Rhonda Raley and Deborah Oliver (seen here at the vigil with Dawne Gee in center)  both told stories of pain and tribulation; but ultimately their stories are full of triumph and hope.

In 2006, Deborah Oliver came all the way from Las Vegas to the JGBCC with Stage Four lung cancer and with little hope of recovery.  But at the JGBCC, she found hope and is not only surviving – but thriving.  Click here to see more of Deborah’s inspirational story.

Rhonda Raley was the very first patient to be screened with the new Low-Dose CT Lung Scan offered by the JGBCC to help with early detection of lung cancer. In Rhonda’s case, it saved her life as her lung cancer was diagnosed before she even had symptoms.  The disease was able to be arrested before it could grow or spread.  Click here to see a moving video of Rhonda’s story.

More than 100 people attended the 4th Annual Lung Cancer Vigil event, which was held by the Lung Cancer Alliance and sponsored by University Hospital/James Graham Brown Cancer Center. The vigil recognized and celebrated survivorship as well as honoring those who have lost their battle with lung cancer.

Event emcee Dawne Gee rallied attendees with a message of three simple words – Compassion, Hope, and Progress.

Colette McCoy of the Lung Cancer Alliance urged audience members to make a difference and get involved in the battle against lung cancer, a disease that is continually underfunded despite the fact that it kills more Kentuckians every year than the next six common cancers combined.

The Lung Cancer Mortality Act is a bill pending in congress that has the full support of Kentucky Congressman John Yarmuth.  It is the first legislation to provide comprehensive funding for lung cancer research and awareness in the state of Kentucky, a state that unfortunately leads the nation in lung cancer deaths.

To find out more about this legislation, or to explore other ways you can advocate for lung cancer research and awareness, visit The Lung Cancer Alliance website.

Rhonda Raley and Deborah Oliver (seen here at the vigil with Dawne Gee in center)  both told stories of pain and tribulation; but ultimately their stories are full of triumph and hope.

In 2006, Deborah Oliver came all the way from Las Vegas to the JGBCC with Stage Four lung cancer and with little hope of recovery.  But at the JGBCC, she found hope and is not only surviving – but thriving.  Click here to see more of Deborah’s inspirational story.

Rhonda Raley was the very first patient to be screened with the new Low-Dose CT Lung Scan offered by the JGBCC to help with early detection of lung cancer. In Rhonda’s case, it saved her life as her lung cancer was diagnosed before she even had symptoms.  The disease was able to be arrested before it could grow or spread.  Click here to see a moving video of Rhonda’s story.

More than 100 people attended the 4th Annual Lung Cancer Vigil event, which was held by the Lung Cancer Alliance and sponsored by University Hospital/James Graham Brown Cancer Center. The vigil recognized and celebrated survivorship as well as honoring those who have lost their battle with lung cancer.

Event emcee Dawne Gee rallied attendees with a message of three simple words – Compassion, Hope, and Progress.

Colette McCoy of the Lung Cancer Alliance urged audience members to make a difference and get involved in the battle against lung cancer, a disease that is continually underfunded despite the fact that it kills more Kentuckians every year than the next six common cancers combined.

The Lung Cancer Mortality Act is a bill pending in congress that has the full support of Kentucky Congressman John Yarmuth.  It is the first legislation to provide comprehensive funding for lung cancer research and awareness in the state of Kentucky, a state that unfortunately leads the nation in lung cancer deaths.

To find out more about this legislation, or to explore other ways you can advocate for lung cancer research and awareness, visit The Lung Cancer Alliance website.

Every year more than 200,000 Americans are diagnosed with liver tumors.  Many are told to get their affairs in order, but Suzanne Lindley fought at won.  The 13-year liver cancer survivor is now on a mission to give others hope, “We want to let patients and physicians know there are treatment options available – it is no longer a death sentence.”

Suzanne and physicians from the James Graham Brown Cancer Center will share her story and their expertise on:

   Date:    Wednesday, Sept. 12

   Time:    noon

   Where:  UofL Clinical Translational Research Building

   RSVP:   Reserve a spot

Joining Suzanne are University of Louisville physicians Dr. Vivek Sharma and Dr. Douglas Coldwell. The doctors will discuss emerging therapies they are using, such as Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT) using yttrium-90 microspheres that directly target liver tumors while sparing healthy liver tissue.

 “This event will give patients in our area a great opportunity to hear Suzanne’s inspirational survival story and learn more about liver directed treatment options,” said Dr. Coldwell. “At the James Graham Brown Cancer Center we are utilizing some of the latest therapies available to treat liver tumors, and we are pleased to have the opportunity to share this information with patients and the community.”

 Suzanne Lindley is co-founder and executive director of YES!, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the support of patients diagnosed with primary or metastatic liver tumors.

For more information on the free Liver Seminar, or to register for the event, please visit www.beatlivertumors.org or call 877-937-7478. Please note that space is limited. Reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. Complimentary food and drinks will be provided.

Christian Davis Furman, M.D., M.S.P.H., says seniors and their families and caregivers should take special precautions to avoid heat-related illness.

