We have been watching and listening with interest as both knowledgeable and powerful people come together to confront the issues that will help reduce and possibly eliminate cancer. However, its remarkable that during this presidential year/week, there has been considerable coverage of Senator Obama traveling overseas but essentially no coverage of what Senator McCain is exploring stateside. I would believe given Senator McCain’s medical history, it would be exceptionally important to talk about what he has done and what he thinks about confronting the issues in eliminating cancer. Kudos to the Livestrong Staff as they get the word out about the Summit in Ohio. We can hope that each day the cure is much closer. Keep up the challenge.
As a 2 time cancer survivor, myself, I find your organization to be an inspiration. However, I am very disappointed to see you lend your good name Republican Senator John McCain’s campaign for the Presidency. Anyone who fully understands how our country got into our tragic situation recognizes that Senator McCain is aligned with those with the policies and persons who brought us to this state. Please keep the politics out of it.
This is my first summit. So far I am extremely impressed by the staff, the speakers, the participants and the care that has been displayed towards all of the army members.
But, I don’t think that Thursday night was appropiate. It was not a Presidential Town Hall — to do that we needed to hear from eiith both candidates — or no candidates.
As presented the evening seemed like a long commercial for Senator Mccain and those he calls MY FRIENDS.
Let’s look at the big here folks, and maybe I can see it a little more easily seeing the SUMMIT here from home, 1300 miles away.
All US presidential candidates from both major political parties, who were/are still in the race at the time, were invited to both the Livestrong Presidential Candidate Forum last August in Cedar Rapids, IA and to the Livestrong Summit in Columbus, OH this week.
Let’s stay focused on what is important and what is accomplished. Senator McCain (who is a skin cancer, survivor raised in Arizona, just like I was), DID show up, he DID address the issues of cancer, and Senator Obama WILL have to provide answers to these same issues during this campaign.
Like it or not, the funding of cancer research, the rights of cancer patients and their families in the workplace and within the insurance industry are political topics. Those who are choosing to be considered for the new leadership of this country need to tell us how they will deal with these very important and growing issues.
Either in person, or on the campaign trail, it is up to all of us to make sure this happens with all political candidates.
As a political Independent who tends to lean towards the liberal side, I was disappointed that Sen. Obama CHOSE NOT TO ATTEND the Summit and Town Hall - CHOOSING instead to appear in Europe. This was his decision - he was invited and declined.
For anyone to criticize the LAF for this or for anything McCain may have said or not said is absolutely ludicrous. I felt everyone involved from the LAF’s standpoint did an outstanding job being non-partisan (despite what the media mis-reported). Obviously Sen. McCain is going to advocate for himself at every opportunity - this is his job.
I am not a McCain supporter, nor was I “blown away” by any of his comments, but I think it’s commendable for him to show up to this event and support the cause. As a survivor and a Summit attendee, our goal is/was to make cancer a national priority. A Presidential candidate can appear wherever they want and have many organizations pulling them in every direction. McCain, at the very least, made a statement that this is an issue of importance to him and a cause that he supports.
If you are an Obama supporter and/or avid Democrat then blame your candidate and his campaign for him not being there (and communicate this to THEM - as I have already done). Don’t criticize the candidate who DID show up or the fine people that produced this fine event. Shame on you… your negative comments make me resent your candidate even more.
In light of the fact that one of the main purposes of the 2008 Livestrong Summit was to help us better know how to bring Cancer into the National arena I felt it was completely correct to invite our presidential hopefuls to speak. Those who felt that it was inappropriate (for the Summit to host Sen. McCain) should probably have choosen not to attend the Town Hall. I think it’s important to note that apparently Sen. Obama is under the impression that he has ALREADY become the voice of the US. As is obvious in his decision to travel abroad and make appologies for the country we all live in. Not only does he not, in my opinion, seem at all concerned with making cancer a national priority- it does not appear to be a priority to him at all. He could have easily had a recorded, prepared statement sent to the Summit to inform us of his position. However, he choose to make his statement by completely avoiding the Summit and all it stands for.
