From the
Executive Director

Dear Friends,

It is always about people. Special events, races and golf outings are done for one reason: People.

A few weeks ago I was drawn out of my office by the sound of laughter in the hallway. I found my colleagues thoroughly captivated by a woman who had come in for help. Her silver hair radiated as much as her infectious smile. We soon learned the power and joy that a smile can have when shared, even in spite of cancer. Her bright-eyed face belied her disease and she reminded us of the wisdom of being there for each other, and how giving and receiving are closely connected.

Serving people is the most important thing your Little Red Door does. Last year, we served more than 15,000 people, each one of them with personal needs, hopes, dreams, fears and stories. They are part of us. Thanks for running, walking, golfing, volunteering and participating. It is all for one precious reason: THE PEOPLE.

John Aleshire
Executive Director
Little Red Door Cancer Agency


A Great Day to
Race Against Prostate Cancer

The weather was beautiful, as was the site of thousands hitting the streets last Saturday for the third-annual Race Against Prostate Cancer! Tens of thousands of dollars were raised, as well as Prostate Cancer awareness. The new Rev. Charles Williams Prostate Cancer Mobile Unit was unveiled at the opening ceremonies, and was quickly put to use, giving men a chance to get tested at the Race.

In all, the race was a success. We thank our co-beneficiary, Indiana Cancer Research Foundation, as well as all the sponsors, volunteers, and people who made this event a reality. Race results can be found at Tuxedo Brothers. Stay tuned at www.raceagainstprostatecancer.org and www.littlereddoor.org for race pictures and information, and look forward to a full report in next month's The Open Door!

Mark your calendar and join us next year on July 8th for the fourth-annual “Race Against Prostate Cancer."


Traders Point Hunt
Charity Horse Show and Country Fair

On August 9-14, hunter and jumper exhibitors will converge on Zionsville, IN for daily competitions in the 28th annual Traders Point Hunt Charity Horse Show and Country Fair (TPHCHS). More than 1,000 horses will come to Wild Air Farms over the 6-day equestrian event that benefits Little Red Door.

Special features include:

• August 12: Senior Day (ages 65 and over free) with a $25,000 Grand Prix at 5:00 p.m.
• August 13: Kids Day on Saturday, with pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, bounce house and games.
• August 14: $50,000 Budweiser Grand Prix (a CSI2* event, televised on ESPN).

Admission is $5 per adult Tuesday-Saturday and $10 per adult Sunday (children 12 and under are admitted free).

For more information, visit www.traderspoint.org. Please contact Nancy Griffith at ngriffith@littlereddoor.org or 317.925.5595 ext 350 to volunteer for this spectacular event.


CAMP LRD, July 17-22

One week of camp is not enough!
Those words are the annual consensus among kids on the final day of Camp Little Red Door at Bradford Woods, 30 minutes south of Indianapolis. Camp Little Red Door was the first camp in Indiana for pediatric cancer patients age 8-18 (the second camp of its kind, when it was established in 1981).

The kids have a blast each year, doing all sorts of activities like swimming, archery, fishing, canoeing, nature hikes, astronomy, arts and crafts. The camp not only provides fun stuff to do, but also an environment free of stereotypes and full of opportunity to discuss the fears and anxieties that accompany a child’s cancer diagnosis with others who have been through similar experiences. [more]

The theme this year is Summer Celebration, with activities related to celebrating nature and celebrating diversity. The cost of camp this year is $768.00 per camper, but thanks to generous donations, we are able to offer the week of camp for only $25 per camper.

Donations Needed for Camp
You can make a difference in the lives of the camp kids this year by donating some needed supplies:

• Bug repellant
• Sunscreen
• Chapstick
• Sunglasses
• Bubbles
• Pens
• Notepads/journals
• Disposable cameras

THANKS!


Camp LRD Golf Tournament

The exclusive fundraiser for Camp Little Red Door is the annual Camp Little Red Door Golf Tournament, held at Brickyard Crossing Golf Course. This year’s tournament is Tuesday, August 9, 2005. Register soon to get one of the few remaining spots. Please download a registration form and contact Nancy Griffith at 317.925.5595 ext. 350 or ngriffith@littlereddoor.org for more information.


Black and Minority Health Fair

Receive "Keys to a Healthier You" at the 20th annual Black & Minority Health Fair, July 14 - 17, 2005, when you take advantage of its more than $1,000 worth of free health screenings.

