By The Survivors Club Staff
May 20, 2010

Matthew Pitera was diagnosed with a meningioblastoma, a type of brain cancer, in August of 2008. He has survived this ordeal and is now actively participating in the fight to find a cure, reports APP.com.

Pitera endured surgery, radiation, and has gone through nine rounds of chemotherapy over the past 20 months. He is now looking to make a difference in the lives of others.

"I want researchers to develop better drugs and new treatments so that cancer isn't terrifying," he told the news source. "In the middle of treatment, I felt like it would never end. But things gradually do get better. And everyone's in this with you."

He is now helping organize his local Relay for Life event sponsored by the American Cancer Society (ACS). So far his team has raised $4,500.

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), over 10,000 children under age 15 were diagnosed with cancer in the 2007. The incidence rate of childhood brain tumors rose from 2.3 to 3.2 cases per 100,000 over the period of 1975 to 2004.

Children diagnosed with cancer need much care and support from their families during their treatment. The ACS offers abundant resources for families with a child who is diagnosed with cancer, including available treatments and local support groups.

The ACS holds a summer camp for children diagnosed with cancer and their siblings every year in August. It is a week-long sleep-away program that offers children the opportunity to meet other patients and survivors while enjoying being a kid.

They receive the medical care they require and participate in arts and crafts, swimming, archery and many more fun activities. This camp is free of charge to all participants.

By The Survivors Club Staff
May 20, 2010

Frano Selak is 81 years old and has lived a pretty charmed life. To observers, he could be considered the luckiest man alive. He has survived seven near-fatal accidents over the course of his lifetime, reports The Daily Telegraph.

Selak has made it through horrific train, plane and bus crashes. His car caught fire twice and left him with minor injuries and some hairloss. He was also struck by a bus, but walked away from the incident with bumps and bruises.

His seventh brush with death also involved a car. While driving, he was almost stuck by a UN truck but swerved to avoid it. He smashed through a crash barrier and jumped from the car as it flew over an embankment and crashed below.

After all of those incidents he decided to play the lottery for the very first time to celebrate his fifth marriage. He won over $800,000. He is now giving that money away

"All I need at my age is my Katarina. Money would not change anything," he told the news source.

The Crash Survivors Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping those who have experienced loss due to motor vehicle accidents. They offer information on locating grief counseling for those who may have lost a loved one in a car crash. They also offer guides on how to deal with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and disabilities resulting from a car accident.

There are many therapies used to treat PTSD including cognitive behavioral therapy. Medication may also be prescribed for the depression and anxiety often associated with the PTSD.

By The Survivors Club Staff
May 19, 2010

Eva Olsson has been sharing her experiences at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp with riveted audiences for the last 12 years, reports EMC Almonte/Carleton Place.

She describes what it was like to be separated from her family and how she survived the atrocities committed by the Nazis.

Olsson shared these details with several classes of older children by comparing it to something they were all are familiar with - bullying. She made that connection to illustrate how the Nazis were driven by hate.

"When I was a little girl in Europe a long time ago, there were 300 Nazi bullies," she told the group. "By 1933, there were 300,000 bullies."

Olsson said that she lived day by day never knowing if it might be her last.

"Never ever should you give up...," she said to the school children. "That's how I survived."

Victims of violence and physical and emotional trauma may have a difficult time talking about their experiences. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 5.2 million Americans ages 18 to 54 suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Experts suggest many different types of treatment for PTSD. Individuals who are affected by the condition should consult with their doctors to decide which will work best for them.

The proper counseling and medication therapies can help survivors feel in control of their emotions and lead thriving lives.

Individuals who have experienced a violent conflict or PTSD may turn to the Trauma Resource Institute or the American Red Cross, a prominent non-profit organization which helps war victims and accepts donations.

By The Survivors Club Staff
May 19, 2010

Jennifer Griffin, a war correspondent for Fox news, has been in more than her fair share of dangerous situations. From Afghanistan to Gaza, the fearless journalist has risked life and limb to bring news to the American public. However, it was her battle with breast cancer that truly shook her and made her feel like a survivor, according to Oprah.com.