As of yet I am still undecided on my vote. This has been a very tough election for voters. I do know that I will be voting yellow and so far only one canidate has shown his “true colors”.
Above all anyone who was present at the Summit knows that the staff at LAF, from the top to the bottem, made every effort to be non-partisan and their only goal was to help us make an informed decision this election in reference to the main concern-making cancer a NATIONAL PRIORITY.
Well done LAF-keep up the excellence you have maintained so far.
~An inspired Summit delegate~
As a cancer survivor 2x and in treatment at present (3rd) as well as a Livestrong army leader here in Jacksonville fl. I got to ask senator McCain the first question and I was not blown away with his answer as I felt he reiterated my question and made it an open ended question. None the less I was much honored to see him there and speak of his cancer experience and I do believe it he is elected cancer will be a national priority and isn’t that what it’s truly about regardless of plolkitaical affiliation. Great Summit!!!!
To all … please note! The very first communication I had from LAF regarding the SUMMIT was to the effect Clinton, Obama, and McCain would be addressing us. Hence, I’m certain Obama was invited and did not attend our SUMMIT. While it was regretful both candidates (the field had been narrowed and hence Clinton was no long at issue) did not attend we need to hear from those who are running for elective office regarding thier position and thinking regarding this disease. We know one in two men will and one in three women be stricken! We know that yes, our nation is challenged to meet the needs of all of us regarding health care and access to health care, and research–that in turn translated into earlier detection and cure. I used the singlular there (cure) deliberately as we are striken one at a time, and we are cured one at a time. We fight our battle with this horrible disease in all of it’s various guises one at a time. Cancer trials that show even a 1/2 percent better cure rate produce new protocols … ones with a “better” cure rate and one that therefore saves one more life from cancer. I support LAF…and Lance and Nike and those others who are joined in our effort to find more “silver bullets” that will be effective in saving yes, just one more life from cancer. One at a time, we can and we must continue to fight with all that we can muster.
I would never have considered not attending and not wanting to hear the exchanges with McCain…and I was disappointed Obama didn’t make it to Columbus to address us at the SUMMIT.
I am not overly political, but the reality is that political clout does exist and I’d support LAF in having some!
Hence, I must vote yes on this! I want my government to respond to our collective and individual needs as we are stricken, fight and one by one hopefully win and go forward with life. I feel a moral obligation to fight with Lance and LAF…to try do what I can…to support LAF and others who are sticken and support the effort to find more and better treatment and improved (evidence based) protocols. I know this is the way to defeat cancer…one step at a time, one study at a time, and one life saved at a time! I appreciate Ohio State, The James, and Columbus hosted us so wonderfully. (The staff enthusiam and service at our Hotel was great! As was the service of the bus drivers and the food service helpers). And…I appreciated the recent research funded that showed some of us who survive do feel guilt (humbly, I acknowledge for having survived). I’m moved to tears seeing people being treated (chemo…because I care, remember what it was like to be there IV’d and wondering how long I might live if I let my thoughts drift in those directions). To see someone IV’d…moved me to tears at the outset. I’ve dealt with feeling guilty as were…I survived, but know I remember those I met in Caring House and life who had cancer and who did not! Today no, it’s not guilt for me…rather, I can’t reach out and askthat person…how’s it going? Are you OK? How are you? Is it behind you? I’ve moved beyond the survivors guilt, but I’m motivated to care and want to be a part of finding better treatment to save more lives.
At the close of our Summit I was again one of those wiping away tears. But, this time there were many others like me wiping their tears. I personally began to walk around Mershon and just tell the other participants “I’ve become accustomed to seeing you these last few days and please know, I will miss seeing you in the days and weeks to come.” I’d then ask if we might share a hug, and in each case we did just that! A few words and our heartfelt goodbyes and then we were gone to lunch and our flights.
