When you are diagnosed with cancer you may experience an array of different emotions --fear, anxiety, depression, anger, worry and many others. Some cancer patients or survivors may feel alone or unable to talk to friends or family members about how they are really feeling.

Research has suggested that writing can help with the healing process after cancer. Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC) is hosting a networking meeting for women affected by breast cancer called Healing with words: Writing the Breast Cancer Experience.

Alysa Cummings, MLS, CPT, of Pink Ribbon Poetry, will explain how women affected by breast cancer can use writing to heal. Attendees will hear a presentation by members of Pink Ribbon Poetry. Following the presentation, attendees can choose to share in a poetry therapy group and learn about online resources for writing their stories.

The networking meeting will be held on April 26, 2007, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Cherry Hill Library in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. A light dinner and refreshments will be available after the networking event. To register for this free event, visit LBBC's website or call the office at 610-645-4567.

It does not matter what kind of cancer you have been diagnosed with, this therapy can work for anyone, you can take advantage of writing in a journal in your own home. It can help heal your mind on so many levels. Try it out. You will be pleasantly surprised at the release it can give you.

Steve, my rat terrier, has been having a problem with his eye for about two months. After four visits to two different veterinarians I was referred to the Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in North Jersey. What an amazing place. I did not know that a place like this existed. It was a real hospital but for animals. I was taking my dog to an animal hospital nearby but this was an entirely different experience. I wish I would have gotten him to this place sooner. I scheduled an appointment for their ophthalmologist, Michael J. Ringle, DVM. He knew what was wrong with Steve after about 5 minutes of examination. He used special equipment to look at his eyes and had a diagnosis and plan of action right away.

I was sad when I learned what Steve had was a degenerative eye disease and that without surgery he could go blind. I was however thrilled to get a diagnosis so quickly and actually was expecting them to tell me they didn't know what was wrong with Steve since I have been hearing that for two months. Steve will get surgery next Tuesday and I'm confident he will be fine under the care of Dr. Ringle.

What does this have to do with cancer? Well, when I was in the waiting room I met a women who was with her dog who was getting his second chemotherapy treatment. He was diagnosed with lymphoma. I was so impressed with this place that I wanted to share some information about what they offer at the Red Bank Veterinary Hospital.

The Red Bank Veterinary Hospital offers the most state-of-the-art medicine. RBVH has become the country's largest privately owned veterinary hospital with a general medicine and surgery practice, 24 hour emergency and critical care service, and specialty practice, which includes Avian and Exotics, Cardiology, Critical Care, Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Dermatology and Allergy, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Oncology/Radiation Therapy, Ophthalmology, and Surgery.

Brendan Borek High Tides Memorial Fund provides assistance to residents of Cape May County, New Jersey who have a child or young adult with cancer. Brendan was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma and lost his battle in December of 1991. Brendan was a surfer and his friends wished him high tides during his cancer battle since the high tides at the Jersey shore would bring the best surfing conditions.

The memorial fund brings high tides conditions to those who need it in the Cape May area. Services provided include professional counseling and advocacy programs to financial and material assistance.

On August 15, 2006 the Avalon Yacht club is hosting The Local Artist and Friends Art Show. All ticket proceeds and fifty percent of all artwork sold benefits Brendan's fund.

Thanks to Chris Twonley for the tip and for donating some of her amazing paintings to the show!

The 2006 York Tour de Pink, a cycling tour fundraiser for the Young Survival Coalition, sponsored by York Peppermint Patties and The Hershey Company, is looking for riders to join the celebrity lineup for this year's event. Departing from Times Square in New York City, participants of the tour will be joining four of North America's top cyclists -- Kristin Armstrong of TEAm Lipton, Mari Holden of T-Mobile Women's Team, Dede Barry of World Champion and Olympic Silver Medalist and Michael Barry of Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team for a four-day ride to the Chocolate World in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

According to the 2006 York Tour de Pink rider's page, it will be a picturesque yet challenging route across central New Jersey and southern Pennsylvania with professional support, including SAG vans, mechanics and medical personnel, rest stops every fifteen miles and catered meals. And I think this is important because it is followed by an exclamation mark -- there will be hotel lodging and no camping out. First thing I thought was -- ahh, hot shower soft bed -- deserving of an exclamation mark.

The 2006 York Tour de Pink benefits the Young Survival Coalition, the only international network of breast cancer survivors, medical professionals and supporters dedicated to young women affected by breast cancer. They are looking for 100 riders to join the tour.

New York and California residents breathe in the dirtiest air in the United States and face higher cancer risks than the rest of the country, according to the latest data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Oregon, Washington, D.C., and New Jersey had the third, fourth and fifth worst air in the nation. Rural residents of Wyoming, South Dakota and Montana have the cleanest air.

What is hanging so toxic in the air? Benzene from cars and trucks that burn gasoline or diesel fuel. Other toxins causing higher risks for cancer where air pollution is the worst are naphthalene and acetaldehyde, also from vehicles, and chromium, from industries.

This is a disappointing story for those living in Dover Township in New Jersey. A new study of the states cancer statistics shows Dover has elevated levels of colon and rectal cancer in males, and higher rates of lung and bronchus cancer in females. The study focused on the years 1998 to 2002, and examined 17 different types of cancer within New Jersey's ten biggest municipalities.

The contaminated water from United Water Toms River's parkway well field and polluted air from the former Ciba-Geigy Corporation were associated in the study. Researchers have said it is impossible to draw and concreate conclusions from the results because of the limited number of cases.