By The Survivors Club Staff
February 17, 2010

Gina Russo was one of the lucky survivors of a 2003 night club fire that killed 100 people in West Warwick, Rhode Island, including her fiancé Fred Crisostomi. It took her many years to recover physically and emotionally, but she says she is now ready to share her story and help others.

The 42-year-old, who volunteers to support burn survivors in her spare time, has written a book about how the fourth deadliest fire in American history has changed her life, according to Johnston Sunrise.

"My life's in a good place," the mother of two told the news provider. "I'm hoping my story - how tragic it was and where my life is now - will help someone else."

Half of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to hospitals that help burn victims.

The Centers for Disease Control says home fires killed 2,580 people and injured another 12,925 (not including firefighters) in the U.S. in 2006.

Safety experts recommend that those who attend public events, such as concerts or movies, or stay in hotels should always check for the exits signs, and avoid venues that do not comply with fire safety standards.

The Office of Emergency Management says that during a fire emergency, it is important to crawl low in smoke towards the nearest exit covering the mouth with a cloth and once outside never go back. Moreover, tall buildings should be evacuated via stairs not elevators, which can act as chimneys during a fire.

When smoke is spotted, it is crucial to leave the property first and then dial 911 as most people die from smoke inhalation and not from flames.

By The Survivors Club Staff
February 16, 2010

Doctors saved Laura Geraghty's life last year when she went into a cardiac arrest for almost an hour, and this month the Boston resident got a chance to repay the debt.

In early February, Geraghty was shopping at a local Wal-Mart when she saw a stranger collapse of an apparent heart attack, according to TheBostonChannel.com. Due to her own health history, the woman carried a pocket CPR device that she promptly used to administer chest compressions to the man until he resumed breathing and his pulse came back.

"I watched his stomach go up and down, and it was like, 'Wow!'," she told the news provider.

And to stress the value of learning from experience, Geraghty added that a year ago "I wouldn't have known what I know now, and I may have probably not gotten involved."

According to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, the condition kills approximately 250,000 Americans each year. 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.

Being able to apply CPR and use an automatic external defibrillation AED device are some of the best ways to increase the chances of survival in those who have suffered an episode.

The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, which accepts donations, offers comprehensive resources that can help survivors get back to normal life and thrive.

By The Survivors Club Staff
February 16, 2010

Associate biology professor Joseph Ng was in a faculty meeting room when his colleague Amy Bishop allegedly opened fire, shot three people to death and wounded another three in an apparent dispute over denial of tenure.

Ng told the Associated Press that the attack started all of a sudden and came to an end only when Bishop's gun jammed. He added that another faculty member Debra Moriarity may have prevented an even greater tragedy by rushing to push the shooter out of the room.

"Moriarity was probably the one that saved our lives," he said, quoted by the news source.

"It took a lot of guts to just go up to her," he added.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 61,000 Americans were injured by firearms in violence-related exchanges in 2008.

CrimeSafetySecurity.com says individuals who are targeted in a shooting rampage should flee toward outdoor exits rather than windowless or dead-end rooms. If trapped in a first-floor room, it may be a good idea to use furniture to smash a window to allow escape. Fire extinguishers can also be used to spray a dense fog to block a shooter's view.

Survivors of gun violence may turn to the Trauma Resource Institute for tips on how to deal with the aftermath of a shooting and access resources that can help them thrive again.

By The Survivors Club Staff
February 16, 2010

When he returned home from Iraq and began training as a 911 dispatcher, Chris Scott could not know that his new job would one day save the life of his 6-month old son. On February 4, baby Jacob was choking and not breathing, and when his panicked mother called 911, it was Chris' voice that successfully guided her through the proper procedure, according to media reports.

Janna Scott followed her husband's instructions to clear the boy's airway by slapping him on the back until he coughed up the piece of plastic he was choking on. In fact, when emergency responders arrived the baby was well again and did not need to be taken to hospital.

