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Massey Fact of the Week

Hydration, hydration, hydration! Water and liquids or fluids are vital to health. All body cells need water to function. If you do not take in enough fluids or if you lose fluids through vomiting or diarrhea, you can become dehydrated. If this happens, the fluids and minerals that help keep your body working can become dangerously out of balance. You do get some water from the foods you eat, but a person should drink about eight 8-ounce glasses of liquid each day to be sure that all the body cells get the fluid they need. For more information, visit American Cancer Society:http://bit.ly/1cN2XOl

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Massey Fact of the Week

Good carb, bad carb Carbohydrates are the body’s major source of energy. Carbohydrates give the body the fuel it needs for physical activity and proper organ function. The best sources of carbohydrates – fruits, vegetables, and whole grains – also supply needed vitamins and minerals, fiber, and phytonutrients to the body’s cells. For more information, visit American Cancer Society:http://bit.ly/1cN2XOl

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Massey Fact of the Week

It's almost lunch time! What healthy fats are you eating? Fats play an important role in nutrition. Fats and oils are made of fatty acids and serve as a rich source of energy for the body. The body breaks down fats and uses them to store energy, insulate body tissues, and transport some types of vitamins through the blood. You may have heard that some fats are better for you than others. When considering the effects of fats on your heart and cholesterol level, choose monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats more often than saturated fats or trans fats.  Good sources of fat include vegetable oils (like olive, canola and peanut oils) and seafood. For more information, visit American Cancer Society:http://bit.ly/1cN2XOl

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Massey Fact of the Week

Today, we're going to discuss protein.  We need protein for growth, to repair body tissue, and to keep our immune systems healthy. When your body doesn’t get enough protein, it might break down muscle for the fuel it needs. This makes it take longer to recover from illness and can lower resistance to infection. People with cancer often need more protein than usual. After surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy, extra protein is usually needed to heal tissues and help fight infection. Good sources of protein include fish, poultry, lean red meat, eggs, low-fat dairy products, nuts and nut butters, dried beans, peas and lentils, and soy foods. For more information, visit American Cancer Society:http://bit.ly/1cN2XOl

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Massey Fact of the Week

We will be posting cancer nutrition related posts all week in honor of National Nutrition Month! Nutrition is important for cancer prevention, care and survivorship.  What are some of your favorite healthy foods?

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Excel Courier and Logistics

In their own words: John Fechino

Massey Cancer Center not only saved my husband’s life, the staff there also gave us the strength to make it through.

On July 15th, we learned Jim had cancer, Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Without immediate treatment, Jim would not live three months. Within hours of the diagnosis, Jim was admitted to Massey Cancer Center’s Critical Care unit. Thankfully, Jim was asked to participate in a trail program being administered in conjunction with Johns Hopkins. Though his chances for achieving remission were about 30%, thankfully Jim achieved remission. After a total hospital stay of 68 days over a course of 4 months, Jim received compassionate care that saved his life and his spirit.

As gay Virginia couple, I was concerned that I would not have access to Jim, or his physicians while he was in the hospital. Nothing could have been farther from the truth. We were both treated with the utmost love and respect. As important as the life giving drugs are, the care they provide to the patients their families is equally important. I will forever be grateful for what the wonderful people of Massey have done for us and continue to do for countless others. What they do saves lives. We owe them an immeasurable debt. I am proud to walk in this year’s 10 K as well as participate in the Massey Challenge along with the company I work for and my friends. We are all ready to kick Cancer to the Curb.

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2014 Massey Challenge volunteer opportunities in partnership with the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k presented by MARTIN’S

With more than 1,500 people supporting VCU Massey Cancer Center through fund and friend raising with the Massey Challenge powered by HDL, Inc., we need you to join the party leading up to and on race day by volunteering!

We are recruiting volunteers for March 27, 28 and 29 for a variety of needs outlined below. Volunteers must be 16 or older, or 12 if accompanied by an adult.  To sign up for available volunteer opportunities, please [email protected] or call 804-828-1450.  Volunteer needs March 27 and 28: Massey Challenge Booth @ the Ukrop’s Monument Ave 10k Expo Shifts available: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 12:30-2:30 p.m., 2:30-4:30 p.m., 4:30-6:30 p.m., 6:30-8:30 p.m. Five volunteers per shift. Enthusiasm encouraged! Help promote the Massey Challenge, assist with performance shirt sales and distribution, prize wheel spins for donations, and provide markers to sign the annual Banner of Hope. Must be able to stand for the duration of shift. March 29: Massey Alliance Waterstop @ the Ukrop’s Monument Ave 10k  Shift available: 7:30-11:30 a.m. (four-hour shift; please arrive promptly at 7:30 a.m.) 100 volunteers total! Volunteers help set up, maintain and distribute water and PowerAde to 10k participants as they run and walk by. Groups are encouraged to volunteer together. Must be able to stand for the duration of the shift. Comfortable clothing and shoes are recommended. March 29: Massey Mile Cheer Group @ the Ukrop’s Monument Ave 10k Shifts available: Flexible! Anytime between 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.  We need more than 500 people total!  Appearances by special guests throughout the morning! Join the Massey Mile Cheer Station where more than 500 Massey and 10k supporters will join us to enthusiastically “put cancer on the run” and pay tribute to those who have battled cancer along miles 3-4. Grab your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors, and wear your VCU gold and black attire and meet us there! BYO food, drink, chairs, etc. For more information on the Massey Mile, check out our Facebook event.

