Some of the best research is done through clinical trials.  This research would in turn help us find cures, answers, and solutions to the most deadly diseases around such as cancer.  The problem that clinical trials run into is that they are often not funded by insurance plans and some people are hesitant about going into the unknown when they are already experiencing such trying times with frightening emotions. They are equally afraid about worrying the people they love.  The best way to decide if a clinical trial is the right choice for you is to find out the purpose of it and what it is designed to do.

Question: What are clinical trials?
Answer: In its most basic sense, a clinical trial is a research study that involves people. A clinical trial is conducted to help discover advancements that improve the quality of the life of someone who has a particular disease or condition.

Question:  Why are these clinical trials important?
Answer: The studies conducted during clinical trials test ways to help in the detection, prevention, diagnosis or treatment of diseases.  The people who participate in clinical trials contribute to the pool of scientific knowledge and can help a new medicine or procedure become approved for use to treat the general public. Many people find the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial as the best way to receive expert care from top professionals in their field.  This particularly holds true for cancer patients.

Question:  What are the different types of clinical trials for cancer patients?
Answer: There are basically five different types of clinical trials that are available for cancer patients to participate in if they qualify.

These options are:

• Treatment:  A treatment clinical trial focuses on taking existing medications and treatments and finding ways to improve them.  It also involves new medicines and procedures that could possibly stop cancer from advancing or, even better, destroy it.
• Prevention:  Prevention clinical trials usually involve healthy people who’ve never had cancer. They look for those who may be at risk and discover life style changes that can be made to help prevent it.  In certain cases, they also use people who’ve been in remission with their cancer and try to find ways to stop the cancer from coming back.
• Screening:  Detecting cancer easier, earlier, and non-invasively is a huge factor in research for screening clinical trials.  These clinical trials are done through finding new ways to evaluate family histories and other factors that indicate a person’s risk level when it comes to cancer.
• Diagnostic:  The diagnostic trials are focused on helping detect cancer more quickly and usually involve individuals who are already showing signs of cancer.
• Quality of Life (also known as Supportive Care):  These clinical trials focus on those who are currently suffering with cancer.  The goal is to find ways to make the treatments and the side effects less taxing on all levels of their daily lives. 

Question: Who sponsors clinical trials for cancer?
Answer: These trials are normally sponsored by a wide group of organizations and businesses.  Some of them are government agencies and others are from the private sector.  Some of the most common sponsors for clinical trials are:  National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, physicians, academic medical centers, foundations, volunteer groups, pharmaceutical companies, and the biotechnology industry.

Question: What are the criteria for being eligible for a cancer clinical trials?
Answer: There are specific guidelines and standards for each clinical trial that determine who qualifies to be a part of the clinical trial.  The best way to find out if you are eligible for an existing trial is to mention your interest to your doctor or health care provider. They can direct you to the right resources (like Lazarex Cancer Foundation) to help identify clinical trials that that you might be eligible for.

Question: How do they ensure a person’s safety if they choose to participate in a clinical trial?
Answer: Individuals who choose to participate in clinical trials are referred to as “human subjects”.  On a national and international level the trials are heavily monitored to ensure that all practices and procedures being done are ethical and solely for the approved purpose of the experiment.

Question: How does a person find out all the specifics of a clinical trial so they can make an informed decision?
Answer: The process of educating prospective clinical trial participants is called informed consent.  Informed consent consists of two parts.  The first is to provide the participants with information about the protocol of the trial, what they can expect as a participant and what the intended results are.  The second part is to continue updating participants on findings regarding their response to the experiment. This allows them the opportunity to choose to remain in the trial or to stop participating.

Question:  Are placebos used in cancer treatment clinical trials?
Answer:  It is very unusual, and mostly unheard of, for cancer trials to involve the use of placebos when it comes to treatment. A placebo-controlled trial compares a new treatment with a placebo; people who receive a placebo are called the control group. Placebo-controlled trials are not appropriate when a known, highly effective therapy is available, unless the participant is allowed to receive the new treatment/placebo in addition to the highly effective therapy.
“In some circumstances, clinical trials may require the use of placebo controls to provide convincing evidence of drug safety and clinical benefit. Placebos should only be used in cancer clinical trials when it is scientifically necessary, ethically appropriate, and when patients have been clearly informed that they will receive a placebo and whether they will receive the active drug at some point during the clinical trial, if not immediately.” Richard L. Schilsky, MD

Question:  What benefits could a person receive if they choose to participate in a clinical trial?
Answer: Clinical trial participants could respond to the trial in a way that slows the progression of an existing cancerous condition, go into remission, and/or contribute to advancing the development of new, highly effective cancer treatments.  The benefits of clinical trials give many people a higher quality of life, more time, and the comfort of knowing they tried to help themselves and/or others through their willingness to participate.

There will never be any way to know if you qualify for cancer clinical trials or would benefit from them if you don’t take the steps to inquire.  The resources, both online and in your community, are great.  Take some time to find out if you have the ability to make a positive change in the world of cancer through your involvement in a cancer clinical trial.

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Lazarex Cancer Foundation
PO Box 741 | Danville, CA | 94526
toll free 877-866-9523 | office 925-820-4517 | fax 925-552-7305
Lazarex.org | TeamForLifeLCF.org | Lazarex.org/blog | Lazarex.org/Lazarex-Concert-Series

Lazarex is getting requests from all over the globe from runners that didn’t expect the race to sell out so fast. Yes, if you are quick this licensed charity has a small amount of bibs left.  Manyparticipants plan their vacations around the #1 scenic marathon in theworld.

You are invited to run or sponsor a runner in the 27th annual Big Sur International Marathon, April 29, 2012, on behalf of Lazarex Cancer Foundation. Join theLazarex “Team for Life” and help raise funds for an organization thatis dedicated to building a bridge to hope, dignity and life for endstage cancer patients and their families.

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It’s common knowledge among marathoners that after running a distance of 13-26 miles, the human body burns through its supply of carbohydrates - you hit, as it’s widely known to runners, “the wall”. This expression is very fitting, as it’s explained as instantaneously feeling completely sapped of energy, leaving you struggling the overwhelming need to sit down and rest. To fight off “the wall,” runners often take to carb-loading the evening before a race or competition, partaking in carb-rich foods and energy supplements such as powders and gels. This practice, along with total determination are some of the ways runners retrieve the proverbial wind and put it back in their sails so they can go on to finish a successful 13.1 run.

This “wall” is not mutually exclusive to the practice of running a marathon. For someone with cancer the wall could be a traumatic diagnosis, side-effects of an aggressive treatment, or the worst case of running out of treatment options. This wall, unfortunately, cannot be treated by carb-loading with foods or supplements. While sheer determination is absolutely necessary in these trials, it can only take a patient so far in the face of a disease that has claimed so many lives.

Lazarex Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization that has and continues to be available to assist patients in overcoming this wall. Lazarex gives emotional and financial support, two vital things that most cancer patients and their immediate families need desperately. While there is no one-size-fits-all cure, Lazarex Cancer Foundation can provide much-needed assistance in seeking out clinical trial options for patients.

You too can get in on the fight when you join Lazarex Cancer Foundation’s Team for Life in the inaugural 2012 Tinker Bell ½ Marathon or the 2012 Disneyland Marathon Weekend. A limited number of bibs are still available for the sold out Tinker Bell event, a new ½ marathon for women (and the men who love them), on January 29th at Disneyland. These races provide an uncommon running adventure through the crowded theme park as the characters of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and Pluto cheer you on from the sidelines.

As a publicly funded nonprofit, Lazarex Cancer Foundation relies heavily on donations so they can offer their services to cancer patients and their families. In these trying economic times, most people don’t have money in reserve to help the less fortunate. The Tinker Bell Half Marathon and the Disneyland Marathon Weekend provide the opportunity to support a worthy organization and accomplish an incredible personal feat. There is no other feeling like crossing the finish line after 13.1 miles knowing that you’ve reached your goals as a runner and as a fundraiser for two worthwhile causes – Lazarex and you!

Whether you’re an experienced marathon runner or just lacing up your running sneakers, Team for Life has lots of ways to assist you in raising funds and in training so you’ll be ready to complete the Team for Life Tinker Bell ½ Marathon and cross that finish line. If you’ve ever desired to test yourself and push your limits or wanted to run to support others and add a purpose to your race running, then team up with Lazarex Cancer Foundation at Disneyland in California. Assist them in combating the wall.

