- In this issue -
  • From the Executive Director
  • "Open The Door" concert
  • Race Against
    Prostate Cancer Recap
  • Camp Little Red Door Recap
  • Prostate Cancer from the Heart
  • An Evening with
    The Manhattan Transfer
  • Going to New Heights
    for Little Red Door
  • Thank You - new foundations
  • Donations Needed
  • Leukemia and
    Lymphoma Awareness
    • From the
    Executive Director
    Dear Friends,

    One Thursday afternoon in mid-July, the Little Red Door offices were busy as usual when a letter arrived of particular importance. Everyone stopped what they were doing, as I read the letter out loud. It was from a girl named Bridget, age 11. Bridget wrote to tell me that she and her cousins had set up a lemonade stand at a Fourth of July family cook-out. Attached to her letter was a check for $14.29, her proceeds. This is the second time that I have heard from Bridget. Last Thanksgiving she and her cousins charged relatives a coat check fee at a family get-together. She sent us those proceeds, too. Why? Because an aunt and an uncle of Bridget had cancer and she wanted to help us help others.

    Bridget's Sign

    In the frantic pace of that July afternoon, there was nothing more precious to us than this letter from Bridget. We all stopped to share in this letter and the lemonade stand sign she enclosed. It was a reminder that we are all touched by cancer, and that all of us can make a difference in the lives of others. Bridget made our day! What’s more, she’s already planning fund-raisers for her family’s Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings!

    John Aleshire
    Executive Director
    Little Red Door Cancer Agency


    "Open The Door" concert
    For the first time, Dan’s Music, with the help of First United Methodist Church of Anderson, is promoting a concert, “Open The Door,” to raise money to fight cancer, with all proceeds going to Little Red Door Cancer Agency. The concert will be held Sunday, August 28, 2005, at 2:00 p.m., at Davis Park, west of Anderson, IN on State Road 32, near Layton Rd. The free concert will feature First Light (gospel), The Cousin Brothers (bluegrass), Dan Daugherty and Friends, John Gunter, and Martha Green.

    Admission is FREE. Donations of money or needed supplies will be accepted.

    Needed donation items:
    • Adult and child toothbrushes, toothpaste and containers of floss
    • Bottles of skin crème, moisturizing lotions, etc.
    • Incontinency undergarments, such as Depend brand (all sizes)
    • Nutritional supplement such as Ensure (not fat-free).
    For more information contact Dan Daugherty, Dan’s Music (765) 642-0229.


    Race Against Prostate Cancer Recap
    Thanks to all those who participated, and donated their time and money to make this year's Race Against Prostate Cancer a success. The weather cooperated beautifully, and over 1,400 people came out to participate in the event this year, 839 of them being on teams, and 46 of them being prostate cancer survivors. There was nearly an even split between male (740) and female (718) participants. 314 people competed in the 5K race. The best news is that $80,000 was raised!

    Prostate Cancer Survivors
    This money will go to support the men's health services of the Indiana Cancer Research Foundation and Little Red Door Cancer Agency.

    Top Finishers in the 5K race:
    Thomas Morgan - 14:36.5
    Paul Howarth - 14:40.6
    Jared Segera - 14:45.2
    Aaron Moody - 14:56.6
    John Ngigi - 15:00.4

    We thank our co-beneficiary, Indiana Cancer Research Foundation, as well as all the sponsors, volunteers, and all those who made this event a reality. Race results can be found at Tuxedo Brothers. Go to www.raceagainstprostatecancer.org for pictures.


    Camp Little Red Door Recap
    The kids had a blast at camp this year! Though they were sad to leave when it was all over, they were very happy to have been able to spend a week making friends with other kids who have similar struggles with cancer. This year’s theme was 2005 Summer Celebration, with activities related to celebrating nature and diversity.


    "This was the best year yet!"
    One camper completed her final cancer treatment while at camp. The campers and staff presented her with a bunch of balloons and sang a few songs to her. It was an exciting moment for all, because most campers could relate to the experience.

    Phillip Walker won the Virginia Wagner Award and a $100 savings bond for displaying attributes of the founder of Camp Little Red Door (courage, leadership, integrity, perseverance).

    84 campers came this year, nearly a 9% increase from last year! Thanks to generous donations, campers only had to pay a fraction of the full costs, and each camper received a bag full of t-shirts, cameras, inset repellant, sunscreen, pens, water bottles, and various toys and items for the week. Thank you for your contributions!

    Here are some comments and suggestions we received from the campers :)
    • Desserts for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
    • We say it every year…two weeks long
    • This was the best year yet
    • I wouldn’t change a single thing. I think camp is just fine.
    • I would make camp longer.
    • No bedtime!


    Prostate Cancer from the Heart
    August 31, 2005, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Come take a glimpse into the lives of those affected by prostate cancer. This event will feature free dinner, free prostate screenings (blood test), and an opportunity to hear different perspectives from those affected by the disease. Stories will be shared from three different perspectives - a widow, a survivor, and a physician – all of whom have been affected by prostate cancer.

