By The Survivors Club Staff
January 13, 2010

The powerful earthquake that hit Haiti on Tuesday is predicted to have killed hundreds of thousands of people, but amid the devastation there are also inspiring stories of miraculous survival.

One of them involves a husband who drove 100 miles to capital Port-au-Prince to search for his wife after he heard about of the disaster, according to the Associated Press. Frank Thorp then dug for more than one hour through bricks, wood and metal until he freed his wife and a coworker from the ruins of their mission house.

Thorpe told the CBS Early Morning Show that the experience was "terrifying," but that his wife never panicked – she just told him to "keep it together" and "get her out."

Since vast regions of the world are prone to earthquakes, it is imperative that people living in those zones are prepared for such an emergency. The Center for Earthquake Research and Information at the University of Memphis advises residents of seismically active regions to anchor heavy objects such as bookcases or cabinets - which should never be placed above beds - to walls.

Once an earthquake begins it is best to crouch under a desk or table, or stand in a stout doorway, away from windows or glass dividers.

Those who are outdoors should stay away from buildings, trees, telephones and electrical lines. If on the road, they should drive away from underpasses and overpasses, stop in a safe area and stay inside the vehicle, it suggests.

Federal Emergency Management Agency offers comprehensive information on earthquake survival, while the Red Cross and UNICEF accept donations for victims.

By The Survivors Club Staff
January 13, 2010

For the last two years, British model Katie Piper has been recovering - both in body as well as in spirit - from a horrific accident in which a man hired by her former boyfriend threw acid on her face in retribution for breaking up with him, according to CNN.

The attack, for which both men received lengthy prison sentences, left her face, neck and chest scarred, in addition to blinding her in one eye.

In an interview with the news network, the 26-year-old admitted that her life has changed, but stressed that optimism, determination and faith in God helped "to rebuild my life and adapt and I still have a quality of life."

"Time is a great healer," she added.

Acid attacks are rare in the Western world, but common in Southeast Asian countries, and they mostly affect young women. For example, according to Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF), there have been 104 incidents of such attacks in Bangladesh between January and October 2009.

ASF accepts donations that help provide medical, legal and social reintegration support to acid survivors. Its goal is also to build up the capacity of local level NGOs as well as the professionals involved with this issue, including doctors, public prosecutors and the police.

By The Survivors Club Staff
January 12, 2010

When he was 13 years old in 1973, Martin Andrews was abducted and sexually assaulted by a violent predator who left him to die. Fortunately, the boy was rescued after eight days and grew up to become a victims' advocate.

CNN has profiled his story in conjunction with a case that opens before the Supreme Court today that reviews a law allowing the federal government to detain offenders it considers "sexually dangerous," even after completion of their sentences.

Andrews, who has managed to put his childhood tragedy behind and thrives working as a program manager for a defense contractor in Virginia, is a strong advocate of "civil confinement" of offenders who would otherwise be released from prison. In 2002, he orchestrated a campaign and raised funds to keep the man who had raped him off the streets after 29 years behind bars.

As a result of Andrews' efforts, Virginia has become a national model, using a tool called "Static 99" that assesses which offenders qualify for civil commitment, according to the news provider

The Amber Alert Registry (AAR) estimates some 800,000 children go missing in the U.S. each year. Meanwhile, the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), which also accepts donations, says there were 248,300 victims of sexual assault in 2007.

AAR recommends contacting local law enforcement without delay if a child is noticed as missing. It says it is important to make sure the person responding to the call receives the child's personal information (name, age and the caller's contact information) as well as an accurate physical description, including all articles of clothing present at time of disappearance.

By The Survivors Club Staff
January 12, 2010

A mother and her three young children were rushed to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, after the family had inhaled carbon monoxide from a charcoal grill, according to Charlotte Observer.

The four may have been saved by a brave neighbor who told the news source he heard children crying when his carbon monoxide detector alarm went off and he saw smoke.

"I knocked on all the doors and nobody would come to the door, so I called 911," he told Charlotte Observer. Firefighters were able to get the semi-conscious residents from the apartment and take them to hospital.

The family has since been released, but their ordeal may serve as a cautionary tale for many Americans who may be tempted to engage in indoor grilling this winter as temperatures outside plummet.

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, an average of 439 Americans die annually from unintentional, non-fire-related CO poisoning.

To prevent CO-related deaths and injuries, the source recommends refraining from using a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove or other gasoline- or charcoal-burning device inside the home, basement or garage. Moreover, burning anything in a stove or fireplace that is not vented may lead to poisoning.

JAMA also says it is a bad idea to run a car or truck inside a garage attached to a house, even if the door is left open.

Survivors and those who would like to learn more about protecting themselves and their families may consult the resources of the Carbon Monoxide Safety Association.

By The Survivors Club Staff
January 12, 2010

Tennessee basketball player Emmanuel Negedu, who collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest during a training session in October, was ultimately revived with an automated external defibrillator (AED) and was able to return to the University of Tennessee as a sophomore.

Negedu's ordeal and ultimate survival inspired UT basketball coaches Pat Summitt and Bruce Pearl to appear in a public service announcement prepared by the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association (SCAA), an organization that aims to disseminate knowledge of the condition and raise funds for research through donations.

The two coaches use the PSA to remind viewers about the importance of knowing CPR and using an AED, as well as knowing SCA risk factors and talking to a physician about heart health.

The condition that nearly killed Negedu results in approximately 250,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. However, experts say knowing the symptoms of SCA - which include loss of consciousness as well as loss of normal breathing, pulse and blood pressure - and calling 911 immediately, can make a big difference.

"The willingness of Coach Summitt, Coach Pearl and Emmanuel Negedu to speak out about sudden cardiac arrest is a valuable public awareness tool as we work to save lives," said Chris Chiames, executive director of the SCAA, who thanked the team for their willingness to talk to the public about this major public health issue.

