By The Survivors Club Staff
April 6, 2010

Fu Ziyang is among a group of over 100 miners who survived being trapped in a coal mine for over eight days after the site flooded last week, according to the Metro. Fu, who heroically made it through the ordeal, was rescued yesterday, and his family says he is weak but recovering.

In order to survive, Fu and the other trapped men resorted to drastic measures. They weathered the harsh conditions within the mine by eating sawdust for sustenance and drinking the cloudy water they were forced to tread.

"The trapped miners stayed so unwaveringly determined down the mine shaft, passing through eight days and eight nights to live," a rescuer told the news source.

In total, 115 of the men were pulled to safety as of yesterday, and 38 are still missing.

In America, the safety on miners has been an ongoing issue for decades.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it's not uncommon for workers to be exposed to hot, noisy, environments for long hours. In addition to the dangerous conditions associated with the job, coal miners are at risk for developing the lung disease pneumoconiosis.

The longer a worker spends in a mine, the higher their chances are of developing the disease, according to the National Institute of Health. It most commonly affects those who are over 50, and smokers may have an increased chance of being diagnosed with the condition.

Wearing a protective mask may reduce one's exposure to harmful coal dust. Workers who experience chronic shortness of breath or a persistent cough should visit their doctor for testing as soon as possible.

Miners who are diagnosed with the condition can contact Breath of Mercy, which provides support and resources to those with a chronic lung disease.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 5, 2010

Pascal Dangin seems to be both prone to accidents and extremely lucky. The founder of Box Studios in New York City, which is one of the most distinguished photo-retouching firms in the business, was in a serious auto accident in the Hamptons over the weekend, when a drunk driver smashed into his Range Rover. The 44-year-old and his 13-year-old daughter escaped unscathed, according to the New York Post.

The accident comes hot on the heels of a plane crash that Dangin survived unharmed 13 months ago. The Frenchman was taking a flight lesson near his home in New York when his plane overshot the runway and crashed. Dangin escaped before the aircraft exploded.

"It would seem like I'm like a cat with nine lives," Dangin told the news source. He also mused that perhaps something was protecting him. "I believe, obviously, in some greater force. We're not alone. Something is watching over me. I feel very, very lucky to escape unharmed, not just for me but my daughter."

Mothers Against Drunk Driving, an advocacy organization that accepts donations, reports that approximately three out of 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives. In 2008, an estimated 11,773 people died in car accidents caused by intoxicated drivers.

Experts urge partygoers to choose a designated driver before their night begins, or to plan on taking a taxi home.

Those who have been injured or traumatized in a crash can contact the Crash Survivors Network for resources and assistance.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 2, 2010

When Robert Biddle was 11 years old, the Iowa native survived a serious bicycle accident that left him full of aches and pains. However, instead of healing over time, his injuries became progressively worse in the months following the incident. After six months, he was having difficulty walking, according to PittsburghLive.com.

Luckily, Biddle, who is now 53, had a second cousin who was a chiropractor. Because of the treatment he received from his family member, Biddle was pain free and thriving after a short period of time. However, something else came out of the experience - he realized he wanted to help others the same way his cousin had helped him.

He now prides himself on excellent bedside manner and a custom-tailored approach to treatment.

"There are a lot of different techniques out there and I don't disparage any of them," he told the news source. "[Techniques] are physical, but you temper your technique to the tolerance of each patient. It's physical and emotional. You have to understand the patient as a whole being, not just a backache or a headache."

Those who ride a bike should take safety precautions to reduce their chances of being injured in a crash. According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, 698 bicyclists died on U.S. roads in 2007.

In fact, the experts suggest that non-helmeted riders are 14 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than helmeted riders, as head injuries account for more than 60 percent of bicycle-related deaths.

Survivors may turn to the Trauma Resource Institute or Crash Survivors Network, which offers resources to help victims overcome physical and emotional injuries and live thriving lives.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 2, 2010

When Donna Baker was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1988, her prognosis was not good. However, she was committed to fighting the disease and staying positive. To treat the cancer plaguing her body, she endured numerous rounds of chemotherapy and radiation and tried several different medications, according to WWLP.com.

