By The Survivors Club Staff
April 23, 2010

When Dr Damon T Arnold, the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, addresses the importance of prostate cancer awareness, he speaks from experience. In 2003, the health official was diagnosed with an early-stage of the disease, and has since undergone a prostatectomy.

The cancer survivor credits early-detection with his survival, and urges all men to stay on top of their prostate health. He especially addresses the need for African American men to have frequent prostate screenings, as they have a prostate cancer incidence rate that is sixty percent higher than that of white males, and the mortality rate of the demographic is more than twice that of white males.

"We need to recognize prostate cancer as a disease that is unfortunately both prevalent and largely overlooked in the African American community," said Arnold. "As an African American man and a survivor of prostate cancer, I can personally attest to the importance of early detection of the disease."

Among all ages and races, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths for American men. Last year, 192,280 new cases of the disease were diagnosed.

Experts suggest that exercise and a healthy, low-cholesterol diet may help reduce one's risk of developing the disease.

It is also recommended that African Americans and other men with an elevated risk, such as those who have a family history of prostate cancer, have frequent PSA (prostate-specific antigen) testing.

Those who have survived the disease can turn to the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Their website houses valuable networking resources and information, and also provides an opportunity for individuals who wish to support the cause to donate money for research.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 23, 2010

Ten years ago, Scott Parris survived a stroke that left him with physical disabilities. However, the 39-year-old hasn't allowed it to slow him down – in fact, in the years since, he has pushed his body harder than ever before.

Over the past decade, Parris has walked two marathons, five half-marathons and many 5K races, according to GreenvilleOnline.com. However, the most impressive entry on his athletic resume may be the 114th Boston Marathon, which he entered earlier this week.

Parris attributes his impressive accomplishments to his brother Keith's encouragement. "Keith is an Ironman. He's good. And me, that's good. But that's frustrating because Ironman, I would love that, but can't do that …yet," he told the news source.

Parris, who was 29 years old when he suffered his stroke, is lucky to have survived the episode. According to the Center for Disease Control, 137,000 Americans die from a stroke every year.

Though not all cases of stroke are preventable, those who live a healthy and active lifestyle have a better chance of recovering than their more sedentary counterparts. Eating a healthy diet that is low in cholesterol and making a point of exercising can speed up one's recuperation.

The American Heart Association offers resources and information to help stroke victims and their family members thrive. The AHA also accepts donations from those who are interested in supporting their activities.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 21, 2010

Dimitrios Philliou, a 16-year-old boy from Montgomery County, Maryland, and three friends were examining a handgun in his basement when the firearm accidentally went off. A bullet hit Philliou squarely in the chest and pierced his aorta, which is one of the major blood vessels in the human body.

His amazing survival might be attributed to the unconventional treatment method that surgeons at the Washington Hospital Center employed when Philliou arrived, according to MSN.com.

Instead of opting for invasive surgery that would be difficult to survive, surgeons patched his torn aorta with a sleeve-like stent that served as an artificial lining for the vein.

When those who are unfamiliar with firearms handle a loaded weapon, they place themselves and the people around them in harm's way.

According to the child death review, 174 children died from unintentional firearm-related injuries in 2000, which is the last year for which statistics are available.

Some of the contributing factors to accidental gun-related adolescent deaths may include easily accessible firearms, a lack of adult supervision, poverty, isolation and family violence.

Parents who keep guns in their home could search to find gun safety courses in their area.

Victims of unintentional gun-shot wounds and their families can contact Gift from Within, an International Nonprofit Organization that works to provide those who have survived trauma with resources and support.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 21, 2010


Michael Brewer of Deerfield, Florida, survived severe burns over 60 percent of his body when classmates doused him with alcohol and set him on fire over a video game last October. The resilient young man recently appeared on the Today Show to discuss the incident and his injuries with Meredith Vieira.

Doctors were unsure if Michael would be able to recover from the attack. He has since endured four skin grafts and intensive physical therapy. Luckily, Michael's face and hands were not scarred in the incident.

