Extended Stay America offers low-cost/free hotel stays for cancer patients


Extended Stay America Hotels, American Cancer Society Partner, Providing Cancer Patients With Free And Low-Cost Lodging



CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the most important keys to surviving 
cancer is access to treatment. For many patients, the best hope for a cure means traveling to a treatment
facility in another city, sometimes for weeks or months. To help patients overcome the financial and 
emotional stress associated with traveling for treatment, Extended Stay America – the largest owner-
operated hotel chain in the U.S. – recently announced an unprecedented multi-year partnership with 
the American Cancer Society – the largest voluntary health organization in the U.S.

Over the course of two years, Extended Stay America will provide 40,000 hotel stays to cancer patients
receiving treatment away from home, including 20,000 rooms free of charge and an additional 20,000 
stays at an incredibly discounted rate of $12/night. With an affordable and comfortable place to stay, 
patients and their caregivers can focus their energy and financial resources on getting well.

The program, previously in pilot, is now launching nationwide with the American Cancer Society 
booking patient rooms at Extended Stay America's 632 locations across 44 states. To request a room, 
patients or their caregivers should contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345.

"You never think cancer will touch your family," said Jan Grady, whose 31-year-old son Mike was 
diagnosed with Stage 2 testicular cancer. "When it does, it's like the rug is pulled out from under you."
Mike's treatment at a facility in Boulder, Colo., about an hour away from his home, included five-hour
chemotherapy sessions every day for the first week of three, three-week cycles. "Knowing he couldn't 
drive back and forth every day, I called the American Cancer Society for help and was told about the 
Extended Stay America program," Jan said. For the first week of daily treatments, Mike's father, Peter,
traveled from North Carolina to be with him and the two stayed at the Extended Stay America hotel 
near the treatment center. "Without this, it would have been a tremendous financial hardship. This 
program lessened our burden by thousands of dollars." Since completing his treatment, Jan reports, 
"Mike is doing wonderful! He has a new job and has gradually resumed his training for trail running 
races."

"Extended Stay America is committed to giving back to the many communities in which we operate, 
and one important way to accomplish this is by taking care of those who seek a better future for 
themselves and their families," said Jim Donald, chief executive officer at Extended Stay America. 
"Our hotels are specifically designed to bring the comforts of home to extended stay guests and we're
especially proud to leverage our unique properties to supplement the American Cancer Society's Hope
Lodge program, helping to expand their vital efforts."

"The American Cancer Society is dedicated to removing the barriers cancer patients face when seeking
treatment," said Kristen Solt, vice president, Hope Lodge Network, American Cancer Society. 
"Traveling for treatment puts an additional burden on people who are already experiencing emotional 
and financial stress. We're thrilled to have the Extended Stay America donation because every room we
provide makes a huge impact. We experienced great success during our pilot effort, proving the partnership 
is an effective way to expand our room inventory. In Houston, for example, the demand for lodging 
well exceeds our resources, and now with Extended Stay America's rooms, we are able to meet many 
more patients' needs for lodging." 

In 2013, the American Cancer Society provided more than 265,000 nights of free lodging in its own 
Hope Lodge locations, saving cancer patients an estimated $38 million in hotel costs. Through this new
partnership, Extended Stay America is extending a hand to help alleviate the demand on the 31 Hope
Lodge facilities which often run at capacity.

Extended Stay America provides the comforts and conveniences of home, complete with on-site laundry
centers, kitchens in every hotel room for patients to store and cook the foods they enjoy, and flat-screen 
TVs with premium channels to unwind with favorite shows. In-room Wi-Fi access allows patients to stay
connected with loved ones while away from home, a daily Grab and Go Bar offers quick and healthy 
food options to start the day, and pet-friendly accommodations allow beloved pets to provide healing 
comfort.

The company is also leveraging the 632 Extended Stay America locations to collect employee and guest
donations to benefit American Cancer Society programs and research. The Society is the largest private,
not-for-profit investor in cancer research in the U.S. Extended Stay America's approximate 10,000 
employees will also volunteer resources and drive individual fundraising efforts through the American 
Cancer Society's Relay For Life and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events held across the 
country.

To join Extended Stay America and the American Cancer Society in the fight against cancer, visit 
ExtendedStayAmerica.com or call 800-804-3724. For information about American Cancer Society 
programs and services, including lodging, please visit cancer.org or call 1-800-227-2345.