According to Chris, the most important - but also challenging - part was to separate himself from the relationship "so I wouldn't take it so personally," he said, quoted by WFMY News 2.

"Just do it professionally and as calm as possible," he added.

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that of the approximately 17,000 cases of pediatric choking in 2001, 60 percent were related to food and 31 percent were related to non-food substances such as toys.

Safety experts from Healthline.com recommend performing the Heimlich maneuver on an individual choking on a foreign object. In order to do so, the rescuer stands behind the victim, encircles their waist, makes a fist with one hand and places the other hand on top, positioned below the rib cage and above the waist. The rescuer then applies pressure by a series of upward and inward thrusts to force the foreign object back up the victim's trachea.

However, as the maneuver is not performed on infants under 1 year of age, caregivers should administer a series of back blows and chest thrusts in order to dislodge the foreign object.

By The Survivors Club Staff
February 15, 2010

Holy Cross point guard Robin Deckard is having a successful basketball season, averaging a team-best 15.9 points and 4.5 assists, but she is acutely aware that had she not worn a seat belt during last October's car crash, she might not be here to enjoy it.

That day, the 17-year-old was taken to hospital with several bone bruises to her right leg after an accident in which one person died. She had to undergo weeks of physical therapy, according to CourierJournal.com.

However, despite the adversity, Deckard hopes her story will teach other kids the importance of operating vehicles safely. "My friends know they have to wear their seat belts with me," she told the news provider.

"If my story says anything, it's, 'Wear seat belts'," she adds.

Safety experts confirm that bucking up has been proven to save lives during road accidents that killed 16,520 Americans in 2007 alone.

Moreover, as excessive speed and intoxication are the main factors behind most of such accidents, they recommend complying with local speed limits and refraining from driving after drinking alcohol or using drugs.

Survivors 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
February 15, 2010

Fox News correspondent Jennifer Griffin has spent the bulk of her professional life covering wars and conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Palestine and the Middle East. That is why she believes she is prepared to fight a rare form of breast cancer that she was recently diagnosed with.

Since last September, Griffin has had 14 chemotherapy treatments, the only approach that her rare triple-negative cancer is sensitive to. Still, although she lost her hair, the 40-year-old is determined to beat the disease and live on her own terms.

"I've taken all the lessons that I've learned from how to cover wars," she recently told the Today show. "I don't go out without my body armor on. My body armor is this wig and this lipstick and making sure that I don't feel like a sick person when I'm walking out the door."

According to the National Cancer Institute, more than 190,000 Americans developed breast cancer in 2009. Yet, experts say it is highly curable if detected early which can be achieved though monthly breast self-examinations and annual mammograms for women above the age of 40.

Lifestyle changes that incorporate regular physical exercise, a low fat diet and non-smoking can also lower the chances of developing the disease.

There are many organizations that work to spread awareness, raise funds for medical research and help survivors live thriving lives, including the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

By The Survivors Club Staff
February 15, 2010

Due to family health history, Thomas P. Sellers had undergone regular PSA screenings that helped to catch his developing prostate cancer in late 1990s. As the tumor was moderately aggressive, Sellers had time to research his options before deciding on a course of treatment that helped him return to health.

According to the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) website, Sellers felt lucky to be working for the American Cancer Society at the time, having an employer that understood his situation and insurance that provided access to the best treatment. However, since not everyone has the same opportunity, Sellers decided to become a patient advocate and make a difference.

He became a founding member of the Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Coalition, and is the current president & CEO of NCCS. In the latter capacity, Sellers has recently guided the organization to become a member of the Commission on Cancer, a group dedicated to reducing the morbidity and mortality of cancer through education, standards setting and the monitoring of quality of care.

"[This] aligns well with our mission to ensure that all Americans have access to high quality cancer care that is comprehensive, coordinated and patient-centered," said Sellers.

"We look forward to advancing this important work together," he added.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men as some 192,280 new cases were diagnosed in 2009. However, experts say physical exercise and a low-cholesterol diet can help reduce the risk of developing the disease.

