American Cancer Society plans unique fundraiser for dogs, owners

Davenport, Iowa) - The fight against cancer has gone to the dogs as the American Cancer Society's Bark For Life event takes place this October. Area pooches, with owners in tow, will take to the track to dig up a cure for cancer. Bark For Life adds a twist to the Society's traditional Relay For Life event, serving as a fundraising activity to honor the care-giving qualities of canine companions while supporting the mission of the American Cancer Society.

This noncompetitive walk is planned for October 4, 2014 at Centennial Park, Davenport Iowa and will include an opening ceremony at 9:00am. Our Honorary Dog Team K-9 Deker and K9 Hawk will lead our first lap followed by best dressed contests, vender booths and demos from QC police.

"Many pet owners consider their dogs a part of their family, especially those furry friends who lend a great amount of comfort and support during a loved one's cancer battle," said Mary Schenck. "Bark For Life is the canine counterpart to Relay For Life, a very family friendly movement that celebrates our canine caregivers, just as we honor other family members who support their loved ones who are fighting cancer during Relay For Life."

Event organizers are still recruiting dogs and their owners to take part in this year's Bark For Life. To register, contact Mary at 563-503-0068 or visit www.RelayForLife.org/BarkScottCountyIA.

A special thanks to the generosity of our 2014 presenting sponsor Nestle' Purina as well as the community support for this year's event

Funds raised through Bark For Life support the American Cancer Society's comprehensive cancer-fighting mission to help people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early, to help people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis, to find cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery, and to fight back against cancer by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight.

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The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end cancer for good. As a global grassroots force of three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping you stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early, helping you get well by being there for you during and after a diagnosis, by finding cures through groundbreaking discovery and fighting back through public policy. As the nation's largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.8 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, an estimated 13.7 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

Washington, DC (September 24, 2014) - Despite many months of working to the contrary, the National Family Farm Coalition learned last Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture had determined that Dow's Enlist corn and soy were safe for release to the public for planting. Enlist corn and soy have been genetically engineered to resist both glyphosate (or Roundup) and 2,4-D, a component of agent orange used to defoliate Southeast Asia during the Vietnam war.

We are extremely disappointed that USDA ignored the concerns of farmers and consumers around these two GMOs that could (and likely will) contaminate fields of non-GMO and organic corn and soy. We are even more disturbed about the likelihood of drift of the pesticides 2,4-D and glyphosate.

2,4-D is especially toxic and volatile. It can drift as a fine mist for miles, destroying non-resistant crops, including fruit, nut and shade trees; grapes, strawberries, melons, tomatoes and beans; and non-GMO and organic varieties of sweet corn and soybeans. There is a huge potential for farmers to lose crops and livelihoods, and consumers and communities to lose access to locally grown foods that define their cuisine and culture.

In addition, more weeds will evolve to resist 2,4-D and glyphosate, encouraging the agrichemical companies to continue engineering crops that tolerate more herbicides. According to the International Survey of Herbicide-Resistant Weeds at weedscience.org, their May 2014 posting indicated that weeds have developed resistance to 155 different herbicides.

These herbicide-resistant seeds will cause havoc in their own right. Those falling into non-GMO and organic fields will contaminate those fields, and farmers selling crops from those fields will miss income in the short-term, and could lose their certification in the long-term. This was a significant problem in the Pacific Northwest just last year when genetically engineered wheat was discovered in a field, shutting down markets to Japan and other countries trying to avoid GMOs. The companies that produce the seeds and their herbicides are not currently liable for contamination, which is difficult to prove and further burdens their victims.

NFFC is also concerned about the health risks for farmers spraying these herbicides, as well as their families and neighbors. Parkinson's disease and some cancer are more common in rural farming communities today than 30 years ago, but proving the connections is difficult.

The USDA's decision on Dow's corn and soy was released the day after NFFC and several allies offered perspectives on genetically engineered crops to the National Research Council at the National Academies of Science, and a few days before NFFC vice president Dena Hoff spoke in New York at the Climate Justice Summit. Thousands of summit participants marched to raise awareness about the connection between genetically engineered crops, chemical herbicides, environmental damage and climate change.

Missouri farmer Margot McMillen, who lost numerous tomato plants to 2,4-D drift this summer, stated earlier this year,

"I believe that in every state of the union, there have been accidental plant deaths from 2,4-D spraying. Most will go unreported, because there's no one keeping track. But if this herbicide overuse continues, I predict it will kill the planet."

We hope that the Environmental Protection Agency hears our concerns and opposes the release of Dow's 2,4-D. The millions of family farmers, ranchers, workers, fishermen and eaters who will be affected by these herbicide-resistant, genetically modified organisms deserve a voice within our federal government.

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NFFC unites and strengthens the voices and actions of its diverse grassroots members to demand viable livelihoods for family farmers, safe and healthy food for everyone, and economically and environmentally sound rural communities.

Iowa viewed as national model for other states to follow

(DES MOINES) - Today, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds was joined by STEMconnector CEO Edie Fraser, Drake University Athletic Director Sandy Hatfield-Clubb, Iowa Association of Business and Industry President Mike Ralston, and Jana Rieker, Bankers Trust Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at a news conference in the Iowa Statehouse Rotunda.

