Hours ago, I told you about Wal-Mart's announcement that it will no longer sell children's clothes found to be contaminated with a cancer-causing chemical. The nine brands of children's clothing were sold in stores in China. I then went on to tell you that the public relation spokesperson for Wal-Mart in China declined to state whether or not the same brands of children's clothing had found their way onto U.S. Wal-Mart store shelves. I pondered aloud in the prediction that the public would be hearing from Wal-Mart here in the U.S. regarding this matter -- sooner rather than later.

Wal-Mart has announced it will no longer sell children's clothing found to be contaminated with a cancer-causing chemical. According to the Beijing News, the stores, located in China, were selling nine different brands of children's clothing that contained a dye that has been identified as a carcinogen and linked to cancer. The public relation spokesperson for Wal-Mart in China declined to state whether or not the same brands of children's clothing had found their way onto U.S. Wal-Mart store shelves. Although I am certain we will soon hear from a Wal-Mart public relation spokesperson here in the U.S. regarding this matter.

In 1995, Sam Donaldson was diagnosed with melanoma when a tumor was discovered in a lymph node in his groin. Donaldson blogged during last year's Blog for Hope event, where celebrities and public figures shared insights and personal stories of how cancer has affected their lives. Donaldson, a veteran investigative journalist, currently appears on the Sunday morning television talk show, This Week with David Brinkley. Donaldson blogged about joining the cancer club. As he pointed out, no one volunteers to join the cancer club but you are automatically enrolled if you are diagnosed with cancer. Once a member, there is important work to be done by the members.

"We work to obtain more money for research into the causes, prevention and cures for cancer and for the alleviation of suffering from cancer. But there is something else that those of us in the club can do." It is perhaps the most important task of being a member of the cancer club. Donaldson explains it by sharing his personal experience. Donaldson, who reports news, became news with his cancer diagnosis. Shortly after, a senator he did not know very well, called and said to Donaldson, "I read that you have melanoma. Let me tell you, six years ago I had a number of melanoma lesions removed and I'm just fine today. You will be too."

Donaldson said that was one of the most important telephone calls he ever received -- one he has never forgotten. When I was in the hospital recovering from cancer surgery, a nurse came into my room and shared her seven-year cancer survivorship story. She was there to let me know there was hope -- that I would be fine. It was the turning point in my recovery, and it is the moment I will never forget. As cancer survivors, we have important work to do. Reaching out to the newly-diagnosed is one of the most important tasks because it brings hope. Hope can be the most powerful healing tool of all.