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Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Home Runs Abound in Moosic

Posted By on July 20th, 2011 at 12:28 pm | 0 comments.

Champ Visits

Did you know that PNC Field, home of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, is actually located in Moosic, PA? The Triple-A Affiliate of the New York Yankees hosted the Take A Swing Against Breast Cancer home run derby on Friday, July 15th. The park rolled out the red carpet for our batters and volunteers as we collected a few home runs in NEPA.
Check out how our teams scored:

And our Single Batter, who showed up at the ballpark to take part:

The home runs may have come from a handful of teams, but they all add up!

Rep. Karen Boback Teams 1 & 2

Another huge thanks to the volunteers who were in the outfield shagging those baseballs! We would not be able to hold the home run derby without you. WBRE and WNEP were able to stop by PNC Field to highlight the day. Thanks for helping to raise awareness in the NEPA region.

There are some great photos from our day at the ballpark. Take a look below!

Homers at the Harrisburg Senators

Posted By on July 18th, 2011 at 12:14 pm | 0 comments.

Chesapeake Energy

Wednesday, July 13th marked a special occasion for the Take a Swing Against Breast Cancer home run derby fundraiser: our largest location ever! We had 26 teams, 2 single batters, more volunteers than we can count and raised over $11,000! Take a look at our high scores and team photos from the big day!

Single Batters on the board at Metro Bank Park

Volunteers in the OutfieldA HUGE thanks goes out to the Harrisburg Senators and their awesome staff! Without them, we would not have been able to hold a spectacular event! Special thanks to all of the media outlets that stopped by: ABC27, WGAL 8, FOX43 and Blue Ridge 13!

Home Run Hitters in Harrisburg:

Thanks to all who came out and supported our largest event to date! Take a look at all of the photos from our busy day at Metro Bank Park!

 

 

Reconstructive Surgery Update: Silicone Breast Implants Not ‘Lifetime Devices’

Posted By on July 15th, 2011 at 8:54 am | 0 comments.

According to a recent FDA report, silicone breast implants are not made to last a lifetime.  Potentially half of all women who receive them for reconstruction – and 20% of women who receive the implants for augmentation — will need the implants removed within 10 years.

The conclusion was reached after the FDA examined data from post-approval studies and from its own adverse event reporting system, in conjunction with completing a literature review. Capsular contracture, reoperation, and implant removal were found to be the most frequent adverse outcomes with silicone implants. Other common adverse events of which women should be aware include implant rupture, wrinkling, asymmetry, scarring, pain, and infection. The longer the women had implants, the more likely they were to have complications.

While it is important to note that the data is preliminary, the implants did not appear to cause breast cancer, reproductive problems, or connective tissue disease.  If you experience any of these difficulties or complications, talk with your doctor about your options.

Highest Score in 2011 at the Washington Wild Things

Posted By on July 11th, 2011 at 12:38 pm | 0 comments.

Winning Team: Neuman's CrewNow yes, this was only the third Take a Swing Against Breast Cancer home run derby in 2011. But our winning team broke the 2,000 point mark! There is no other way to say it…WOW! Take a look at our scoreboard from CONSOL Energy Park.

Single Batters out at the Washington Wild Things:

U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy Stopped By CONSOL Energy ParkWe also had two home runs at CONSOL Energy Park! Joe Oliphant from Neuman’s Crew and Bill Klenoshek from Enterprise Car Rental Team 2 both tipped it over the outfield fence. Congratulations!

Special thanks to U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy and PA Rep. Brandon Neuman for stepping up to the plate at the Washington Wild Things!

Thank you to the teams, volunteers, and the Washington Wild Things staff for making Saturday’s visit a success! Check out the article about our winning team, Neuman’s Crew, over on the Canon-McMillan Patch website. And browse through the photos from Saturday’s event.

 

 

Erie SeaWolves Step Up to the Plate

Posted By on July 11th, 2011 at 10:27 am | 0 comments.

Charlie L. from the City of Erie TeamOn Friday, July 8th, the PBCC crew and the pink van traveled to the home of the Erie SeaWolves, Jerry Uht Park. Nestled in downtown Erie, the breeze from Lake Erie was present to cool off the staff, volunteers, and most importantly, the batters for the Home Run Derby. To top of the perfect weather, the staff at the Erie SeaWolves continues to shine. They were always willing to help and made the event a smashing one!

Check out our scoreboard for the day:

Home Run Hitter: Jeff JonesWe also were lucky to have two home runs at Jerry Uht! Brian King from TESCO & the Fette Family Team 1 and Jeff Jones from Icing on the Lake Team 1 both knocked the ball over the back fence! Congratulations!

Thank you to WICU and WJET for stopping by to highlight the event. Also a big thanks to all of our volunteers! We would not be able to have our events without you! Take a look at all of the photos from our day at Jerry Uht Park!

