The first documented whole-ovary transplants are now on the map -- the United States map.

On February 5, a renowned infertility expert in St. Louis transplanted a whole ovary from one woman into her sister in order to enable the sibling to have children after a battle with ovarian cancer that resulted in early and permanent menopause.

Dr. Sherman Silber, who performed the same type of transplant on twins last month and has previously restored fertility via ovary tissue transplants, believes his success is unmatched. Apparently, surgeons in China have reported similar success but offer few details to support their claim. And due to a lack of published material about the case, it is believed Dr. Silber's ovary transplants may be the world's first scientifically documented cases.

Silber says whole-ovary transplants, that could potentially allow women with cancer to freeze an ovary, undergo treatment, and then have the ovary returned to restore fertility, could also one day help women who don't have cancer but experience natural premature ovarian failure, which leads to early menopause.

While both of Silber's ovary transplant patients are awaiting news about their status of their fertility, Silber awaits the long-term results of his work. Ovarian tissue transplants last a few years, but whole ovary transplants should last for decades, he says.

Smoking is the biggest risk factor for lung cancer -- and 90 percent of all lung cancer cases are related to smoking. But family history is a risk factor too and can nearly double the risk of developing the deadly disease.

A study published in the October issue of Chest found by studying a population of Japanese adults that people with a first-degree relative -- mother, father, or sibling -- who had lung cancer had a 95 percent higher risk of contracting the disease. Those who smoked had the greatest risk, but those who did not smoke were still at risk. And women were more at risk than men. The type of lung cancer most associated with family history is squamous cell carcinoma.

The results of this study do not yet translate into recommended guidelines for screening. But those with a family history of lung cancer should make their physicians aware of their history. And perhaps one day people with family history will be identified as high-risk for lung cancer and will be included in further studies. In the meantime, these individuals should avoid all contact with all inhaled and second-hand smoke and should protect their children from all forms of tobacco smoke.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 180,000 cases of lung cancer are diagnosed each year. About 170,000 die from the disease every year. It's the second leading cause of death for men and the third leading cause of death for women.

"Believing in art's curative power is as easy as believing in aspirin." -- Art therapist Johanna Russell, UC Davis Child Life Program

Alex's Art Corner is an area within PBS's A Lion in the House where the artwork of children who are living with cancer can tell their story and display original artwork created by them. Alex Lougheed, a delightful little girl with expressive creative talent, is one of the children featured in the independent film documentary that follows five children and their families over five years through cancer diagnosis, treatment and into survivorship.

One year, the Cincinnati Children's Hospital chose one of Alex's cheerful drawings to be on the front of their Christmas card. All children who are living with cancer are invited to submit their artwork and personal story for inclusion into the Alex's Art Corner online gallery. If you have a child, or know a child, who is facing the challenges of cancer, give them a chance to be in the spotlight and have their art admired by many. According to the submission guidelines, all artwork should be created by children 18 years and younger. Go here for more information and instructions.

In icLiverpool today, is a feature about the strength of sibling bonds and a triathlon they will compete in for cancer. In 2003, Daniel O'Dempsey, now 12, was diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma. Daniel is planning on participating in UK's Sefton Triathlon, billed as the world's largest community triathlon, to benefit Macmillan Cancer Relief. But, because of the tubes in his body from chemotherapy treatments, he is prevented from the swimming part of the triathlon. To his rescue are his brother and sister triplets, Kieran and Kate, who will complete the swimming and running thirds of the event for Daniel.

The triplet siblings say they do not expect to win the triathlon, they just want to have fun raising money for cancer charity as a way to help others. Oh, I'd say these three are winners in more ways than can be counted, or trophy awards given. And, the three make us winners just by knowing about them. The inspiration of their individual and collective spirit illuminates this world into a little brighter place for all of us.