By The Survivors Club Staff
January 8, 2010

Six people survived but four were killed yesterday when a tractor-trailer jackknifed on a snow-covered road in Ohio, swerved into oncoming traffic and collided with a small bus carrying disabled individuals.

The victims were all in the bus that served the Creative Learning Workshop based in Warren, Ohio, that provides vocational services to adults with mental and developmental disabilities, according to media reports.

On Thursday, the center's employees were bracing themselves for the difficult times ahead as they mourn those who died and prepare to care for the survivors in order to help them thrive again.

"We're real close," said Dawn Trask, program coordinator at the workshop, quoted by Dayton Daily News, "this is our family."

According to the most recent data from 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.

Since excessive speed, intoxication and bad road conditions are the main factors behind most of such accidents, safety experts recommend complying with local speed limits, refraining from driving after drinking alcohol or using drugs as well as during periods of inclement weather that can reduce visibility and make roads slippery.

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

People coping with the aftermath of an auto accident and their families can access valuable resources through the Crash Survivors Network.

By The Survivors Club Staff
January 7, 2010

Dive shop owner Danny Kennedy lives in the provincial capital Gizo on Solomon Islands, a nation that was struck by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that triggered landslides and a tsunami of up to 10 feet. It caused significant devastation but so far no casualties, according to media reports.

Solomon Islands are located along The Ring of Fire around the Pacific Ocean where about 90 percent of the world's earthquakes occur and where thousands of people have died over the years due to tsunami. Fortunately, it appears that safety drills and better public information have spared the nation the loss of life that typically accompanies these events.

The village of Retavo was completely inundated by a wall of water, but the National Disaster Management Office spokesman said no deaths had been reported there, according to Associated Press. Similarly, 10 foreign tourists on Tetepare Island had been evacuated in time.

Danny Kennedy told the news provider the outcome may be attributed to the rule that says that "if there's more than 20 seconds of shaking or any sea water recedes, head for the hills," and that the residents abide by.

Since the West Coast of the U.S. is in danger of a tsunami, residents should know the warning signs and procedures to follow to reduce the risk of losing their lives.

According to Preparedness.com, a rapid rise or fall in coastal waters is a sign of an approaching tsunami. When a warning is issued, residents should move at once to higher ground and stay there until authorities say it is safe to return.

Those living in areas prone to natural disasters should maintain an emergency kit that includes a supply of food and drinking water, basic medicines and a battery-operated radio.

Preparedness resources can also be found on the website of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, while donations for victims are accepted through the Red Cross.

By The Survivors Club Staff
January 7, 2010

Surfer Glenn Orgias might not be here today to raise his daughter had the shark that attacked him on an Australian beach last February turned out to be something other than a Great White.

According to the Brisbane Times, the shark dragged Orgias off his surfboard under water and shook him violently before releasing him. The man was able to paddle back to the beach, with his hand hanging by a piece of skin.

The 34-year-old lost the hand, but chooses to focus on the bright side. "The Great White is probably the best kind of shark to be attacked by,'' he told the news provider, explaining that despite popular belief, the species is less aggressive than bull sharks.

He also admitted that thinking of his pregnant wife helped him to survive. "The whole time I was thinking about her and not wanting her to have to go through having a baby by herself," he said, quoted by the newspaper.

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 the U.S.

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.

By The Survivors Club Staff
January 7, 2010

GiaVanni Hendricks behaves like any other 8-year-old, except that she has recently completed a course of chemotherapy for a rare form of ovarian cancer. After the doctors had declared her cancer-free, the girl was also able to return to school in person.

In fact, she missed little of her education during her therapy because Stopher Elementary in Louisville, Kentucky, allowed the second-grader to learn and participate from home via a webcam, according to the Courier Journal.

As a result, when GiaVanni returned to school, she was able to catch up quickly and went on to make the principal's list for good grades and is thriving on the cheerleading team.