Today we must be aware our government can make a difference for better coverage and treatment for all (male and female, black, white, an all the other minorities), for research dollars, for better use of the resources we already have and for more clinical trials if we can inform ourselves and elect representatives who are aware of the needs of those striken and living post diagnosis, and ultimately of all in our nation. The odds are heavily, man or woman, in your life cancer will indeed grab you and confront you in a battle for your very life.
We should remember and thank every cancer patient that came before us and who did take part in a cancer trial. They blazed a trail and they gave some of us, like me another chance, a second chance to live. I volunteered each time I was asked to participate in “a study” as I came through treatment. Why? Because I wanted others to benefit even if I didn’t make it.
I personally want LAF to have clout in the nation at the highest levels on behalf those of us who have been affected by this horrible disease in so many awful guises! And, I certainly appreciate they brought to us the candidate who did come!
I remind everyone we can be and often are made poor by cancer. A point Dr.Freedman made and that was repeated at least twice at the confernce in my experience. I point out it is “the poor” who are to often left to be powerless in life. Those who have survived…those like me who want to impact positively might consider LAF is giving “power” to those with and who live beyond cancer. Disabled or not, LAF is giving us all clout and a better quality of life I might add.
LAF also did a tremendous job with the 2008 Columbus Ohio SUMMIT!
Lance ROCKed!
LAF ROCKED in Columbus in ‘08!
Over the moon guys! Keep it up! (Please!)
We should note McCain on the same weekend in the same town by video from his home in Arizona addressed a national disablities conference (Saturday mid afternoon). Cancer also can and does make us disabled. We can and should care and listen carefully to those running for national office regarding both cancer and disabled issues as so many of those sticken by cancer are made disabled by it.
We fight cancer in a mighty way when we fight together. The disabled do not have our clout (to my observation and experience much more money and people are joined in fighting cancer than championing disabled persons). To a considerable extent many of us when stricken with cancer do become disabled, and so we need to perhaps become more aware and team with the national disabled organizations as well. Collectively again…two and more organizations we have more clout! We would benefit from those who are disabled in our being as cancer advocates and survivors inclusive. Some of the work they do clearly would and does benefit cancer survivors in our day to day lives. The current defination of disabled is beautifully written and covers, in part, that we…(the strong and well) all but always become disabled in the course of our lives. Thus, cancer victims are clearly in this category many times once our own personal fight against cancer is begun, and we may continue to be disabled both short and long term.
Together we are stronger both within LAF and out…the more individuals within who have had or been impacted by cancer and by including and partnering with those without who are disabled due to other causes and yet, share our concerns regarding quality of life after cancer and during treatment (I like many, many others was disabled while being treated and remain so today).
While we were effective in having McCain show…and therefore commit (upon being asked a 3rd time I note) to increasing funding for (NCI and research) cancer, we did not hear from the candidate who did not come. Obama was out of the country for those who don’t recall his itinerary the week of the Summit. Yet, I can’t hold that gee, the glass (SUMMIT)was empty! It was emphatically not! We heard from one candidate who will certainly impact us as survivors and advocates if he is in the White House.
We can and must contine to push to know these candidates..those who would lead and have power to impact the future of cancer research, and yes, the lives and well being of those who have cancer and survive it. Basically, also funding!
To know them …friend to us or foe is to be better prepared to do battle against this disease and apathy regarding this very vicious disease.
July 25th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
We have been watching and listening with interest as both knowledgeable and powerful people come together to confront the issues that will help reduce and possibly eliminate cancer. However, its remarkable that during this presidential year/week, there has been considerable coverage of Senator Obama traveling overseas but essentially no coverage of what Senator McCain is exploring stateside. I would believe given Senator McCain’s medical history, it would be exceptionally important to talk about what he has done and what he thinks about confronting the issues in eliminating cancer. Kudos to the Livestrong Staff as they get the word out about the Summit in Ohio. We can hope that each day the cure is much closer. Keep up the challenge.
