Our Delaware Valley Podcast

From the Leukemia and Lymphona Society Eastern PA - Delaware, Annette Weidenfeld, Campaign Director, and Bill Bulat, Campaign Development Manager, and volunteer Andie Summers, host of the Andie Summers Show on Beasely Media Group's 92.5 XTU, discussed their mission, to cure blood cancers and diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.  They spoke of the research dollars generated by LLS and the importance of their research for other cancers, their programs that offer counseling and referrals to patients and peer support for their families and caregivers.  Finally, we discussed fundraisers including the annual Big Climb and our own Team Luke, and the Man and Woman of the Year, pitting volunteer candidates against each other to raise dollars for LLS. Andie, whose sister received advice and support from LLS, is a candidate and encourages all to 'vote' for her through donations!   

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Mary Ann Murtha returns to discuss the work of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide and their mission, to reduce death by suicide by 20% by 2025.  She discussed the warning signs of suicide and tells us to start the conversation - ask if someone is showing signs.  She spoke of their  programming for those in crisis, their peer counseling services for survivors and those who have lost someone to suicide, and their advocacy work, from gun safety measures to ennacting and funding a national 3-digit hotline.  Get involved, volunteer, donate or join in at The Out of the Darkness Walk, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's signature fundraising series, for family and friends and survivors, or a Campus walks to engage youth and young adults in the fight to prevent suicide, the second leading cause of death among people ages 15-24.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911, in crisis call the 24 hour helpline at1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. Learn more at AFSP.org

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Kim Andrews, Executive Director of Shofuso, Historic Japanese House and Garden and the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia, discussed the historic property and the programs offered by the Japan American Society.

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Martha Lucy, Deputy Director for Research, Interpretation, and Education, discussed the Barnes, its founder and history and its unique relationship with the artist Chaim Soutine, now featured in the current exhibit Soutine / de Kooning: Conversations in Paint.  The exhibition, produced in association with the Musee D'Orsay, makes its only US appearance at the Barnes through August 8.  She discussed founder Dr Barnes's early support for Soutine and how the museum allowed de Kooning the opportunity to see the vast collection.  She spoke on the challenges of putting the exhib together during a pandemic when travel was forbidden and the great honor and world recognition the foundation has recieved through it.  

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Dr. Arnold Baskies, Chairman, American Cancer Society Global Cancer Control Advisory Council and Past Chair, American Cancer Society National Board.

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Sam Lemheney, Chief of Shows and Events at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and director for the strategy, planning, and execution of the annnual Philadelphia Flower Show is our guest.   We discussed the history of PHS and its work within the Valley to reduce vacant spaces, provide tree canopies and natural areas in underserved areas, sponsor food growing and sharing and job training for the recent incarcerated before we discussed this year’s outdoor show which kicks off June 5 at FDR Park.  The eight day event will draw visitors from all across the country, and provide a major boost to the hospitality industry in food, transportation, hotel and other attractions.  Due to travel restrictions this year’s show will feature all  US vendors and exhibitors and the theme, Habitat: Nature’s Masterpiece, will be gardener friendly and emphasize environmental practices.  There will be distinct areas featuring gardening, design and plants, with new food and merchandise vendors in each area.  Sam spoke about improvements PHS will be making to the park that will help with the large permanent renovations planned by the city.   The event will begin with a Member’s Day sneak peek on June 4th, the annual gala the evening of June 5th and a Flowers After Hours dance party June 12th.  Tickets will be timed for safety’s sake.   For more information about programming, educational opportunities, membership and Flower Show details go to PHSONLINE.org.

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Sean Kelly, Senior Vice President, Director of Interpretation, described the nation’s most historic prison, Eastern State Peniteniary.  Quaker built for penitence, then shifting to a mass communal prison in the 1920s as American ideas of punishment and rehabilitation changed.  Eastern State uses its preservation, interpretation, and public programs will move visitors to engage in dialogue and deepen the national conversation about criminal justice as today the US incarcerates more citizens than any other country.  He spoke of the art and interpretation exhibits such as The Searchlight Series and Prisons and the Pandemic, and through exhibits like The Big Graph and Prisons Today and their plans for new site-specific art installations.  He invites us to visit by advance reservation, and described the upcoming night tours, refurnished Al Capone’s cell, and the pop-up beer garden on the penitentiary’s baseball field. Grab a local craft beer, and get the conversation started with special presentations by historic site staff.    Visit EASTERNSTATE.ORG

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Postal Inspector George Clark discusses the law enforcement arm of the United States Postal Service, their crime solving and crime prevention work and how you can help fight Consumer Fraud.  We talk about the history of the unit, its agents and their role in investigating crime on te Federal level.  Prompted by Consumer Fraud Week Inspector Clark discussed various frauds against us, including romance and work-at-home schemes, money laundering and lotteries.  Our take away, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.  Never jump on an offer or react without researching and consulting others.

Call 1-877-876-2455. Visit www.uspis.gov to report suspected fraud online. To learn more about mail fraud or to report suspected fraud, visit the U.S. Postal Inspection Web site at www.uspis.gov.

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Larry Dubinsky, President and CEO of the Franklin Institute discussed the venerable science insatitution, nearing its 200th anniversary.  As with other Philadelphia museums and cultural orgaizations, COVID 19 closures has affected its bottom line, esecialy hurt by the lack of government funding.  He notes that while they get a small sum each year from the state, they are otherwise funded through grants and admission, unclike their counterparts in other US cities and across the world.  Although the institute itself has been shut for most of the year, its mission has continued through online programming, exhibits and educational opportunities.  Now reopened, its first exhibit is an interactive display co-produced with Crayola, the Crayola IDEAworks: The Creativity Exhibition, where you deveolp your creativity and imagination in activities and problem solving.  The exhibit, which includes reporting from the moon, building with pool noodles and even designing a t-shirt,  is fun and educational for all ages.   Mr Dubinski spoke on the other exhibits, the Fels Planetarium, the Changing Earth natural science wing and of course, the famous heart and Baldwin locomotive.  At their website families can plan their visit, educators can download lesson plans, and all can enjoy programs such as FI Chief Astronomer Derrick Pitts Night Sky videos.

Visit online at fi.edu

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Mary Ann Murtha, Area Director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, discussed the work of the Foundation and mental health during the shutdown.  She discussed the impact os isolation on young people, where deaths by suicide are climbing, and signs to look for.  She offered tips for reliving stress and suggestions for having that converaation with friends and family when you, or they, are struggling.

If YOU are struggling, or know someone who is, text TALK to 741741

AFSP.org

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