About Extended Stay



Extended Stay America, Inc., the largest owner/operator of company-branded hotels in North America, 
owns and operates 684 hotels in the U.S. and Canada comprising approximately 76,200 rooms and 
employs approximately 10,000 employees in its hotel properties and headquarters. The Company owns 
and operates hotels under the core brand Extended Stay America®, which serves the mid-priced 
extended stay segment, and other brands. Visit www.extendedstay.com for more information about the 
Company and its services.


About American Cancer Society



The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers saving 
lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest 
voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer 
death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks in part to our 
progress nearly 14 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it 
will celebrate more birthdays this year. As we mark our 100th birthday in 2013, we're determined to 
finish the fight against cancer. We're finding cures as the nation's largest private, not-for-profit investor
in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for 
access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get 
help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.



Certain chemicals linked to breast cancer

Study lists dangerous chemicals linked to breast cancer (via AFP)

Certain chemicals that are common in everyday life have been shown to cause breast cancer in lab rats and are likely to do the same in women, US researchers said Monday. The paper in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health Perspectives lists…


Toxins in your environment can be linked to breast cancer

Study lists dangerous chemicals linked to breast cancer (via AFP)
Certain chemicals that are common in everyday life have been shown to cause breast cancer in lab rats and are likely to do the same in women, US researchers said Monday. The paper in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health Perspectives lists…


A lot of folks talk about double mastectomies... but are they a good idea?


Double mastectomy often misused in breast cancer


Women diagnosed with cancer in one breast often face a difficult decision of whether to surgically remove both, and a study Wednesday found double mastectomies may be performed too often.

The surgery does not increase survival in most women, and is typically recommended for about 10 percent of women considered at high risk for breast cancer.

Some 69 percent of women who underwent surgery to remove a healthy breast did not have major family or genetic risk factors, said the study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Meanwhile, just a quarter of women who did face a higher risk of future cancer had the recommended surgery to remove both breasts, known as a contralateral prophylactic mastectomy.

Women with certain mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, or who have a strong family history of breast cancer are usually counseled to have both breasts removed after a diagnosis in one, to avoid a recurrence.

"Women appear to be using worry over cancer recurrence to choose contralateral prophylactic mastectomy," said lead author Sarah Hawley, associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School.

"This does not make sense, because having a non-affected breast removed will not reduce the risk of recurrence in the affected breast," Hawley said.

The research was based on a sample of 1,447 US women, average age 59, who were diagnosed with stage 1-3 cancer in one breast.

Nearly eight percent of the women had both breasts removed, 35 percent had just the affected breast removed, and nearly 58 percent had breast conservation surgery, in which only the lump is taken out.

Researchers found that women with higher education levels were more likely to choose contralateral prophylactic mastectomy, with concern about the disease surfacing in the healthy breast listed as a main factor in their decision.

These women could be driving a rise in double mastectomy surgeries over the past decade, even though the procedure carries an increased risk of surgical complications and a longer recovery time, researchers said.

Hawley and colleagues noted that their data was based on information obtained from surveys in Los Angeles and Detroit, and may not be generalizable to all areas.

In addition, the information was based on patients' self-reports, and inaccurate recall of genetic testing and results could have skewed the figures, they said.

An accompanying editorial by Shoshana Rosenberg and Ann Partridge of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, pointed out the emotional complexities that women face after receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer.

"Anxiety and fear certainly hamper optimal decision making," they wrote.

"While CPM might be considered overtreating women without clinical indications, it might still be the right choice for some women for risk reduction, cosmetic, and/or emotional reasons."


They urged doctors to share the decision-making process with patients in order to find "balance around this issue."


**This article was syndicated from AFP. Posted with permission.**


Giuliana Rancic breast cancer quote

My Fabulous Boobies|  Life's better now. I wouldn't do it all over again, though.
http://www.healthline.com/health/breast-cancer/quotes

I thrive on positive, inspiring quotes. Finding quotes about breast cancer survival from survivors and care-givers is a bonus. If you're interested in reading more positive affirmations, be sure to check out my post on 50 Affirmations for Breast Cancer Survivors.