"Everyone was so good to us," the girl's mother told the news provider, referring to the support from the school and community.

Ovarian cancer in young children is extremely rare, but according to the American Cancer Society it is the ninth most common cancer in adult 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. However, these methods are not for everyone and should be carefully considered in consultation with a doctor.

Survivors and their families who look for more information and resources may consult the websites of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, both of which also accept donations.

By The Survivors Club Staff
January 6, 2010

Alfredo and Michelle Iglesias were two newlyweds on their honeymoon in Mexico last year when a relaxing day on the beach turned into a nightmare. That day, Alfredo took a dive in the sea at a spot that had a hidden sandbar, resulting in a broken neck and subsequent paralysis from the waist down.

Today, although he's bound to a wheelchair, lost his job and has trouble paying for the much needed therapy, the 29-year-old says the bond he shares with his wife has deepened, rather than weakened, after the accident, according to Miami Herald.

"I always knew I had struck gold with Michelle,'' he told the news source, adding that "as long as we have each other, we can survive anything.''

The couple has recently been nominated for The Miami Herald's Wish Book series that allows individuals to donate money to help deserving individuals.

According to the Travis Roy Foundation, which is dedicated to spinal cord injury research, between 250,000 - 400,000 Americans are living with this type of injury and more than 13,000 new cases are reported each year.

The Mayo Clinic suggests that individuals may reduce their risk of a spinal cord injury by driving safely; exercising caution around firearms; preventing falls, especially in children, and taking precautions when playing sports.

Another organization that can help survivors live thriving lives despite their disability is the Naitonal Spinal Cord Injury Association.

By The Survivors Club Staff
January 6, 2010

The NBC show The Biggest Loser may be a piece of entertainment, but behind the fun and games are real human stories, many of them tinged with struggle and suffering. As its third couples edition debuted on Tuesday, CNN spoke with some of the past winners who shared their inspiring stories.

One of them is Bill Germanakos, who came first in the fourth season. He told the news provider he had lost almost exactly half his weight (170 lbs), and although he gained some additional body mass after the show ended, he has maintained what his doctor consider to be a healthy 210 lbs for the last two years.

Germanakos is also thriving as a motivational speaker, "paying it forward" by educating Americans about healthy living.

"The show not only saved my life by giving me the education that I needed about diet, exercise and living a healthy lifestyle, but it also afforded me the opportunity to entirely change my career," the 43-year-old told CNN.

The Centers for Disease Control cites statistics from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey that suggest an estimated 32.7 percent of U.S. adults aged 20 years and older are overweight, a total of 34.3 percent are obese and 5.9 percent are extremely obese.

Many people have been able to achieve satisfying results with physical exercise, diet - which can be determined with the help of a registered dietetician - as well as mental counseling. For others a gastric bypass surgery may be the best option.

Individuals looking for support and guidance may turn to the American Public Health Association or explore the resources of The Obesity Society.

By The Survivors Club Staff
January 6, 2010

Last weekend, 11-year-old Austin Foreman came face-to-face with a wild cougar while gathering wood near his home in British Columbia. The story could have been more tragic had it not been for his pet golden retriever Angel who bravely threw herself between the lunging cat and her master.

According to Gimundo.com, the two animals engaged in a ferocious struggle, broken up by the constable who had been called to the scene and shot the cougar from close range.

Miraculously, the brave dog survived, and although she had suffered serious wounds at the cougar's jaws, she's expected to make a full recovery.

After the incident, Austin's mother Sherri told the news provider she was grateful for the dog's intervention, calling her "our guardian angel."

According to the Wilderness Medical Society, nearly 2,000 people died in the U.S. due to animal encounters during the decade 1991 to 2001, and the average number of fatalities is 177 per year.

For those at risk of wild animal encounters there are many ways to protect themselves ahead of time. They include refraining from approaching, teasing, abusing or threatening wild animals, says SimpleSurvival.net.

