Tag: SEABlue

Prostate Cancer Doesn’t Stop

Microscopic image of invasive prostate cancer.

Another telephone call. Another new diagnosis of prostate cancer. I see so many cases of prostate cancer each day, but some are more personal to me than others.

This time the worried young man on the phone is a friend, and he is indeed young. Carefully followed because his father is a prostate cancer warrior (survivor) his diagnosis has been made before his 40th birthday. He will benefit from all the advances in diagnostic techniques, prognostic methods, and therapeutics that have been developed in the last decade or so. Testing of the abnormal genetic material in his tumor, as well as his “germline” genetics (the genes he was born with) may assist in some decisions, as well as serve as a guide to family members about their own potential risk for prostate and other cancers.

Something else that will be available to him as he begins his prostate cancer journey is the presence of information seminars and support groups sponsored by UsToo, an international organization based in Rosemont. (Full Disclosure: I am on the Board of Directors of UsToo.) These resources bring prostate cancer patients updates on the latest in medical, surgical, and radiologic advances, as well as the ability to discuss with peers what to expect and how to deal with the life changes that the diagnosis and treatment may bring.

One month from today, on September 26th, UsToo along with UroPartners (More Full Disclosure: I provide pathology services to UroPartners) will be sponsoring the SEABlue Race/Walk in Lincoln Park, to raise funds for Support, Education, and Advocacy related to prostate cancer. I would love to invite you to join in on a fun-filled morning by the lake, but with no knowledge of what COVID restrictions we might be dealing with in a month, I will instead ask you to support me in my personal fundraising campaign. You can donate (any amount is welcome) by clicking here. Donate in honor of all the men you know–those who have prostate cancer, those who have lost a battle to prostate cancer, and those who just by being a male are at risk.

To my young friend–keep your hopes high and know that there are many resources to help you. Your dad is a success story, you can be too!

Just one note in closing. UsToo is merging with Zero-The End of Prostate Cancer in an effort to combine the strengths of each of these two great non-profits. You can learn more about the merger here.

Thank you for being a supporter.

Once more, the link to donate to my fundraising is Ustoo.rallybound.org/sea-blue-2021/lesraff

The opinions expressed above are the opinions of the author and not necessarily UsToo or UroPartners.

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We Take a Shine to YInMN. It’s the New Blue!

SMRYinMn BlueHave you seen her dressed in blue?
See the sky in front of you.
The Rolling Stones-1967

Once again, I have mislead my blog readers. I told you that white was the decorating color of the year. That may be what Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore want us to believe. But they missed the boat on this one. Did you know we have a brand new pigment, one that no one has ever seen before? Named YInMn Blue, it was created by chemists at Oregon State University a few years ago out of the elements Yttrium, Indium and Manganese. It is extremely vivid and lucky for us, is now on the verge of commercialization. That means you (or we) can be the first on the block with the first new color in a million years or so. According to various resources on the web, you can use the pigment in paint, you can use the pigment on roofs (environmentally friendly and reflects infrared light, keeping homes cooler), but you can’t use the pigment in hair dye. No YInMN punk rockers or YInMn-haired grandma’s, at least not yet.

I think a special new color deserves some special new uses. Here are a few.

  • A rebirth of interest in the Neil Diamond Song Catalogue with the new hits “Forever in YInMn” and “Song Sung YInMn.”
  • Capture a Pokémon Go character who is wearing a YInMn cloak and collect triple points.
  • You think “Avatar” was special? Just wait until you see Na’vi creatures in YInMn blue in “Avatar 2-The Sequel We Don’t Really Need.”
  • Support Prostate Cancer Awareness group SEABlue with a contribution for the September 11th 5K. Or contact me at les.raff@gmail.com to order a YInMn wristband ($5 each.)
  • An improved Boo Berry Cereal with YInMn colored flakes and a special prize.
  • Forget that Little Blue Pill–the Viagra Special Edition Little YInMn Pill will keep you going strong for hours.
  • No World Series Championships for Cubbie Blue in 108 years? Give ’em YInMn baseball caps, and go ahead and schedule the championship parade. Because YInMn doesn’t fade.
  • If caps works for the Cubs, imagine what full YInMn uniforms can do for the St. Louis Blues. Sorry Blackhawk fans-the St. Louis YInMns are here to stay.
  • Rename The House of Blues as The House of YInMn, and hear some of the music that made Chicago famous. And I am pleased to inform you that Jim Belushi and Dan Aykroyd have NO plans to film “The YInMn Brothers.” John Belushi can continue to rest in peace.
  • You love the Red, White, and Blue? How about the Red,White and  YInMn to truly make America great again!

Whether you are singing the blues or kicking them, just remember, with YInMn, it’s a whole new ballgame.

 

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