For more information on getting involved visit Lazarex online at www.lazarex.org. To sign up for the Team for Life Tinker Bell ½ Marathon visit Team for Life online at www.teamforlifelcf.org.

Have questions or need support?
Lazarex Cancer Foundation
PO Box 741 | Danville, CA | 94526 
toll free 877-866-9523 | office 925-820-4517 | fax 925-552-7305
Lazarex.org | TeamForLifeLCF.org | Lazarex.org/blog

Our goal is clear: To build a bridge to hope, dignity and life for end stage cancer patients. But we cannot do this alone. We rely on the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations in order to succeed.
Your donation gives the gifts hope and life to end stage cancer patients and their families.

Lazarex Cancer Foundation - It’s About Life

Lazarex aim is to support end stage cancer patients in there clinical trials. You can also support Lazarex by donation or by participating in any Marathon events.

Donation
www.lazarex.org/donation/donation-form

Endurance Race Events
http://www.teamforlifelcf.org/endurance-races-events

Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/lazarexcf

While cancer is colorblind, new studies show that minorities are not being screened or taking part in possible life-saving clinical trials as often as their white counterparts. Dana Dornsife, founder of Lazarex Cancer Foundation, is hoping to change that.  R&B legend Lenny Williams is joining forces with Dana and Lazarex Cancer Foundation to raise awareness about cancer screenings and clinical trials among minority groups.

“It is the goal of Lazarex Cancer Foundation is to let cancer patients know that there is hope, regardless of race, gender or ethnic background,” Dornsife said “The fact is that cancer research and clinical trials are only effective across the board if cancer patients of both sexes, all ages and ethnic groups are represented.”

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, many studies have been released about the disparity in treatment of minority women for breast cancer. According to an article published in The Republic, a Columbus, Indiana newspaper:

• Asian and Hispanic women are less likely to get regular mammograms than white or black women. The reasons vary from lack of insurance, lack of awareness and cultural factors.
• Latina women are more likely than non-Hispanic whites to be diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age and with worse tumors. However, they are not participating in clinical trials that could save their lives.
• Japanese women are found to have as high a breast cancer rate as white women. Filipina women have the lowest five-year survival rate for breast cancer of any other ethnic group. The reasons are not known.
• African-American women have the highest rates of pre-menopausal breast cancer than other races and are more likely to die from the disease at any age.
• African-American women are more than twice as likely as white women to be diagnosed with early-onset, virulent tumors called triple-negatives. These tumors do not respond to current therapies for cancer treatment that block or eliminate those hormones.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recognized the health disparities in minorities. In a statement on its website, organization officials said, “Access to quality cancer care and clinical trials needs to be expanded to ensure that minority groups are provided the same care and access to state-of-the-art technology that patients in major care centers receive.”

In African American men, prostate cancer strikes them earlier than it does men in other races and they are twice as likely to die from the disease. Even with an increased awareness about the importance of screening, many African American men are not taking part.

R&B legend Lenny Williams joined forces with Lazarex Cancer Foundation to bring awareness about cancer screenings and to encourage engagement in FDA Clinical Trials that can prolong life and lead to new discoveries in cancer research. Williams and Dornsife are speaking to churches, organizations, civic groups and the media about this important initiative that could save lives and help advance cancer research as well as encourage cancer screenings for African Americans. For more information contact Karen Ambrogi at 877-866-9523 or visit www.lazarex.org.

DANVILLE, CA. – Raising awareness about the danger cancer poses to minorities is the driving force behind a new partnership between Dana Dornsife, founder and president of the Lazarex Cancer Foundation, and legendary R&B artist Lenny Williams.

The two have teamed up to urge minorities to take preventative measures through cancer screenings and to take part in clinical trials that may save the lives of those who have been diagnosed with cancer.

“Cancer is a disease that knows no boundaries,” said Dana Dornsife of the Lazarex Cancer Foundation. “It strikes people regardless of race, sex, socioeconomic class or age. Each year, however, more minorities die from cancer-related illnesses than whites.”

Why is this?
There are a number of reasons why minorities are more likely to die from cancer than others, Dornsife said. Many of these reasons can be overcome with awareness about the help that is available, Dornsife added.

