By The Survivors Club Staff
March 12, 2010

In September 2009, Vinnie E. Acklin started experiencing pain around her left breast that would not go away, even when she applied icepacks followed by warm towels. Within a month, the retired Virginia teacher was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, a type of breast cancer, according to The Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation.

Acklin writes on the website of the organization - which provides resources for patients and survivors, and also accepts donations - that she has since undergone a mastectomy accompanied by reconstructive surgery, and will probably also receive radiation treatments.

However, by sharing her story and the variety of emotions that she has experienced in recent months, the 62-year-old also aims to provide hope and advice to those facing a similar diagnosis.

"Once I accepted the fact that this really was happening to me," she writes, "I calmed myself by praying, by reading the Bible, [listening] to inspirational music and I have been recording my experiences in several journals."

"With hope I am moving on," she adds.

The National Cancer Institute estimates that 192,370 women were diagnosed with breast cancer and 40,170 died of the disease in 2009. However, if detected early it is highly curable so doctors recommend women above the age of 40 get an annual mammogram.

All women should also develop the habit of conducting monthly breast self-examinations, which may further boost their chances of early detection. Among the best preventive methods, on the other hand, are a low-fat diet, physical exercise and refraining from smoking.

By The Survivors Club Staff
March 11, 2010

Jim Sikes was driving on a southern California interstate, when the accelerator in his Toyota Prius became stuck, the speed reached more than 90 mph and the driver could do nothing to slow the car down.

"I pushed the gas pedal to pass a car, and it just did something kind of funny ... and it just stuck there," a shaken Sikes said at a news conference, quoted by CNN. "As I was going, I was trying the brakes ... and it just kept speeding up."

What is more, instructions from 911 dispatchers were not working, and it was only after they alerted the California Highway Patrol that an officer was able to catch up with Sikes and advise him to apply the brakes and the emergency brake at the same time. It succeeded in stopping the car, but the officer still positioned his patrol vehicle in front of the Prius to prevent it from moving again, the news provider further reported.

Although Sikes' accident was due to a malfunctioning vehicle, most car crashes occur as a result of careless driving. That is why experts say those who have sat behind the wheel while drunk should seek counseling. Meanwhile, partygoers who consume alcohol should designate one person who does not drink as a driver or use alternative means of transportation such as a taxi or bus.

In addition, passengers should always wear seat belts as they have been proven to save lives.

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, an advocacy organization that accepts donations, an estimated 11,773 people died in car accidents caused by intoxication in 2008.

Survivors and their families may access valuable resources through the Crash Survivors Network.

By The Survivors Club Staff
March 11, 2010

Richard Smith and his son Chris, the owners of Smith Financial Group in Dallas, Texas, were both injured during last Monday's shooting in the office building where their company is located. According to media reports, the gunman may have had a business dispute with the two men.

After the authorities arrived at the scene following a 911 call, the survivors were taken to Parkland Hospital, where the father was listed in stable condition, while his 39-year-old son, who was shot in the face and neck, was in critical condition, according to CBS 11 TV.

Becky Hayes, who works in an office in the same building, said she noticed the younger Smith running down the hallway, wounded and pleading for help. She convinced him to sit down and "was just trying to keep him calm," as they waited for an ambulance, quoted by the news provider.

Statistics suggest that more than 61,000 Americans were injured in gun-related violence in 2008.

Experts from CrimeSafetySecurity.com suggest says individuals who are targeted in a shooting rampage should flee toward outdoor exits rather than windowless or dead-end rooms. If trapped in a first-floor room, it may be a good idea to use furniture to smash a window to allow escape. Fire extinguishers can also be used to spray a dense fog to block a shooter's view.

Survivors of gun violence may turn to the Trauma Resource Institute for tips on how to deal with the aftermath of a shooting and access resources that can help them thrive again.

By The Survivors Club Staff
March 10, 2010

Pentagon security officer Marvin L. Carraway Jr. was on duty the evening of March 4th when a gunman armed with two 9 mm semi-automatic weapons approached his booth and fired at him.

