Letter from the Newsletter Editor

The holiday season is on us again and the year is coming to an end. It is a time of celebration and reflection. It is my hope and prayer that  it has been a good year for all of you.

Parents Against Cancer is a wonderful organization dedicated to helping families, of children receiving treatment at JJCCC, in a time of desperate need.  I am proud to be a member of this board.  Most of you may not be aware that the board members are parents, just like most of you, that have children who have endured the challenges of treatment.  We are struggling to raise funds to be able continue our mission. We provide help where no one else will.  Our only funding comes from donations directly submitted to us, and not to JJCCC. Our board members do not  get  paid for their service, we do it because we care.  Parents Against Cancer has one goal, to assist these families and help where no other options are available. 

 As this year comes to a close, it will also bring another closer. This will be the last publication of the newsletter for me. It is time that another take the helm of the newsletter as it’s editor. I have enjoyed assembling this publication for the past seven years, but feel it  time for a fresh face to take over.  I will remain on the board and attempt to contribute  in the mission of this incredible organization.  ~~Cathy

CONGRATULATIONS  TO  OUR  GRADUATES

COLLEGE GRADUATES
Ian Fagan, Orange Coast College, AA Degree

Darren Meyer, Cal State Fullerton, BA Degree

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

Kristina Alarcon, Will attend Loyola Marymount University
 

Anthony Beckles Will attend UCLA

Dillon Doukasis Will attend El Camino College

Diamond Edmondson

Elizabeth Gueijarro Will attend Cal State Dominquez Hills

Marvin Magana Will attend El Camino College

Amelia Munoz Will attend the University of Texas

Maribel Murillo Will attend Los Angeles City College

Tony Quintinillo Will attend Cal State Los Angeles

Deandre Sparks

Ryan Stritzel Attending El Camino College    (2004)

If your child is graduating let us know. You must provide us the information. We want to try and acknowledge them in our Next Newsletter. Send your information to

PAC, P.O. Box 92644, Long Beach, CA 90809-2644

 
Thank You!
Donations keep PAC going!
 

A Special Thank You to:
Christopher Johnson
United Way of Silicon Valley
Elvia Orozco in memory of Carmen Pelayo

In Memory of Paige Lauren Marqauez:
Bruce & Beth Neft
Dr Wayne T. Larson
Harold Davidson & Associates
Long Term Care Group
American Youth Soccer Association

PAC’s mission is to help families in need. The only way we will be able to continue is if we receive donations. 

REMEMBER PAC IN YOUR GIFT GIVING. ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

Visit us on line and make a donation.

 PAC  CONTINUES TO NEED YOUR HELP NOW!

There are may ways to contribute to PAC besides writing a check.  Please consider PAC for your employer’s charitable contributions programs for the coming year.

You can sign up for eScrip, use the Community Partners cards, or donate a vehicle.  Donations are needed for us to continue our very necessary work in the community.

eScrip
Do You Shop at
Pavilions/Vons or Ralphs?

To contribute to PAC please sign up with eScrip. It is an easy way to contribute to Parents Against Cancer. Here’s all you have to do:

¨     To participate in the program you can register at any Vons, Pavilions or Ralphs stores or fill out a form at JJCCC office or out-patient office.

¨     Participating merchants will make contributions to Parents Against Cancer, based upon the purchases you make, just by using the club card(s) you have registered.

¨     Your purchases are tracked and available online, allowing you to see just how much you have contributed.

For more information and online registration go to www.escrip.com Parents Against Cancer ID

#7205605 or Contact  PAC (562) 943-5626. 

COMMUNITY PARTNER CARDS
ALBERTSONS COMMUNITY PARTNER CARDS

Parents Against Cancer has signed up with Albertsons and their Community Partner Cards program. 

Just by swiping your card at Albertsons or Sav-ons when you make a purchase, Parents Against

Cancer will receive a percentage of the sales.  There is no registration or fee to participate in this program. 

Get the card and start using it.

The JJCCC office and the Out Patient Office have these cards available for you.

Newsletter Subscriptions
The PAC Newsletter is published three times per year for patients of JJCCC and their families and friends.

If you would like to be mailed the print version of our newsletter, please send an email to: Linda Valentovich to be added to our mailing list.

RECENT EVENTS

TORCH RUN 2005

20TH ANNUAL
CHAMPIONS RUN
FOR LIFE

The Profiles of Courage Dinner, Dance & Auction

Fashion Show

BELMONT SHORE  CHRISTMAS PARADE

MEMORIES

 They say memories are golden,
  well maybe that is true,
But we never wanted memories,
 we only wanted you.