The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation is another organization that offers comprehensive resources that can help survivors return to normal life and thrive.

By The Survivors Club Staff
January 11, 2010

John Breach contracted poliomyelitis as a baby in the mid-1950s, and went through a period of painful therapy, including several surgeries, and wore a leg brace. Today, he still needs orthopedic shoes, but says he has never let the disease keep him back from living a normal life.

According to York Daily Record, Breach even managed to play baseball as a teenager, thanks to the team's willingness to put a runner in for him. Today, he thrives as a project manager for commercial properties in the construction business.

The 54-year-old credits his mother and wife for his determination to overcome the odds. "Having strong women in my life has been a good thing for me," the father of three and grandfather of two told the news source.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, polio has been eradicated in the U.S. and much of the world due to the vaccine first developed in 1955, but there is still a handful of countries where its circulation has never been interrupted. As a result, up-to-date vaccinations are recommended for those travelling to select countries in Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, including Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan.

In the U.S., those living with the aftermath of polio contracted during childhood may consult the resources of Post Polio Health International, which accepts donations.

By The Survivors Club Staff
January 11, 2010

Today, Wynona Ward works to help domestic violence survivors, but there was a time when she herself was a victim seemingly trapped in a cycle of poverty, violence and abuse. At 40, when she found out another relative had been abused by two family members, she decided to go to law school and do her bit to help stop similar crimes.

Speaking to CNN, Ward said her desire for immediate vengeance was thwarted by more rational considerations when she realized that "I could be more helpful working in family law, where women and children really needed the help and where I could be there for them on a daily basis."

Ward became the first person in her family to graduate from college and earned a degree from Vermont Law School at 48. She then founded Have Justice Will Travel, an organization that aims to end domestic abuse by giving free legal representation to low-income individuals from remote areas, according to the news source.

To date, the organization has helped almost 10,000 women, and partnered with advocacy groups to provide access to shelters, housing and clothing.

Experts tend to 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.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers confidential and 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
January 11, 2010

Former Boston TV reporter Joyce Kulhawik fought a successful battle with melanoma and ovarian cancer for many years. Today, she is spending her time speaking out and helping raise awareness through organizations such as the American Cancer Society, which also accepts donations to fund research.

Kulhawik's story is featured on the website of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute where she discusses the key lessons she learned from her experience, which helped her thrive despite the odds.

The 57-year-old told the news source that she never allowed herself live in fear, and even secretly welcomed the prospect of losing hair due to chemotherapy because "when else can you try out a wild hairstyle risk-free?"

She also reminisced on the power of sharing stories of suffering and triumph. "[Talking about cancer] can be very powerful for [patients] and for me," she stated, adding, "If you don't think you can survive, you won't, but seeing someone who has survived may make you start to think you can."

Skin cancer affects more than 1 million Americans each year. However, if caught early it is one of the most curable cancers, so vigilance, frequent screenings and wearing sunscreen while outdoors are highly recommended.

Meanwhile, ovarian cancer is the ninth most common cancer in women and ranks fifth as the cause of cancer death. Research suggests 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 a person's risk, and they include birth control pills and surgical procedures such as tubal ligation or hysterectomy.

Individuals affected by either disease may consult the website of the American Cancer Society for information on the resources best suited for their particular circumstances.

By The Survivors Club Staff
January 8, 2010

Slugger Aaron Boone comes from a family with a tradition of playing professional baseball - his father, brother and grandfather have all played in the major leagues - but his career was almost derailed by bicuspid aortic valve, a congenital heart defect that eventually necessitated open-heart surgery.

During the run-up to the procedure the 36-year-old focused solely on his health, but the moment he was out of danger Boone's thoughts returned to the sport he loves, and in which he had thrived, and he put all his energy into recovery and rehabilitation.

"I could see my body respond each day, each week, each month," he recalls in this month's episode of Sharing Miracles, a TV program that tells the compelling and inspirational stories of real patients.

The athlete adds that "seeing myself improve really helped push me further and helped me do the necessary things to keep getting better."

As a result, Boone was back on the field just seven months after the surgery, playing first base for the Houston Astros in a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field last November.

According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect and they affect more than 35,000 babies in the U.S. each year.

The National Institutes of Health say most cases have no known cause but using certain medications, such as retinoids, drinking alcohol as well as exposure to chemicals and infections during pregnancy may contribute to some congenital heart problems.

Families affected by this adversity may consult the resources of Little Hearts, a nonprofit organization that also accepts donations.

By The Survivors Club Staff
January 8, 2010

Rugby league training during the 1970s may have saved Laurie Freier when he was hit by a freak wave and repeatedly smashed against the rocks when he recently swam near the Currumbin Beach Vikings surf club in Australia, according to GoldCoast.com.

The veteran player and coach told the news provider he lost part of his scalp and was bleeding profusely, but he made sure he cushioned his head against the blows and kept it away from the rocks, which allowed him to stay conscious until help arrived.

"I come from a different school, a little bit tough and a little bit harder," he said, quoted by the website, adding that "you go and get your 20 stitches and go back on again. I've trained at an elite level pretty much my whole life."

Statistics suggest that more than 3,500 Americans died in drowning accidents in 2005. It may therefore be a good idea to keep in mind some tips that can increase safety during water-related recreational activities.

According to the CDC, it is important to always swim with a buddy and select sites that have lifeguards whenever possible. In addition, swimmers and surfers should know the local weather forecast and look for posted signs that warn of dangerous conditions such as rip tides or high waves.

Finally, one should avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming, surfing, boating or water skiing.

Survivors of water-related accidents can access resources that can help them thrive through the Trauma Resource Institute.