Lillia Rose Whittle Needs Our Support & Prayers!

At the age of 22 months Lillia was diagnosed with cancer!

Lillia has Retinoblastoma (RB), a fast growing eye cancer of early childhood. This cancer develops in the cells of the retina, the light sensitive lining of the eye. In the UK about 98% of children survive retinoblastoma; this is true for both unilateral and bilateral disease. Nearly all of those with unilateral disease survive without further tumour.

Natalie and Craig Whittle, Lillia's parents are on a mission to raise awareness of this rare childhood cancer that is diagnosed in only 40 to 50 children in the UK each year. If this aggressive eye cancer is caught early enough the child's life can be saved.

Lillia was diagnosed with unilateral (one eye) Retinoblastoma in her left eye at the age of 22 months. It was picked up by the squint and white reflex in her eye. If caught at a late stage a child may face loosing their eye.

Lillian's, her parents as well as myself want to tell her story to the world and raise awareness in the hopes of helping other children with symptoms to be tested in order to catch the cancer in it's earliest stage to save children from losing an eye or their lives. You can join our mission to raise awareness by clicking on the links listed below to show your support for Lillia and children around the world affected by childhood cancer.

A note from Lillia on her website at: http://lilliaretinoblastoma.co.uk/about-me

My name is Lillia Rose Whittle, I was born on 13th January 2010 at Kettering General Hospital. I weighed 3.135 kg (6lb 14oz). My life was relatively normal until 26th October 2011 when my life was about to change. 

A note from Lillia's parents from her website at: http://lilliaretinoblastoma.co.uk

This website is all about Lillia, who was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer called Retinoblastoma when she was only 22 months old. Retinoblastoma is an aggressive cancer or the eye. She is currently having Chemotherapy to preserve her eye and save her life.

The website is in its infancy and we will try to make it bigger and better as Lillia's treatment progresses.

To give me an idea of who's been visiting here, you can write in the guestbook.

We have been working hard to raise awareness of Retinoblastoma and have taken part in TV, Radio and Newspaper interviews. To see more click here

Please help us raise more awareness of Retinoblastoma and 'Like' our Facebook page. Click Here

Source: http://lilliaretinoblastoma.co.uk

March Is Endometriosis Awareness Month!

Check your calendar, March is almost here!
* * S P R E A D   T H E   W O R D ! * *
M A R C H   I S   E N D O M E T R I O S I S   A W A R E N E S S   M O N T H ! !

As we come to the end of February it is time to start gearing up for March. March is Endometriosis awareness month and I will be blogging all month long to help raise awareness to this complicated and very real disease. If you don't have Endometriosis or do not know anyone who does you probably haven't even heard about it and that is why March is awareness month. We need to be made aware of this very painful and debilitating disease and find a cure. Those affected by Endometriosis have had their quality of life reduced by no fault of their own and for know known cause. This is a very complicated and confusing disease that attacks millions of women across the U.S. and everyone needs to be educated on it so that the sufferers can be supported and a cure can be found.

I recently had the opportunity to join some very supportive and wonderful Endometriosis Awareness Groups on Facebook. All of the women who belong to these groups know exactly what Facebook support groups are for. I see more support and caring in the postings and comments in these groups than anywhere else on Facebook, it is nice to belong to groups that show their purpose and support of their common cause - TO RAISE AWARENESS OF ENDOMETRIOSIS AND TO FIND A CURE NOW!

I would recommend the following groups to anyone who is in need of support, help, advise and friends who understand and know the pain of Endometriosis.

Endo. Survivors Group:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/Endo.SurvivorsGroup/

Endobook:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/EndoBook/

Powerful Sisters Fighting Against Endometriosis:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/308612272530884/

What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a painful, chronic disease that affects at least 6.3 million women and girls in the U.S., 1 million in Canada, and millions more worldwide. It occurs when tissue like that which lines the uterus (tissue called the endometrium) is found outside the uterus – usually in the abdomen on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and ligaments that support the uterus, the area between the vagina and rectum, the outer surface of the uterus, and the lining of the pelvic cavity. Other sites for these endometrial growths may include the bladder, bowel, vagina, cervix, vulva, and in abdominal surgical scars. Less commonly they are found in the lung, arm, thigh, and other locations.

This misplaced tissue develops into growths or lesions which respond to the menstrual cycle in the same way that the tissue of the uterine lining does. Each month the tissue builds up, breaks down, and sheds. Menstrual blood flows from the uterus and out through the vagina, the blood and tissue shed from endometrial growths has no way of leaving the body. This results in internal bleeding, breakdown of the blood , tissue from the lesions and inflammation. Causing pain, infertility, scar tissue, adhesions.

Common Symptoms of Endometriosis

• Pain before and during periods
• Pain with sex
• Infertility
• Fatigue
• Painful urination during periods
• Painful bowel movements during periods
• Other Gastrointestinal upsets such as diarrhea, constipation, nausea, and IBS.
• Allergies or Chemical sensitivities
• Frequent yeast infections

Endometriosis symptoms are not limited to these, nor are they inclusive.

Diagnostic Criteria, Cause & Treatment
Diagnosis is considered uncertain until proven visually by laparoscopy, a typically minor surgical procedure done under anesthesia. A laparoscopy usually shows the location, size, and extent of the growths. This helps the doctor and patient make better treatment choices.

