By The Survivors Club Staff
April 15, 2010

When Ilya, a manatee whom the coast guard has kept track of by the scars on the top of his head, was spotted struggling in a small waterway between New Jersey and State Island late last autumn, the animal rescue experts who stepped in to help him weren't sure if he would survive.

The sea creature, who in past years migrated to Massachusetts in the summers and headed farther south in the winter months, had dillydallied along the east coast, and become stuck in a water that was a mere 53 degrees. That's much chillier than the 68 degree temperatures the mammals require to survive, according to the Associated Press.

Happily, after the coast guard stepped in and transported the frozen manatee to Florida, the animal survived the winter and thrived in the warm waters of the south, the news source reports.

According to the Save the Manatee Club, the endangered animals, which can live up to 60 years, have been protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Currently, 84 percent of the manatee population lives in Florida.

Animal lovers who would like to donate their time, energy or funds to initiatives aimed at helping these friendly sea animals may contact the organization, which works to protect the gentle giants.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 15, 2010

In March of 2007, Trish Lannon, an assistant principal the West Friendship Elementary School in Elkridge, Maryland, was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer, according to ExploreHoward.com.

However, after a long road to recovery which included extensive chemotherapy, Lannon though that she was in the clear.

Unfortunately, last spring, after the survivor had her first mammogram, she received a call from her doctor informing her that she had breast cancer.

"I completely fell apart," the 42-year-old told the news provider. However, she credits her survival with how early her tumor was detected. "Getting a mammogram when I did saved my life."

The American Cancer Society recommends that women over the age of 40 begin receiving annual mammograms, and those as young as 20 may begin performing breast self-exams.

Individuals who have a high risk of breast cancer, because of a family history or genetic predisposition, may consider having more frequent screenings.

The National Cancer Institute suggests that more than 190,000 Americans were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009.

Organizations such as the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation work to spread breast cancer awareness, raise funds for medical research and help survivors live thriving lives.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 13, 2010

Nadia Bloom, an 11-year-old girl who ventured off on her own in the murky swampland near Lake Jesup, Florida, was found after she had been missing for four days, according to CNN.com.

The young girl, who has been described as mildly autistic according to the news source, was covered in insect bites and was missing her shoes, but seemed to be alright and grateful to have survived her adventure.

One of her rescuers told the news source that she wasn't complaining despite her extensive insect bites, and simply said, "Glad you guys found me, can't believe you rescued me. "

Bloom had been missing since Friday, and volunteers were forced to chop through the dense foliage to find the young girl.

Les Stroud of the show Survivorman told Health.com that women who enjoy the outdoors, and like to hike or venture into the wilderness, should make sure that they're as well-prepared for a change of plans as their male companions.

"I always tell women that they need to have their own pack with their own supplies," he told the news source. "When I'm doing trainings and a couple is there, I'll pull the woman away from the man and ask, 'Can you get to whatever he's carrying right now?' Too often women rely on the men to carry items they could both need."

Stroud recommends women outfit themselves with a knife, a small tin pot for collecting or boiling water, a compass, a watch, a rope and something to eat in case they find themselves stranded.

According to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, nearly 200 people a year become lost in the woods.

Those who have survived being stranded and have experience post traumatic stress resulting following their experience can contact the Trauma Resource Institute.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 12, 2010

Truck driver Randy Pierce was heading down the highway in Texas when his vehicle, which was carrying 20 tons of frozen chicken, was blindsided by a dump truck which crashed into the tractor trailer, according to TopSpeed.com.

To make the high-impact crash even worse, the dump truck sliced open the rig's fuel tank, which led to an explosion. Pierce's trailer then slid across the road to dangle precariously close to the edge of a nearby bridge.

"I honestly thought there was no way he could walk out of that truck," Kala Dickinson, his long-time friend and the owner of the Leap of Faith trucking company, told CNN.com.

Pierce, however, reacted quickly and was able to survive the fiery wreck. He was climbed out of the passenger side of his truck cab, onto solid ground, where he was safely out of range of the explosive accident.

Those who wish to avoid being injured in an automobile accident should be sure to wear their safety belts, as the use of seat belts can save lives during car accidents.

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, a total of 16,520 Americans died in passenger car crashes in 2007 and 1,475,000 were injured in 2006.

Victims who are seeking to thrive after an auto accident can access valuable resources and information through the Crash Survivors Network.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 12, 2010

When Anne Feeley was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme tumor in 2006 (the same kind of tumor as Senator Ted Kennedy), doctors told her that she had only a year left to live. But, four years later, the cancer survivor is planning to bike cross country to raise awareness and $3 million for her cause.

The initiative, called Brains on Bikes, will start off at the University of California, San Fransisco, and finish 3,782 miles later in Washington, D.C.

"The odds were terrible," Feeley said of her survival. "It was overwhelming, but I felt a need to keep moving, doing whatever exercise possible to get through the debilitating effects of chemotherapy. Exercise is my way of fighting - a way to focus on positive feelings and get strong. I am very lucky to be able to do these things."

The National Cancer Institute reports that an estimated 22,070 Americans will be diagnosed with brain cancer this year and 12,920 will die of the disease.

Experts suggest that it's nearly impossible to pinpoint the causes of brain cancer, but avoiding exposure to radiation and harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, vinyl chloride and acrylonitrile is likely to reduce one's risk of developing the disease, according to MedTV.com.

Those with a family history of the disease are encouraged to talk to their doctors about screening.

Those who would like to donate to the cause are urged to visit BrainsOnBikes.org. Every dollar raised will go to directly benefit brain cancer awareness.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 9, 2010

Tennis great Martina Navratilova was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, but the accomplished athlete is determined to thrive despite her illness.

