Author chronicles life with fibrosing mediastinitis, how faith has helped her persevere

WAVERLY, Iowa - In 2002, Rebecca Lalk was diagnosed with a rare disease: fibrosing mediastinitis. A rare disease, doctors gave Lalk only 10 years to live. After beating their estimates, Lalk faced some new challenges from the disease and decided to transform her journals into a memoir in case the worst should happen.

"I'll Take My Disease Rare Please: My Journey with Fibrosing Mediastinitis" (published by WestBow Press) is the story of Lalk's fight and how her faith in God has sustained her, even in the darkest of times. The search for answers, never giving up and putting trust in God are the core values around which the memoir revolves.

Written with her children in mind, "I'll Take My Disease Rare Please" is Lalk's journey of hope to pass on to her family and to those who are also struggling with disease.

"I wanted my kids to know how hard I fought and how as long as they have trust in God, everything will be okay, even if it doesn't feel like it in the moment," Lalk says.  "I wanted them to see through my life, how God worked and turned some extremely difficult challenges, into amazing blessings later on in my life. And for them to see how much I would have missed out on...if I would have given up my fight."

"I'll Take My Disease Rare Please"

By Rebecca Lalk

Hardcover | 5.5 x 8.5 in | 128 pages | ISBN 9781512707403

Softcover | 5.5 x 8.5 in | 128 pages | ISBN 9781512707397

E-Book | 128 pages | ISBN 9781512707380

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Rebecca Lalk grew up in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and currently works for Bremer County. Her husband, Tim manages and operates the family cattle business and they have four children. In 2002, Lalk was diagnosed with an extremely rare and life-threatening disease?fibrosing mediastinitis. She currently resides in Waverly, Iowa and shares her daily health challenges and triumphs on her blog at Rebecca1010.com.

###

2014-15 STEM Scale-Up programs reached more than 100,000 preK-12 youth in the state

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - Today, the Iowa Governor's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Advisory Council released a nationwide invitation for STEM programs to compete for a unique partnership that allows them to 'scale' across Iowa during the 2016-17 academic year.

Each year, the STEM Council cost-shares with STEM program providers to deliver the programs to more than 2,000 educators both in and out of the classroom at little or no cost. Results from the 2014-15 Iowa STEM Evaluation report show that STEM Scale-Up programs have impacted more than 100,000 preK-12 youth from rural to urban settings and across gender, age, race and ethnicity. On average, students who participate in STEM Scale-Up programs score roughly 6 percentage points higher in mathematics and science on the Iowa Assessments.

"Iowa's STEM Scale-Up program was conceived by leaders on the STEM Council as a means for leveling the playing field across our state and bringing top-quality STEM to PreK-12 learners regardless of their zip code," said STEM Council Executive Director Dr. Jeff Weld. "Now entering year five of the initiative, outstanding program partners have equipped and inspired thousands of educators to ignite the dreams of a quarter million young Iowans in STEM."

The current STEM Scale-Up programs will be asked to reapply alongside other potential new partners who will compete for a spot on the 2016-17 menu of offerings that Iowa's educators can apply for in the spring. Selected programs will demonstrate through their proposals clear evidence of success in increasing student interest and achievement in STEM, as well as inspiring children of diverse backgrounds and abilities by driving connections with business and industry.

For the second year in a row, the STEM Council will partner with the national STEM organization, Change the Equation, that works to build a national registry of exemplary STEM programs, known as the STEMworks Database. The partnership enables applicants to submit simultaneously for STEMworks listing and Iowa's STEM Scale-Up menu. They will be evaluated through Change the Equation's rigorous Design Principles for effectiveness as well as additional state-specific criteria to assess their readiness to expand in Iowa.

"Change the Equation is honored to help the STEM Council identify the most effective STEM programs for its STEM Scale-Up initiative," said Change the Equation CEO Linda Rosen. "Corporate America has long been a leader in its focus on effective STEM programs that deliver a return on the investment. The collaboration between Change the Equation and the STEM Council embodies this critical principle."

The most competitive proposals, which may come from a variety of sources, including academic institutions, nonprofit organizations or the private sector, will be those that are clearly evidence-based, well-planned, targeting areas of need in Iowa and readily scalable across the state. The proposal form is located at http://changetheequation.org/stemworks_application/how-it-works/ia.php and must be submitted by 5:00 pm on Monday, December 7, 2015.