A million times we’ve needed  you,
a million times we’ve cried.

If love alone could have saved you,

 you never would have died.

In life we loved you dearly,

in death we love you still.

In our hearts you hold a special place,

no one else could ever fill.

If tears could build a staircase,

and heartache build a lane,

We’d walk the path to Heaven,

 and bring you back again,

Our family chain is broken

 and nothing seems the same,

But as God calls us one by one

 the chain will link again.

 -- Unknown

HOSPITAL NEWS

UPCOMING EVENTS

PAC IN THE PARK!
The Board Members of Parents Against Cancer, Inc. Invite you to join us in planning a family fun day in the park. Our goal is to provide a fun filled day of music, games, prizes, food and
fun for the patients and families. With your help we can make this happen, and make happy memories for years to come. If you would like to volunteer your time, talents, ideas or items for the event, please contact Linda at 562/943-5626. See you in the SPRING!

STAR PROGRAM

Childhood Cancer Survivors
Are you a survivor of childhood cancer? If you completed treatment for your cancer two or more years ago…you are a long-term survivor and are eligible to attend the STAR PROGRAM. The STAR (Survivor’s Treatment, Assessment, and Resource) Program is a program designed to focus on the late effects of cancer therapy. Services include a medical history review, physical exam, screening tests, education, and counseling on late effects of treatment, as well as recommendations on long-term follow-up. For additional information or to schedule an appointment, contact Susan Shannon, RN, MSN, CPNP, Late Effects Program Coordinator at (562) 933-8600.

A great new handbook entitled “Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Practical Guide to Your Future” developed by Nancy Keene, Wendy Hobbie & Kathy Ruccione for childhood cancer survivors is now available through the late effects program.

STAR SUPPORT GROUP MEETING
Call to find out when our next STAR support group meeting is scheduled to be held. All childhood cancer survivors 18 years or older are invited to attend. Contact Susan Shannon, CPNP or Ralph Richardson, Ph.D. at (562) 933-8600.

AMERICAS BABY CANCER FOUNDATION

One of their primary functions is connecting families that are in treatment with families that have been through treatment.
www.babycancer.com

BLEEDING DISORDERS NETWORKING

First Step Program  provides  a means for parents in our area to meet and network with other families affected by hemophilia and other bleeding disorders. For more information contact :

The Hemophilia Foundation of  Southern California, 33 S. Catalina Avenue, Suite 102 Pasadena, California 91106. Phone (626) 793-6192, Fax (626) 796-5605. email hfsc@earthlink.net
Web: www.hemosocal.com

COOLEY'S ANEMIA FOUNDATION
Leading the Fight Against Thallasemia. This group has a range of services and programs providing vital, hands-on support to patients living with Thallasemia.

We Can Pediatric Brain Tumor Network
This organization is a parent initiated group that provides an opportunity for parents of children with brain tumors to meet and share information and experiences, and equip themselves to manage the treatment and recovery of their children. Meetings typically involve a presentation by a chosen expert, a question and answer session, and a personal group discussion.

We Can is not affiliated with any particular medical facility and does not offer medical advise. For more information contact: Gigi McMillan (310) 545-2855 or visit www.wecan.cc

KIDS CAN COPE
Kids Can Cope is a program that offers children and teenagers, ages 4 to 19, a chance to meet and talk with other young people who have or have had a family member with cancer. The program meets at three Kaiser Permanente Facilities. For more information please contact Marlene Wilson, M.A.W., L.C.S.W. at (323) 564-7911.

JST 4 KDZ 
This program is designed for healthy siblings and children dealing with cancer in the family. This support group offers a place to talk about feelings, build self-esteem, improve coping skills and  make friends.  Cancer affects the whole family. With this knowledge this group is designed to help the non-patients cope with this life altering experience. For more information call (562) 961-8583.

The Wellness Community
Designed to help people with cancer and their families enhance their health and well being by providing a free professional program of hope, education and emotional support. For more information call (310) 376-3550 or visit their website at www.wellnessandcancer.org.

We Remember
We Remember is a Parent-Initiated Group devoted to the support of parents who have lost their child to cancer. For more information when workshops are to be scheduled contact: Mike & Susan Junghans at (714) 969-5635. Facilitated by Jo Tourino, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist.