By The Survivors Club Staff
March 22, 2010

Star Jones, who became a household name for her former gig as a co-host of The View, attracted plenty of attention after a drastic weight loss that left the formerly-rotund lawyer nearly unrecognizable. However, her fight with obesity wasn't her only health problem, as Jones was recently underwent heart surgery.
According to People.com, the procedure performed on the 47-year-old was required as a result of another surgery she had nearly thirty years ago to remove a thoracic tumor. However, the current host of Court TV appears to be doing well.

Her rep told the news source that "the procedure was successful and she is recovering well with her family."

Though many cutting edge surgical procedures can save a patient's life, it's also important to know the basics first aid such as CPR, CCR and how to use an automated external defibrillator in case of heart failure emergencies. Experts also stress the importance of knowing the symptoms of cardiac arrest and calling 911 immediately if someone appears to be in distress.

The American Heart Association reports that the warning signs of cardiac arrest include loss of consciousness as well as loss of normal breathing, pulse and blood pressure.

Those interested in donating money to help survivors thrive in the wake of an incident may do so through the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation. Individuals who wish to be trained in emergency medical procedures can contact their local chapter of the American Red Cross.

By The Survivors Club Staff
March 22, 2010

When the Hiladun family of Ballston Lake, New York, found out that their infant son, Will, had a rare form of cancer, the community pulled together to offer them support. When Will passed away his family and town were devastated, but the Hiladuns have since formed the Brave Will Foundation to help others whose children receive a similar diagnosis.

The family is currently planning the organization's first gala. The funds that the foundation generates will go toward other families with terminally ill children who are struggling to get by, according to the PostStar.com.

"I want to help a family because I'm so thankful for everybody who helped our entire family," Tammy Hiladun told the news source. "Fighting cancer, living in a hospital, even with all the incredible help from people, it's very expensive for a family."

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), pediatric cancers are the leading cause of non-accidental death among U.S. children, and in 2008 more than 10,000 children were diagnosed with a form of the disease.



However, the mortality rates have declined over the past 30 years thanks in part to better treatment options. The NCI urges parents to have their children genetically tested to monitor their risk of illness.



There are a variety of resources available to provide information and support for cancer survivors and their families, including the Childhood Cancer Foundation, which accepts donations, as well as the Pediatric Oncology Resource Center.

By The Survivors Club Staff
March 22, 2010

When Stevie Wonder was born prematurely in 1950, he was rushed to an incubator. Unfortunately, doctors at the time did not realize that the pure oxygen pumped into the apparatus blinded babies as it also saved their lives.

However, Wonder's musical talent was not impeded by his physical disability, and he has gone on to have a thriving career in the recording industry. The singer has also been very active in Junior Blind of America, a nonprofit organization that seeks to help patients and their families.

And now, after more than two decades of involvement, Wonder has agreed to serve on the Junior Blind of America's Board of Directors.

"Stevie has been a dedicated friend and supporter of Junior Blind's children and families for two decades," said Miki Jordan, president of Junior Blind. "We are thrilled he is taking this next step to build on his longstanding commitment to improving the lives of people who are living with visual impairments and other disabilities."

Though many advances have been made in eye care over the last 60 years, there are still many challenges. According to the American Foundation for the Blind, which accepts donations, there are more than 20 million Americans who have experienced significant vision loss.

And, though in some instances blindness cannot be prevented, events such as trauma as well as diabetes and age-related macular degeneration are major causes of non-congenital vision loss.

Those who are at a high risk of diseases related to blindness, such as diabetes, should schedule regular vision screenings and discuss with their doctor if there are any dietary supplements that may work to preserve their vision.



Survivors and their families may also turn to Prevent Blindness America for more information on treatment options and additional resources.

By The Survivors Club Staff
March 19, 2010

When Bob Gibbs was diagnosed with a primary Grade II brain tumor in 2004, the odds weren't in his favor. And, despite his aggressive treatment plan, which involved extensive chemotherapy and surgery, his cancer continued to progress.

But, when he was officially declared to have a Grade III tumor, he became eligible to receive an experimental treatment that actually extended his life. Gibbs began to take DCVax-Brain, a brain cancer vaccine that is lengthening the lives of those who have been afflicted with the illness by up to six years post-diagnosis.

