Chesapeake Beach to host annual Celebration of Life Gala Aug. 2

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

ÊWhile the gala itself has much to offer, it is everyone who can offer something that means much more through this event: hope. Everyone in someway is touched by the disease, and can take this opportunity to make our own contribution towards finding a cure.

George Geisler's story is one of hope; a hope provided by events such as the Cancer Crusade Gala and by the support of friends and family. Geisler was a healthy, active 45-year-old computer specialist who suddenly learned that his world was about to be turned upside-down. Within two weeks of being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, he lost the use of both kidneys and was told he had three months left to live.

As he began the first chemotherapy treatments, his family gathered from around the country to help support him and his wife, Donna. He clung to them, and to the hope that he would somehow survive the disease that had ravaged much of his body.

‘‘I felt that science could only do so much and I couldn't just lie in bed and expect to be healed,“ he said in a press release. ‘‘The least I could do was smile.”

He and his family feel it was this positive attitude that landed him where he is today: in remission for nearly two years, and a passionate volunteer helping others who are facing cancer. Future plans include a kidney transplant, leading a cancer support group and retiring close to family along the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay.

The Annual Cancer Crusade Gala is one of many programs that also helped provide hope to Christina Morgan, now at sophomore at the University of Florida. A few days into her senior year of high school, this honor student was diagnosed with Stage II Hodgkin Lymphoma — an early stage of an immune system cancer that usually responds well to treatment.

Oncologist Dr. Charles Riggs Jr. explained the treatment options to Morgan and her family and she began three months of low-dose chemotherapy, followed by radiation.

School had always been important to Morgan.

‘‘I love math and science,” she said. ‘‘If there’s a job where I could sit and do math all day, I would love it.”

Determined to keep her ‘‘A” average even during extensive chemo treatments, she was dedicated to finishing her classwork at home. Throughout the year, Morgan kept up her spirits and her grades, graduating among the top five students in her class.

Now, Morgan has chosen to major in chemistry, and she plans to volunteer at a pediatric oncology unit.

‘‘Maybe I survived this so I could do something about cancer in the future,” Morgan said.

After college, she believes she will pursue a career in medicine, which is to her, an incredibly valuable way to spend a lifetime.

Last year, the 2006 gala raised more than $450,000 for the American Cancer Society. The money funds free programs and services for patients and their families.

Some of the programs that will benefit from the event are: I Can Cope, which provides education for people facing cancer, either personally, or as a friend or family caregiver; Look Good⁄ Feel Good, offers woman undergoing cancer treatment help in improving their self-image; Man to Man helps men and their families cope with prostate cancer by providing education, support and awareness; Reach to Recovery is a program where trained volunteers support and comfort patients before, during and after breast cancer treatment; and Road to Recovery provides transportation to and from treatment facilities.

The American Cancer Society also uses contributions to offer programs to help educate communities about cancer risks, early detection methods and most importantly, prevention.

For more information, call 301-855-8351, or visit www.rodnreelcancergala.org.

Marine museum to present Cradle of Invasion

On Saturday, Aug. 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Calvert Marine Museum invites the public to the annual celebration of the military’s impact on Southern Maryland, the Cradle of Invasion. This year’s event reaches back to the War of 1812 and Joshua Barney’s flotilla, and then forward to the state of the art research that is taking place at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station.

Throughout the day, visitors can see special exhibits both inside and outside of the museum.

Timed events include:

* 11 a.m. — A driving tour of Solomons led by the Curator for Maritime History Richard Dodds;

* Noon — A lecture⁄demonstration by the United States Marine Corps Historical Company following the technology and life of an individual marine from the War of 1812, to World War II, to the modern era;

* 1 p.m. — Recollection Roundtable where veterans of World War II share their memories and experiences;

* 2 p.m. — USMC Historical Company lecture⁄demonstration;

* 3 p.m. — Recollections Roundtable with veterans from conflicts across time;

* 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. — Cradle of Invasion Cruise on the Wm. B. Tennison guided by retired Col. Frank King;

* 5 p.m. — Dedication of ‘‘On Watch” Memorial Statue at the Calvert Marina on Dowell Road.

For information on Cradle of Invasion, call Sherry Reid at 410-326-2042, ext. 19, or visit the museum Web site at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com. Free admission to the event and museum thanks to support from The Harbours at Solomons Island.

Maryland babies among those screenedfor disorders

Nearly 90 percent of all babies born in the United States — more than double the percentage in 2005 — live in states that require screening for at least 21 serious disorders, according to the latest March of Dimes Newborn Screening Report Card.

The March of Dimes endorsed the 2004 report of the American College of Medical Genetics that calls for every baby born in the U.S. to be screened for 29 genetic or functional disorders. If diagnosed early, all of these devastating conditions can be successfully managed or treated to prevent severe consequences.

This year, the March of Dimes will present Maryland a special award to recognize their national leadership in newborn screening.

Dr. Carol L. Greene, volunteer spokesperson for the March of Dimes Maryland Chapter, and professor of pediatrics and director with Pediatrics Genetics Clinic at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, said that, ‘‘Our state is proud to be one of the 13 states currently screening for 29 core metabolic disorders. We have made and continue to make tremendous progress with our newborn screening program. We look forward to receiving the March of Dimes award and to continuing our efforts to help all babies born in our state have a chance at a healthy start in life.”

Two years ago, at the time of the March of Dimes endorsement, only 38 percent of infants were born in states that required screening for at least 21 of these 29 core conditions. As a result of four years of intensive advocacy efforts by March of Dimes chapters and their partners, that percentage has increased to 87.5, or about 3.6 million babies.

In states that don’t follow the ACMG recommendations, March of Dimes staff and volunteers continue to work with governors, legislatures, and parent groups to advocate for expanded newborn screening on a state-by-state basis.

Nationwide, a discouraging 6.1 percent of babies are born in states that required screening for only 10 to 20 of the core conditions and 6.2 percent of newborns will get screening for fewer than 10 conditions.

For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com.