To sign up for available volunteer opportunities, please email [email protected] call 804-828-1450.

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Visit Original Link

Jackson from Q94 radio talks with the Massey Challenge chair Kaity!

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Visit Original Link

Jackson from Q94 radio talks with Dr. Malkin and Nancy!

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RVA Gives Back!

Alicia's Salon and Day Spa and Q94's Jackson  hosted the 1st Annual RVA Gives Back this past Monday to benefit VCU Massey Cancer Center, and Team Q-Tee's in the Massey Challenge!

Local businesses and Richmonders came together in their finest attire and masquerade masks to show their community support and enjoy dancing, snacks, silent auction and drink specials all for a great cause! Thanks to the support of many, lots of money was raised and fun was had by all. 

Thank you RVA for showing your continued support to Massey!

#styleyourstory #rvagivesback #run4massey #teammassey

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Visit Original Link

Kat Simons talks Massey Challenge during Public Affairs.

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Visit Original Link

Dr. Mark Malkin talks to Wes McElroy from Sports Radio 910!

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Massey Fact of the Week

Electronic health records (EHRs) hold the promise to improve primary health care for millions of patients. 

“The adoption and use of electronic health records could greatly improve health care and lead to better patient outcomes, yet many clinicians are dissatisfied with current EHR systems,” said Alex Krist, M.D., lead author of the article, member of the Cancer Prevention and Control research program at VCU Massey Cancer Center.

Read more about EHRs.

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Accept the Challenge

In February, the World Health Organization issued a report detailing how the globe is facing a “tidal wave” of cancer. The article predicts that the number of cancer cases will reach 24 million a year by 2035, but fortunately half could be prevented by taking simple steps to live healthier lives. For example, about a third of the most common cancers could be prevented through being a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet and being regularly physically active.

On March 29, over 40,000 runners will participate in one of the largest 10k races in the country, Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k presented by Martin’s, held in Richmond, VA. For nine consecutive years, the VCU Massey Cancer Center has been the charitable fundraising partner of the race and raised over $3.5 million dollars for life-saving cancer research. Massey’s partnership – known as the Challenge – is a community wide movement of people committed to curing cancer and saving lives faster. This is a perfect example of how we can combine healthy living education and raise awareness for cancer prevention.

This year the Challenge committee is thrilled to partner with RockMyRun. Together, we share in the love of running/walking to our favorite tunes. It is businesses like RMR that allow the Challenge to take on new heights to assist us in getting people active in a fun and healthy way.

I accepted the Challenge because I have experienced firsthand the impact of cancer on my family and friends. I realized I don’t have to feel destitute; that there are things I can do within my own power to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. Let’s start by taking control of our own health and turn back the coming tidal wave.

So are you up for the Challenge?

You can learn more about our story and donate at www.run4massey.com.

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Team Carol's Leukemia Crushers

In their own words: Bryce Stanley

My mom, Carol Stanley, was diagnosed with A.M.L. last June when she was hospitalized with a bout of pneumonia. After her diagnosis she was told that she was probably not healthy enough to undergo the needed stem cell transplant and chemo regimen that would be necessary to put the cancer into remission. When she left the hospital we were told that she may have anywhere from a week, to a month to a year left and to even start thinking about hospice care.

The doctors at VCU started her on a monthly regimen of Vidaza which was intended to keep the cancer at bay. To date, she has completed eight months of treatment, survived three bouts of pneumonia and one bout of flu and is still going strong. Since her diagnosis her blast count has dropped from 44 at its highest to zero and five at her last two blood counts. She recently underwent her fourth bone biopsy and we are awaiting the results to determine how the cancer has actually reacted to treatment. Needless to say it has been a long and bumpy road, lots of ups and downs and we realize no one knows what the future holds. That being said, each day has been a blessing and truly put life into perspective for us all.

We started Team Carol’s Leukemia Crushers as a way to honor the spirit of my mom and to try and give back to the folks that have helped her (and our entire family). Through donations collected via Facebook, friends and family, and our t-shirt campaign we were able to raise almost $2,800 raise funds for a worthy cause. We are continuously working on new fundraising ideas in order to keep it fresh and to keep folks interested.

The best part of the experience has been being able to connect my mom with old friends, family and even anonymous supporters. Her “outside” time is limited so she spends a lot of time on Facebook where she is constantly bombarded with well wishes and words of encouragement. I’m pretty sure this has had as much to do with her continuing success as the chemo.

We are graciously indebted to the services that VCU has provided and would just like to try and give back in our own little way and, of course, to keep mom happy and healthy.

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Why will you accept the Challenge?

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RockMyRun

This month, RockMyRun has generously offered a free monthly subscription to 10kers and Massey Challengers. So, we wanted to share with you!

RockMyRun is a smartphone app and website service that provides The Best Running Music in the World™ for active people. Specifically, RockMyRun provides promotional running mixes, designed by professional DJs, that will increase the enjoyment and performance of a your workout, run or race. People interested in a more enjoyable running experience come to RockMyRun and discover mixes that have music they love, in a variety of lengths, genres and with or without explicit lyrics. For the month of March, they have offered the following promotional code:

www.rockmyrun.com/promocode Code: MCVS (it is not case sensitive)