However, Gibbs was frustrated with the terms of eligibility and lack of awareness of the therapy, so he began his own charitable organization, Miles for Hope, to raise awareness of the treatment method.

"It has been quite frustrating to see the same vaccine that saved my life, and the lives of others, unavailable to those battling this devastating disease," Gibbs said. "We are all living proof that the vaccine works, but we see too many doctors and patients that remain unaware that the vaccine exists, and of its impressive clinical trial track record."

Brain tumors often do not receive the same coverage and attention as breast cancer or prostate cancers, but more than 190,000 individuals are diagnosed with the disease each year.

However, survivors can seek out new treatment methods, such as DCVax-Brain, for a more promising prognosis.

Organizations such as Miles for Hope are working to raise money to make cutting edge medications and therapies available to patients and fund further research about the disease.

By The Survivors Club Staff
October 16, 2009


Before hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, Letitia Theodore had a comfortable home in the Big Easy. However, when the disaster swept away her house and nearly all of her worldly possessions, she had to rebuild her life piece by piece. She spent three weeks living in a shelter and then moved with her family to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, still feeling lost and adrift, according to the HattiesburgAmerican.com.

But, thanks to the efforts of the Christian Women's Job Corp (CWJC) in the town, Theodore was able to take refuge in a loving, nurturing environment while educating herself and improving her resume, the news source reports.

"I was totally beaten down. I was a very sad person whose life had no meaning," she told the news provider.

However, the CWJC turned all of that around. "It was very scary at first because I had been out of school for so many years, but coming to the center made me feel better about myself," added the survivor.

She parleyed the skills that she honed at the CWJC into a position at a childcare center in Hattiesburg, where she helps high school students get ready for a college education.

The CWJC is a nonprofit organization that strives to equip women in need with the skills that they require to find gainful employment and live a richer and more satisfying life. They offer classes on topics such as money management, conflict resolution, effective parenting, stress reduction, nutrition and women's health.

The Department of Health and Human Services estimates that between 5 and 8 million Americans (2 to 3 percent of the U.S. population) have experienced some form of homelessness.

Women who find themselves homeless after a personal crisis or a natural disaster can turn to organizations such as the Homeless Emergency Project the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

By The Survivors Club Staff
March 18, 2010

Sahil Saeed, a 5-year-old British boy, was on vacation and visiting his grandmother in Pakistan. The visit was going smoothly until a group of armed gunmen stormed her Jhelum home and snatched the young boy on March 3.

However, thanks to the efforts of the Pakistani and UK authorities in the weeks following the event, Sahil has been reunited with his father, Raja Naqqash Saeed, who paid a ransom for the return of his son and is overjoyed to have him back.

"Sahil is doing well, is in good spirits, and can't wait to return to the UK to see his mum, his family, and join his friends back at school," the father told reporters.

Though some Americans may operate under the assumption that there is a greater risk of running into danger overseas, it's important to safeguard children in the U.S., as well.

The Amber Alert Registry, which works to facilitate the recovery of lost or kidnapped children, reports that approximately 800,000 children go missing in the U.S. each year.

In order to enhance law enforcement's ability to find a young person who disappeared, the registry recommends contacting local law enforcement immediately if a child is lost. When reporting the missing child, it is imporatnt to make sure to provide an accurate physical description of the boy or girl, including all articles of clothing worn at time of disappearance, as well as the child's personal information (name, age and the caller's contact information).

The registry partners with the Child Alert Foundation, which also accepts donations.

By The Survivors Club Staff
March 18, 2010

When Larry Long of Kentucky awoke from his drug-induced stupor on a recent morning, he realized he had placed his 5-week-old baby in the oven before passing out for the night. The new father, who works as a cook, had smoked marijuana before leaving work and had taken four to five shots of whiskey with the baby's mother, Brandy Halton.

Fortunately, the dazed father had left the door ajar and not turned the oven on. The newborn survived the night completely unharmed, and has been placed in the custody of Halton's family.

Though the Long's negligence could have ended in tragedy, he had the presence of mind to call for help when he realized that he could have hurt his child.

"He actually called a mental health crisis line immediately thereafter and told them that he had done this. And they contacted us," said County Sheriff Jon Hayden.

