Our Delaware Valley Podcast

Shaun Gines, Senior Community Manager for the American Cancer Society and Gina McAleese, Senior Community Manager for Making Strides discussed breast cancer and the Society's programming.  We talked numbers, it's the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women, but death rates are decreasing in part due to their work in screening.  We discussed the disparity in treatment and death rates for women of color and ways to prevent it through diet, exercise and avoiding alcohol and tobacco.   They noted they are a leading funder, second only to the US government, in supporting research with over 69 million in breast cancer research alone, a dedication to new projects until they become eligible for major funding.  Gina spoke about local programming that includes Road to Recovery volunteer rides to treatment, their Hope Lodges for patients receiving treatment away from home and their wig fittings, offering free wigs to patients.

We also discussed upcoming Making Strides events to support their work, including a televised 'Virtually YOUNITED' broadcast on ABC and Telemundo October 15th, a Pink Car Parade in at the 76ers Fieldhouse October 25th and this year's virtual Making Strides for Greater Philadelphia and South New Jersey on October 15th.  We are encouraged to form a team, or join as an individual, and drive, walk or even jog in support of Making Strides.

In addition to the virtual events, men in leadership roles are being solicited to wear pink during October to show support and to raise awareness - and funds - for Making Strides.  Real Men Wear Pink is an annual 'bragging rights' competition that give valuable support to breast cancer awareness and funding for programming and research.

To speak with someone at anytime, 24/7, call 800-ACS-2345, or visit CANCER.ORG.  For Making Strides go to MAKINGSTRIDESWALK.ORG/DELAWARE or MAKINGSTRIDESWALK.ORG

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Wendy R. Lewis, MNPL, Executive Director, and Scott Larson, Board Member and living with Parkinson’s discussed the Parkinson Council, the premier local organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s, care partners, and families in the Delaware Valley region, and their upcoming event, STAMP OUT PARKINSON’S on October 17th.  We began with a discussion about Parkinson’s, a disease often misdiagnosed.  The initial symptoms are often written off as a natural part of aging, but it is actually the result of a deficiency of dopamine, the reasons unknown, although it is most often diagnosed in white older men, a group more likely to have consistent medical oversight.   Scott, who believes it to be hereditary because of his mother’s diagnosis, described his own difficulty in getting a diagnosis, a common problem. We spoke about the programs offered by the council, peer groups, innovative exercise classes and research grants.  Both emphasized that their peers and clients were ‘living’ with Parkinson’s, and spoke of the programs offered locally by the council.

www.theparkinsoncouncil.org

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Elena Popchock of  the National Constitution Center discussed the new exhibit, The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote commemorating the centennial anniversary of voting rights for women.  She described how the exhibit traces the struggles that led to the ratification of the 19th Amendment, beginning with the few rights allowed women and the many they were denied at marriage, including property and child custody.  She talked about the founders Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Alice Paul, and Ida B. Wells at Seneca Falls, the path through ratification; including the foundation of the movement with abolitionists, and how their success lost lead to a pervasive racism within the movement.  Finally, the ongoing struggle after ratification, for equal rights, and for women of color, the rights guaranteed by the 19th Ammendment.  She described the collection of empemera and how to attend the workshops, town hals and access the teaching guides that follow the exhibit.

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Cindy Messerle, Chief Executive Officer Lupus Foundation of America, Philadelphia Tri-State Chapter, discussed the common, yet often-misdiagnosed, disease and how the COVID 19 pandemic has affected patients and the Foundation's services.  She noted that isolation is nothing new to those with the disease, as it’s an immuno-system disease they must avoid crowds during flu or other infectious outbreaks, but the misinformation about common Lupus treatment drugs as a COVID cure and preventative, has spiked anxiety for their own supply of the drug,   She shared information about resources and their programming, as well as details about the upcoming 12th Annual Walk to End Lupus Now Delaware, now a live streamed, virtual, event that will take place on 10.10.20 at 11am.

LUPUS.org

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Arlethia Brown, School Nutrition Director, Camden School District discussed the program she oversees for the district, including preparing and serving meals through lunch and breakfast programs, in afterschool programs, at athletic events and school catered events.  She described her responsibilities during the pandemic, when students are not on campus, she and her staff have been preparing food boxes for delivery to families within the district.  Ms Brown told how she plans the offerings, knowing that kids can easily buy junk food at local shops, and how she incorporates nutrition education into her programs, for students and for families receiving her meals.  Beyond her dedicated staff, she spoke of all of the strategic  partnerships that help make the program possible, from local manufactures, to the American Dairy Association who provides refrigerators and drink machines, and we discussed how everyone loves cheese and ice-cream!  Finally, a reminder of the food insecurity many students and their families face, the importance of nutritional food for wellness and productivity, on the job and in the classroom, and the importance of increasing those resource.

