From the
Executive Director

Dear Friends,

Three years ago this month, I had lunch with Rev. Charles Williams, the President of Indiana Black Expo. A man of extraordinary vision, we dreamed about an event to raise money for and build awareness of prostate cancer. Rev. Williams was well into his battle with the disease, which would take his life 15 months later. Seven weeks after that lunch, the first “Race Against Prostate Cancer” brought 500 people to the streets of downtown Indianapolis. Thanks to Rev. Williams, the promotional support of Indiana Black Expo, WISH-TV, Radio One, Promotus Advertising, and a host of generous corporate sponsors, this dream came true.

The fourth “Unite 2 Fight: Race Against Prostate Cancer” will bring thousands to the streets of downtown on Saturday, July 8th. The proceeds fund men’s prostate health services, research, and the work of the Rev. Charles Williams Prostate Cancer Mobile Unit.

The most important actions you can take are:

1. Learn about prostate cancer and talk with your doctor.
2. Click www.raceagainstprostatecancer.org to join the fight.

Form a team, make and seek pledges, walk, run, participate, volunteer, tell 10 other people - there are many ways to make an impact! It will be a morning to celebrate life and remember loved ones. We need you to click and unite with us in the fight against prostate cancer. Together, all people, all races, all genders, all socio-economic levels united, fighting as one. Unite 2 Fight!

John Aleshire
Executive Director
Little Red Door Cancer Agency




Want your team to succeed?     Want to make a BIG impact?
Come to the Team Captains Meeting May 2nd to get the tips and resources to make your team a success. At the meeting you will learn how to register your team members online and receive lots of great resources. Did we mention there will be special guests and refreshments?

What:	Team Captains Meeting for Unite 2 Fight: Race Against Prostate Cancer
When:	Tuesday, May 2, 5:00 - 6:00 PM
Where:	Little Red Door Cancer Agency 1801 North Meridian Street Indianapolis, IN 46202
Who:	Anyone who wants to be a team captain for this year's Unite 2 Fight: Race Against Prostate Cancer, to be held Saturday, July 8th 2006.
Special Guests:	Honorary Co-chairs: Dr. John Lechleiter, President of Eli Lilly and Company Mike Rodman, Marion County Treasurer Anthony Calhoun, Sports Anchor at WISH-TV A Player from the Indianapolis Colts
How:	Please R.S.V.P. to 317.925.5595 ext. 350 or ngriffith@littlereddoor.org

Refreshments Provided by Kroger






We are excited to invite you to the new and improved website for Unite 2 Fight: Race Against Prostate Cancer. The race has a new name, and a new website, but what hasn't changed is our resolve to unite together in the fight against prostate cancer. Unite 2 Fight hits the streets of Indianapolis on July 8, 2006, and will bring together people from all backgrounds, unified together against this disease.

How You Can Help:



Nutritional Supplements Needed

Our nutritional supplement service has grown greatly since 2003. This year, we have already provided liquid supplements to 38 clients, and expect that number to increase even more. Clients normally need 3 to 6 cases per month, but recently we have not been able to meet the nutritional supplement need for all of our clients. Last month, we had 10 people on a waiting list because our supplies ran out.

Because some clients must be tube fed, their only source of nutrition comes from these liquid supplements. These clients are generally diagnosed with oral/throat cancer and are not able to eat regular food. Insurance does not cover these supplements and our clients are not able to afford the $33.00 cost for each case of supplement.

We are in need of donations of Boost Plus and Ensure, as well as store brands such as Equaline and CVS Liquid Nutrition. These will greatly enable us to serve all those who rely on us for their nutritional well-being.


Cancer Disparity in Our Community

Statistics show that minority populations are more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage cancers that are detectable at an early stage through screening. Minority populations also die from preventable cancers at higher rates than Caucasians. Research has shown that individuals from underserved populations are also more likely than the overall U.S. population to:

• receive either no treatment or treatment that does not meet currently accepted standards of care
• die of cancers that are generally curable
• suffer from terminal cancers in the absence of adequate pain control and other palliative care

One noticeable sign of a health disparity is the higher overall cancer incidence and mortality rates among African Americans compared to other groups. Additionally, certain racial/ethnic groups experience higher rates of specific cancers than other groups.