Sponsored by the Indiana State Department of Health, the Black & Minority Health Fair offers free health education and counseling services, addressing issues that affect the health of minority populations in Indiana. This is the largest minority health fair in the nation.

We will have an education booth (#146) at the fair, covering the topics of nutrition and colorectal cancer. Be sure to come by for our cooking demonstration on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Also, the Indiana Cancer Research Foundation and the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program are coordinating with us to provide free clinical breast exams during the fair. We are also coordinating with the Marion County Health Department’s SmileMobile for the free oral cancer screenings and dental screenings.

The Health Fair will be held at the Indiana Convention Center, 100 South Capitol Avenue, in Exhibit Hall D during the following hours:

• Thursday, July 14, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Friday, July 15, 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, July 16, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Sunday, July 17, Noon – 8:00 p.m.

Although racial and ethnic minorities make up less than 14.6 percent of Indiana's population, the state's 2004 Minority Health Report indicates that these minorities have a disproportionately high incidence rate for many serious health problems, like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and HIV/AIDS. [more]


Prostate Cancer from the Heart

August 31, 2005, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. You are invited to 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. One story will be from Sharon Maxey, a widow of prostate cancer. Another story will be from a survivor, while another will be from a physician.

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 and Sergio and Lori Efroymson Aguilera are proud to present “An Evening With The Manhattan Transfer.” The gala will be at the Indiana Roof Ballroom on Wednesday, October 19th with a fabulous dinner followed by a special performance by the legendary and Grammy-Award winning “The Manhattan Transfer”. The proceeds of this event benefit Little Red Door’s Mammography Assistance Program. For advanced and priority seating information, contact John Aleshire, jaleshire@littlereddoor.org or 317.925.5595 ext. 310.


About Prostate Cancer

For Indiana men, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer, and the second leading cause of death. In 2005 it is estimated that nearly 5,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed among Indiana men. It is also estimated that 640 Indiana men will die of the disease in 2005.

Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer:
Studies have found that the following risk factors are associated with prostate cancer:

• Age: In the United States, prostate cancer is found mainly in men over age 65. The average age of patients at the time of diagnosis is 70.
• Family history of prostate cancer: A man's risk for developing prostate cancer is higher if his father or brother has had the disease.
• Ethnicity: This disease is much more common in African American men than in white men. African American men are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than white men. It is less common in Asian and American Indian men.
• Diet and dietary factors: Some evidence suggests that a diet high in animal fat may increase the risk of prostate cancer and a diet high in fruits and vegetables may decrease the risk.
• Certain Prostate Changes: Having abnormal cells called high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) may increase the risk of prostate cancer.

Detecting Prostate Cancer:
A man who has any of the risk factors described above may want to ask a doctor whether to begin screening for prostate cancer (even though he does not have any symptoms), what tests to have, and how often to have them. The doctor may suggest either of the tests described below.

• Digital rectal exam: The doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum and feels the prostate through the rectal wall to check for hard or lumpy areas.
• Blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA): A lab measures the levels of PSA in a blood sample. The level of PSA may rise in men who have prostate cancer, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), or infection in the prostate.

If you are male and over 50, you should be getting annual PSA testing accompanied by a digital rectal exam. If you have a close relative who has had prostate cancer, you should start testing at age 40. These tests have enabled doctors to dramatically reduce deaths from this cancer.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer:
Early prostate cancer often does not cause symptoms. But prostate cancer can cause any of these problems:

• A need to urinate frequently, especially at night
• Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine
• Inability to urinate
• Weak or interrupted flow of urine
• Painful or burning urination
• Difficulty in having an erection
• Painful ejaculation
• Blood in urine or semen
• Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs

Any of these symptoms may be caused by cancer or by other, less serious health problems, such as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) or an infection. A man who has symptoms like these should see his doctor or an urologist.

Online Resources
American Cancer Society
American Foundation for Urological Disease
National Cancer Institute
Prostateinfo.com
Prostate Cancer Foundation
Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada
Urology Channel
What to do if prostate cancer strikes: A helpbook for patients


------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tell us what you think
Send comments to jjarvis@littlereddoor.org

Help spread the word
Feel free to forward this 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 60 Years as a Door of Hope~