Last year Griffin was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer, according to the news source. To cope, the 40-year-old decided to do what she does best, and report from behind enemy lines.

Griffin started a blog in which she openly shared the trials and tribulations of fighting the disease, the news source reports.

"I don't recommend secrecy," she advises fellow breast cancer victims, according to the website. "Tell your friends, tell your children, tell the school right away. Children can handle this information - they take their cue from you."

Griffin fought the aggressive form of the disease with 17 rounds of chemotherapy and a healthy lifestyle that included plenty of vegetables and no processed foods or alcohol.

Early detection may greatly enhance a woman's chances of survival. The American Cancer Society recommends that women over the age of 40 begin to schedule annual mammograms. Those who have a family history of the disease or a genetic predisposition to it may consult with their doctor for a more specialized approach to cancer screenings.

According to the National Cancer Institute, 192,370 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and 40,170 will die of the disease.

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation accepts donations and works to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research.

By The Survivors Club Staff
May 19, 2010

Christopher Toms' life may sound like something out of a movie. A boy with a rough childhood grows into an angry young adult, who then joins the military and is sent to Iraq where he is almost killed. He has finally found new direction in his life, as he has just graduated from Northern Virginia Community College, reports InsideNoVA.com.

Toms has been living a life of heartache, loss and sorrow. His childhood was full of chaotic events like being kidnapped by his own mother and losing his sister in a car accident.

He then joined the Marines when he was 18 and was sent to Iraq in 2004, where the vehicle he was riding in was hit by a roadside bomb.

He survived and returned to the U.S., where he has been working hard to build a better life for himself. He is now engaged and heading to George Mason University in the fall.

One thing Toms had to overcome upon his return to the states was the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) he was experiencing after he returned from Iraq.

The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 5.2 million Americans ages 18 to 54 suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Experts suggest many different types of treatment for PTSD. Individuals who are affected by the condition should consult with their doctors to decide which works best for them.

The proper counseling and medication therapies can help survivors feel in control of their emotions and live thriving lives.

By The Survivors Club Staff
May 19, 2010

Lauren Morris doesn't remember much from the day that she crashed her car, though the accident changed the course of her life, reports WBIR.

Morris was involved in a head-on collision when another car crossed into her lane. The other driver was killed and Morris suffered a ruptured aorta, shattered pelvis, concussion, broken tibia, and a bruised sciatic nerve. She was immediately rushed to the hospital.

Individuals who suffer a ruptured aorta rarely make it to the hospital, let alone survive, Dr Mitchell Goldman, one of the physicians who operated on Lauren, told the news provider.

After a few rocky weeks where she was in a coma, suffered two strokes and survived a fever of 106 degrees, Lauren has pulled through and is on her road recovery.

"If God hadn't been on my side, I definitely wouldn't have made it through," Morris told the news provider. "I had a five percent chance of living, five percent. That's just kind of crazy."

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, a total of 16,520 people died in passenger car crashes in 2007 and 1,475,000 were injured in 2006 (the last year for which data was available).

The Crash Survivors Network offers countless resources for individuals involved in traumatic car accidents. They offer information on how to locate grief counseling for those who may have lost a loved one due to a car crash. They also offer guides to dealing with post traumatic stress disorder and disabilities resulting from a car accident.

By The Survivors Club Staff
May 18, 2010

Shamim Dahod, an alumna of the Boston University School of Medicine, has survived two separate cancer diagnoses. She beat breast and thyroid cancer, thanks in part to the top-notch treatment she received, according to BU Today.

Now, she and her husband, Ashraf, are working to help others overcome the illness. The Dahods, who anonymously donated $10.5 million to the school last year, are now coming forward to acknowledge their gift. Their involvement will enable them to shape the effect that their contribution has on the school and the cause.

The two are founding the Dahod Breast Cancer Research Center in association with the medical institution.

"Our connection with BU was factor number one," Ashraf told the news source. "And number two is the patients that are served at Boston Medical Center. If you look at Boston, you find that care and treatment can be very different depending on your social status. We could have made this gift elsewhere, but no other place in this city serves the same population that BMC does."

