By The Survivors Club Staff
January 29, 2010

Four-year-old Andrew Busenbark was born with a series of congenital heart defects and just three days later had to undergo a 20-hour open heart surgery.

Fortunately, the successful and timely interventions have allowed him to develop like a healthy child, and this April the boy will be leading thousands of participants as the Grand Marshal of the 2010 Go the Distance event, a walk and family fun day supporting the hospital that saved Andrew's life.

In celebrating the announcement, Andrew's parents wrote on the hospital's website that today their son is thriving as "a happy, energetic and caring child with a knack for puzzles and a penchant for duckpin bowling," adding that he loves playing with anything that resembles a car.

"He is the light of our lives," they added.

According to the March of Dimes, more than 25,000 babies are born each year with a congenital heart defect, making it the number one birth defect in the U.S.

As January is celebrated as Birth Defects Prevention Month, medical experts say pregnant women should avoid drinking, smoking, using illicit drugs or taking any medication without consultation with their doctors.

Regular supplementation with folic acid can also reduce the risk of birth defects, especially of the neurological type.

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
January 28, 2010

USC running back Stafon Johnson suffered a crushed larynx earlier this season after he dropped a barbell with 275 pounds of weights during a freak training accident. It left him unable to speak, swallow and eat solid foods, but Johnson appears to be returning to health and has accepted an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl.

Coach Pete Carroll welcomed the opportunity, and said the 21-year-old is "excited to play with some of the greatest players in the country."

He added that the athlete, who underwent a seven-hour-long reconstructive surgery, is "grateful to the Senior Bowl for giving him this chance, [and everybody] is ecstatic about him showing his playing ability."

According to Medscape.com, a total of 189,942 Americans were injured in weightlifting accidents in 1999.

Sports medicine experts from Hughson Health Alert say that athletes should choose a type of lift that does not put excessive stress on the body in order to protect themselves from injuries. In addition, proper position and technique are crucial.

It is also a good idea to always train with a spotter.

The National Center for Sports Safety can provide further information and valuable assistance to survivors of sports injuries that may help them lead thriving lives.

By The Survivors Club Staff
January 28, 2010

Heavy metal music and TV reality star Ozzy Osbourne has been known for living on the edge, including decades of drug abuse and promiscuous sex. However, in a recent interview the artist opened up about the lessons he learned from his experiences and warned of potential dangers of a similar lifestyle.

Acknowledging he is surprised to be still alive, the artist suggested that others who engage in reckless drug-related and sexual behavior, "[may] not be as lucky as me."

"With the drugs, it nearly killed me on a daily basis - I did a lot of heavy drug taking for a long time and I survived it by the grace of God," he confessed.

Statistics suggest cocaine is the second most commonly used illicit drug in the U.S. and nearly 15 percent of Americans aged 12 or older have used it at least once. It is also estimated that more than 15,000 deaths annually are associated with the use of stimulants.

However, there may be new hope on the horizon as the National Institutes of Health has recently announced an experimental vaccine resulted in a substantial reduction in cocaine use in 38 percent of patients in a clinical trial.

Those struggling with drug addiction, and their families, have a range of resources to turn to, including Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the non-profit Drug Rehab, that may help them overcome the problem, survive and lead fulfilling lives.

By The Survivors Club Staff
January 28, 2010

Early on a Sunday morning earlier this month, Tim and Mary Kay Mark, their daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter were taken to the hospital with symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. The family believe that had it not been for one of their dogs, they may not have survived.

The animal, called Stu, woke Tim up whining and asking to be taken outside. Soon, Tim developed a severe headache and noticed that other family members were also feeling ill, according to Herald Argus.

Since Tim had training as a first responder, it occurred to him that the dog's behavior, combined with the health symptoms, could point to CO poisoning and promptly called for an ambulance, after evacuating his family.

"When I think about what might have happened [if] Stu [hadn't] been here whining to go outside…" the man told the news provider, his voice trailing off.

"We are grateful to be alive," he added.