Researchers believe that these disparities are caused primarily by preventable social and economic factors. Because of this, Minority Cancer Awareness Week (April 16-22) draws attention to this issue in the hope that we can one day relieve this unbalanced burden of cancer upon our minority communities.

We will be kicking off Minority Cancer Awareness Week with an oral and prostate cancer screening on Saturday, April 15th. Also, Little Red Door Cancer Agency’s Minority Cancer Awareness Coalition strives year-long to make known the disparity that exists in the underserved community.

Related Links and Resources:
National Cancer Institute
National Healthcare Disparities Report
The Office of Minority Health
Oncolink.com


Upcoming Luncheon with Noted Author

Little Red Door’s Circle of Friends will feature noted author Roseanne Kalick at its inaugural spring luncheon series on Monday, June 19th. Kalick, herself a cancer survivor, is the author of Cancer Etiquette: What to Say and What to Do When Someone You Know or Love Has Cancer.

If you have ever been at a loss for words or action when a friend or loved one has received a cancer diagnosis, then you will want to hear and meet Roseanne Kalick.

Her experience with cancer made her realize that friends, while well-intentioned, often do not know what to say or what to do. Sometimes words and actions, even from doctors, are clumsy and thoughtless. Her book examines words that help, words that hurt, words that heal, and words that fail.

Pat Ritz, Circle of Friends President and a Little Red Door Board member, said “Everyone who has been touched by cancer will want to meet this incredible woman and get this book. Nothing like this has been written until now.”

The luncheon and program will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, June 19th, at Eddie Merlot’s Restaurant on east 96th street. A book signing and opportunity to meet the author will follow the program.

Reservations are limited to the first 120 people. For ticket information contact John Aleshire, jaleshire@littlereddoor.org or 317.925.5595 ext. 310.


See You at Race for the Cure on April 22!



April 22nd Race Day Schedule:

7:30am	Opening Ceremony and Pink Survivor Parade
8:25am	Team Little Red Door members meet on the steps of the Library on the IUPUI campus for a team photo—we have 300 participants this year!
8:40am	Aerobic warm-up
9:00am	5K Competitive Run/Walk Start
9:10am	5K Participant Run/Walk Start
9:45am	1-Mile Family Walk Start

Please be sure to visit the Little Red Door booth in the Health Fair Expo!

About the race:
Since its origination in Dallas, Texas, in 1983, the Komen Race for the Cure® series has grown from one local Race with 800 participants to a national series of more than 100 Races. [more]


Summer Golf Tournaments

Warm weather is finally here, and with it comes another great season of golf. Yes, we are pleased to offer two golf tournaments this summer, both benefiting our service to the underserved.

Bruce Kopp Little Red Door Open

• Thursday, June 22, 2006
• Prestwick Country Club, Avon
• 12:00 pm Shotgun Start
• Proceeds to benefit all of Little Red Door’s programs and services for men, women and children.

Camp Little Red Door Golf Tournament

• Tuesday, August 8, 2006
• Brickyard Crossing Golf Resort
• 9:30 am Shotgun Start
• Proceeds exclusively benefit Camp Little Red Door — a week-long camp for children, ages 8-18, who have cancer.

For information about sponsoring, registering, or giving in-kind donations to either golf outing, contact Nancy Griffith at ngriffith@littlereddoor.org or 317.925.5595 ext. 350.


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Forward the e-newsletter to family, friends and colleagues. To refer someone, reply to jjarvis@littlereddoor.org with the words “new subscription” in the subject line, and the person’s name, organization (if applicable) and e-mail address in the body of the e-mail.

For more information on how you can help prevent, treat and
fight cancer here in central Indiana, visit
www.littlereddoor.org

Little Red Door Cancer Agency
1801 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Phone: 317.925.5595

~Celebrating 61 Years as a Door of Hope~