Basketball Legend is Battling Leukemia—and Winning

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recently revealed that he has been battling a rare form of leukemia for nearly a year. The 62-year-old former center for the Los Angeles Lakers is suffering from chronic myelogenous (or myeloid) leukemia (CML), a cancer that starts inside bone marrow and grows from cells that produce white blood cells.

The term “chronic” implies a relatively slow-growing cancer that could take years to progress. During this phase, the disease may reveal few or no symptoms. Most people, Abul-Jabbar included, who have this particular strain of leukemia are diagnosed after having blood drawn for other reasons. Unlike the accelerated (or “acute”) phase that spreads quickly, the chronic form of the disease is easily treated with a high rate of remission.

Abul-Jabbar has lived a deliberately private life since his retirement in 1989, quietly authoring seven books, directing a documentary, and serving as an assistant coach for the Lakers. However, his decision to go public was also calculated, with the hope that his high profile will bring attention to the disease and hope to others who are suffering from it. As an advocate for CML, Adbul-Jabbar wants to reveal that, by seeing a doctor and taking the proper medications, the condition can be managed and those suffering from it can live a meaningful life.

Find out more about CML by visiting our CML learning center.

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Go Blue for World Diabetes Day

November 14 is World Diabetes Day, the main global awareness campaign of the diabetes world. Over 150 countries and territories across the globe will mark the day in one way or another as a moment to pause and recognize the over 285 million people living with diabetes. There will be special radio and TV programs, diabetes workshops and exhibitions, public information meetings, press conferences, newspaper and magazine articles, walks, runs, and cycles, special events for children, free screenings for diabetes and related complications, and many other activities to mark the day. Important monuments around the world will be specially lit up in blue in honor of diabetes recognition – blue is the official color of diabetes awareness. So if you see a building in your city lit up in blue, remember, its World Diabetes Day. Visit the website to find activities or lit monuments near you: http://www.worlddiabetesday.org/events/upcoming

World Diabetes Day was created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in response to the growing concern regarding the spread of diabetes. It became an official United Nations Day in 2007. World Diabetes Day is celebrated on November 14 to honor the birthday of Frederick Banting, who helped discover insulin way back in 1922.

This year, the theme of World Diabetes Day is “Diabetes Education and Prevention.” Over the past 30 years the number of people living with diabetes all over the globe has skyrocketed, with severe consequences for healthcare budgets worldwide. Over 285 million people currently suffer from diabetes, but 344 million more are at high risk for developing the disease With enough knowledge of the diabetes, those people at high risk can make simple life changes that can significantly reduce their chances of becoming afflicted. By eating healthier and getting regular physical exercise, pre-diabetics can avoid become full-fledged type 2 diabetics. And, as for those already afflicted with the disease, continual education is essential to their treatment – though diabetics is a lifelong condition with no cure, effective management of the disease can help avoid almost all serious complications associated with the disease. It is vital that diabetics receive ongoing, high-quality diabetes education, so that they can manage their disease and live a long, healthy, and fulfilling life.

Here's some interesting information from the World Diabetes Day website:

Did you know?

* Every 10 seconds a person dies from diabetes-related causes.
* Every 10 seconds two people develop diabetes.
* Each year a further 7 million people develop diabetes
* Diabetes is the fourth leading cause of global death by disease.
* Each year 4 million deaths are attributable to diabetes
* All diabetes is on the rise
* Diabetes affects people of all ages
* Care for people with diabetes is best when a multidisciplinary approach is adopted involving health professionals from all areas
* Access to appropriate medication and care should be a right not a privilege
* Diabetes costs more than money
* Up to 60% of type 2 diabetes can be prevented
* Diabetes brings different challenges at different ages
* Diabetes hits the poorest hardest.

Visit the official website to find out more about diabetes, this year’s campaign, and how you can get involved: http://www.worlddiabetesday.org/

Also, visit the Healthline Diabetes Learning Center to find detailed information on all types of diabetes and treatment options: http://www.healthline.com/channel/diabetes.html

Labels: diabetes, world diabetes day

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Sports Injuries Cause Blindness in Kids: September is Sports Eye Safety Month

Sports injuries are the leading cause of blindness in children. Most can be prevented by using protective eye wear while playing sports. Almost 75% of sports related eye injuries occur in people younger than age 25 years, but only 15% of kids are using protective eye gear while playing sports. Baseball and basketball are the leading causes of sports related eye injuries.

Lenses made of polycarbonate with the ATSM label are recommended. Regular eye glasses don't afford enough protection so be sure to get prescription protection lenses for those kids who need them. Polycarbonate sunglasses filter 100% of harmful UV rays. These tough, thin lenses are light weight but easily scratched, so be sure to get the scratch protection package when ordering them. The material was developed by the aerospace industry for use in the visors on helmets worn by astronauts. Visit
www.preventblindness.org to learn more. 1-800-331-2020 for questions and help for your athletic teams.


Thank you Prevent Blindness America for use of image.

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Maholo to RNCentral.com for Top 50 Health 2.0 Blogs

RNCentral.com honored Healthline's Health Experts network of bloggers in their Top 50 Health 2.0 Blogs.We are really happy to be recognized along with many of our friends in the blogging community. Thank you!

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Leukemia & Lymphoma Awareness Month: Blood Cancer Society's CoPay Assistance Program

September is the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Awareness Month. Blood cancers are considered "catastrophic illnesses" in that it is extremely expensive to pay for treatment for them. Until we have health care reform in the US, the society offers a CoPay Assistance Program. Even if you have great insurance coverage - the copays will "kill you" in the event of a catastrophic injury or illness.

Up to $5000 in assistance is available for people whose physician confirms their diagnosis of:

• Hodgkin lymphoma

• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
• Chronic myelogenous leukemia
• Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia
• Myeloma
• Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)

The society offers assistance with paying for these services:

• Private health insurance premiums
• Private insurance co-pay obligations
• Medicare Part B, Medicare Plan D, Medicare Supplementary Health Insurance and Medicare Advantage premium or co-pay obligations
  
• Private health insurance premiums
• Private insurance co-pay obligations
• Medicare Part B, Medicare Plan D, Medicare Supplementary Health Insurance and Medicare Advantage premium or co-pay obligations
  

Thank you ehavir for use of photo In Memory of Blake...

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