Lehigh Valley Kicks Off #PBCCderby Tour

Posted By on July 7th, 2011 at 2:17 pm | 0 comments.

Winning Team: Landrum LumberjacksThe first Home Run Derby event of 2011 was a huge success on Wednesday, July 6th! Coca-Cola Park was the perfect setting for batters, volunteers, and spectators to show their support for the kick off event. Teams celebrated the chance to be on the same field that the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs use for every home game. Check out how our 2011 Lehigh Valley Home Run Derby teams did!

We also had a great showing of Single Batter support in the LV.

  • Chuck Asman Second Set – 475 points
  • Chuck Asman First Set – 350 points
  • Matt Strouse – 285 points

Brandon Weiss from Wells Fargo BattingCongratulations to the Landrum Lumberjacks on their win at the LV! Brett Landrum from the Landrum Lumberjacks hit our FIRST home run of the 2011 #PBCCderby season!

The PBCC would like to thank all of our wonderful volunteers and the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs for setting the bar high! WFMZ Channel 69 as well as Blue Ridge Cable 13 stopped by to check out all of the action. As soon as we have the footage, we will be sure to publish it.

The pink van and the PBCC staff are on the way to Erie now! Get set for the live coverage Friday, July 8th at http://pbcc.me/live.

On the FrontLine: Summer 2011

Posted By on June 20th, 2011 at 1:46 pm | 0 comments.

Check out the Summer 2011 edition of our print newsletter, FrontLine!

Chemo Brain is Real

Posted By on June 15th, 2011 at 9:00 am | 0 comments.

Written by Barbara Good, Ph.D.

For years, women in cancer support groups and those discussing their treatment with sympathetic friends or relatives have referred to a syndrome they call “chemo brain,” the somewhat amusing-sounding but all too real experience of many who undergo chemotherapy in the course of cancer treatment. At times complaints from cancer patients about forgetfulness, lack of coordination, or the inability to find certain words during speech have been looked at by some in the medical profession as a result of the stress of cancer treatment, or fatigue, or both.

A recent study at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle now lends credence to the idea that the symptoms cancer patients describe appear, in fact, to come at least in part from cancer treatment and that they may last for periods up to five years or more. The patients examined had undergone chemotherapy as part of bone marrow or stem cell transplants to treat blood cancers, but the researchers believe their findings to be applicable to breast cancer patients and to those who have undergone chemotherapy for other types of cancer. Verbal memory and motor problems lasted longer than five years in some of the patients examined, but information processing, multitasking, and executive function tasks seemed to be regained within five years.

Targeting Breast Cancer: Adult Stem Cell Research

Posted By on May 16th, 2011 at 12:54 pm | 2 comments.

Over the last few years, much discussion and debate in the media has focused on using stem cells in medical research.  The issue has centered on the use of fetal stem cells, their possible use in research to cure or better treat a wide variety of diseases, and the ethical questions surrounding such research.  However, stem cells are not only found in fetal tissue; adult stem cells exist in the mature human body.

Stem cells were discovered in the breast in 2003 by researchers at the University of Michigan. They are defined as cells that “have the ability to continuously divide and develop into various other kinds of cells/tissue.”  It is possible that when a cancer re-emerges after hormonal therapy and chemotherapy, even in a woman with ER-positive breast cancer, the culprit may be stem cells that have not been affected by the treatment.  In recent laboratory research, investigators have tested the drug sorafenib (Nevaxar®), a drug used in the treatment of kidney and liver cancers, and found that this agent eliminated more breast cancer stem cells and blocked tumor formation better than 4 other drugs tested. It is now being examined in clinical trials.  This approach to cancer treatment, which deals with the disease at a cellular level through the targeting of genes and proteins, is one that we will see more of in the coming years as therapeutic options begin to focus on individual patient and tumor characteristics.

For more information about this research, click here. Or, more information about stem cells can be found here.

Need Help Getting Health Insurance or Services? Call PA Health Law Project

Posted By on April 15th, 2011 at 9:05 am | 0 comments.

The PA Health Law Project is a statewide center devoted to helping low income, elderly, and disabled Pennsylvanians access quality health care. If you are having trouble applying for Medical Assistance (MA), the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or if there are no health care providers in your health plan who can meet your needs, contact the PA Health Law Project to learn how they can assist you.

PHLP’s team of 8 attorneys, 3 paralegals, a physician and a social worker help thousands of people each year. They answer questions, provide advice, negotiate agreements, and represent clients at administrative hearings and in court. PHLP services are free to qualified individuals.

The PA Health Law Project has participated in the PBCC’s seminars about the Commonwealth of PA’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment program (BCCPT) across the state and at our annual conferences. Their expertise about accessing quality health care is invaluable.

If you or someone you know needs help, contact the PA Health Law Project helpline at 1-800-274-3258 or visit www.phlp.org.