By The Survivors Club Staff
April 30, 2010

When Sharon Peacock was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002, she committed to fighting the disease. However, when community members approached her about participating in Relay for Life that year, she didn't feel as if she could, according to the BrewtonStandard.com.

"The year I was diagnosed I was asked to be a part of the Relay event," she told the news source. "At that time I was in the middle of treatments and didn’t feel like I had won the battle. I didn't feel like a survivor yet. I just wasn't ready to get involved."

But eight years later, Peacock has survived the disease and become heavily involved in the annual nationwide event, which benefits the American Cancer Society. This year, Peacock served as the committee chairperson at the event.

"The fight I fought against cancer wasn’t for me," she said. "I wasn't through being a mother or a wife or a daughter. I wanted to see my children grow up, graduate and become adults."

Peacock discovered the tumor in breast during a breast self-exam. Much of the money raised at the event will go toward funding better imaging and technology cancer detection, which can lead to earlier diagnoses and a better prognosis for those who are diagnosed with the disease.

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

The American Cancer Society recommends that women over the age of 40 begin to schedule an annual mammogram, and that those as young as 20 begin conducting regular breast self exams.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 30, 2010

Sam Taylor-Wood has been in the press for her May-December romance with her much-younger fiancé, Kick-Ass star Aaron Johnson. However, the director, who is expecting a child, has survived much worse than flak from the press. The star made it through being diagnosed with cancer twice before the age of 35.

Taylor-Wood was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1997 at the age of 30, just after the birth of her first daughter, but she made it through the chemo with a clean bill of health. Then, two years later, the director discovered a lump in her breast that was eventually found to be breast cancer.

Though Taylor-Wood has been cancer-free for years, she still dreads her annual check-up.

"It's the most frightening day of my year, because you just know that your life can just be turned and flipped into a dark place," she told Harper's Bazaar. "That fear of being told something humongous like that is something you never get used to."

Though many women are aware of the dangers of breast cancer, the issue of colon cancer awareness is not as widely publicized. However, early detection of the disease offers the best prognosis.

Doctors also suggest that an active lifestyle and a healthy diet can help reduce one's risk of contracting the disease.

The issue also seems to be attracting more attention, as the Centers for Disease Control recently awarded many states funding to support the screening of low - income people between the ages of 50 and 64 years who are underinsured or uninsured.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 30, 2010

Detective Carlos Castillo was hit over the head with a cinder block, beaten and then run over with his own car at a traffic stop last week, though the 15-year-old veteran somehow survived, according to Miami's CBS affilicate.

"The vast majority of patients with this level of injuries would die. It's amazing that he arrived here alive, and amazing that he survived his surgery, a tribute to how young he is, and how strong he is and his will to live," Dr Mark McKenney told the news source.

The attack occurred when Castillo pulled over Michael Robertson, who was wanted by police. Robertson and his girlfriend, Monica Banks, attacked Castillo. Police later caught both suspects, the news source reports.

Castillo, who is in a coma, has a long road of recovery ahead of him. Doctors are unsure as to what brain damage the victim has sustained thus far, though he has suffered brain injuries, skull fractures, and severe spinal damage.

Though police officers risk their health and safety every day, anyone could experience spinal injury as the result of an accident.

The Travis Roy Foundation, which is dedicated to spinal cord injury research, estimates that between 250,000 and 400,000 Americans have experienced spinal injuries, and 13,000 new cases are of the disease are reported each year.

Individuals can help reduce their risk of a spinal cord injury by driving safely, exercising caution around firearms and taking precautions when playing sports, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Those who have survived a spinal injury but can turn to the National Spinal Cord Injury Association which offers valuable information and resources to help them live a thriving life.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 30, 2010

In 2002, Michelle Lynch was diagnosed with stage 3 head and neck cancer. Though her prognosis was not positive, this year she will walk in the annual Relay for Life for the fifth time.

Lynch had a grueling treatment and recovery process, but somehow maintained her will to live.