Fortunately, despite the short distance between the two, the bullet only grazed Carraway and he suffered minor injuries. Meanwhile, the shooter - identified as John Patrick Bedell of California - was fatally shot in the ensuing gunfire as other security officers rushed to the scene.

In an interview on CNN a few days later, Carraway was joined by fellow officers Jeffrey Amos and Colin Richards who talked about their dramatic experience. They all agreed that the memory of it will linger, but added that their professional training has offered them the necessary resilience and preparation.

"I guess that's what we're there for," Amos told the news source. "They train us for the job and we're there to do the job."

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 61,000 Americans were injured by firearms in violence-related exchanges in 2008.

CrimeSafetySecurity.com says that individuals who are targeted in a shooting rampage should flee toward outdoor exits rather than windowless or dead-end rooms. If trapped in a first-floor room, it may be a good idea to use furniture to smash a window to allow escape. Fire extinguishers can also be used to spray a dense fog to block a shooter's view.

Survivors of gun violence may turn to the Trauma Resource Institute for tips on how to deal with the aftermath of a shooting and access resources that can help them thrive again.

By The Survivors Club Staff
March 10, 2010

Jerry Yellin enlisted in the military when he was 18 years old in 1942, and as a P-51 fighter pilot participated in one of the bloodiest battles of World War II on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima.

Although the memories of death are still painful for him, last week Yellin was among the veterans who gathered on the island - now known as Iwo To - to commemorate the battle's 65th anniversary, according to CNN.

The 87-year-old told the news provider that he harbored ill feelings towards the Japanese for many decades after the war, until his son married a Japanese woman whose father had been a pilot in the Japanese Imperial Army Air Service, and also flew missions in Iwo Jima.

Initially, the two families opposed the marriage, but reconciled shortly before the wedding.

"[When] my son got married and started having children my whole life expanded," he said, quoted by CNN.

"I saw that human beings were killed in the war, and they were kind people, they were bright people, and now they're my family," he added.

An estimated 300,000 Americans died and a similar number were wounded in foreign wars, and that includes more than 6,000 soldiers who perished on Iwo Jima in the early months of 1945.

Since Americans continue to be involved in war zones around the world, individuals suffering from the aftermath of violent conflicts may turn to the Trauma Resource Institute. The American Red Cross is another prominent non-profit organization that helps war victims around the world and accepts donations.

By The Survivors Club Staff
March 10, 2010

The Welsh-Australian actor Andy Whitfield, who plays the title role in the series Spartacus: Blood and Sand, has announced he has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, a type of cancer, and will begin treatment immediately.

According to the Starz network, on which the show runs, the disease was discovered during a routine checkup, but Whitfield's doctors are optimistic that the condition is treatable and was detected in its early stages.

In making the announcement, the 36-year-old actor has demonstrated a survivor spirit when he said that he was "feeling strong, positive and determined with an army of support behind me."

The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 66,120 new cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were diagnosed in the U.S. in 2008.

According to the University of Maryland Greenbaum Cancer Center, the only known preventable risk factor for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is infection with HIV and other infections that weaken the immune system.

Despite similar diagnosis, many people have been able to live thriving and fulfilling lives.

Organizations such as Leukemia and Lymphoma Society provide access to valuable resources and accept donations towards finding a cure.

By The Survivors Club Staff
March 9, 2010

After being diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme - a type of brain cancer - in 2006, Anne Feeley was told she had no more than one year to live. Four years later, after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, Feeley is considered cancer-free, although doctors caution the disease is likely to return.

Despite this prognosis, the 55-year-old is determined to make the most of her time, and that includes helping to raise awareness about brain cancer and funds for research, as well as showing survivors the physical and emotional importance of an active lifestyle.

For these reasons, Feeley and a friend organized Brains on Bikes, an event during which she will cycle across the country - from San Francisco to Washington, DC - this spring on behalf of research institutions and support organizations, including Stand Up 2 Cancer, the American Brain Tumor Association and the Brain Tumor Center at the University of California, San Francisco.

"We're looking for supporters, survivors and partners along the route to meet, ride and have fun," she said, adding that "together we can muster the will and funds needed to outsmart brain cancer."

