Help Patients with Cancer

Sergey M. 39, Moscow Region, Russia.

I have been sick with Hodgkins lymphoma since 1997. I have gone through chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and stem cells transplantation. I have had 2 relapses. After the third relapse, doctors in Russia told me that there was no more hope for remission in my case and suggested palliative treatment. Only very advanced, cutting-edge (and also very expensive) treatment abroad could be helpful in my case. 

I have found out about the Advita Fund from another patient who by then had received a very substantial help from this fund. I contacted Advita and also got my lucky chance. I received a very advanced treatment in USA, which would be absolutely impossible without financial and information support form Advita. if you could help Advita financially, then this fund would able to support even more patients who need help.

Elena, 41, Togliatti, Samara Region, Russia. 

In 2008. I was diagnosed with breast cancer with metastases to the lungs. 
I took 5 lines of chemotherapy (1st 7 courses, 2nd 6 courses, 3rd 6 courses, 4th 6 courses, 5th 12 courses). A neighbor in the ward gave me the address of Marina Quano and I asked her for help. Throughout the year, with her assistants Marina is actively engaged in my problem. She picks me for possible clinical studies, consults with doctors from other countries on the treatment strategy and the required additional tests, reports on new developments in medical oncology by means of articles from technical journals, providing psychological support without ignoring any one of my letter or request, always timely and accurate answers to questions.

I want to thank all the members of your organization and especially Marina Quano for skilled and efficient work, for the assistance needed by many cancer patients and myself. Thank you very much. I wish your organization’s future development and prosperity. Sincerely, Elena.

Advita Fund USA helps Cancer Patients in Russia and former Soviet Union republics get access to best treatments by assisting with accessing doctors in countries like United States, Germany, Italy, and many others. Many patients got another chance at LIFE by receiving the treatment that they would not be able to get in their home countries.

Help us raise money this Mother’s Day for all the Moms who have been diagnosed with Cancer. Their only chance for survival is getting treatment outside of their home country. By supporting Advita Fund USA this Father’s Day, we are not only giving them a chance to live, but also allowing their children to live a happy life with their Moms. More information on Advita Fund USA can be found on www.advitausa.org

Thank you for your support!

                                   Click on the heart above to Enter the Drawing.

Enter the Drawing by Advita Fund USA to WIN a Diamond Heart Pendant.

Advita Fund USA is a Houston-based non-profit organization, which helps Children with Cancer in developing countries receive the treatment that is not available to them to save their lives. Since 2007, Advita Fund USA has helped many kids in countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, and other former Soviet republics to get proper diagnosis and receive treatment in countries such as U.S., Germany, Israel, and many more.

A $10 Donation will give you one entry into the drawing. 

The Drawing be held on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. EST.

Deadline to enter is Friday, March 30, 2012 by Midnight EST.

One lucky winner will receive a 9 sparkling white diamonds set on this beautiful diamond heart pendant crafted in .925 sterling silver and featuring sparkling white diamonds, G-H color, SI1-SI2 clarity. The pendant hangs from an 18 inch chain also crafted in .925 sterling silver.

The contest is being hosted by Crowdrise, a non-profit social network started by actor-activist Edward Norton.

For more information and to enter the contest visit us at http://www.crowdrise.com/advitaheart

The contest is only for donors living in the United States.

Thank you and Good Luck!

Advita Fund USA is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), tax-exempt organization.

By Clinton Misamore - Program Field Officer

My name is Clinton Misamore.  I serve as the Field Program Officer for GlobalGiving.  Over the past three months I have been visiting GlobalGiving projects throughout Russia.  On June 2nd, 2011, I had the unique opportunity to visit with the Advita Fund country staff.   I was also fortunate enough to be given a tour of the medical research and treatment center where Advita Fund works in collaboration with the hospitals doctors and nurses to help treat sick patients.

After speaking with Advita Fund USA as well as their country staff in St. Petersburg, it was clear that the work this organization is engaging in comes from the heart and produces significant deliverables for the cancer victims.  In addition to sourcing bone marrow donors, Advita Fund also engages in a range of other high impact activities including but not limited to the following:

- Buying medications for cancer patients

-Donating supplies to the hospitals

-Subsiziing patient treatment not covered by insurance 

-Paying accommodation expenses for out-of-town patients 

-Altering the mentality of how sick people are perceived

-Passionately improving livelihoods— one by one

The work that Advita Fund is implementing is of great value.  It was an amazing personal experience to find out more about the impact that these bone marrow transplates can have and I was extremely pleased to see just how developed Advita Fund truly is.  They are a well established organization and highly regarded within the NGO community in Russia regarding cancer treatment. Thanks again to Marina, Pavel, and everyone else who made this visit possible. GlobalGiving is proud to be in collaboration with such a top notch organization and we look forward to working with you in the years to come.  
http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/bone-marrow-donor-searches/

Men From Russia, Ukraine In Upstate For Drug Trial

Wish them luck and long life free of cancer.

Francis Ford Coppola, Woody Allen, Sophia Loren, Isabella Rossellini, Carol Bouquet, Orlando Bloom… what looks like a line-up of VIP guests to an A-list film festival turned out to be a roster of participants of a charity concert in Moscow.

An army of celebrities has descended on the Russian capital to help raise money for children with cancer and eye conditions. 

The event held behind closed doors saw Hollywood stars donating presents and money certificates to doctors and children with cancer and eye problems. 

Among those given support, according to RIA news agency, was Vladimir Polyakov, Deputy Director of the Institute of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology of the Russian Cancer Research Center, named after Blokhin.