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, an average of 439 Americans die annually from unintentional, non-fire-related CO poisoning.

To prevent deaths and injuries, the source recommends installing CO detectors and refraining from using generators, charcoal grills, camp stoves or other gasoline- or charcoal-burning devices inside the home, basement or garage. Moreover, burning anything in a stove or fireplace that are not vented may lead to poisoning.

JAMA adds it is a bad idea to run a car or truck inside a garage attached to a house, even if the door is left open.

Survivors and those who would like to learn more about protecting themselves and their families may consult the resources of the Carbon Monoxide Safety Association.

By The Survivors Club Staff
January 27, 2010

After he was laid off for the third time, Eric Proulx hit the internet again in search of new employment, but instead discovered stories of survivors who turned the adversity into an opportunity to do something rewarding.

The next thing he knew, he was making a film documenting these inspiring stories, even finding enough courage to delve into the family's already depleted savings, according to CBS News.

Determined to demonstrate that losing one's job can open a unique chance to start anew, the former advertising executive said, "I [wanted] to get people talking about how losing their job ended up being the best thing that ever happened to them," quoted by the news service.

The work features interviews with individuals who went on to pursue their passion for painting full time or opening yoga studios.

The movie's tagline? "It's not a pink slip. It's a blank page."

Despite the national unemployment rate of 10 percent, Proulx's stories underscore the importance of looking at the bright side of every adversity.

In addition to the opportunity to reconnect with loved ones, travel, pursue a long-neglected hobby or launch a business, some people have also taken advantage of financial incentives offered by governments across the country to go back to school to finish or get a new degree, which can ultimately lead to a better-paying career.

By The Survivors Club Staff
January 27, 2010

Jadwiga Bogucka was sent to Auschwitz in 1944 for taking part in the Warsaw uprising against the Germans, and was one of the few who survived the final months of the infamous death camp.

On Wednesday, she joined a handful of fellow survivors and European leaders to pay homage to the millions who were exterminated there by the Nazis between 1940 and 1945, according to the Associated Press.

In an interview with the news source, the 84-year-old said the weather was similar to that on January 27, 1945, on the morning when she woke up and realized the Nazis had fled the camp before the approaching Russian army.

"It was all covered in snow and it was very cold," she recalled, adding, "I left the barrack to see what was going on (and) there were dead bodies everywhere, because the Germans had shot anyone still able to move or who tried to flee."

Despite the painful memories, she and the other 150 survivors felt they owed it to those who did not make it to be in Auschwitz today.

The precise number of Jews who perished in the Holocaust is difficult to determine, but according to the Yad Vashem Institute it ranges between 5 and 6 million people.

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 which helps war victims around the world and accepts donations.

By The Survivors Club Staff
January 27, 2010

When B.J. Thorsnes began experience unexplained exhaustion, severe dry skin, joint pain, feet swelling and cognitive problems, her doctor dismissed the symptoms as due to aging. However, unwilling to settle for such a significant decline in the quality of life, the California woman consulted other providers, was eventually diagnosed with hypothyroidism and received the right treatment.

The 66-year-old told Contra Costa Times that she refused to be dismissed as "one of those 'older ladies'," and has since benefited from hormone supplementation that restored her to normalcy.

"I felt like a new person within days of receiving a slight amount of thyroid hormone," she told the news provider.

"I can't tell you how excited I am to no longer be dismissed as [someone who] needs a shrink to navigate life's changes," she added.

During the current Thyroid Awareness Month, it may be worth remembering that hypothyroidism - a condition where the thyroid produces insufficient levels of certain hormones - affects approximately 11 million Americans, and women are 10 times more likely to suffer form it than men, according to the American Medical Women's Association.

Experts say there is currently no way to prevent the condition, but screening tests in newborns can detect the congenital form of hypothyroidism.

Survivors can learn how to live thriving and fulfilling lives on the website of The American Thyroid Association.