However, Baker's positive spirit and willpower seem to have been their own form of treatment, and the 49-year-old has survived nearly 22 years with the disease, the news provider reports.

"What's remarkable is how she's remained positive. She has no cognitive problems at all. Neurologically, she's intact and that's tremendous for us to see," her doctor, Dr Michael Yunes, told the news provider.

Baker herself offered her take on why she has survived for so long."I never thought it was going to kill me because I was too busy living," she said.

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.

Though experts claim there are no known ways to stave off the disease, living a healthy lifestyle and avoiding exposure to radiation and certain harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, vinyl chloride and acrylonitrile, may help reduce one's risk of developing a brain tumor, according to MedTV.com.

Individuals who have a family history of the disease are encouraged to talk to their doctors about screening.

Survivors and their families may consult the website of the National Brain Tumor Society for information on how to thrive despite their diagnosis.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 2 , 2010

In November of last year, Kiera Echols began to feel ill. She experienced fever and body chills and suspected she had the flu. The 22-year-old eventually passed out about two weeks after the symptoms had presented themselves, and was taken to the hospital. It was there that she was diagnosed with meningitis and sent home after six days, according to Cincinnati.com.

However, Echols soon began hallucinating and became convinced she was possessed by a demon, the news source reports.

When she returned to the hospital, it was revealed that Echols was suffering from a rare benign tumor, called a teratoma, on her ovary. Her immune system had formed strong antibodies to the growth, which resulted in her psychotic behavior.

"She was totally insane when she came in, to the point where she would lunge at you, thinking she had to defend herself against you," Dr Ed Richards told the news provider. "And a few days after the surgery, she was pretty much back to normal."

Echols is fortunate her tumor wasn't malignant, as ovarian cancer is the ninth most common cancer in women and ranks fifth as the cause of cancer death. But, the sooner the disease is detected the better the prognosis. In fact, 70 percent of women who do not survive were diagnosed when the disease was already advanced.

In addition to early detection, prevention efforts may reduce one's risk of developing the disease. Women who take birth control pills or undergo surgical procedures such as tubal ligation or hysterectomy are less likely to develop the disease.

The American Cancer Society offers valuable information and resources for those who are diagnosed with the condition.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 1, 2010

Terry Francona, who is credited with breaking "the curse of the Bambino," almost didn't live to see the Red Sox make it to the World Series in 2004.

The manager, who's beloved by Bostonians and reviled by New Yorkers, was recovering from knee surgery in 2002 when he embarked on a cross-country flight. However, soon after take-off he began to experience a shortness of breath and numbness. Upon landing, he headed to the hospital where he was eventually diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a potentially fatal condition that affects the circulatory system.

Francona is aware of how lucky he is to have survived the flight." I've had my share of health issues and I know that I'm fortunate to be here," he says. "I was a little bit dumb and a little bit more than stubborn to have gotten on that plane and waited to go to the hospital, but fortunately I was young enough and strong enough to fight that initial embolism."

The manager is currently working to raise awareness of the condition by appearing on the inspirational television show Sharing Miracles.

According to the Mayo Clinic, DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the deep veins in the body, usually in the leg. DVT may be a side-effect of a medication, or the result of flong-periods of inactivity.

Patients who develop symptoms such as swelling in their extremities or neck or a lasting pain that feels like a cramp should consult a medical expert immediately, the source reports.

The Center for Disease control estimates between 350,000 to 600,000 Americans are diagnosed with DVT every year. Those who are suffering from the condition can take advantage of the resources made available by the National Alliance for Thrombosis and Thrombophilia.

By The Survivors Club Staff
April 1, 2010

When Jennifer Renz, an expectant mother of twins, went into labor two weeks early, she delivered a healthy baby girl, Grace, on March 22. However, Grace's brother Noah wasn't born until a week later, according to NewsNet5.com. Happily, both babies and mom survived the unique birth.

After Renz gave birth to Grace, it seemed as if Noah was not yet ready to greet the world, and as the babies were premature, physicians chose not to push for the second infant's delivery.

"When the first twin delivered, the uterus just stopped," obstetrician and gynecologist Dr Michael Gyves told the news source. "Her cervix started to close."