The medical worker picked up $106,000 from one of France’s brightest stars, Carol Bouquet, who runs her own children’s charity foundation in France.

“My granddaughter, Dasha, was born a month ago. Her mother is Russian. So all Russian children are now members of my family,” the actress explained.

Her British counterpart, the star of The Lord of the Rings, Orlando Bloom, handed out his present to a little patient of an eye clinic, Artyom.

The 34-year-old actor who has recently become a father himself was quoted as saying that there is nothing more important than children, and protecting them is a must. 

Among those who made donations were Sophia Loren, Isabella Rossellini and Jeremy Irons.   

Russian Minister of Culture Aleksandr Avdeev also thanked celebrated Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli who gave $106,000 to an eye clinic in St Petersburg for helping Russian children.

The highlight of the charity concert was a performance from one of the world’s most renowned filmmakers, the man behind Annie Hall, Woody Allen.

A versatile comedian, actor, playwright and screenwriter, Allen made his name as a passionate jazz clarinet player, performing since he was a teenager.

Great article on what to say to people who are sick. Many times we feel awkward and afraid to say the wrong things. Usually, the words that come out of our mouths are banal phrases, which we heard people say on Television or from other people. This article is great about discussing these issues.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/12/fashion/what-to-say-to-someone-whos-sick-this-life.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=health

Source:

PARIS — Russian tennis player Alisa Kleybanova, who celebrated her 22nd birthday on Friday, has been diagnosed with cancer.

Kleybanova, the world number 28, is suffering from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

“It’s my birthday today and I want to thank all of you for the wonderful messages. I haven’t written anything for a long time about why I haven’t been on tour, so that’s why I’m writing this today,” she said in a statement.

“It’s not an easy time for me right now. I’ve been a bit unlucky with my health. I have Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a form of cancer.

“I’ve been having treatment in Italy and it has been going well, but it takes lots of patience and I’ve had to be really strong to get through this. The good news is after I do treatment for a few more months, if I feel well, there’s a chance I’ll be able to play tennis again.

“I really miss playing - I miss seeing fans and friends around the world, I miss hitting the ball, I miss everything. Tennis has been my life for the last 15 years.”

The Moscow-based player reached a career high of 20 after the Dubai tournament in February, but illness forced her to pull out of the French Open and Wimbledon.

Kleybanova has collected two WTA titles — at Kuala Lumpur in 2010 and in Seoul in 2008 with her best Grand Slam performances coming at Wimbledon in 2008 and the Australian Open in 2009, where she reached the fourth round on both occasions.

The Fed Cup team member is undergoing treatment in the Italian city of Perugia.

“There are a few reasons I’m undergoing treatment in Italy. First, I have a training base and many close friends here, so it’s like home,” she said.

“Second, they have a really great hospital here that specializes in this problem; I’ve been going there since the problem started, so the doctors know me well. It’s the best place for me to be - the surroundings help me stay strong.

“This is the toughest time in my life, and I hope it always stays the toughest time in my life. I’m sure I’ll be able to overcome this - it’s just a matter of patience and time. When this is over, everything will be even better than before.

“I won’t be on tour for a little while, but I will see you all again soon.”

The WTA praised Kleybanova’s courage.

“The thoughts of the WTA and the entire tennis family are with Alisa and her family at this difficult time,” said a WTA statement.

“Alisa is a very strong and optimistic person and we wish her a speedy and full recovery.”

Fellow players also sent their best wishes to the Russian.

“Just learnt Alisa Kleybanova, my partner in junior Wimbledon that we won together, has been diagnosed with cancer…praying for her to recover,” tweeted India’s Sania Mirza, who won the junior doubles with the Russian at Wimbledon in 2003.

Copyright © 2011 AFP. All rights reserved

Great Book on Marketing your Nonprofit Organization. Great cost-effective strategies for any nonprofit. Check it out.

The Nonprofit Marketing Guide: High-Impact, Low-Cost Ways to Build Support for Your Good Cause (The Jossey-Bass Nonprofit Guidebook Series)

Summer is the time when most of us will take a week or two and go on vacation to relax, have fun, and build memories.   And research shows it is a great way to stay healthy too.  But for our patients, a trip abroad could mean something entirely different: a chance to continue fighting for their lives that is not available at home. 

This summer an exciting opportunity was created for lymphoma patients who did not respond to standard treatment.  An expanded access study was opened by a manufacturer of a new targeted medication that has shown great results in prior studies.  Since late May, two young men, both named Sergei, came to the US from Moscow and a small Ukrainian town to access this drug. They are now in Greenville, South Carolina.  The young men received a very warm welcome from the hospital and the local community, and were even taped for the TV station.  Click here to watch the story.  

And next week, a vascular surgeon diagnosed with a brain tumor a year ago will travel to the US from Kazan, Russia.  First, he will come to Houston, to have his blood drawn for a clinical study at Baylor College of Medicine.  The researchers will separate lymphocytes in his blood and train them to attack brain tumor cells.  Since the process takes several months, the patient will use that time to go to another study in New York City.  There the doctors will insert skinny tubes inside his arteries to deliver medication directly on the tumor and avoid “blood-brain” barrier.  Although this patient has a tumor that is considered universally fatal, he is fighting hard to beat the odds.   And we are helping him and others make it a reality.

Our non-profit exists to help patients overcome barriers to effective new medications.  With your help, we will be able to give hope to more patients so they can continue fighting for their lives.  Our most pressing needs are:

• Helping cover lodging expenses for several patients treated in the US and Europe.
• Helping patients pay for imaging studies, tests, and other procedures.