SCSS Observed its 2nd Annual Passionately Pink for the Cure Day, Where All Students and Faculty Wore Pink to Support the Fight Against Breast Cancer!

Breast Cancer Care Under a Private or Government-run Health Care Plan?

I am an American living under a private health care system, an American who lived and worked in London and was covered under Britain’s government-run health care system. I have dedicated my life to helping women and men realize the breast cancer risks they may face. Through my Team Heather fundraising, blogging, speaking, facebooking, writing, and twittering, I have read a great deal on the differences between service under different health care systems, and it has become clear there are problems under any system a country might employ: private or government-run.

So, private health care plan or government-run health care plan?

It has been stated, under President Obama’s proposed health care reform plan, one would be able to keep one’s current private health care coverage as long as it remains available from one’s employer. The employer responsibilities and obligations under any proposed legislation is still up in the air, however, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that over 100 million employees will leave private health care, in lieu of being dumped by their employers into the government-run system.

Private employers and insurers will find it difficult to compete against the federal government – unlike the federal government, private employers and insurers must answer to stockholders and boards, balance their budgets, produce earnings, make sensible decisions, and so much more. It isn’t as simple as those currently pleased with their private health care coverage being able to continue on uninterrupted; much of the decision, or the facts that go into making that decision, will be out of their hands and out of their control. I know for a fact, as an employee of the Fairfax County Public School System who is pleased with his current private health care plan, I will be asked to accept government-based health care.

When it comes to attempting to pinpoint how many Americans are currently uninsured, the number “47 million” has been batted about quite consistently. However, to say 47 million Americans do not have insurance isn’t exactly accurate. Of the 47 million uninsured in the United States, 9.7 million are not citizens of this country. Another 14 million of those uninsured are eligible for Medicaid and SCHIP but have never signed up for either program. They could have either form of government insurance if they made a visit to the emergency room. Another 17.6 million of those uninsured have annual incomes of more than $50,000. This leaves approximately 5.5 million Americans currently without insurance – clearly a group of individuals who need a departure from and an improvement upon the present health care system.

The 1018 page health care reform bill currently being discussed has sparked an examination into health care and treatment in countries with similar government-run plans around the world. We clearly have problems under the current United States private health care system. Covering the 5.5 million uninsured Americans should be a priority and addressing other problems within our current health care system should be paramount, but a blanket statement that the United States has “a very serious health care problem” isn’t taking into consideration some recent studies and reports:

Breast cancer mortality is 52% higher in Germany than in the United States, and 88% higher in the United Kingdom. When it comes to breast cancer, early detection is key to survival. The BBC reported that United States women were more likely to survive breast cancer than their European counterparts because they are diagnosed earlier. Similarly, prostate cancer mortality is 604% higher in the U.K. and 457% higher in Norway and the mortality rate for colorectal cancer among British men and women is about 40% higher than their counterparts in the United States, who participate in a private health care system. (“Cancer Survival in Five Continents: A Worldwide Population-based Study” & “Europe: Failing on Breast Cancer”)

Some 56% of Americans who could benefit are taking statins, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors designed to reduce cholesterol and protect against heart disease. By comparison, of those patients who could benefit from these drugs in countries with government-run health care systems, only 36% of the Dutch, 29% of the Swiss, 26% of Germans, 23% of Britons and 17% of Italians receive them. (“Diffusion of Medicines in Europe” & “The Grass is Not Always Greener: A Look at National Health Care Systems around the World”)

Americans of the appropriate age have better access to preventive cancer screening under their private health care system than Canadians of the same appropriate age under their government-run health care. Nine of 10 middle-aged American women (89%) have had a mammogram, compared to less than three-fourths of Canadians (72%). Nearly all American women (96%) have had a pap smear, compared to less than 90% of Canadians. More than half of American men (54%) have had a PSA test, compared to less than 1 in 6 Canadians (16%). Nearly one-third of Americans (30%) have had a colonoscopy, compared with less than 1 in 20 Canadians (5%). Accessibility and availability to life-saving screening methods are greater under private health care systems. (“Health Status, Health Care and Inequality: Canada vs. the U.S.”)