###

About the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council

Established in July 2011 via Governor's Executive Order, the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council is a public-private partnership of educators, companies, and Iowa students and families addressing policies and programs designed to improve Iowa's educational system focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The STEM Council works to engage and prepare students for a career-ready workforce path, regain the state's historic leadership position in education and provide a vital competitive economic advantage now, and for the future, to ensure that every Iowa student has access to world-class STEM education opportunities. The 47-member STEM Council is chaired by Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and Kemin Industries President and CEO Dr. Chris Nelson. For more information, visit www.IowaSTEM.gov.

About Change the Equation

Change the Equation works at the intersection of business and education to ensure that all students are STEM literate by collaborating with schools, communities, and states to adopt and implement excellent STEM policies and programs. CTEq's coalition of members are working toward universal STEM literacy by advocating for state policies and practices that are known to produce STEM-literate high school graduates; ensuring high standards for all students; and supporting evidence-based high quality STEM learning programs.

Davenport, Iowa - We like it when you can't keep a secret . . . and this is a secret we must share.   The growing needs of many seniors throughout the Quad City area is growing.  And with the upcoming holiday season, many older adults spend the holidays alone, in their homes with little to no friend or family support.

It's estimated that more than 50% of adults report feeling lonely during the holiday season.  This feeling can be intensified for older adults who have lost loved ones over the years.  Many seniors report not leaving their homes and not receiving any visitors or gifts during the holiday season.

At The Center for Active Seniors, Inc. (CASI), we see many older adults whose gift list consists of everyday household and personal care items such as laundry soap, socks, pajamas or new under garments. They are not looking for extravagant gifts costing hundreds of dollars. They are hoping for items of everyday comfort and care as well as the warm feelings brought by spending time with those who care for them.

We need your help.  In partnership with Quad City area Walgreens, CASI, Milestones Area Agency on Aging, Western Illinois Area on Aging and Alternatives for the Older Adult are working together to ensure that older adults are not forgotten this holiday season.

Thanks to Walgreens, it is easy to be a part of the gift giving program.  While at any Quad City area Walgreens store, simply pick-up a scannable tag at the check-out and tell the clerk the amount of money you'd like to donate.  Funds raised through the Senior Secret Santa program will be used to purchase gifts and provide services for seniors during the holidays and throughout the year. Scannable tags are available for purchase now through November 15th at any of the Quad Cities area Walgreens stores.

It's simple. Visit your local Walgreen's store, and help a senior in need this holiday season.

To be eligible for the Senior Secret Santa program, persons must 60+ years old and would otherwise not have a Christmas if not for this program.  Household annual must be less than $23,000 for a single person or, if married, less than $26,000.   Recipients must be a current
client of CASI, Milestones Area Agency on Aging, Western Illinois Area on Aging or Alternatives for the Older Adult.

For more information, please call CASI-The Center for Active Seniors at 563.386.7477.

(DES MOINES) -Gov. Terry Branstad announced today that Ron Hansen of Durant, Iowa, will serve as Superintendent of the Iowa Division of Banking beginning on November 16, 2015.  Hansen is the Chairman and CEO of Liberty Trust & Savings Bank.

"Today, I'm pleased to announce that Ron Hansen will serve as Superintendent of the Iowa Division of Banking," said Branstad. "I am confident that Ron's background, expertise and experience within the Iowa Bankers Association and Liberty Trust and Savings Bank will serve Iowans well."

The Iowa Division of Banking works to protect the interests of those who interact with banks and financial service providers to ensure that all laws and regulations are followed. The department works to maintain a healthy and prosperous regulatory environment to allow Iowa citizens safe and stable banking.

"I am honored to have been selected by Gov. Branstad to serve as Superintendent of the Iowa Division of Banking," said Hansen.  "The division and previous superintendents have a long history of promoting a healthy financial climate contributing to the success of Iowa's citizens, communities and the banking industry.  I look forward to continuing that tradition."

Hansen has been active in the Iowa Bankers Association for the past nineteen years serving as a Board Member, Treasurer and the Chairman from September 2011 to September 2012. Hansen has also been active in the American Bankers Association (ABA) serving currently on the ABA Membership Council as well as having served on the Government Relations Council Administrative Committee, Community Bankers Council and the Federal Home Loan Bank Administrative Committee.

Hansen is a native of Durant, Iowa, where he is actively involved in the community having served in various capacities with Durant Chamber of Commerce, Durant Development Corporation, Durant Ambulance Service and Durant Jaycees as well as having served on various committees within the Durant Community School District.

Hansen is a graduate of Arizona State University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, and is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado. Ron and his wife Kristy, live in Durant. They have three grown children, Brett, Samuel and Henry.

Hansen's appointment is subject to confirmation by the Iowa senate.