Michael's mother attributes his recovery to his strength and desire to survive. He had "a lot of courage, a lot of determination and an incredible will to live," she told Viera.

In recent weeks, the nation has begun to focus attention on teen bullying. It seems as if there has been an epidemic of violent and hateful behavior among school-aged children that has resulted in a series of dramatic incidents.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that over 35 percent of high school-aged youth have been in a physical fight at some point over the last year, and young men seem to be more prone to violent behavior than young women.

Parents who identify violent tendencies could turn to their child's physician, school psychiatrists or the CDC's The Preventing Youth Violence: Program Activities Guide for information, advice and guidance.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 19, 2010

When Mike Hemmer awoke in an Amsterdam hospital during the Lenten season of 2009, he couldn't remember the accident that had knocked him out, but he was overcome with a sense of well-being, according to the Catholic News Agency.

Hemmer survived the crash that injured 86 and killed nine people on Ash Wednesday 2009, according to CatholicNewsAgency.com. If astute medics had not recognized the extent of Hemmer's injuries at the scene of the crash and airlifted him to the nearest hospital, the father-of-three wouldn't have survived, the news source reports.

In the year since the accident, Hemmer has recovered from a shattered arm, broken bones in both legs, a broken nose, a fractured eye socket and two crushed wisdom teeth, the website reports.

Hemmer's survival "is truly a miracle," his wife Shirley told the news source. "The other miracle is that he had no internal injuries, no spinal injuries and no brain injuries."

Though one's odds of being involved in a plane crash are slim, there are some precautions that travelers can take to enhance their chances of survival in case of an accident. Mac McLean, the Federal Aviation Administration investigator for cabin safety, recommends counting the number of rows between your seat and the nearest exit when you board the plane, according to ABC News.

After the accident, it is important to leave the scene as fast as possible because it can quickly become toxic or explosive.

The National Transportation Safety Board reports that there were 1,559 airplane accidents in U.S. civil aviation in 2008.

Those who have been in a plane crash, and are seeking support to live a full and thriving life, can contact the Crash Survivors Network, which offers information and resources.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 20, 2010

Many people have daydreams of weaving in and out of a crowd of exhausted runners and sprinting across the finish with one last burst of adrenaline to win the Boston marathon. However, some people, like Mike McBride, are content to just survive the harrowing road race.

Mike McBride, the last man to cross the finish line at last year's Boston Marathon, tied on his running shoes and hit the road again this year, with his Oxygen tank rolling along behind him.

McBride suffers from a serious lung ailment, but he made a point of finishing the event last year, and intended to do it again at this year's race, according to Boston.com.

"If I were doing this for the glory, I’d be disappointed because there’s nobody there to heap the rewards on me - but that’s not why I do it," McBride, a Colorado native, told the news source. "Any time you do something that not a lot of people will ever do, that’s an adrenaline rush right there. For me it's spiritual, it's humbling. It’s a pride thing, too. It's a lot of things. I want more of it."

Those who suffer from a lung disease can still endeavor to live thriving, healthy lives despite their ailment. Eating a healthy diet, not smoking, getting exercise and taking advantage of the resources offered through the American Lung Association (ALA) may enhance their quality of life.

According to the organization, studies suggest that air pollution is linked to many lung diseases as well as heart disease, cancer, asthma, other illnesses, and even death. Individuals should be mindful of the air quality in their communities.

Those who wish to donate time or funds to the cause can contact the ALA for volunteer opportunities.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 20, 2010


When Greg Wagner was only three years old, he survived a stroke and brain aneurysm - the effects of which he still struggles to overcome today. However, Wagner, who's now 25-years-old, has trained for and run in the Boston Marathon twice within the last three years, according to the Washington Post.

Though the athlete has considered hanging up his running shoes and letting someone else hit the pavement, the support and encouragement from those who follow him makes it nearly impossible for him to quit.