More than 70 percent of German, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and British adults say their health system needs either “fundamental change” or “complete rebuilding.” (“Toward Higher-Performance Health Systems: Adults’ Health Care Experiences In Seven Countries, 2007″)

Criticized as a waste of resources by economists and policymakers, an overwhelming majority of leading American physicians identified computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the most important medical innovations for improving patient care during the previous decade. The United States has 34 CT scanners per million Americans, compared to 12 per million in Canada and eight per million in Britain. The United States has nearly 27 MRI machines per million compared to about 6 per million in Canada and Britain. Access to these life-saving innovations is more limited under government-run health care systems. (“Physicians’ Views of the Relative Importance of 30 Medical Innovations” and “OECD Health Data 2008, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development”)

Health care innovations thrive under free market health care systems: 1) The top five U.S. hospitals conduct more clinical trials than all the hospitals in any other single developed country. 2) Since the mid-1970s, the Nobel Prize in medicine or physiology has gone to American residents more often than recipients from all other countries combined – In only five of the past 34 years did a scientist living in America not win or share in the prize. 4) Most important recent medical innovations were developed in the United States. (The Nobel Prize Internet Archive and “The U.S. Health Care System as an Engine of Innovation”)

Hospital by hospital data, unpublished by the Scottish Government, shows that, for certain types of cancer, patients in some units are waiting an average of 100 days before getting treated. Between January and April in 2008, head and neck cancer patients at Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride waited an average of 112 days after GP referral before treatment. Average waits at Falkirk and District Royal Hospitals for gastrointestinal cancer between April and June was 118 days. In the same quarter, patients at Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow suffering from urological cancer waited an average of 105 days. The figures also show that lengthy waits are still common for cancers such as breast cancer, where speedy treatment is needed and life-saving. Of 28 hospitals treating women with breast cancer in 2008′s last quarter, 14 had an average wait of over 40 days. (“Secret Wait for Cancer Patients”)

No system is perfect. Our health care system needs help. It is clear that other countries also find challenges and difficulties with their own systems of health care. It will be interesting to see how things play out in the future for the United States and its friends, when it comes to health care reform, however, in my work within the breast cancer movement, I am finding more and more evidence that being screened, tested, diagnosed, treated, and monitored for breast cancer under a private health care system leads to more positive outcomes.

“So You Think You Can (Fight Breast Cancer)?”

This is a piece highlighting a dance on Wednesday night’s “So You Think You Can Dance.” The dance, choreographed by Emmy Award winning Tyce Diorio, was meant to represent a woman’s struggle with breast cancer, showing the way she’d react, fight, survive, as well as how her friends would support her in her battle. Breathtakingly poignant!

New Logo for Team Heather

Team Heather introduces its new Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Global Race for the Cure and Fundraising logo – TA DA!!!

To:

1) See Team Heather X 2010 and watch our progress over the coming year click here: http://tiny.cc/TeamHeather2010

2) Follow Team Heather on Twitter (@teamheather) click here: http://tiny.cc/TeamHeatherTwitter

3) Follow us on the Team Heather Facebook page click here: http://tiny.cc/TeamHeatherFacebook

4) See the interview on ABC News Channel 8 and hear Heather’s story in a whole new way click here: http://tiny.cc/TeamHeatherYouTube

5) See WTOP’s coverage of Race Day and Team Heather’s involvement in the opening ceremonies click here: http://tiny.cc/TeamHeatherWTOP

6) See the breathtaking video, “Imagine Life Without Breast Cancer,” explaining our new global emphasis click here: http://tiny.cc/ImagineLifeWithoutBreastCancer

