Doctor Shares Q&A for Cancer Patients Seeking
Experimental Treatments

The basic problem researchers seek to overcome in finding a cure for cancer is the body's general inability to fight the disease. Immune systems can do very little to penetrate the robust molecular shield found in tumors.

But those shields may no longer be so impenetrable, thanks to a new experimental drug called BMS-936558, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Studies show it produces significant shrinkage when used in fighting specific forms of lung, skin and kidney cancers.

"Clinical trials with new drugs like BMS-936558 offer hope for patients battling advanced cancers and those that are difficult to treat," says physician Stephen Garrett Marcus, a senior biotechnology research executive, and author of a comprehensive new reference book, Complications of Cancer (www.complicationsofcancer.com).

"While experimental treatments are not the best option for everyone with cancer, they can be a very good one for people for whom current treatments offer poor outcomes. And, in the greater scheme of things, trial participants are making an important contribution to others with the disease. While they may not be cured, their involvement can significantly move research forward."

Marcus shares tips for patients and family members interested in investigating, and perhaps enrolling in, a clinical trial.

• How can a person with cancer rapidly identify promising clinical trials? The National Institute of Health's website (www.clinicaltrials.gov) maintains the most comprehensive registry of cancer clinical trials. The site includes information regarding significant clinical trials in progress. Each listing features the name of the clinical trial, the purpose of the study, the criteria that make a person eligible to participate, the study locations and contact information.

• How does a person enroll in an experimental program? When a good fit in a program is identified, a physician's referral will help expedite an evaluation. If necessary, self-referral can be accomplished by calling the medical center directly and making an appointment to see the physician running clinical trials. Details for making an appointment can be found on the NIH's website.

• What preparations can be made prior to being seen at the medical center?A complete package of information that gives a clear story of a person's medical illness can be very useful and should be brought to the clinic at the time of the first appointment. The center at which a person is evaluated for experimental treatment may give a person a checklist of what to bring to the appointment. This may include a letter from the person's physician; surgical, pathology and radiology reports; and other test results. Having all relevant information organized for the first visit streamlines the process for a comprehensive evaluation, and decisions regarding the best treatment option can be made more quickly.

• How does a person make a decision about whether or not to enter a clinical trial? This decision is made with a thorough understanding of standard treatments and experimental options. Information about these standard and experimental treatments can be provided by the physicians and other caregivers; details are also included in Complications of Cancer.

• Who pays for the experimental medication? The experimental treatment itself should generally be free. Almost all true experimental treatment programs will pay for the experimental medication. Legitimate research almost never asks for money from subjects. Be very wary of treatments advertising high-cost, "cash only" payments; experimental treatment for a very high price is usually not associated with legitimate research.

About Stephen Garrett Marcus, M.D.

Stephen Garrett Marcus, M.D. received his medical degree from New York Medical College and completed a medical oncology fellowship at the University of California in San Francisco. As a senior research executive in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry since 1985, he played a lead role in developing Betaseron as the first effective treatment of multiple sclerosis, as well as several new cancer treatments. Marcus is the president and CEO of a biotechnology company developing new treatments for cancer and its life-threatening complications. He is the author of "Complications of Cancer" (www.complicationsofcancer.com), a book written for everyone about serious complications of common cancers and "When Life is in Jeopardy", a book providing comprehensive information about common life-threatening illnesses, injuries and complications.

BETTENDORF, Iowa - A reminder to all nonprofit organizations located in Scott and Rock Island counties - 14 matching grants of $5,000 each are still available for the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend's (CFGRB) 2012 Endowment Challenge. CFGRB will award up to $100,000 through 20 grants on a first come, first serve basis. Six organizations have earned the match to date.

Nonprofits that raise $15,000 in new gifts for their endowment at CFGRB qualify for a $5,000 matching grant for their endowment. Alternatively, nonprofits that raise $30,000 in new gifts for their endowments at CFGRB qualify for a $5,000 match with the option to add it to their endowment or use it for current operations.

"Endowment is the heart of the Foundation's work," says Foundation Board Chair Mike Drymiller. "This challenge is a terrific way for nonprofits to engage Board members, volunteers, and donors in endowment building.

"This is one of several Endowment challenges CFGRB has issued over the years. Some have focused on affiliate foundations and their Endowment Partners, and others have involved the affiliates themselves. 

Qualifying Criteria

1)  Nonprofit organizations with current 501(c)3 status, located in Rock Island or Scott counties.

2)  Funds raised may be an addition to an existing endowment held by CFGRB or to establish a new endowment.

3)  Only unrestricted endowments qualify for this Challenge.

4)  Funds raised are based on actual deposits made by December 3, 2012.

5)  Gifts must be made by a minimum of ten people.

6)  Only one $5,000 match per organization.

If you have questions, please contact the Community Foundation at 563-326-2840, or info@cfgrb.org.