July 25th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
As a 2 time cancer survivor, myself, I find your organization to be an inspiration. However, I am very disappointed to see you lend your good name Republican Senator John McCain’s campaign for the Presidency. Anyone who fully understands how our country got into our tragic situation recognizes that Senator McCain is aligned with those with the policies and persons who brought us to this state. Please keep the politics out of it.
July 25th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
This is my first summit. So far I am extremely impressed by the staff, the speakers, the participants and the care that has been displayed towards all of the army members.
But, I don’t think that Thursday night was appropiate. It was not a Presidential Town Hall — to do that we needed to hear from eiith both candidates — or no candidates.
As presented the evening seemed like a long commercial for Senator Mccain and those he calls MY FRIENDS.
July 26th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Let’s look at the big here folks, and maybe I can see it a little more easily seeing the SUMMIT here from home, 1300 miles away.
All US presidential candidates from both major political parties, who were/are still in the race at the time, were invited to both the Livestrong Presidential Candidate Forum last August in Cedar Rapids, IA and to the Livestrong Summit in Columbus, OH this week.
Let’s stay focused on what is important and what is accomplished. Senator McCain (who is a skin cancer, survivor raised in Arizona, just like I was), DID show up, he DID address the issues of cancer, and Senator Obama WILL have to provide answers to these same issues during this campaign.
Like it or not, the funding of cancer research, the rights of cancer patients and their families in the workplace and within the insurance industry are political topics. Those who are choosing to be considered for the new leadership of this country need to tell us how they will deal with these very important and growing issues.
Either in person, or on the campaign trail, it is up to all of us to make sure this happens with all political candidates.
That is part of what it means to “LiveSTRONG”
July 26th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Two corrections / omissions from my previous comment post:
1) The URL I meant to have associated with my “comment name” is:
http://chemorocks.blogspot.com/
I typed in ‘blogpsot’ by mistake.
2) The first line of my previous comment should read:
“Let’s look at the big PICTURE here folks.”
My apologies, I’m a poor typists
July 27th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
That first line in my previous comment should have read:
“Let’s look at the big PICTURE here folks,..”
My apologies for my lack of proofreading.
Congratulations to all on an incredible SUMMIT.
July 28th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
As a political Independent who tends to lean towards the liberal side, I was disappointed that Sen. Obama CHOSE NOT TO ATTEND the Summit and Town Hall - CHOOSING instead to appear in Europe. This was his decision - he was invited and declined.
For anyone to criticize the LAF for this or for anything McCain may have said or not said is absolutely ludicrous. I felt everyone involved from the LAF’s standpoint did an outstanding job being non-partisan (despite what the media mis-reported). Obviously Sen. McCain is going to advocate for himself at every opportunity - this is his job.
I am not a McCain supporter, nor was I “blown away” by any of his comments, but I think it’s commendable for him to show up to this event and support the cause. As a survivor and a Summit attendee, our goal is/was to make cancer a national priority. A Presidential candidate can appear wherever they want and have many organizations pulling them in every direction. McCain, at the very least, made a statement that this is an issue of importance to him and a cause that he supports.
If you are an Obama supporter and/or avid Democrat then blame your candidate and his campaign for him not being there (and communicate this to THEM - as I have already done). Don’t criticize the candidate who DID show up or the fine people that produced this fine event. Shame on you… your negative comments make me resent your candidate even more.
July 28th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
In light of the fact that one of the main purposes of the 2008 Livestrong Summit was to help us better know how to bring Cancer into the National arena I felt it was completely correct to invite our presidential hopefuls to speak. Those who felt that it was inappropriate (for the Summit to host Sen. McCain) should probably have choosen not to attend the Town Hall. I think it’s important to note that apparently Sen. Obama is under the impression that he has ALREADY become the voice of the US. As is obvious in his decision to travel abroad and make appologies for the country we all live in. Not only does he not, in my opinion, seem at all concerned with making cancer a national priority- it does not appear to be a priority to him at all. He could have easily had a recorded, prepared statement sent to the Summit to inform us of his position. However, he choose to make his statement by completely avoiding the Summit and all it stands for.