7) Read about Team Heather members in Maine making a difference click here: http://tiny.cc/TeamHeatherBIWNews

8) Read coverage of the 1st Annual SCSS NJHS Talent Show click here:http://tiny.cc/TeamHeatherSCSSTalentShow

9) Read the Washington Times article on Team Heather 2007 click here:http://tiny.cc/TeamHeatherWashTimes

10) Visit Conservatives for the Cure click here:http://conservativesforthecure.org/

11) View the history of Team Heather 2009 click here:http://tiny.cc/TeamHeather2009

12) View the history of Team Heather 2008 click here:http://tiny.cc/TeamHeather2008

Barron’s Bottles for Boobs

Imagine Life Without Breast Cancer.

That is what they are doing in Maine. Lyndon & Lee Ann Barron are getting serious early in the fundraising for Team Heather and the 2010 Global Race for the Cure. Even though the 2010 Race is a year away, the Barron’s feel it is never too early to start raising money for this incredibly important cause. So, on June 20, 2009, Lyndon & Lee Barron officially launched:

The Barron’s will be collecting returnable bottles and cans from friends and neighbors within their community of Damariscotta, ME, with all proceeds going to Team Heather in the 2010 Global Race for the Cure.

All summer, (all year if their community would like!) the Barron’s will gladly pick up returnable bottles and cans and take them away; or, community members may drop these empties off at their leisure. Lyndon & Lee Ann have established a “Bottles for Boobs” Drop Off Container next to their garage and invite friends and neighbors within their community to come by anytime!! Every nickel redeemed will be donated to Team Heather in the 2010 Global Race for the Cure to end breast cancer.

Please support the Barron’s in this effort! When visiting the Team Heather website, look for team member Lee Ann Barron for an easy online donation; if you have any questions about “Bottles for Boobs,” feel free to contact Lyndon & Lee Ann at twncanoe@tidewater.net

So…………. Barron’s Bottles for Boobs is in full swing!!

Follow Team Heather on Twitter and YouTube

Click here to watch me interviewed on ABC News Channel 8 in Washington, D. C. on the work of Team Heather through Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

And consider following Team Heather’s updates on Twitter (@teamheather). I have included several of my Twitter updates below for your consideration.

Thank you and let me know if you have any questions – gardnershawn68@aol.com

TEAM HEATHER TWITTER UPDATES:

Guide to save people time & energy in finding key breast cancer information online (GREAT RESOURCE) – http://tiny.cc/BCGuide – #breastcancer

Article I wrote in Family Magazine for Susan G. Komen on experiences of being a co-survivor – http://tiny.cc/FamilyMagazine – #breastcancer

A friend just had her 1st mammo; I thought info on how to prepare for a mammo might be helpful – http://tiny.cc/Preparing – #breastcancer

Support the ACLU & Public Patent Foundation’s lawsuit to liberate the BRCA1 & BRCA2 genes – http://tiny.cc/BreastCancer… – #breastcancer

Be careful folks! 10 Surprising facts about U.S. health care comp. to that of Canada’s gov-run – http://www.ncpa.org/pub/ba649 #breastcancer

Find breast cancer clinical trials near you or targeted at you – http://tiny.cc/FindClinical… – #breastcancer

Mammo availability DROPS as breast cancer rates SOAR in countries with gov-run health care – http://tiny.cc/DeadlyMix – http://tiny.cc/US637

192,370 women will be diag. with & 40,170 women will die of breast cancer in 2009; know your risks! http://tiny.cc/2009Stats – #breastcancer

I Just found this out; made me sad. Barbara Gittings, gay rights pioneer, dead at 75 from breast cancer – http://tiny.cc/BarbaraGitti…

@breastfestfilm – Thanks for the retweet. LOVE your event idea; just wish I was closer! www.breastfestfilmfest.com – #breastcancer

Filmmakers! Submit short films (10 min) of any kind focusing on breast cancer for film fest in Ontario, 11/20-21 www.breastfestfilmfest.com