“Older adults have a hard time sensing when they are getting dehydrated,” Furman says. “They also have fewer sweat glands, so the possibility is greater they will get overheated easily because they do not sweat as much. Therefore, it is very important that they consciously drink extra fluids on warm days.”

It is important to note also that older adults may have physical or cognitive barriers to drinking, she says.

“Some older adults simply have a hard time getting to water easily because they have severe pain or difficulty moving due to arthritis or other conditions,” Furman says. “Also, some older adults are unable to communicate that they need water because of dementia or other brain diseases.

“If an older adult has these barriers, their family and caregivers need to make sure they drink often and are appropriately hydrated.”

Furman adds that seniors also should take the same precautions as everyone else during a heat wave. According to the American Red Cross, excessive heat has caused more deaths than all other weather events in recent years. During a heat wave, people should drink plenty of fluids and avoid caffeine and alcohol; eat smaller meals and eat more often; wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing; and stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.

UofL Geriatrics is the only clinical care provider in Kentucky and Southern Indiana specializing in geriatric medicine through the Geriatric Evaluation and Treatment Program, known as “GET” and considered the highest standard of care nationally for geriatric patients.

Under the GET program, an interdisciplinary approach is used to develop a treatment plan for patients. They receive a review of their medications by a doctor of pharmacy trained in geriatrics pharmacotherapy through the geriatrics polypharmacy initiative; a medical evaluation by a geriatrician; a cognitive evaluation by a psychologist; and a psycho-social assessment by a social worker to evaluate their caregiving and support needs. After these four evaluations are conducted, the entire team of UofL geriatrics providers comes together to develop a personalized and comprehensive care plan for the patient.

Christian Davis Furman, M.D., M.S.P.H., says seniors and their families and caregivers should take special precautions to avoid heat-related illness.

“Older adults have a hard time sensing when they are getting dehydrated,” Furman says. “They also have fewer sweat glands, so the possibility is greater they will get overheated easily because they do not sweat as much. Therefore, it is very important that they consciously drink extra fluids on warm days.”

It is important to note also that older adults may have physical or cognitive barriers to drinking, she says.

“Some older adults simply have a hard time getting to water easily because they have severe pain or difficulty moving due to arthritis or other conditions,” Furman says. “Also, some older adults are unable to communicate that they need water because of dementia or other brain diseases.

“If an older adult has these barriers, their family and caregivers need to make sure they drink often and are appropriately hydrated.”

Furman adds that seniors also should take the same precautions as everyone else during a heat wave. According to the American Red Cross, excessive heat has caused more deaths than all other weather events in recent years. During a heat wave, people should drink plenty of fluids and avoid caffeine and alcohol; eat smaller meals and eat more often; wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing; and stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.

UofL Geriatrics is the only clinical care provider in Kentucky and Southern Indiana specializing in geriatric medicine through the Geriatric Evaluation and Treatment Program, known as “GET” and considered the highest standard of care nationally for geriatric patients.

Under the GET program, an interdisciplinary approach is used to develop a treatment plan for patients. They receive a review of their medications by a doctor of pharmacy trained in geriatrics pharmacotherapy through the geriatrics polypharmacy initiative; a medical evaluation by a geriatrician; a cognitive evaluation by a psychologist; and a psycho-social assessment by a social worker to evaluate their caregiving and support needs. After these four evaluations are conducted, the entire team of UofL geriatrics providers comes together to develop a personalized and comprehensive care plan for the patient.

UofL Geriatrics is located on the first floor of the Health Care Outpatient Center at 401 E. Chestnut St. For information and appointments, call 502-852-7449.

Most vulnerable are:

• The elderly
• Those who work or exercise outdoors
• Infants and children
• The homeless or poor
• People with a chronic medical condition

The Trauma Center at University of Louisville Hospital encourages all to take the necessary precautions to prevent serious health effects such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Stay cool

• Stay in air-conditioned buildings
• Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device
• Limit outdoor activity, especially midday when it is the hottest part of the day, and avoid direct sunlight
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing
• Take cool showers or baths to lower your body temperature
• Check on at-risk friends, family and neighbors at least twice a day

Stay hydrated

• Drink more than usual and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
• Drink from two to four cups of water every hour while working or exercising outside.
• Avoid alcohol or liquids containing high amounts of sugar.
• Make sure your family, friends and neighbors are drinking enough water.

Stay informed

• Check your local news for extreme heat warnings and safety tips.
• Visit the Louisville Metro website to find local more resources to  prevent heat sickness.
• Keep your friends, family and neighbors aware of weather and heat safety information.

Heat exhaustion symptoms

• Heavy sweating
• Weakness
• Skin cold, pale, and clammy
• Weak pulse
• Fainting and vomiting

What you should do for heat exhaustion

• Move to a cooler location
• Lie down and loosen your clothing
• Apply cool, wet cloths to as much of your body as possible
• Sip water
•  If you have vomited and it continues, seek medical attention immediately

Heat stroke symptoms

• High body temperature (above103°F)*
• Hot, red, dry or moist skin
• Rapid and strong pulse
• Possible unconsciousness

What you should do for heat stroke

• Call 911 immediately — this is a medical emergency
• Move the person to a cooler environment
• Reduce the person’s body temperature with cool cloths or even a bath
• Do NOT give fluids