When meeting one unexpectedly it is important to back off slowly. If it appears as though the animal might attack, it is best to make oneself appear to be larger by raising arms and extending fingers, but without making any quick movements.

The source also says that those camping in the wilderness should keep their campsite clean as garbage may attract wild animals, and always travel with others.

By The Survivors Club Staff
January 5, 2010

Days of torrential rains that swept the southeast coast of Brazil have caused massive mudslides that have devastated the region. More tragically, they have killed at least 75 people, leaving survivors with the challenging task of picking up the pieces of their lives.

Among the most affected towns was Angra dos Reis, an upscale holiday resort, where at least 44 people died, according to media reports.

One of the lucky residents who managed to escape was Luciana Maximo de Castro who told Brazil's Globo TV that she had been among friends invited to a hotel by the lodge owner's daughter who later perished.

Describing her terrifying ordeal, the survivor said that "there was a loud noise [and] I didn't know if it was a dream or if it was true," adding that "mud covered me, kept me from breathing," quoted by The Canadian Press.

According to a former researcher at the University of Notre Dame, landslides cause nearly $1 billion in damage annually and kill 25 to 50 people every year in the U.S. alone.

The Emergency Survival Information Center offers tips for those who would like to protect themselves from a possible mudslide. They include refraining from building houses near steep slopes, close to mountain edges, near drainage ways or natural erosion valleys. Concerned individuals should also get a ground assessment of their property and consider consulting a professional for advice on corrective measures.

During an actual mudslide, the experts recommend moving away from the path of the landslide or debris flow as quickly as possible. If escape is not possible, it is best to curl into a tight ball and protect the head.

The Trauma Resource Institute may help disaster survivors regain control of their lives, and the American Red Cross accepts donations for victims.

By The Survivors Club Staff
January 5, 2010

Former NBA star Jayson Williams was taken to the hospital on Tuesday after he had allegedly crashed his Mercedes SUV into a tree at a high speed after exiting FDR Drive in Manhattan, according to police sources quoted by the media.

The police told reporters that Williams, who is 41, is expected to survive with minor injuries, including cuts to the face, and has been transported to Bellevue Hospital. However, reports have also surfaced that suggest alcohol may have been involved in the crash and the former St. John's University star may face DWI charges.

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, an advocacy organization that accepts donations, some 30 percent of 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 drunk driving.

Experts say those who have sat behind the wheel while intoxicated should seek counseling. Meanwhile, partygoers who consume alcohol should designate one person who does not drink as a driver or use alternative means of transportation such as a taxi or bus.

It is possible for survivors and their families to thrive again after a traumatic accident, and resources such as the Crash Survivors Network may be able to provide valuable assistance.

By The Survivors Club Staff
January 5, 2010

Given what she went through more than 60 years ago, it may be considered a true miracle that Jafa Wallach has lived to see her centenary. As a Jew in Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II, Wallach had to endure persecution and hardship, including a two-year separation from her daughter Rena.

In the end, Wallach, along with her husband and two brothers-in-law, survived the worst thanks to a Polish neighbor who hid them for 22 months in a 6- by 4-feet space beneath basement floor boards in his mechanic's workshop, according to the Brooklyn Eagle.

During the recent birthday celebration, Alan Magill, recreation director of Ateret Avot, many of whose residents are Holocaust survivors, said that despite the ordeal "Jafa survived, but she also thrived," quoted by the news provider.

Her daughter Rena added that Jafa, who published a memoir in 2006 that has since been translated into Hebrew and Polish, is "one of the most optimistic people I've ever met."

The precise number of Jews who perished in the Holocaust is difficult to determine, but according to the Yad Vashem Institute it ranges between 5 and 6 million people.

Since Americans continue to be involved in war zones around the world, individuals suffering from the aftermath of violent conflicts may turn to the Trauma Resource Institute. The American Red Cross is another prominent non-profit organization that helps war victims around the world and accepts donations.