"Here's a great example of why I run," the 25-year-old told the news source. "I put up as a Facebook status a while ago 'This is gonna be my final marathon' and within 10 minutes I had five responses from different brain surgery survivors telling me, 'No, you can't.'"

He added that he doesn't feel as if he's expected to run, but that he thinks that other survivors glean strength from his efforts.

Though Wagner was very young when he experienced his stroke, adults can take steps toward a healthier lifestyle to reduce their chances of having an episode. Most doctors agree that a low-cholesterol diet and regular physical exercise can substantially reduce one's risk.

Approximately 143,579 Americans died as a result of a stroke in 2005.

Active individuals who run, like Wagner, or make a point of exercising, are more likely to make a full recovery after experiencing a stroke than those who had led a more sedentary lifestyle prior to the incident.

The American Heart Association advocates for victims of stroke by providing information and other resources to help survivors and their families thrive.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 16, 2010

Stephen Nasser, who was a 13-year-old boy when the Nazis pulled his family from Hungary and sent them to the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland, has been traveling to spread the word about his experiences and talk about how he managed to survive.

In 2003, Nassar wrote a book about his ordeal, titled My Brother's Voice, which was in honor of his brother Andris who perished in the camps, according to AZCentral.com.

Nassar has thrived despite his traumatic early life, and currently resides in Las Vegas with his wife. The city proclaimed August, 8 2008 to be Stephen Nassar day, in honor of his courage.

Though the holocaust affected millions of people, any distressing event or loss can leave a person with physical and emotional scars.

The National Institute of Mental Health reports that an estimated 5.2 million Americans aged 18 to 54 have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. There are a variety of treatments available for those who suffer from the disease.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy and medicines known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors appear to be the most effective treatments for PTSD that can help survivors feel calmer and more in control of their emotions.

Those who wish to thrive and live rewarding lives after experiencing a violent conflict or PTSD could also turn to the Trauma Resource Institute or the American Red Cross.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 16, 2010


Natalie "Sandy" Herbst-Vinge, a 76-year-old resident of La Mesa, California, survived being bound, gagged and beaten by intruders. According to SDNN.com, the septuagenarian will be awarded a Citizens of Courage Award by District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis.

Herbst-Vinge's attack occurred last December, when two men entered her home, bound her and put her in the trunk of their car. The men drove around for 26 hours, but were discovered when a sheriff pulled the suspicious-looking vehicle over, according to the news outlet.

Other victims who will be honored with the award include a woman who survived being beaten and set on fire by her ex-boyfriend, and a dog who works with mentally disabled adults, the news source reports.

Though many women fear assault from a stranger, statistics suggest that an estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year.

Most experts agree the cycle of domestic violence is unlikely to be broken without outside intervention and recommend those affected by it seek help from law enforcement, social workers or healthcare providers.

Victims can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline, which offers anonymous around-the-clock help and is available in all 50 states.

Those struggling with abuse as well as survivors can find valuable resources on the website of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 14, 2010

Robert Smith, an attendant at Mount Trexler Manor in Allentown, Pennsylvania, willingly made a 30-foot plunge to break the fall of a suicidal patient at the facility - and survived.

Smith suffered major injuries including severe fractures in both of his arms, but he managed to avoid spinal and brain injuries, USA Today reports.

The 20-year-old woman whom he risked his life for also survived the fall, and only sustained minor injuries.

"That's the nature of the type of person he is," Smith's uncle told the news source. Other colleagues and friends have described Smith as "conscientious" and "always there for people."

Smith has three children and three grandchildren. He's expected to recover after extensive rehabilitation.

According to the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention, more than 33,000 people die by suicide every year in the U.S., and it is the fourth leading cause of death for adults between the ages of 18 and 65.

The foundation organizes a series of conferences around the world to help the families of those who have committed suicide heal and thrive after the death of their loved one.

Individuals who are depressed and struggling with suicidal thoughts can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.