According to the National Cancer Institute, an estimated 22,070 Americans were diagnosed with brain cancer in 2009 and 12,920 died of the disease.

Experts say there are no known factors that can prevent the disease from developing, but avoiding exposure to radiation or certain chemicals, such as formaldehyde, vinyl chloride and acrylonitrile, may reduce the risk, according to MedTV.com. Also, those with a family history of the disease are encouraged to talk to their doctors about screening.

Survivors may also consult the website of the National Brain Tumor Society for information on how to thrive despite their diagnosis.

By The Survivors Club Staff
March 9, 2010

A rare and inspiring story has been reported from Chile where the Desarmes family survived the earthquake on February 27, after having sought refuge in the South American nation in the wake of a similar disaster that had struck their native Haiti in January, according to media reports.

"In Haiti, they got me out from under the ruins of a house, and I felt lucky to have survived," the man told BBC, quoted by the news provider.

And although happy that his family was unharmed in both calamities, Desarmes was still shaken by the experience.

"To come to Chile and go through the same situation, you can't imagine how I felt," he confessed.

Although not as seismically active as South or Central America, the U.S. can also suffer from earthquakes, which have killed approximately 4,000 Americans since 1811, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

For those living in quake-prone zones, the Center for Earthquake Research and Information at the University of Memphis recommends anchoring heavy objects, such as bookcases, mirrors or cabinets, to walls.

They should never be placed over beds and should be kept lower than head height of the shortest member of family.

When a tremor begins, it is best to crouch under a desk or table, or stand in a stout doorway, away from windows. Those who are caught outdoors should stay away from buildings, trees, telephone and electrical lines. If on the road, it is important to drive away from underpasses and overpasses, stop in a safe area and stay inside the vehicle.

Those who would like to support victims of the Haiti quake can donate to the Red Cross or UNICEF.

By The Survivors Club Staff
March 9, 2010

Northern California native Kevin Laue was not a born basketball star - in fact, he has only one arm, the result of a birth-related defect. However, thanks to his parents' encouragement and a lot of determination, he may have a shot at realizing his dream of joining the NCAA.

Recently, his hard work paid off when Laue won a scholarship to Division 1 Manhattan College, whose men's basketball head coach Barry Rohrssen expressed his confidence that the young man's work ethic will inspire other players, according to ESPN.

"He possesses certain skills as a basketball player that are very good," Rohrssen said, quoted by the news provider.

"And he demonstrates qualities that will make him successful off the court - in the locker room, on campus and in the classroom," he added.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in every 33 babies born in the U.S. each year has some form of birth defect. Medical experts say pregnant women should avoid drinking, smoking, using illicit drugs or taking any medication without consultation with their doctors to minimize the risk of such defects.

Survivors, their families and those who would like to donate may consult the website of the Birth Defect Research for Children.

By The Survivors Club Staff
March 8, 2010

In early 2009, Nick Schuyler and three of his friends went on a fishing trip off the Gulf Coast of Florida when their boat capsized in rough seas. One by one, the men let go of the floating boat and slipped under the water as the hours went by, and when rescue finally arrived two days later, Schulyer was the only survivor.

One year later, the Ohio native is still dealing with the feelings of loss and guilt, and admits he is getting "a little bit of help," according to The Plain Dealer.

"But you know time does help," the 24-year-old told the news provider, adding that supportive family and friends have been key to his recovery.

Schuyler, who still works as a professional health club trainer in Tampa, has also recently talked about his experiences and the difficult healing process with Oprah Winfrey in an interview that will air this Thursday.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, recreational boating accidents killed 685 people in 2007, and experts warn that in addition to excessive speed, insufficient experience or knowledge of the terrain are frequent contributing factors.

The use of emergency gear such as lifejackets is important during a boating trip, as the Coast Guard's statistics suggest more than two-thirds of all fatalities are due to drowning. Of those, nearly 90 percent were not wearing a life vest, the source says.

It is also recommended to be realistic about one's navigational skills and hire a professional and experienced captain when faced with a difficult or unfamiliar terrain.

The Crash Survivors Network offers support and resources for survivors and families coping with the aftermath of a serious accident.