“The participation rate for African Americans in clinical trials is very low,” said Williams. “It is vital that the word about clinical trials gets out.”

Williams said African American participation in trials is traditionally low because of mistrust and misunderstanding in the community about cancer detection and treatment. These obstacles are often compounded by financial concerns and the belief that minorities will be mistreated by medical professionals.

“It is our goal to remove these obstacles and help minorities understand there is assistance available to them,” Dornsife said. “Clinical trials open doors to medical breakthroughs that might have otherwise been closed.”

Dornsife points to the story of 14-year-old Brittani. She was diagnosed several years ago. As a young athlete, Brittani’s initial complaints of back pain were not taken all that seriously. When the pains continued, the tumor was discovered.

Brittani underwent a series of surgeries and treatments, but none of the efforts were successful. Doctors finally told Brittani’s mother there was nothing more that could be done. It was recommended that the surgeries be stopped. The family, doctors said, should “let nature take its course.”

While searching the internet for alternatives, Brittani’s mother came across an ongoing clinical trial in Los Angeles. The clinic in LA pointed the family to Lazarex Cancer Foundation when concerns were raised about affording the frequent trips from Sacramento. Brittani was entered into the trial in hopes of finding the cure they so desperately wanted.

Today, Brittani is a healthy 14-year-old girl. The tumor that almost took her life is not detectable on scans.

“Brittani’s story illustrates the need for minorities to become active in and more aware of clinical trials,” Dornsife said. “These studies can save lives. In Brittani’s case, her prognosis went from hopeless to healthy.”

Lazarex Cancer Foundation was formed to build a bridge to hope, dignity and life for end stage cancer patients and their families. It provides financial assistance to defray the costs associated with patient participation in FDA clinical trials. Additionally, it helps patients navigate their clinical trial options and provides community education and outreach services.

Stories like Brittani’s and the unacceptably higher minority death rates from cancer have led the foundation to embark on a new mission to incorporate outreach to minority communities into its overall focus, to raise awareness about the importance of cancer screenings for early detection, when the odds of beating the disease are the best, and of clinical trials as a resource for possible life extension and remission when all else has failed.

Through the partnership with Williams and the telling of Brittani’s story, Dana Dornsife hopes to spread the word that “cancer is colorblind and needs to be addressed for all populations”.

For more information about Lazarex Cancer Foundation, call 925 820-4517 or visit www.Lazarex.org.

Lazarex Cancer Foundation Gives New Hope to End-Stage Patients

Lenny Williams & Dana L. Dornsife Lazarex/Cancer Screening/Clinical trial

Fundraising to Help Cancer Research

You may be directly or indirectly affected by cancer. You might really want to do your part, but you are not the richest person on Earth. So what can you do to help cancer research?
There are many ways you could help cancer foundations like Lazarex gain enough resources to continue their work to help cancer patients from all corners. If you do not have the resources to directly make a donation to the organization, or feel like you would want to do more, you should consider organizing a fundraising event in honor of the organization and the cause.

You could organize donation drives that aim at collecting cancer research donations from a large group of people. When doing so, remember that every small contribution counts. You are the person collecting these small donations and presenting them to the organization, who can do wonders with the large amount collected. These cancer research donations could help foundations like Lazarex continue changing lives and helping more survive their cancer and live a fruitful life.

You can also create more opportunities for others to do their part by making cancer research donations. You could organize fundraising events like a carwash or yard sale and highlight the fact that the proceeds would go as donations towards cancer research.

When you are putting together a fundraising event, do remember to ensure that the timing and location is appropriate for your community. You should maximize the opportunity and try gathering as much funds that could work as cancer research donations.

You should also be sure to have a reliable team by your side as you plan and implement the fundraising event. This way, you would appear successful and reliable and people would be more confident in making their cancer research donation through your efforts.

The athletes out there might consider taking part in our Team for Life Athletic Events to do their part to help cancer research. Team for life is also a great platform to use if you would want to organize your own athletic fundraising event.

When trying to gather donations to do your part to help cancer research, be sure to remember that no cancer research donation is too small. Every little drop would help in saving lives and changing it for the better. Organizations like Lazarex are doing their best to understand and eradicate cancer. With your help, they will get the resources they need to succeed in their endeavors.