In addition, regular PSA testing is highly recommended for those at an elevated risk, which includes African Americans and those with a family history of prostate cancer.

Survivors may consult the website of the Prostate Cancer Foundation to access valuable information and networking resources as well as donate money for research.

By The Survivors Club Staff
February 12, 2010

Patrick Reynolds, whose grandfather founded the cigarette company R.J. Reynolds, was a smoker for 10 years before quitting. He also lost numerous family members, including his father, oldest brother and aunt, to cigarette-induced emphysema, heart disease, and lung cancer.

Those dramatic experiences led him to not only quit for his own sake, but to become an outspoken anti-smoking activist in order to inspire others to fight tobacco addition.

As such, Reynolds, who serves as president of the Foundation for a Smokefree America, recently delivered a keynote speech at Saint Francis Hospital as part of HeartFest 2010, an annual event that includes free health information, physician lectures, a healthy cooking demonstration and free health screenings.

He also took on Gossip Girl star Taylor Momsen, who was spotted puffing on the New York set of the show, saying she has "an extra responsibility to bear as an actress idolized by little girls," and that she "sends the wrong message to kids."

The American Cancer Society says tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the U.S., and that cigarette smoking accounts for about 443,000 deaths, including 49,400 in nonsmokers.

There are a number of methods individuals can use to help them quit, including nicotine patches, chewing gums and psychological counseling. In addition to that, an innovative anti-nicotine vaccine is set to go to Phase III clinical trials.

Survivors struggling with lung problems due to smoking may consult the website of the American Lung Association.

By The Survivors Club Staff
February 12, 2010

A baby girl from Cheyenne was crying in her crib, interrupting her father's video game, so he shook her violently causing a brain injury that sent the 7-month-old to an emergency room.

The infant remains at Children's Hospital in Denver with what doctors termed as a "brain bleed," and the 21-year-old father appeared in court on Monday, charged with felony aggravated child abuse, according to Wyoming News.

Fortunately, "it's looking like the baby is doing much better," and may be released in the next few days, said Cheyenne police detective Sergeant Rick Wood, quoted by the news provider.

Statistics suggest that as many as 15 percent of children's deaths are due to battering or shaking and that about 80 percent of perpetrators are male.

ChildHelp.org, a non-profit organization that accepts donations, offers tips for parents and caregivers frustrated with the demands of parenting that may help them deal with anger without resorting to violence.

The source says that if a caretaker gets angry at a child, they need to be sure the baby is safe and then walk away. It is also useful to take time to breathe and then call a friend, if possible. Finding a support system can also ease the stress of taking care of an infant or toddler.

Regardless of the situation, adults should avoid swinging or bouncing a child wildly, and never shake them if they stop breathing, rather pat them gently and call 911 instead.

By The Survivors Club Staff
February 12, 2010

Former President Bill Clinton has a history of heart disease, including a 2004 quadruple bypass surgery. The latest scare occurred yesterday when he was admitted to a New York hospital complaining of chest pain and underwent a procedure to insert stents to widen narrowed coronary arteries.

Fortunately, doctors have ruled out a heart attack and the 63-year-old former head of state was released on Friday morning. Moreover, his advisers say Clinton hopes to return to his thriving career as a philanthropist, humanitarian and policy expert.

"He was on a conference call dealing with Haiti [just before being wheeled into surgery]," said Terry McAuliffe, quoted by CNN. "And I guarantee as soon as he gets back today he's going to be back on the phone. He's passionate about helping the folks down there."

According to the Centers for Disease Control, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, and it killed 631,636 Americans in 2006.

Although the causes of the condition are complex and involve both genetic and environmental factors, experts say a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fats, but high in fish oils and fresh produce can significantly reduce the risk. Smoking and sedentary lifestyle are other major contributing factors and should be avoided.

Heart disease survivors can find informational resources on the website of the American Heart Association, which also accepts donations.