WHY does anyone smoke, especially when more & more is learned about its link to breast cancer – http://tiny.cc/WhyDoYouSmoke – #breastcancer

Women in MN, take advantage of free mammograms and a bonus – http://tiny.cc/FreeMammos – #breastcancer

Check out the 2-day, 100 mile Endure for the Cure in East Peoria, IL on July 10-12 – http://www.endureforthecure… – #breastcancer

What could be better or easier in the battle against breast cancer than Eat for the Cure? http://www.lulu.com/content… – #breastcancer

Take a minute to sign the “I Vote for the Cure” Petition, which outlines 3 critical goals for Obama – http://tiny.cc/Vote354 – #breastcancer

Don’t usually like breast cancer products, but this one SMELLS SO GOOD! – http://tiny.cc/Shower288 – #breastcancer

Heading to Maine for vac so thought I’d highlight this event battling breast cancer in Mar, 2010 – http://tiny.cc/MaineEvent – #breastcancer

Breast cancer warriors in UT, come out this Sat to support the fight on the Colorado River – http://www.raftforthecure.com – #breastcancer

After watching Marley & Me, I think it approp. to highlight this unique take on battling breast cancer – http://tiny.cc/CFTC – #breastcancer

Ain’t this the truth? Unbelievable! RT @ArmyofWomen: “Women Deserve More From The Stimulus Package” Dr. Love http://ow.ly/fvnd #breastcancer

What folks won’t do for breast cancer – RT @BCsurvivors: Man walks across USA to fight #breastcancer http://bit.ly/nWhfL #breastcancer

RT @AngeKinder: RT @GenesisPink: Remember on father’s day that 1 in 1000 men will dev breast cancer. www.genesisuk.org to help the fight.

Literally, one of the best support systems I’ve seen; my sister, Heather LOVED this place! – http://tiny.cc/GatheringPlace – #breastcancer

This hits so close to home! RT @KomenOregon: Meet Heather http://bit.ly/13fOPl a young survivor who’s screening was funded by Komen

There’re AMAZING people out there! RT @SacBCRC SHOUT OUT 2 all the firefighters @ Station 1 for cooking food for 1 of our breast cancer pts

One of the most unique breast cancer sites; Star Wars Chicks Fight for the Cure – http://starwarschicks.com/f… – #breastcancer

Sign up for a reminder to get your annual mammograms ladies – http://tiny.cc/MammoReminder – #breastcancer

Team Heather Posters from the Past Fundraising Year

Keep Track of Team Heather EVERYWHERE

To:

1) See Team Heather X 2010 and watch our progress over the coming year click here: http://tiny.cc/TeamHeather2010

2) Follow Team Heather on Twitter (@teamheather) click here: http://tiny.cc/TeamHeatherTwitter

3) Follow us on the Team Heather Facebook page click here: http://tiny.cc/TeamHeatherFacebook

4) See the interview on ABC News Channel 8 and hear Heather’s story in a whole new way click here: http://tiny.cc/TeamHeatherYouTube

5) See WTOP’s coverage of Race Day and Team Heather’s involvement in the opening ceremonies click here: http://tiny.cc/TeamHeatherWTOP

6) See the breathtaking video, “Imagine Life Without Breast Cancer,” explaining our new global emphasis click here: http://tiny.cc/ImagineLifeWithoutBreastCancer

7) Read about Team Heather members in Maine making a difference click here: http://tiny.cc/TeamHeatherBIWNews

8) Read coverage of the 1st Annual SCSS NJHS Talent Show click here:http://tiny.cc/TeamHeatherSCSSTalentShow

9) Read the Washington Times article on Team Heather 2007 click here:http://tiny.cc/TeamHeatherWashTimes

10) Visit Conservatives for the Cure click here:http://conservativesforthecure.org/

11) View the history of Team Heather 2009 click here:http://tiny.cc/TeamHeather2009

12) View the history of Team Heather 2008 click here:http://tiny.cc/TeamHeather2008

Team Heather Goes Global….and so much more!