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DES MOINES - Today, OFA Iowa launched its African Americans for Obama Council, a new organizing operation that is comprised of members of the African American community from across the state.  Over the past two decades, Iowa's African American population has increased by 100%.  Iowa's 89,000 African Americans may make the difference in a close election

"The African Americans for Obama Council is comprised of leaders in their communities who are role models for all Iowans.  They will play a crucial role in engaging and involving African Americans from Waterloo to Davenport to Council Bluffs in the election," said Iowa State Director Brad Anderson. "We believe every community is important and believe the African American community in Iowa is crucial to our reelection efforts."

President Obama and Mitt Romney offer African Americans and all Americans two fundamentally different visions of how to run the country.  Mitt Romney embraces the same failed economic policies that led to the economic crisis that disproportionately hurt the middle class. President Obama is focused on creating jobs and restoring economic security. He understands that too many Iowans have been hurt by a decade of declining wages and unemployment and he's fought for policies that give everyone a fair shot and the opportunity to succeed.

"President Obama's Affordable Care Act reduced health disparities for 41 million African Americans and his Recovery Act law kept over one million African Americans out of poverty in 2010," said Tiffany Johnson, President of the Iowa Democratic African American Caucus. "Under Romney's plan, 2.2 million African American families will see their taxes go up, and every millionaire in America would receive a $250,000 tax cut. Mitt Romney embraces the same failed economic policies that led to the economic crisis that disproportionately hurt the middle class and African Americans."  

In November, Americans, will be focused on the clear economic choice between the President's vision for moving our country forward - ensuring an economy built to last and economic security for the middle class- and Mitt Romney's vision, which would take us back to the same failed economic policies that brought on the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.  

  

African Americans for Obama is the latest group of Iowans committed to moving our country forward by reelecting President Obama in November. The campaign has already released Latino, Rural, Veterans and Women for Obama committees.  

  

The members of the newly formed Iowa African Americans for Obama Council include :

• Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, State House Representative, Des Moines
• Austin Bailey, Firefighter, Council Bluffs
• Rep. Debra Berry, State House Representative, Waterloo
• Marscine Brown, President of NAACP Burlington
• Alderwoman Sheila Burrarge, Alderwoman, Davenport
• Wayne Clinton, Story County Supervisor, Ames
• Brenda Drew-Peeples, Attorney, Davenport
• Jacquie Easley, Diversity Director at Mercy Medical Center, Des Moines
• Rev. Abraham Funchess, Waterloo Commission on Human Rights Director, Waterloo
• Willie Glanton, Community Activist, Des Moines
• Lt. Mayor Quentin Hart, Lt. Mayor of Waterloo
• Tiffany Johnson, Iowa Democratic African American Caucus President, Des Moines
• Rev. Rogers Kirk, Community Organizer, Bettendorf
• Rep. Helen Miller, State House Representative, Fort Dodge
• Rev. Steve Perkins, Community Organizer, Waterloo
• Dolph Pulliam, Director of Community Outreach at Drake University, Des Moines
• Faye Scott, Community Organizer, Waterloo
• Rev. Henry Thomas, Community Organizer, Des Moines
• Don Wilder, Community Organizer, Marshalltown
• Twyla Woods, Community Education, Des Moines Public School, Des Moines
• Shekinah Young, Public Information, City of Des Moines, Des Moines
• Treyla Lee, Consultant at Lee & Associates LLC, Sioux City
• Bobbretta Brewton, Community Organizer, Des Moines
• Tyla Cole, Community Organizer, Davenport
• Rev. Michael Coleman, Community Organizer, Waterloo
• Rev. Cymaron Dawson, Community Organizer, Cedar Rapids
• Rev. Damian Epps, Community Organizer, Cedar Rapids
• Robert Johnson, Organizing for America Volunteer, Des Moines
• Shontavia Johnson, Professor at Drake Law School, Des Moines
• Khara Washington, Attorney at Lane & Watterman LLP, Davenport
• Jamie Woods, Organizing for America Volunteer, Davenport
• Lori Young, Organizing for America Volunteer, Des Moines
• Paulette Wiley, Community Organizer, Des Moines

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Tuesday, September 11, 2012Committee of the Whole  -   8:00 amBoard Room, 1st Floor, Administrative Center1. Roll Call:  Sunderbruch, Cusack, Earnhardt, Hancock, MinardFacilities & Economic Development2. Approval of third and final reading of an ordinance to amend Chapter 10, Sec. 10-10 of the Scott County Code to establish a new "No Parking" area in Parkview.  (Item 2)3. Approval of the purchase of a Sewer Jetter and Brush Chipper for the Secondary Roads Department.  (Item 3)4. Discussion of Public Hearing on the State construction permit application of Kent Paustian DBA Paustian Enterprises Ltd. in the NE¼SE¼ Section 19, T79N, R2E (Hickory Grove Township) for expansion of an existing animal (hog) confinement feeding operation at 22444 70th Avenue. (Item 4)Human Resources5. Approval of General Policy updates.  (Item 5)6. Approval of personnel actions.  (Item 6)Health & Community Services7. Approval of tax suspension requests.  (Item 7)Finance & Intergovernmental8. Other items of interest.Thursday, September 13, 2012Regular Board Meeting  -   5:30 pmBoard Room, 1st Floor, Administrative CenterPublic Hearing1. State Construction Permit application for Kent Paustian in Hickory Grove Township.