Betsey Johnson breast cancer inspiration


Jaclyn Smith breast cancer quote


Christina Applegate breast cancer quote


Olivia Newton-John breast cancer quote


Robin Roberts breast cancer quote


Janet Napolitano breast cancer quote


The Ralph Lauren Foundation develops a breast cancer research facility

My Fabulous Boobies|  Ralph Lauren, cancer activist & philanthropist

 

 The Ralph Lauren Foundation is developing a breast cancer research facility.


When I read that sentence, I paused. For a long time.

I am, like many other survivors, really tired of "pink washing". So, hearing that another big brand was getting into the breast cancer market gave me a big ol' pause and a deep sigh.

Just being honest.

Now, let me be fair. I am a fan of Ralph Lauren's clothing and home goods. I like the clean lines and the very American vibe. If there was a designer that I could pretty much guarantee that I would like anything they created, Ralph Lauren would definitely be the one. I don't know a lot about the man, but I was held captive a few months ago when I saw Oprah's interview of him and his family. They seemed so normal, so inviting and warm. Even though you could tell they had more money than even they were sure they knew what to do with. (laughs) But I don't hold wealth against people.

So, it is fair to say that I am a Ralph Lauren fan. Yep. I am.



However, reading that his foundation was partnering with a UK charity, The Royal Marsden, to develop a breast cancer research facility made me wonder why. I did a little more reading and learned quite a bit. And then I watched the most amazing and moving video clip about Ralph Lauren and his foundation and why he was supporting breast cancer this way. My heart melted.

Ralph Lauren is a cancer activist. And a pretty good one too.


Did you know that Ralph Lauren founded a cancer center in Harlem? I didn't know that. Did you know that Ralph Lauren co-founded the Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research at Georgetown University in 1989? I didn't know that either. Did you know that The Ralph Lauren Foundation has supported several cancer initiatives? I didn't know that either. I learned that Mr. Lauren has had some skin in this breast cancer game for a while now. At least 20 years.

That is a wonderful thing to know. Very impressive to me.



I have a soft spot for anyone who works to help under-served communities and provide access to critical health care, especially top-notch cancer care. The barriers to access faced by the poor and under-served are real and often result in late diagnosis that too often contributes to the death of those patients. Those deaths then serve to perpetuate a fear of diagnosis that keeps a lot of people in that same under-served community from being proactive about their health. And the cycle continues to keep needy people from getting the help and treatment that they need.

If we're lucky, a benefactor like Mr. Lauren comes along and does something amazing to help ease the burdens in those communities. Which levels the playing field just a bit. That is the type of thing that I look for from brands. What are you really doing to help this community? 

My Fabulous Boobies|  Ralph Lauren Pink Pony Fund
[Pink Pony Fund]
 I'm not against any company making profits. I just don't want their profits to come at the expense of the people they claim to want to help... but really don't. Pink washing is a terrible thing. The pretense of helping people while really not helping them... is unforgivable to me.

But from my research, that is not who Ralph Lauren is and definitely not what his foundation is about.

Please take a few moments and watch this video of Ralph Lauren discussing his interest in breast cancer. Perhaps you too will be moved by his generosity and see this development of a breast cancer research center as a wonderful thing. Like I do... now.

I look forward to seeing the research that emerges from this facility in the future. I will keep my eyes on their progress. 







Cynthia Nixon breast cancer quote

My Fabulous Boobies| Cancer is really hard to go through...
http://www.healthline.com/health/breast-cancer/quotes


I thrive on positive, inspiring quotes. Finding quotes about breast cancer survival from survivors and care-givers is a bonus. If you're interested in reading more positive affirmations, be sure to check out my post on 50 Affirmations for Breast Cancer Survivors.


Kylie Minogue breast cancer quote

My Fabulous Boobies| One important thing to know is you're still the same person during it.
http://www.healthline.com/health/breast-cancer/quotes

I thrive on positive, inspiring quotes. Finding quotes about breast cancer survival from survivors and care-givers is a bonus. If you're interested in reading more positive affirmations, be sure to check out my post on 50 Affirmations for Breast Cancer Survivors.



Happy Mother's Day from Nic Nac Paddywack


 Happy Mother's Day to all of my pink ribbon sisters and co-survivors. And a lot of especially warm hugs to everyone who has lost a woman they loved due to breast cancer. I'm not a mother but I think that a mother's good love makes the entire world a better place. I wouldn't be who I am today if not for my mother's love. 

