Hey Ladies, want to see how to participate in Beardvember? Check out this great picture of Paola Pardo! She’s really got it going on here! Thanks, Paola!
Hairy Fact of the Day
The goals of treatment for myeloma patients are to reduce symptoms, to slow disease progression and to provide prolonged remissions. There have been many significant treatment advances in recent years and treatment options continue to evolve. The goals of research for myeloma treatment are to develop curative therapies and to decrease the side effects of treatment.
Mario Mendoza at day 16! Looking like Beardvember has taken over Mario’s face. Keep up the great work, Mario!
Beardvember’s Wes Wynn. Truly, an inspired Beard. Here’s what Wes has to say about Beardvember:
“Hey guys I have been telling everyone that asks me why I am growing a beard after they say is it for no shave november, I tell them no, it’s actually for BEARDVEMBER! Of course they say I have never heard of that, then I segway into the people that I grow it for and where they can go to see me on the web and make donations… LET’S GET THAT GOAL!!”
Thanks for all that you’re doing, Wes!! You inspire us all!
Beardvember welcomes Sam Beecher! While the month is halfway over, Beardvember is always encouraged by those who want to join at any point.
Sam has pledged to raise money, raise awareness, and raise hope. Help Sam today! Visit www.beardvember.com to learn more!
Hairy Fact of the Day
Bone pain is the most common early symptom of myeloma. Most patients feel pain in their back or ribs, but it can occur in any bone. The pain is usually constant and made worse by movement… Slightly increased activity, such as coughing and minor falls or injuries, can also result in broken bones and cause pain.
Patients may experience repeated infections because the antibodies they need tofight invading viruses, bacteria or other disease agents are not made efficientlyand in adequate numbers. A urinary tract, bronchial, lung, skin or other type ofinfection may be the first sign of the disease. In addition, recurrent infections maycomplicate the course of the disease.
Hairy Fact of the Day
Myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow. It is estimated that20,520 new cases of myeloma will be diagnosed in 2011. Although myeloma isincurable, this is a very hopeful time for patients. Dramatic advancements in newtreatments over the past decade are resulting in better overall survival, allowingmany patients to maintain a good quality of life for years. An estimated 74,800people in the United States are living with, or are in remission from, myeloma.
From: the Leukemia & Lymphoma Resource Center linked athttp://www.lls.org/content/nationalcontent/resourcecenter/freeeducationmaterials/myeloma/pdf/myeloma.pdf
Beardvember’s Michael Leibowitz is seen here 15 days in! Nice work, Michael!
Michael has been a very active participant in Beardvember, raising money and raising awareness. We thank Michael for his continued participation. Keep up the great work!
Here is James Price! James is dedicating his beard to his dad, Steve, who is a cancer survivor! We are proud to have James on the Beardvember team and thank him for sharing his face for a great cause!
Paola Pardo has pledged to keep on growing his beard through the end of the month to support awareness of the importance of early detection and to promote fundraising to help the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society find a cure for blood cancers.
Join Paola and Donate through our direct page with the LLS!
Hairy Fact of the Day
In 2011 it is estimated that 20,520 people will be diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. It is estimated that 2011 will see 10,610 deaths attributable to that blood cancer.
From: American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2011. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2011
What Inspires You?
Evalyn Merrick has been battling Multiple Myeloma, in one form or another, for more than 20 years.
Please help us reach our goal by donating $25 now to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through our Beardvember team page - Click Here!
With steadfast optimism, strength, courage and love, Evalyn has been an inspiration to all those who know her; but Evalyn’s story could not be so positive were it not for constant research and new developments. Her hope, and the hope of her family and friends, rests on funding to hire researchers, finance clinical trials, and support efforts to ultimately find a cure to this and all blood cancers.
Read more about Evalyn’s incredible battle: www.beardvember.com/evalyn
Evalyn, and the thousands of cancer patients who continue to remain hopeful and inspire us all, can’t fight these diseases alone. Help inspire hope by supporting research and education efforts by donating to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society today.
Donate $25 now! Click here to be directly linked to the special Leukemia & Lymphoma Society website set up for Beardvember.
Hairy Fact of the Day
Survival rates vary substantially by leukemia type, ranging from a 5-year relative survival of 24% for patients diagnosed with AML to 80% for those with CLL. Advances in treatment have resulted in a dramatic improvement in survival over the past three decades for most types of leukemia. From 1975-1977 to 1999-2006, the 5year relative survival rate for ALL increased from 42% to 66% overall and from 58% to 89% among children. In large part due to the discovery of the targeted cancer drug Gleevec, 5-year survival rates for CML have increased from 33% for cases diagnosed during 1990-1992 to 55% for those diag¬nosed during 1999-2006.
From: American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2011. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2011
Hairy Fact of the Day
Chemotherapy is the most effective method of treating leukemia. Various anticancer drugs are used, either in combination or as single agents… Antibiotics and transfusions of blood components are used as supportive treatments. Under appropriate conditions, stem cell transplantation may be useful in treating certain types of leukemia.
From: American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2011. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2011
Hairy Fact of the Day
Leukemia can be difficult to diagnose early because symptoms often resemble those of other, less serious conditions. When a physician does suspect leukemia, diagnosis can be made using blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy.
From: American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2011. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2011