According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 192,370 women were diagnosed with breast cancer last year, and 40,170 women died of the disease.

Early detection increases one's chances of survival. The American Cancer Society recommends that women over the age of 40 schedule an annual mammogram and stay proactive about their breast health. Those over 20 years of age should begin conducting breast self-exams.

A healthy lifestyle that includes a low-fat diet and physical exercise may reduce a woman's chances of developing breast cancer.

By The Survivors Club Staff
May 18, 2010

Seven years ago Latasha Brown divorced her husband and found herself in a homeless shelter with her two children. Through hard work and determination Brown has graduated with a degree in business administration and nonprofit leadership, reports Fox 4.

Brown was determined to survive and build a better life for herself and her children. She was accepted into the Hillcrest Ministries Program, which helped her get her life back on track, and worked two jobs.

Even after she was hospitalized for diabetic shock, Brown continued to work hard. She will be attending graduate school in the fall.

"It's like I said, I shouldn't be here today," Brown told the news provider. "It's just so awesome that I made it through all of this and just kept right on going."

According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, a survey conducted in 23 cities in the United States found that 29 percent of the individuals in emergency housing were part of families. They also found that many of these cities did not have enough facilities to accommodate their homeless population and had to turn some away.

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) lists several resources for individuals experiencing homelessness, including locating local assistance for food, shelter, tutoring for children, and jobs skills training as well as housing counseling.

The stigma that comes with being homeless may lead some to not seek help, but there are countless agencies dedicated to providing assistance to individuals and families to help get them back on their feet.

By The Survivors Club Staff
May 18, 2010

Ileane Herrera was abused all nine months of her pregnancy. She endured physical abuse and torture but survived the ordeal to speak out against domestic violence, reports CBS 47.

Herrera wants to encourage all victims of domestic abuse to stand up and share what they have experienced. She is choosing to speak out to shed light on the situation and to inform people about the lasting impact domestic abuse can have on all parties involved.

"I would like for them to connect it. To say, yes, this is maybe why I feel this way because of what I went through, what my mom went through," Herrera told the news source.

According to the Domestic Violence Resource Center, between 1993 and 2004, in 43 percent of incidents involving female victims there was a child under the age of 12 present.

Domestic violence can have a negative impact on multiple victims. Children that are exposed to domestic violence have been found to suffer from emotional and psychological trauma. This may include anxiety and depression or even agression.

Victims of domestic abuse are encouraged to contact their local law enforcement agency to report any domestic violence incidents involving themselves or their children.

The Domestic Violence Resource Center offers insight into the patterns of domestic violence and how victims can cope with it, including how to spot the warning signs, confidential hotlines for victims to call, shelters that serve victims and information on non-profit organizations working to protect victims.

By The Survivors Club Staff
May 17, 2010

Michelle Sleight was five years old when her 30-year-old cousin first began to sexually abuse her. However, Sleight was unable to speak up for herself, and the sexual abuse continued for over 11 years. Finally, more than three decades later, she was able to confront her abuser, reports the News & Record.

In March of 2009 Sleight decided she was ready to take back control of her life, which was still plagued by the horrors of her childhood. She called to police and they arrested her cousin.

The survivor hopes that speaking out will inspire other victims of sexual abuse to come forward and share their stories.

"There is hope," she told the news source. "Don't be subject to the fear that the perpetrator has imposed on you because there is hope and justice for you, too."

Survivors of sexual abuse often feel isolated and alone. There are many organizations dedicated to helping and supporting sexual abuse survivors.

The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) is one of the largest organizations that works to support sexual abuse victims and to educate the public about ways to prevent sex abuse. RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline which is a 24/7 confidential phone service. The hotline has helped over 1 million individuals since it began in 1994.

RAINN also helps in locating local crisis centers for victims so that they can get the proper counseling and treatment. According to the organization, 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. They also report that a sexual assault occurs every two minutes in the United States.

Armed with these statistics, RAINN is leading efforts to improve sexual assault laws and policies in the United States and abroad.