To all of my aunties, good friends and family members who are moms... thank you for your love and support. I know it gets hard some days but you are making a difference in the world. 

...and to my sisters who love on other people's kids but may not have their own... your love also helps the world to be a better place. Your mothering and nurturing spirit helps... whether you are a godmother, auntie, big cousin, good friend or helpful neighbor. Thank you for caring. 

Thank you for opening your heart.



Angelina Jolie breast cancer quote

My Fabulous Boobies| I do not feel any less of a woman. I feel empowered...
http://www.healthline.com/health/breast-cancer/quotes

I thrive on positive, inspiring quotes. Finding quotes about breast cancer survival from survivors and care-givers is a bonus. If you're interested in reading more positive affirmations, be sure to check out my post on 50 Affirmations for Breast Cancer Survivors.



What Pink Makes Possible: Komen blogging summit 2014


My Fabulous Boobies| What Pink Makes Possible hashtags



This weekend is the Komen Race for the Cure in Washington, DC. I am always excited about the Race for the Cure because it is a special day for breast cancer survivors and supporters. The day starts early and it is a festive pink experience. I usually get a little nervous once I actually get to the Mall though... because once I see the sea of pink and white shirts the enormity of this disease's impact hits me.

The visual representation is overwhelming. I usually end up in an emotional storm for most of the day because I weep and cry for all of us out there. The impact of breast cancer on the world is intense. We lose so much. I also smile a lot. I see so many people walking or running in honor of loved ones and friends. I feel elevated that the memories of their lives haven't faded. To be sure, it is an incredible feeling. Difficult to describe adequately.

My Fabulous Boobies| Race for the Cure 2011 breast cancer survivors
I'm the one on the right. I just loved her wig.

This year I didn't have a team. I actually expected to and several of my friends really wanted me to. But this calendar year is pretty emotional for me because it marks my 5th year after ending my breast cancer treatment. That is a major milestone for all survivors. I wasn't sure that I would be able to handle the emotional impact of coordinating a team and participating in the walk at the same time. I wanted to do something but I kind of wanted to hide a little bit too. If that makes sense.



Participating in the SGK Blogging Summit

While I was thinking about it... I received an invitation to participate in a Blogging Summit with Komen this weekend so I accepted. Now I get to participate in the Race for the Cure activities this weekend as a part of the "Experience the mission: What Pink Makes Possible" blogging summit but more on the sidelines as an observer. I can handle that much.

The opportunity to sit and talk with researchers, clinicians and patient advocates for Komen excites me. I am looking forward to learning more about what their research agenda is going forward. I am also looking forward to interacting with other bloggers (always a thrill for me).

I will be tweeting throughout the day Friday, May 9th and Saturday, May 10th while at the Race for the Cure.

Please follow the hashtags on twitter and facebook:

#PinkPossibleSGK
#SGKBlogSummit
#KomenGlobalRace
















Melissa Etheridge breast cancer quote

My Fabulous Boobies|  The chemotherapy takes you as far down into hell...
http://www.healthline.com/health/breast-cancer/quotes

I thrive on positive, inspiring quotes. Finding quotes about breast cancer survival from survivors and care-givers is a bonus. If you're interested in reading more positive affirmations, be sure to check out my post on 50 Affirmations for Breast Cancer Survivors.



Sheryl Crow breast cancer quote

My Fabulous Boobies|  The only  who can save you is you... Sheryl Crow
http://www.healthline.com/health/breast-cancer/quotes


I thrive on positive, inspiring quotes. Finding quotes about breast cancer survival from survivors and care-givers is a bonus. If you're interested in reading more positive affirmations, be sure to check out my post on 50 Affirmations for Breast Cancer Survivors.



What matters is how you respond


I thrive on positive, inspiring quotes. Finding quotes about breast cancer survival from survivors and care-givers is a bonus. If you're interested in reading more positive affirmations, be sure to check out my post on 50 Affirmations for Breast Cancer Survivors.



Just a real life moment

I'm having one of those days... one of those weeks when I go up and then down emotionally. As I am celebrating my birthday -- the one I wasn't sure I would see -- I learn that a good friend of mine lost his mother to breast cancer. The blessing of life is mysterious. No answers, just questions. I always wonder... am I next? Will breast cancer recur and change my trajectory again?