By The Survivors Club Staff
January 26, 2010

Skimboarding in Florida ended sadly for Cruise Bogle when a wave whipped his board out from under him and sent him crashing into the ocean floor, breaking his neck. Since then, Bogle has been paralyzed from the neck down, but new technology promises to restore some of his movement.

During his stay at a hospital in Atlanta, the man was tapped to test a new wheelchair developed by engineers from the Georgia Institute of Technology. It is powered by the patient's tongue because that organ is connected to the brain directly, rather than through the spinal cord, and so remains functional even in quadriplegics, according to CNN.

Bogle's tongue was fitted with a small magnet that works like a mouse pad, with the tongue as the cursor. Moving the tongue forward sends a wireless signal to sensors in a special headset that causes the wheelchair to move forward, while moving the tongue back causes the opposite movement.

"It was awkward at first to control a wheelchair with my tongue, but it got easier as I went on," the 20-year-old told the news provider, adding that the technology is "amazing."

According to the Travis Roy Foundation, which is dedicated to spinal cord injury research, between 250,000 - 400,000 Americans are living with this type of injury and more than 13,000 new cases are reported each year.

The Mayo Clinic suggests that individuals may reduce their risk of a spinal cord injury by driving safely, exercising caution around firearms, preventing falls, and taking precautions when playing sports.

Another organization that can help survivors live thriving lives despite their disability is the National Spinal Cord Injury Association.

By The Survivors Club Staff
January 26, 2010

Jason Lansdown was a normal teenager when he received the devastating diagnosis of bone cancer in 2007. He underwent a grueling surgery to remove the tumor and to replace his tibia with a prosthetic, and received 20 blood transfusions designed to ease the debilitating side effects of chemotherapy.

After being finally declared cancer-free, the 18-year-old met with some of the donors who helped to save his life to thank them and to explain the benefits their sacrifice brought him.

"You kind of feel more recharged," the youngster said, quoted by CBS4 in Denver, adding, "[the doctors] could see color coming back in my face."

Landsdown also revealed the unique connection he feels with the donors. "It's like a part of them and they're giving it to me. It's truly amazing."

Today, the Colorado teenager is thriving and pursuing a degree at Johns Hopkins University, and he plans to become an orthopedic surgeon.

The American Cancer Society estimates that some 2,570 new cases of bone cancer were diagnosed in the U.S. in 2009, and 1,470 people died of the disease.

Although doctors have not yet discovered factors that lower the risk of bone cancer, it is known that a family history, or previous radiation or chemotherapy, can significantly increase the likelihood of developing the disease. Therefore, experts advise those who belong to a high-risk category to get regular screenings.

The Bone Cancer Foundation and the Bone Cancer Research Foundation accept donations and provide resources for survivors and their families.

By The Survivors Club Staff
January 26, 2010

Although experts say the window of opportunity to find survivors under the debris caused by the earthquake in Haiti is now closed, miracle stories - such as that of Wismond Exantus - continue to be reported. The man surprised and inspired many when he was pulled out alive almost two weeks after the disaster had struck.

The 24-year-old was trapped under 30 feet of debris that included concrete and wood, according to the Wall Street Journal. Media reports also suggest that his survival may have been due to an air pocket surrounding him, the fact that a nearby building offered shade from the sun as well as cola, beer and cookies he could find within reach, as he had been trapped in a grocery store.

From his bed at a military hospital in Port-au-Prince, Exantus told reporters that although he was hungry, "every night I thought about the revelation that I would survive. It was God who was tucking me away in his arms. It gave me strength," quoted by the Los Angeles Times.

According to safety experts, earthquake preparation should include anchoring heavy objects such as bookcases or cabinets to walls and never placing them above beds. Residents of danger zones should also participate in regular drills.

During an earthquake, it is advisable to crouch under a desk or table, or stand in a stout doorway, away from windows. Outdoors, it is best to stay away from buildings, trees, telephones and electrical lines, and drivers should move away from underpasses and overpasses, stop in a safe area and stay inside the vehicle.

Donations for victims of natural disasters are accepted by the Red Cross and UNICEF.