ARLINGTON, Va. - The 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th "Red Bull" Infantry Division of the Iowa Army National Guard was awarded the Citizen Patriot Award for its exemplary service while deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Accepting the award on behalf of the brigade during a ceremony at Fort Myer, Va., was Army Col. Benjamin J. Corell, the commander of the unit during its deployment from November 2010 to July 2011.

The brigade's outstanding contribution to the security and defense posture of the United States during their deployment set them apart from other applicants, but so did the emotional aspect of losing four soldiers.

"We had twelve nominations from all of the services - Army, Navy Marines, and the Air Force - and what we looked for were units that made the greatest contribution to national security," said retired Army Maj. Gen. Kenneth Bouldin, the president of the Reserve Forces Policy Board Fellows Society, the independent committee who selected the individual and unit Citizen Patriot awardees.

"Of all the nominations that we had, the thing that stood out was that these soldiers had been truthfully in harm's way," he said. "And all of the units had performed magnificently, but this unit had lost four of its soldiers."

Corell said he was humbled to represent the thousands of soldiers who came together to perform a successful mission.

"I also realize that it takes a village to raise a child, and that means our employers and families back at home, the leadership of the Iowa National Guard, and the Nebraska National Guard - tonight I accept this on behalf of all of them," he said.

Their deployment to Afghanistan was the one of the largest deployments of Iowa National Guard members since World War II, said Guard officials.

Guard officials said key accomplishments of the brigade were:

-- Increased capability of the local Afghan government to provide for the essential needs of the Afghan people resulting in 61 percent of the local Afghan population within the Task Force Red Bulls area of operations believing that their government was working to better their lives

--Led one of the largest air assault operations in Regional Command-East and cleared insurgent activity from 400 square miles of the Galuch Valley in Laghman province.

-- Conducted numerous direct and indirect fire missions to support coalition forces and suppress enemy insurgency.

-- Coordinated with local institutions and other multi-national agencies resulting in the increased credibility of Afghan provincial and district institutions.

"As in previous conflicts, the "Red Bulls" lived up to their history and Iowa's citizen-soldier reputation as some of the finest and most dependable soldiers in the Army," said Army Maj. Gen. Timothy Orr, the adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard.

In attendance to present the award to Corell and the brigade was Army Lt. Gen. William E. Ingram Jr., director of the Army National Guard.

"It is a tremendous honor to have the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Iowa Army National Guard recognized at the national level for their deployment excellence," Ingram said.

"I could not be more proud of these superb soldiers and their families - for their successful deployment, their continued sacrifice, selfless service, and all the things we count on them, as Army guardsmen, to do every day, whether at home or oversees," he said.

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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