The survivor underwent a radical neck dissection in which the doctors removed over 50 lymph nodes and biopsied sections of her throat, mouth and sinuses. Lynch then endured 37 painful radiation treatments, according to the PressAndGuide.com.

"I know I need to do something about cancer so that my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren won’t have to go through what I went through," she told the news source. "I believe God puts people in front of you for a reason. I will be the voice of those who have passed, and of those who are yet to be born."

Now, the inspirational 65-year-old is free from cancer and lending her time and energy to the event, which raises money to benefit the American Cancer Society (ACS).

The ACS works to benefit victims of cancer as well as survivors and supporters. The organizations suggests that Americans treat April as a month to recommit to maintaining a healthy lifestyle by making a point of eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and exercising at least five days a week.

Those who have been diagnosed with cancer can turn to the organization for resources and support.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 27, 2010

Mitch Davis, a 19-year-old who was missing since early Sunday morning, was discovered in the Kern River Canyon in Bakersfield, California, earlier this week. The teenager had survived his night in the wreckage of his pick-up truck, and is expected to make a full recovery.

Davis was dehydrated and suffered from a broken left arm and broken right clavicle, according to BakerfieldNow.com. The cause of the crash is still unknown.

When Davis didn't come home, his father and a family friend went looking for him, and discovered his vehicle by the side of the highway, the news source reports.

For many victims of car accidents, the road to a full recovery is often a long one. Health experts suggest that those who are recovering from car accidents should work to lead as active a life as they are able. This can include returning to one's favorite sport, or simply walking or hiking.

Group support from others who are working to recover is also thought to be extremely beneficial. Survivors will have the opportunity to share experiences and enjoy camaraderie.

There are also a wide range of online resources that can help people deal with the aftermath of car accidents, including the Crash Survivors Network, as well as regional and local organizations, such as the Brain Injury Association of Michigan.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that a total of 16,520 people lost their lives in passenger car crashes in 2007 and 1,475,000 were injured in 2006 (the last year for which the data is available).

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 27, 2010

Shanel Poole survived an abusive childhood to go on to become a successful student ambassador at Indiana State University who will be delivering this year's commencement speech.

Poole, who would hide in her car or hang out with troubled friends to avoid going home as a teenager, is the first person in her family to graduate from college. She has taken advantage of programs such as the McNair Graduate Opportunity Program, which is an initiative that works to help first-generation college students and students from groups that are underrepresented in graduate education prepare for a doctorate degree.

"It's very hard to come from a dysfunctional family, being kicked out of school since sixth grade and lacking an education," the scholar said of her achievement. "Indiana State University has given me the confidence that I am more than a conqueror, that I can do all things … It has given me knowledge."

Young people who have come from an abusive home may be inspired by Poole's success. Official statistics suggest that approximately 5.8 million children were involved in abuse allegations in 2007 alone, and that the cycle of domestic violence is likely to continue unless outside forces intervene.


Those who are victims of domestic abuse should seek help from law enforcement officials, social workers, school guidance counselors or healthcare providers.


The National Domestic Violence Hotline is an excellent resource that provides confidential and anonymous around-the-clock help to those in need.


Individuals who are living in an abusive situation can find valuable resources on the website of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 28, 2010

When Lareece Butler decided to skydive, she probably hoped for an adrenaline rush. Instead, the thrill seeker ended up plunging 3,000 feet toward the ground when her parachute, which should have opened automatically, failed to deploy properly, according to the LA Times.

Butler's fall occurred while she was in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province. The 26-year-old is a novice sky diver.

"It should have all run smoothly but she exited the plane in an unusual and unstable position," skydive manager Joos Vos told the news source. "This caused the parachute leads to become entangled. Although the parachute did partially inflate, it was rotating and becoming more entangled as she dropped."

Butler somehow landed well, and survived the fall with only a broken leg, a concussion, and bumps and bruises.