As of yet I am still undecided on my vote. This has been a very tough election for voters. I do know that I will be voting yellow and so far only one canidate has shown his “true colors”.
Above all anyone who was present at the Summit knows that the staff at LAF, from the top to the bottem, made every effort to be non-partisan and their only goal was to help us make an informed decision this election in reference to the main concern-making cancer a NATIONAL PRIORITY.
Well done LAF-keep up the excellence you have maintained so far.
~An inspired Summit delegate~
July 29th, 2008 at 8:40 am
As a cancer survivor 2x and in treatment at present (3rd) as well as a Livestrong army leader here in Jacksonville fl. I got to ask senator McCain the first question and I was not blown away with his answer as I felt he reiterated my question and made it an open ended question. None the less I was much honored to see him there and speak of his cancer experience and I do believe it he is elected cancer will be a national priority and isn’t that what it’s truly about regardless of plolkitaical affiliation. Great Summit!!!!
July 30th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
“As presented the evening seemed like a long commercial for Senator Mccain and those he calls MY FRIENDS”
I agree with Carol Cissel’s comments….
August 20th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
To all … please note! The very first communication I had from LAF regarding the SUMMIT was to the effect Clinton, Obama, and McCain would be addressing us. Hence, I’m certain Obama was invited and did not attend our SUMMIT. While it was regretful both candidates (the field had been narrowed and hence Clinton was no long at issue) did not attend we need to hear from those who are running for elective office regarding thier position and thinking regarding this disease. We know one in two men will and one in three women be stricken! We know that yes, our nation is challenged to meet the needs of all of us regarding health care and access to health care, and research–that in turn translated into earlier detection and cure. I used the singlular there (cure) deliberately as we are striken one at a time, and we are cured one at a time. We fight our battle with this horrible disease in all of it’s various guises one at a time. Cancer trials that show even a 1/2 percent better cure rate produce new protocols … ones with a “better” cure rate and one that therefore saves one more life from cancer. I support LAF…and Lance and Nike and those others who are joined in our effort to find more “silver bullets” that will be effective in saving yes, just one more life from cancer. One at a time, we can and we must continue to fight with all that we can muster.
I would never have considered not attending and not wanting to hear the exchanges with McCain…and I was disappointed Obama didn’t make it to Columbus to address us at the SUMMIT.
I am not overly political, but the reality is that political clout does exist and I’d support LAF in having some!
Hence, I must vote yes on this! I want my government to respond to our collective and individual needs as we are stricken, fight and one by one hopefully win and go forward with life. I feel a moral obligation to fight with Lance and LAF…to try do what I can…to support LAF and others who are sticken and support the effort to find more and better treatment and improved (evidence based) protocols. I know this is the way to defeat cancer…one step at a time, one study at a time, and one life saved at a time! I appreciate Ohio State, The James, and Columbus hosted us so wonderfully. (The staff enthusiam and service at our Hotel was great! As was the service of the bus drivers and the food service helpers). And…I appreciated the recent research funded that showed some of us who survive do feel guilt (humbly, I acknowledge for having survived). I’m moved to tears seeing people being treated (chemo…because I care, remember what it was like to be there IV’d and wondering how long I might live if I let my thoughts drift in those directions). To see someone IV’d…moved me to tears at the outset. I’ve dealt with feeling guilty as were…I survived, but know I remember those I met in Caring House and life who had cancer and who did not! Today no, it’s not guilt for me…rather, I can’t reach out and askthat person…how’s it going? Are you OK? How are you? Is it behind you? I’ve moved beyond the survivors guilt, but I’m motivated to care and want to be a part of finding better treatment to save more lives.