On Saturday, June 6th, nearly 45,000 people came together as a living testament to the power of individuals to impact the world. The outcome of this gathering was nothing short of miraculous $4,300,000 raised to help those battling breast cancer and to end breast cancer forever.

With the knowledge that every 68 seconds, a woman, along with her hopes and dreams and future, dies of breast cancer, and with cancer taking the lives of 7 million individuals worldwide each year, more than AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis combined, there has never been a more important time to act, so thank you!

With Komen’s promise of 75% of all monies raised going towards supporting the underserved and disadvantaged in the Nation’s Capital, an estimated $3,225,000 will stay in Washington, D.C. a record for our event. The remaining $1,075,000 will make a much-needed global impact in areas like Serbia, the country with the highest breast cancer rates in the world. In one small village, over 800 women were recently diagnosed with varying stages of breast cancer.

Team Heather’s contribution to these efforts is momentous. So far in 2009, Team Heather members, donors, supporters, friends, and family have raised an astonishing $55,193.72; bringing our overall total to $241,393.72 since 2002.

Because of you, and with Komen’s promise, $41,395.29 of what we raised will go towards essential breast cancer programs, similar to: “Increasing Breast Cancer Screening Capacity for Women Living in Poverty,” “Massage Therapy for Medically Underserved Breast Cancer Patients,” “Brains, Breasts & Beauty: The Use It or Lose It Program for Women 18-40,” “Breast Cancer Screening and Education for Low-Income Latinas,” “Increasing Breast Cancer Screening for Women with Disabilities,” and more.

With the addition of a global focus this year, the work of Team Heather will be farther-reaching than ever; the remaining $13,798.43 U.S. dollars will make a HUGE impact towards something like the purchase of a mobile mammography vehicle for a developing country.

I promised Heather I would continue leading our small efforts towards this remarkable campaign of realizing a world without breast cancer. Over the past months, I’ve visited the Komen website daily, where the words “Impact: Make One!” struck me deeper with each and every visit. On Saturday, June 6th, I saw 45,000 people with “Impact: I Made One!” on their backs. They, like you, are a testament to the power of this campaign.

On Saturday, June 5, 2010, Team Heather will celebrate our 10th anniversary in the groundbreaking event that is now the Global Race for the Cure Team Heather X, if I might. It will be the landmark year where we surpass a quarter-of-a-million dollars raised in Heather’s name; where we see new team fundraisers like “Poker for the Cure” in Maine, “OctoberBreast for the Cure” in Virginia, and “Renee for the Cure” in Florida, with dozens of events in between; and where we will once again assemble in Washington, D.C. to shout as one, with the loudest, proudest, strongest voice possible, “Impact: I Made One!”

Registration is ALREADY up and running for Team Heather X. To join today, and to never have to hear an appeal for the 2010 race from me that, in itself, is worth it simply click on the link.

Yours with great appreciation,

Shawn Gardner

Team Heather Captain

Facebook’s “Team Heather: Fighting For a Breast Cancer Cure” Announces its Team Captains

Shawn Gardner – Team Captain

Christopher R Barron – Co-Captain

Renee Marie-Gardner Duddy – Southern Sister-Captain

Rebecca Gardner – Mother-Captain

Robert Gardner – Father-Captain

Kendra Barron – Spirit-Captain

Jason Barron – Legal-Captain

Jen Schimmenti – Events-Captain

Ashley Cox Kirby – North Carolina-Captain

Barry Kirby – Kirby-Captain

Lori Sondheimer Gilboy – Corporate Sponsor-Captain

Francine Wargo – Co-Fundraising-Captain

Caroline Bergmark – Co-Fundraising-Captain

Lydia Shell – Training Captain

Lee Ann Barron – Barron-Captain