy of telling people what I have, because the more info out there the better. But I am so tired of the look I get when I mention, lung cancer. I feel I have to defend myself!
My nurse practioner at my oncologists office, has tried to get articles published and contact various talk shows without any luck. But I will say that in the past six months I have been seeing more articles about it. It may be a while before they are selling blenders and toasters with a lung cancer awareness logo!!
- By Roxy4B
- Posted November 4, 2009 at 10:16 pm
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I saw the Today Show this morning and Al Rocker mentioned that his father died of lung cancer and he thanked the nurses for taking care of his dad.
- By orlando77guy
- Posted November 4, 2009 at 10:28 pm
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hmmm Granholm has not replied yet? My family lives in Lansing and are big democrats I thought that after all I have gone though Michigan would have been on board... For other reasons I have no idea why our Florida Governer Crist has failed to reply to my letters asking him to recognize this disease and recognize the work being done at Moffitt and Shands, and Sylvester all in 3 of the largest state schools on lung cancer research!
- By brooklynda
- Posted November 4, 2009 at 10:47 pm
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Dear Sharon:
Many thanks for your continued efforts on our behalf. It can be disheartening (though not so much that it would ever make me give up!) when people don't have the courtesy to answer these letters.
I am very appreciative of the attention Nancy Grace is giving us.
Blessings!
Brooklynda
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