At the close of our Summit I was again one of those wiping away tears. But, this time there were many others like me wiping their tears. I personally began to walk around Mershon and just tell the other participants “I’ve become accustomed to seeing you these last few days and please know, I will miss seeing you in the days and weeks to come.” I’d then ask if we might share a hug, and in each case we did just that! A few words and our heartfelt goodbyes and then we were gone to lunch and our flights.
Today we must be aware our government can make a difference for better coverage and treatment for all (male and female, black, white, an all the other minorities), for research dollars, for better use of the resources we already have and for more clinical trials if we can inform ourselves and elect representatives who are aware of the needs of those striken and living post diagnosis, and ultimately of all in our nation. The odds are heavily, man or woman, in your life cancer will indeed grab you and confront you in a battle for your very life.
We should remember and thank every cancer patient that came before us and who did take part in a cancer trial. They blazed a trail and they gave some of us, like me another chance, a second chance to live. I volunteered each time I was asked to participate in “a study” as I came through treatment. Why? Because I wanted others to benefit even if I didn’t make it.
I personally want LAF to have clout in the nation at the highest levels on behalf those of us who have been affected by this horrible disease in so many awful guises! And, I certainly appreciate they brought to us the candidate who did come!
I remind everyone we can be and often are made poor by cancer. A point Dr.Freedman made and that was repeated at least twice at the confernce in my experience. I point out it is “the poor” who are to often left to be powerless in life. Those who have survived…those like me who want to impact positively might consider LAF is giving “power” to those with and who live beyond cancer. Disabled or not, LAF is giving us all clout and a better quality of life I might add.
LAF also did a tremendous job with the 2008 Columbus Ohio SUMMIT!
Lance ROCKed!
LAF ROCKED in Columbus in ‘08!
Over the moon guys! Keep it up! (Please!)
We should note McCain on the same weekend in the same town by video from his home in Arizona addressed a national disablities conference (Saturday mid afternoon). Cancer also can and does make us disabled. We can and should care and listen carefully to those running for national office regarding both cancer and disabled issues as so many of those sticken by cancer are made disabled by it.
We fight cancer in a mighty way when we fight together. The disabled do not have our clout (to my observation and experience much more money and people are joined in fighting cancer than championing disabled persons). To a considerable extent many of us when stricken with cancer do become disabled, and so we need to perhaps become more aware and team with the national disabled organizations as well. Collectively again…two and more organizations we have more clout! We would benefit from those who are disabled in our being as cancer advocates and survivors inclusive. Some of the work they do clearly would and does benefit cancer survivors in our day to day lives. The current defination of disabled is beautifully written and covers, in part, that we…(the strong and well) all but always become disabled in the course of our lives. Thus, cancer victims are clearly in this category many times once our own personal fight against cancer is begun, and we may continue to be disabled both short and long term.
Together we are stronger both within LAF and out…the more individuals within who have had or been impacted by cancer and by including and partnering with those without who are disabled due to other causes and yet, share our concerns regarding quality of life after cancer and during treatment (I like many, many others was disabled while being treated and remain so today).
While we were effective in having McCain show…and therefore commit (upon being asked a 3rd time I note) to increasing funding for (NCI and research) cancer, we did not hear from the candidate who did not come. Obama was out of the country for those who don’t recall his itinerary the week of the Summit. Yet, I can’t hold that gee, the glass (SUMMIT)was empty! It was emphatically not! We heard from one candidate who will certainly impact us as survivors and advocates if he is in the White House.
We can and must contine to push to know these candidates..those who would lead and have power to impact the future of cancer research, and yes, the lives and well being of those who have cancer and survive it. Basically, also funding!
To know them …friend to us or foe is to be better prepared to do battle against this disease and apathy regarding this very vicious disease.
LiveSTRONG!