    Anthony Calhoun will be the M.C. for this very meaningful evening. For more information, or to register for this FREE event, please contact Tisha Reid, treid@littlereddoor.org or 317.925.5595 ext. 340. Click here for more information.


    An Evening with The Manhattan Transfer
    Little Red Door, Mexican Consul Sergio Aguilera, and Lori Efroymson-Aguilera are proud to present “An Evening with The Manhattan Transfer,” Wednesday, October 19th at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.

    Dinner will be at 6:15 p.m. followed by the presentation of the Lawrence H. Einhorn, M.D. award at 7:30 p.m. This year’s recipient is Bruce Hetrick. Grammy Award winning, The Manhattan Transfer, will take to the stage at 8:00 p.m. for a fast-paced foot-tapping hand-clapping performance.

    A special invitation-only VIP reception with the performers, sponsored by Regions Bank, will follow at 9:30 p.m. For table and/or ticket reservations, contact John Aleshire, jaleshire@littlereddoor.org, or 317.925.5595 ext 310.

    Event proceeds benefit Little Red Door’s Mammography Assistance Program.


    Going to new heights for Little Red Door
    Corrie Meyer is climbing over 19,000 feet to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa.

    Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa
    What does this adventurous climb have to do with Little Red Door, you ask? She is using her trip up Kilimanjaro as a fundraiser, and has asked people to give money to support her climb expenses or her charity of choice, Little Red Door.

    She raised nearly $1,700 for us, and is now on her way to Africa to tackle the mountain with her father. What an example, not only of determination and strength, but also of a unique approach to community service. Thanks Corrie!


    Thank You - new foundations
    Little Red Door has received financial contributions from two new foundations. Thank you very much!


    Finish Line Youth Foundation     has given Little Red Door $2,500 for Camp Little Red Door supplies.
    Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation     has given Little Red Door $1,000 to purchase 2 new Little Red Door banners.


    Donations Needed
    We need some supplies for our Senior Citizen educational program. These items are greatly appreciated by the Senior Citizens we serve:
    • Toilet Paper
    • Paper Towels
    • Dishwashing Liquid
    • Lotion
    • Soap
    • Hand Towels
    • Dish Towels
    • Pot holders
    • Blankets
    • Dominos
    • Decks of Cards
    Contact Tisha Reid treid@littlereddoor.org or 317.925.5595 ext 341 for more information about how you can help.


    Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness

    Leukemia

    Leukemia is a cancer of the blood-forming organs, characterized by uncontrolled, exaggerated growth and accumulation of blood cells that do not function properly.

    Causes: Leukemia is not contagious, but a genetic disease with unknown causes, though leukemia has been linked to exposure to high doses of radiation, chemicals, or chemotherapy. Most cases of leukemia are caused by changes in a person’s DNA after birth. It is unknown at this time how to prevent most cases of leukemia.

    Signs: Some signs of leukemia are feelings of loss of well-being, tiring more easily, enlarged spleen, loss of weight, pale complexion, bleeding problems, easy bruising, and pin-head sized spots under the skin. These are just a few of the possible signs. Click on the links below for more information.

    There are four major types of Leukemia: Testing: Leukemia can be diagnosed through tests of the blood, bone marrow, lymph node biopsy, or lumbar puncture.

    Lymphoma

    Lymphomas are group of cancers that originate in the lymphatic system. Lymphoma is an acquired disease, meaning that it isn’t inherited, but instead caused by injury to the DNA of lymphocyte (a type of white blood cell) after birth. The injury causes a mutation in the DNA, leading to uncontrolled/excessive growth of the lymphocyte, and all cells formed by its multiplication. The offspring of the overgrown lymphocyte cell accumulate, resulting in tumor masses on the lymph nodes and elsewhere. Lymph nodes are small bean-like organs, dispersed throughout the body, that are essential to immune system functionality.

    Cause: The principle cause of lymphoma is unknown, though studies point to specific ingredients in herbicides and pesticides as being associated with lymphoma development. There is an apparent increase in lymphoma in communities where farming is prevalant.(1) Also, Lymphoma occurs with greater frequency among people affected by HIV. An estimated 62,250 Americans were diagnosed with Lymphoma in 2004.(1) Slightly more men are diagnosed with lymphoma than women.

    Types: There are two types of lymphomas, Hodgkin lymphomas and non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

    Hodgkin Lymphoma: Approximately 7,350 cases of Hodgkin Lymphoma will be diagnosed in 2005, 11.5 percent of all new lymphoma cases.(1) The most common early sign of Hodgkin lymphoma is a painless swelling of the lymph nodes of the neck, upper chest, armpit, abdomen or groin. Some other symptoms include fever, sweating, weight loss and itching.

    Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Approximately 56,390 cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma will be diagnosed in 2005, 88.5 percent of all new lymphoma cases.(1) Common early signs of non-Hodgkin lymphoma are painless swelling of lymph nodes in neck, armpit, groin or abdomen, as well as fever, night sweats, excessive tiredness, indigestion and abdominal pain, loss of appetite and bone pain.

    Source:
    1. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society


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    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 60 Years as a Door of Hope~