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Mary Ann Murtha, Area Director, Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the 
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, discussed the effects of COVID 19 and isolation on mental health. One in five of us will experience a mental health issue, from the blues to full depression, Mary Ann spoke of the AFSP's mission to end the stigma and to make help more readily available to reduce the risk of suicide.  She encouraged us to reach out to friends, learn the signs and ask questions, and she offered resources for help, the 24/7 hotline, text 741741 and their online programming.  She offered tips on ways to cope with isolation and ways to reassure and protect our kids.  

The Out of the Darkness Walk are a big part of AFSP’s fundraising and a great way to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention in our local communities, this year it will be a virtual walk, online and in your neighborhood, on October 4th.  Form a team, fundraise and walk when you can, and join AFSP for a virtual celebration October 4th.

AFSP.org

HELP IS AVAILABLE 24/7 AT THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE AT 1-800-273-TALK OR TEXT “TALK” TO 741741.

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Edward Lafferty, Public Affairs Specialist for the Social Security Administration discussed the latest news from the agency and how they are coping with the pandemic.  the take-away, it's business as usual!

SSA.gov

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Jason Plaia, Director of Community Development for the American Cancer Society, Gina McAleese, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Community Manager for Making Strides of Delaware and Making Strides of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, and Dr. Tim Dambro, American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Ambassador & Volunteer, and Radiologist at Delaware Imaging Network, discussed the American Cancer Society’s work in research and direct programming towards eradicating breast and other cancers and their upcoming fundraising and awareness campaign, Making Strides.   We discussed breast cancer statistics, in 2020 you can expect 276,000 new cases in women and more than 42,000 deaths,  with 960 new cases predicted for Delaware, 12,180 in PA and 8,260 in New Jersey; the research dollars dedicated to it by the American Society, and Dr. Dambro’s concerns that women have been putting off annual screenings in fear of COVID 19.    We also discussed the other affects of the pandemic, reduced fundraising, and their efforts in producing this year’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, their celebration of patients, survivors and caregivers and a vital part of their funding .  Gina discussed this year’s virtual events and asked us to sign up, encouraging us to join them for the virtual kick-off August 13th.  To kick start the totals they also offered information about the Real Men Wear Pink campaign, where men of all ages volunteer to discuss their commitment and raise funds for Making Strides.

For more information about programs and services visit cancer.org. and to join the upcoming events,  makingstrides.org and realmenwearpink.org

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Author and Public Relations expert Sharla Feldsher, discussed keeping cooped-up kids engaged and learning with tips from her latest book, KidFun activity book, offering fun things to do with items on hand.  She suggests having your kids paint the neighborhood with water and a brush, share stories about a toy, or even an item of clothing you love.  All activities are free and use things found around the house.  Sharla shared her path to public relations and writing, starting as a kindergarten teacher, she turned a volunteer position at a local children’s museum into a communications career, then realized that the kid fun activities she was sharing on TV and at baseball home games, were great for any parent or guardian.  Her tips can help parents share stories about their life and experiences, teach simple lessons, and entertain children for hours, alone or with friends and siblings.   Get the books, videos and more ideas at KidFunandmore.com

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Anna Dhody, Museum Director of The Mutter Museum of the College of Physicians described the ‘Disturbingly Informed’ goal of the institution. 

The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, founded in 1787, is one of the oldest professional medical organizations in the country. Twenty-four physicians of 18th-century Philadelphia gathered "to advance the science of medicine and to thereby lessen human misery." Today, nearly 1,500 Fellows (elected members) continue to convene at the College and work toward better serving the public.

Throughout its 227-year history, the museum has provided a place for both medical professionals and the general public to learn about medicine as both a science and as an art, an entertaining lesson!  America's finest museum of medical history, the Mütter Museum displays its beautifully preserved collections of anatomical specimens, models, and medical instruments in a nineteenth-century "cabinet museum" setting to help visitors understand the mysteries and beauty of the human body and appreciate the history of diagnosis and treatment of disease.  For museum hours, exhibition information and online programs, go to muttermuseum.org .

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