In the end, baby Noah survived in the womb for seven days and was delivered then. A silver lining of the harrowing experience is that the two tots will each get to celebrate their own birthday, the new mom told the news provider.

Babies who are born prematurely face many hurdles, but those who survive an early birth often thrive and go on to live healthy lives. Moreover, mothers who refrain from smoking, drinking alcohol and using drugs during pregnancy increase the odds of carrying their baby to term.

In addition, expectant women with a history of high blood pressure or diabetes should work with their healthcare provider to control these conditions during gestation, the CDC advises.

Women experiencing a high risk pregnancy may use the resources of the American Pregnancy Association.

By The Survivors Club Staff

March 31, 2010

When a dump truck collided with a group of 10 motorcyclists at a stoplight near Phoenix, Arizona, Jason Anania was thrown from his Triumph Bonneville motorcycle onto the pavement, and saw the truck explode in flames before he was knocked unconscious by the impact, according to The Arizona Republic.

Witnesses of the crash dragged the riders away from the flames and laid them on the ground while waiting for help to arrive.

Anania, who is an operating room nurse in a Phoenix, requested that he be air lifted to the hospital he works at, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center. There, doctors attended to his right leg, which was badly broken on impact. Of the 10 riders involved in the accident, there were pronounced dead on the scene, and one succumbed to her injuries at the hospital, the news source reports.

"I'm not saying helmets would have saved them, but if I wasn't wearing one, I'd be dead," Anania told the news provider. He added that he was greatful to have survived.

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

Because excessive speed and intoxication are the main factors behind the majority of automobile accidents, experts suggest that obeying the speed limit and refraining from drinking and driving may reduce one's chances of being injured in a crash.

The use of seat belts is also a proven method to save lives during road accidents.

Those who are coping with the aftermath of an accident will find valuable resources available to them through the Crash Survivors Network.

By The Survivors Club Staff
March 29, 2010

Though many perished in the devastating car wreck that occurred on a highway in Kentucky last week, there were two very young survivors. According to MSNBC, Josiah Eshes, 5, and Johnny Eshes, 3, made it through the accident, thanks in part to their child safety seats.

In total, 11 people were killed in the crash, which occurred on Friday afternoon. The Eshes were in a van, heading to the wedding of a family friend, when a tractor-trailer veered off course, ran over the cable barrier in the median of the highway and struck the van.

Another tractor-trailer driver who witnessed the accident sprang into action and pulled to two surviving boys from the wreckage, news source reports.

The Eshes were members of a Mennonite community, and the other families with whom they were close have drawn together to grieve and support one another in this time of need.

For adults who have made it through an accident, it's important that they treat both the physical and emotional wounds that the trauma may have suffered. There are a variety of resources available to help victims thrive in the wake of their experience.

In addition, there is a 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 a total of 16,520 people lost their lives in passenger car crashes in 2007 and 1,475,000 were injured in 2006.

By The Survivors Club Staff
March 29, 2010

Hollywood icon Dennis Hopper, best known for his iconic roles in films such as Easy Rider and Blue Velvet has survived several months of prostate cancer to receive his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which is the 2,403rd star on the famous row.

Hopper was greeted by other veterans of the silver screen with whom he has forged close ties, including Jack Nicholson, Viggo Mortensen, David Lynch and Michael Madsen.

At the ceremony, Hopper eloquently expressed his gratitude, saying, "Everything I learned in life I learned from you and the wonderful world that I traveled and saw…This [Hollywood] has been my home and my school. And I love all of you. I just want to thank you."

Hopper's struggle with the disease has come as a surprise to many fans of the robust actor who spent most of his live brimming with vitality. However, the disease is the second leading cause of death in American men. Approximately 192,280 new cases were diagnosed in 2009.

However, experts suggest physical exercise and a heart-healthy diet can help reduce an individual's chances of developing the disease.

Those who have an elevated risk of prostate cancer, such as African Americans and those with a family history, should have a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test on a regular basis.

Survivors may turn to the Prostate Cancer Foundation website to access valuable resources and information, as well as contribute to research efforts dedicated to finding a cure for the disease.