Navratilova has been diagnosed with a non-invasive form of cancer called ductal carcinoma in situ, which luckily had not spread to the surrounding tissue or metastasized, according to CNN.com. She will undergo treatment and is expected to make a full recovery.

However, Navratilova urges other women to be more diligent about their breast health than she was.

"I feel so in control of my life and my body, and then this comes, and it's completely out of my hands," she told People Magazine." I let it slide. Everyone gets busy, but don't make excuses. I stay in shape and eat right, and it happened to me. Another year and I could have been in big trouble."

Women should be proactive about mammograms. Females over the age of 40 should make a point of scheduling an annual mammogram, and women over the age of 20 should begin conducting regular self breast exams, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

The ACS reports that there were 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed in 2009, and 40,170 deaths from the disease.

There are many organizations which work to raise awareness and funds for medical research, including the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, which also accepts donations.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 8, 2010

Fans who were worried that Whitney Houston, who has battled drug addictions for years, had suffered a relapse, can breathe a sigh of relief. The songstress, who was hospitalized earlier in the week, is doing fine.

In fact, she claims that her illness was the result of seasonal allergies that resulted in an upper respiratory infection. The performer, who was forced to reschedule concerts while she recuperated, is slated to resume touring on April 13, according to CNN.com.

"I'm just ready to move on and continue my world tour," she told People.com. "My health is terrific. But this is a time when I get a lot of allergies."

Those who love Houston and her music are sure to be thrilled that singer seems to have her drug addiction under control.

Analysts suggest that cocaine is the second most commonly used illicit drug in the U.S., and that about 15 percent of Americans over the age of 12 have tried it. Approximately 15,000 annual deaths are associated with the use of stimulants.

Experts recommend that addicts and their families seek help from trained physicians and addiction specialists to effectively control an addiction.

Those struggling with drug addiction can turn to organizations such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the non-profit Drug Rehab, both of which provide information and resources to victims and their families.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 8, 2010

Lance Armstrong, who survived testicular cancer to continue his incredibly successful career as a professional cyclist, has suffered a setback. The athlete and five of his teammates have come down with a stomach virus, and the illness has put Armstrong out of commission for the time being, according to CNN.com.

Armstrong, who is 38, was forced to pull out of the Circuit de la Sarthe. However, it's not expected that the condition will delay the cancer survivor's plans to ride in the Tour of California in May, or compete in the Tour de France, which begins in July.

However, a stomach bug isn't likely to be too much of a challenge for the seven-time Tour de France winner. When the cyclist was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1996, he had a long road of recovery ahead of him, according to the American Cancer Society (ASC).

"I was a halfway dead man just a few years ago and the best doctors in the world put me back together," he said after winning the ninth stage of the Tour in 1999. "I feel better now than ever before."

According to the Mayo Clinic, testicular cancer is the most commonly found cancer among males between the ages of 15 and 34.

Experts urge men to be screened frequently for the condition, as early detection is key for a good prognosis. If the cancer is caught early, 95 percent of men will be cured of the disease, the ACS reports.

Those who are diagnosed with the condition can search for the resources available through the ACS, which can help them survive and thrive in the wake of their diagnosis. Friends and family can also lend their time and funds to testicular-awareness activities in their area.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 5, 2010

Kym Eitel was hesitant to visit her doctor when she first discovered a lump under her armpit, but her husband convinced her to go for testing. When the then-38-year-old was diagnosed with breast cancer, she felt completely unprepared, as she knew little about it, according to TheMorningBulletin.com.

Eitel made it through the initial rounds of treatment, and has since survived two more reoccurrences of the disease. She was able to maintain a positive attitude as she fought the malignancy by pursuing her passions such as horseback riding and poetry, the news source reports.

"You forget that you are supposed to be sick," Eitel, who is now 44, told the news provider. Her optimism seems to have given her the vitality and strength required to thrive despite her condition.

According to the Nation Cancer Institute, approximately 192,370 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and 40,170 will die as a result of the disease. The American Cancer Society suggests women over the age of 40 begin receiving a mammogram on an annual basis, as early detection of a growth often leads to a better prognosis.

A healthy lifestyle that incorporates a low-fat diet, exercise and refraining from smoking can also reduce one's chances of being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Those who wish to donate funds for breast cancer treatment or research can contact the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, one of the leading nonprofits working to help women thrive despite their diagnosis.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 10, 2010

When Kay Harrison was taking a walk with her dog, Sammy, in her native Arizona, she knew there was something the loyal pooch was trying to tell her. Sammy jumped in front of her owner's path, and prevented her from taking another step, according to AZCentral.com.

When Harrison heard a snake rattle, she realized the dog was keeping her out of harm's way. Unfortunately, the snake attacked Sammy, and bit him on the head. The canine immediately began to experience the effects of the poison, but Harrison rushed her pet to the vet, who administered a snake bit vaccine, the news source reports.

SurviveOutdoors.com reports that 12 people per year die from snake bites in the U.S.

According to Desert USA, rattlesnakes are among the four types of poisonous serpents in the country. The venom of the coral snake, copperhead and cottonmouth water moccasin can also be fatal.

The organization reports that pain, tingling, swelling or burning at the site of the bite, and numbness, nausea and difficulty breathing are all signs of a poisonous snake bite. Victims who experience these symptoms should seek medical help immediately.

To reduce one's chances of being bitten by a snake, it's important that those who spend time outdoors pay attention to their environment, and never touch a wild serpent.