Skydiving is an adventure sport that has become more popular in recent years, but still poses some safety risks worldwide. Last year, 52 people were killed internationally while skydiving, according to TheDropzone.com.

The news source recommends that skydivers should conduct frequent and thorough equipment checks, emergency procedures practice and enhanced canopy control awareness.

Those who have been involved in a sports accident can turn to the website of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress or the Trauma Resource Institute, both of which offer valuable resources and support to survivors and their families.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 28, 2010

When Rachael Shardlow went swimming in a river in the northeast portion of Australia's Queensland state, the last thing that her parents expected her to encounter was a jellyfish. However, the 10-year-old was stung by a large box jellyfish, the sting of which is typically fatal to an adult, according to the Associated Press.

The girl's brother pulled her from the water after the sea creature had wrapped its tentacles around her. Rachael told him that she couldn't see or breathe before she slipped out of consciousness, according to the news provider.

The experts are shocked that the child survived the sting, as it seems that no one else has ever been stung by a box jellyfish and lived to tell about it. However, Rachael seems to be thriving.

"The greatest fear was actual brain damage [but] her cognitive skills and memory tests were all fine," her father, Geoff Shardlow, told ABC.

Box jellyfish are notorious for being deadly, and can be found in Northern Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Hawaii, and Vietnam and around the world in other warm, tropical waters.

The U.S. National Science Foundation reports that it's difficult to determine exactly how many fatalities occur from box jellyfish, but the number is estimated to be between 20 and 40 annually.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 28, 2010

When asked to conjure a mental image of a hearty dog, most people would not picture a Shih Tzu. However, one lucky little stray Shih Tzu in Utah survived being hit by a train twice.

The pup was dangerously close to the rail road tracks outside of Salt Lake City earlier this month when an employee of the Utah Railway Company spotted him. Unfortunately, despite the engineer's best efforts, the train was unable to stop, and the small dog was hit by the snow plow on the train, according to WKOWtv.com.

The operator was apparently unable to stop thinking about the stray pooch, so he drove back the site of the incident later to find the dog lying dazed on the tracks. The employee took the dog home and is now nursing him back to health, the news source reports.

Though this wayward dog did not seem to have an owner nearby, those who wish to prevent their pet from being hit by a vehicle and injured should obey their town's leash laws and keep a close eye on the animal when they're by a busy road or in an unfamiliar area.

Those who wish to adopt a furry friend should turn to their local animal rescue shelter. According to the U.S. Humane Society, between 6 and 8 million strays enter into animal rescue shelters every year, and they all need homes.

Animal lovers who don't have room for a pet could volunteer their time to their local SPCA, or donate food or funds to a nearby shelter.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 23, 2010

The cloud of volcanic ash has affected thousands of travelers around the world in the same way - delayed their flights, complicated travel plans, and led to nights spent sleeping on airport chairs. But some are finding more creative ways to survive the debacle than others.

Tod and Andrea Brilliant were on their way home from a wedding when Heathrow airport cancelled their flight due to the cloud of volcanic ash obscuring the sky. But, instead of despairing, the innovative couple set up a Facebook group that allowed them to commiserate with other stranded travelers.

The group is called Volcanoes Erupt: A Survival Guide for Stranded Travelers. The cheerful description reads,"Hundreds of thousands of us are stranded, thanks to billowing ash from Iceland's Mt. [Eyjafjallajokull]. Let's come together, swap stories, keep our spirits up, and offer advice for coping with our situations."

The Brilliants have used their time in Strafford-upon-Avon, England, to sightsee, though the pair hopes to make it back to the States as soon as possible so that Andrea, who is eight months pregnant, will not deliver her child across the pond.

According to the Economist, there were several exercises run in recent years to prepare for a similar incident, though experts did not expect the possible eruption to be quite so dramatic. The volcano is known to have previously erupted from 1821 to 1823.

Thus far, the migrating cloud of volcanic ash has affected tens of thousands of flights, and cost European airlines approximately $336 million, the news source reports.