I have a list of goals a mile long, well, not quite a mile but certainly a couple of journal pages long. I look at my bank account and I sigh. I feel like I'm free and confined at the same time. It is always a choice of this or that... never this and that.

I'm just venting. I'm happy and blessed to be here. And still afraid of the day when I'm not. Can I work harder to get more things done? Or should I work harder at crossing more things off the list as just not possible?

My concerns are not solely because of my survivor status. Just life stuff. We all make choices, wonder when our hard work will pay off. None of it is easy... and yet, this is the life we have to use in order to do what we came here to do.

I go to sleep each day with the thought that I have talents and they are here to feed me. If I'm not eating or succeeding the way that I want to, then I need to invest more in myself and work harder with my talents.

Just having a real life moment. You ever get those?




Dealing with infertility guilt after breast cancer


Blessed to see another birthday

I am blessed to see another birthday


Ahhhh... it is my birthday and I am an emotional, weepy, happy mess.


I'm here. 


I made it another year. And I'm so damned happy that I can't smile harder if I wanted to. Even through these tears in my eyes... I am smiling and my heart is beaming!

I was diagnosed with breast cancer July 2008. By the time my birthday rolled around the next year, I had been through chemotherapy, a mastectomy, radiation therapy and I was wearing a breast prosthesis (trying to hide the fact that one side of my chest was breastless).


The things that matter most to me now. Love, Friendship, Progress and Purpose.
I am blessed!


The growth that I've experienced between my 40th birthday and my 45th is amazing


When my 40th birthday arrived in 2009, I had ended a relationship that meant everything to me, lost my sense of who I was, and was generally confused about what my life was going to be like going forward.

I couldn't imagine really being happy again.

I gave up my hopes for having kids because chemotherapy threw me into early menopause.  Plus, after my relationship ended I really didn't expect to date again or ever be in love.

My dream family blew away as the months of treatment and surgeries stretched into two and a half years of doctor visits and trips to the hospital.

I lost ME during my fight against breast cancer. She was hard to get back.


I fought my medical team for months before finally agreeing to give up my breast.

With that loss, I lost my feeling of sexiness and attractiveness. I lost a piece of my identity. So much of my femininity was wrapped up in my breasts and my curvy silhouette.

I lost my hair, which surprised me with the level of angst it brought me. I just... I lost me.

Breast cancer chipped me apart month after month after month. Stealing one small part after another. Causing me to suffer countless embarrassing and painful moments.

Eventually, breast cancer threw me into a dark place that I thought only breast reconstruction and the end of my treatment would fix. It didn't exactly happen the way I envisioned but eventually, the light did come back to my life. It took a couple of years, but it happened.

My fifth birthday as a survivor


This is the fifth birthday that I've celebrated as a breast cancer survivor. I cry every time I think about it. I weep in memory of the friends that I have lost in the years since my diagnosis.

The pain is sharper now that I am a survivor because I know intimately how hard they fought to stay here. All that they went through and relinquished... just to have another day, month, year to smile and laugh and feel. I weep in frustration and fear that one day my cancer will return.

Five years ago, I cried more often than I smiled. Today, I smile more often than I cry. But I still shed tears.

The emotional pain remains with me because we still don't have a cure. And too frequently someone close to me tells me that they've been diagnosed or someone close to them has been diagnosed... which breaks my heart all over again.

Despite that pain... I carry so much joy with me now that I smile and laugh with ease that surprises me some days. I have a relationship that brings me joy and peace. I have friends who celebrate LIFE with me all the time. I have good memories about my journey. And I have found purpose in breast cancer advocacy and blogging.

Celebrating my birthday is a NECESSITY and I will continue to do so every year that I am able


I've always been that girl who loved to celebrate her birthday. I am still that girl. But now the celebration is more than just "hey it's my special day".

Today the celebration is "HEY... I'm still here!" It brings tears to my eyes but God knows that I am grateful for the blessing of life today and every day.

Please join me today in praying for a cure for all cancers. And please take a moment to honor those who have survived cancer and those who succumbed to the disease. Thank you for sharing this special day with me. I appreciate you.





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