Long is currently being held on $10,000 bail and is charged with wanton endangerment, but his decision to call for help may have saved his child's life, as experts suggest that the cycle of domestic violence is likely to continue unbroken without the help of outside intervention.

It is recommended that those in an abusive situation seek help from law enforcement officials, social workers or healthcare providers. The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers confidential and anonymous around-the-clock help and is available in all 50 states.

Individuals who are in abusive situations, as well as those who have survived, will find that the website of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence is a valuable resource.

By The Survivors Club Staff
March 17, 2010

Patricia Trumbull was snorkeling on the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland, Australia when a five-foot long shark bit her rear end, media reports suggest.

The 60-year-old grandmother said that the moment she felt the bite she started hitting the big fish on its nose. '"[I was thinking] this shark's not going to get the better of me,' and I started punching it," she recalled, quoted by The Epoch Times.

Although her injuries are extensive and she lost some 40 percent of her blood, Trumbull is looking on the bright side. "I have to have a new remodeled bottom, so that's a positive," she said.

Though not as frequent as in Australia and New Zealand, shark attacks have also occurred in the U.S. In fact, data from the University of Florida suggest that between 1916 and 2008, a total of 100 people have been attacked by sharks, and 12 died, in American coastal waters.

Experts from the university's Museum of Natural History suggest that staying in groups, avoiding swimming after dark and far from the shore can minimize the risk of being attacked.

Moreover, individuals who are bleeding should refrain from entering waters where the predators might be present. The experts also recommend taking off shiny jewelry that sharks may mistake for fish scales. Similarly, excessive splashing can lead a shark to mistake a swimmer for an injured animal and attack.

Survivors may access valuable information that can help them thrive in the wake of a predator attack on the Trauma Resource Institute's website.

By The Survivors Club Staff
March 17, 2010

Richard McClow likes to spend winters on his boat in Florida, from where he can visit his girlfriend in the Bahamas, but a recent trip went terribly wrong when his 23-foot cabin cruiser hit a reef and capsized amid a storm, according to media reports.

Fortunately, McClow jumped before the boat sank and swam to a nearby island where he found himself stranded for three days, surviving on items from his boat - including water, bread, cheese, ketchup and Chinese takeout - that continued to wash out on the island, NBCChicago.com reported.

Finally, on the third day a fishing boat picked him up, and when asked about his reaction, the 79-year-old survivor commented that "I've always loved a challenge."

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, nearly 700 people died in recreational boating accidents in 2007, and experts warn that in addition to excessive speed, insufficient experience or knowledge of the terrain are frequent contributing factors.

The use of emergency gear such as lifejackets is important during a boating trip, as the Coast Guard's statistics suggest more than two-thirds of all fatalities are due to drowning. Of those, nearly 90 percent were not wearing a life vest, the source says.

It is also recommended to be realistic about one's navigational skills and hire a professional and experienced captain when faced with a difficult or unfamiliar terrain.

The Crash Survivors Network offers support and resources for survivors and their families coping with the aftermath of a serious accident.

By The Survivors Club Staff
March 16, 2010

One might think that after four strokes vigorous physical activity would be the last thing on Mycle Brandy's mind. However, Brandy is currently on his way - on foot - from Irvine, California to Washington, DC to raise funds and awareness about heart disease, according to media reports.

The 59-year-old set off on the 2,700-mile journey that may take him up to eight months in mid-February, The Orange County Register reported.

"Eventually ... we are going to create something that my grandsons are going to find useful later on in life that's going to save [lives of those who have a heart attack]," Brandy told supporters at his send-off, quoted by the news provider.

Once he reaches Washington, the survivor hopes to find a sponsor and fly to Greece to walk the Athens Classic Marathon.

While not all cases of stroke - which killed 143,579 Americans in 2005 - are preventable, doctors agree that a low-cholesterol diet and regular physical exercise can substantially reduce the risk.

Moreover, a recent study found that seniors who are more physically active and suffer a stroke recover faster and experience less lasting damage than those with a more sedentary lifestyle.

The American Heart Association is among the top organizations advocating for victims of stroke and providing information and other resources that may help survivors and their families thrive in the wake of such adversity. AHA also accepts donations from those interested in supporting its cause.