While there are many theories as to what creates the hostile environment in the female human body, there is no certain known cause.

Treatment options vary depending on the physician, the location, size, and extent of the disease, as well as cost. Typical treatments can include the following: surgical laparoscopy (either laparoscope/laparotomy) for the removal of lesions, scar tissue and burns via laser or blade, surgical removal of excessively impaired organs, including portions of the bowel, or a partial or complete hysterectomy, which can be accompanied with medications including either Depo-Lupon, Depo-Provera, oral contraceptives, or other hormonal delivery systems. Personally, I have found that anti-inflammatories and osteopathy techniques have assisted in keeping my endometriosis at bay for the last several years since my last surgery in February 2004.

Awareness – Yellow Ribbons & Brochures
Spread the word! Please wear a yellow ribbon to help spread awareness of this devastating disease! Leave informational brochures about this debilitating condition where women can find it – Hospitals, Pharmacies, Doctor’s offices, Planned Parenthood, Women’s Centres, Welcome Centres, and libraries. Note: always get permission from the local first!

The Endometriosis Association is willing to provide both ribbons & brochures for free upon request. Call the Association at 414-355-2200 or email them at support@EndometriosisAssn.org to order yellow ribbons and our “yellow” brochures on endometriosis. Be sure to include your name and address, which language, and the quantity.

The cost is free, the EA is a charity organization and donations are always welcome to cover the cost of postage.

Source:  http://www.kelliaellis.com/2011/03/28/endo-awareness/

Jacob Hill Is A True Hero & Needs Your Support!

The Resuts Are In:

An update from Jacob's Mom on his blog at:  http://www.jacobhillsjourney.blogspot.com/

I finally met with the doctors and got the word. Jacob's disease is still lingering in his spine. The last two cycles of chemo that he received after they discovered the cancer had become refractory did not work to reduce the tumor. My next meeting was with the doctor leading the Hu3F8 antibody clinical trial. She explained that because Jacob is not NED(no evidence of disease) that he did not qualify for the antibody treatment we were hoping to get him on. Instead, Jacob will be starting the Phase 1 study for another version of these antibodies. Actually he will be the first to receive the highest dose of this treatment that has yet to be administered. The good news is that he'll be getting the maximum dose that's been given the bad news is because this is a phase 1 study they aren't sure how well this works on humans, if at all. The hope is that the antibodies will keep the cancer stable. Not a lot to go on but there is at least still something to be hopeful about. Thanks for the continued thoughts and prayers.

Jacob and his family have been through a lot with more to come and have piled up the expenses as you could imagine. If you can help his family with some of their expenses please do and it would be greatly appreciated by everyone. Your gift would help give Jacob the treatments he needs as well as the support his family needs.

Thank you so much for taking a minute to read Jacob Hill's Journey and for your thoughts and prayers!

 

To contribute to Jacob Hill's Journey? Just click on the "donate" button above. This will take you to Jacob's Fund where you can choose the amount you wish to contribute.

Sacramento Topic, Maloof Family, New Arena & Kings...

Sacramento & Funding Arena With King's Maloof Family!

I don't usually post about sports or the funding of a sports arena but today I came across an article about the funding of the new sports arena for Sacramento, CA. I feel this is important because it involves the entire state, a state that has continued to cut the budgets of unemployment benefits, public schools, food stamp programs, Social Security, Medi-Cal benefits and several other programs that are depended on by many families that are unemployed due to job cuts, for the necessities needed to survive while on unemployment benefits that are running out all at the same time that taxes are being increased.

It is estimated that nearly $400,000,000 is what is will cost to build a new sports arena for the Sacramento Kings and other venues. The Kings are owned by the Maloof Family, George Maloof Sr. being a founder of the city of Las Vegas and owner of the Palms Hotel bringing in a $50,000,000 profit each year. The family owns other sports teams as well as being the biggest share holders of Wells Fargo Bank.

The Maloofs have been asking the city to build a new arena for many years now and the city has requested that the Maloofs pay a portion of the costs which is about $90,000,000. This is the reason the arena has not been built because the Maloof Family believes the city should pay all of the costs to build the arena.

This is where my opinion comes in.

There is nothing wrong with the arena the Kings are using now, ARCO Arena, which in fact the Maloofs own part of it at this time. It has hosted the Kings for years and many other venues from Disney on Ice to Monster Truck Rallies. I am not understanding the need for a new arena in a city that can not afford to help the general public let alone build an multi-million dollar sports arena.

The arean should be paid by private funds if it must be built and at this time the big push is coming from the Kings owners the Maloofs. It's simple, if they want a pretty new place to sit and watch their basketball team play than they should pay for the building.

I don't know what will come out of today's "funding talks" which include the mayor of Sacramento, a representative for the NBA and of course the Maloofs themselves plus many other people who probably have better things to do today rather than fly to Florida of all places for a two hour talk about funding a sports arena. I'm just curious who paid for the trip and why Florida considering Sacramento and Vegas are both on the West Coast?

For information on the Maloof Family see the following link: http://www.whoownsvegas.com/m.html

For more information on the arena and Sacramento see this link: http://blogs.sacbee.com/city-beat/2012/02/source-maloof-contribution-focus-of-sacramento-arena-talks.html and see the comments on the article at this link, they are interesting to say the least.