Reynolds announced a national public-private model on ways to engage thousands of mentors for young girls and women to actively pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education and careers.

The first statewide model of its kind, Million Women Mentors (MWM)-Iowa, targets 5,000 female and male mentors from all 99 counties in the next four years.

"Launching MWM-Iowa is another component of our statewide-strategy to attract individuals to STEM careers. In particular, I believe mentors can guide, encourage, and open doors for girls and young women to be fully equipped for the great jobs of tomorrow in STEM-related careers."

In the United States, STEM is a driving force behind economic growth, stability and educational success.  That's why, we're creating an environment in Iowa that prepares all of our students with the necessary skills to compete in a global knowledge-based economy," stated Reynolds.

Additional announcements made by Lt. Governor Reynolds at the news conference included: naming Ralston and Rieker as MWM-Iowa co-chairs.  She also recognized 12 other individuals as members of the MWM-Iowa Executive Council. 

Rieker emphasized the quality opportunities that await Iowa girls and young women in STEM fields.  "In the past 10 years, growth in STEM jobs has been three times greater than non-STEM jobs.  Also, women with STEM jobs earn 33 percent more than females in non-STEM jobs.

"We know 80 percent of the fastest growing occupations in the United States depend upon mastery of mathematics and scientific knowledge and skills.  Being able to secure 5,000 female and male mentors in Iowa to urge young girls and women to consider STEM fields is a huge step forward in increasing awareness and generating excitement," said Rieker

Co-Chair Mike Ralston agreed. "It's a tribute to Iowa on how many major companies stepped up to pledge mentors in the past 30 days.  We have 13 companies that pledged more than 1,200 mentors together, so we're already well on our way toward our goal of 5,000."

The following companies have made a pledge to MWM-Iowa:  Leading the charge is Hy-Vee with a commitment of 500 employees, as well as commitments from Bankers Trust; EMC; Iowa Association of Business and Industry; Meredith Corporation; Principal Corporation; Pella Corporation; Vermeer Manufacturing; and a tremendous commitment from Iowa's colleges and universities including, Des Moines Area Community College, Drake University, Iowa State University, University of Iowa and University of Northern Iowa," concluded Ralston.

STEMconnector CEO Edie Fraser, who spearheads the national MWM effort in collaboration with more than 22 sponsors and 56 partners, pointed out that Iowa has been at the forefront of increasing awareness and accessibility of STEM.

"We were extremely pleased to receive Iowa's pledge of 5,000 mentors for the MWM national initiative. The MWM-Iowa model will be a great example for other states to emulate in attracting male and female STEM mentors," said Fraser.

In addition to announcing the MWM-Iowa effort, MWM-Iowa Co-Chairs and Executive Council members, the inaugural "Coaches' Mentoring Challenge" for women was unveiled.  The Challenge is designed for basketball coaches across Iowa to collaborate in recruiting mentors for females interested in STEM.  Coaches will reach out to their university, college, or high school campus networks, including their fan base and media in their local communities.

Hatfield-Clubb enthusiastically shared that Iowa State University, University of Iowa, and University of Northern Iowa will be joining Drake University in the Coaches' Mentoring Challenge for women.  In addition, Drake University has pledged 100 mentors to the MWM-Iowa initiative over the next four years.

"Today, I am pleased to share that the first-ever Coaches' Mentoring Challenge for women in Iowa is being launched to recruit mentors for girls and women interested in STEM.  Drake University Women's Basketball Coach Jennie Baranczyk has been named as the official spokesperson of the Coaches' Mentoring Challenge" said Hatfield-Clubb.

She went on to say, "Coach Baranczyk will make a personal invitation to all university, college, and high school coaches across the state to join her and her colleagues in this important state-wide initiative."

The effort officially "tips off" with the start of the NCAA Division I women's basketball season in November.

For more information about the MWM-Iowa effort, MWM-Iowa Executive Council members, MWM-Iowa company and/or organization mentor pledges or the inaugural female Coaches Challenge, please visit www.mwmia.org.

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About Million Women Mentors (MWM)-Iowa. Million Women Mentors (MWM-IA) brings together leaders in business, government, and education to engage girls and young women to understand, develop interest and gain confidence so they can pursue and succeed in STEM courses, degrees, and careers.  Created as part of the national Million Women Mentors movement in 2014, the MWM-Iowa initiative seeks to register 5,000 women (and men) in all 99 counties by 2018 to serve as mentors to achieve these three goals:  Increase the percentage of high school girls planning to pursue STEM careers; increase the percentage of young women pursuing undergraduate degrees in STEM fields; and increase the percentage of women staying in STEM careers.

About Million Women Mentors (National). MWM is an engagement campaign and national call to action that mobilizes corporations, government entities, non-profit and higher education groups, around the imperative of mentoring girls and young women in STEM fields. Since MWM's launch in January 2014, nearly 171,400 pledges have been made to mentor girls and young women in STEM skills.  The web portal is www.millionwomenmentors.org.  Available online is a nationwide call to action to capture pledge commitments from individuals, organizations and companies that have an interest in mentoring.

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