Finding humor in your surroundings is one of the most important things you can do to improve your health – mentally & physically. Humor and laughter can reduce stress and provide many other benefits.

This presentation will provide an opportunity to boost morale, ward off burnout, and tap into positive emotions. Learn to heal through humor and enjoy the person that you are.

This session will be conducted by:
Cindy Stokes, LADAC, ACADC, CPC
Prevention Resource Center

Dress comfortably, as this workshop will be very relaxed and involves activities.

Refreshments will be served.

Location:  Reynolds Cancer Support House Pendergraft Room
Date:  Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Time:  5:30pm – 6:30pm

*** Program is FREE, but seating is limited. For more information, or to RSVP, please call 479-782-6302 or 800-262-9917. ***

The evening will include information regarding all aspects of Multiple Myeloma: Varant Arzoumanian, M.D. from Sparks Cancer Center will be with us to teach about diagnosis and treatment of Multiple Myeloma. A Patient Ambassador from Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company will be on hand to share their experiences while battling multiple myeloma and to answer questions. Everyone attending will learn about available resources and have an opportunity to get connected with others.

Refreshments will be served.

The program is free but seating is limited.
For more information or to RSVP, please call
479-782-6302 or 800-262-9917.

DATE:  Monday, July 19, 2010
TIME:  5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
LOCATION:  Pendergraft Room (upstairs)
Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House
3324 South M Street
Fort Smith, AR 72903

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This event is sponsored by: Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company

As featured in the Arkansas Cancer Coalition eBuzz.

When the staff of the Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House began to review the Arkansas Cancer Plan, they were alarmed to learn that melanoma diagnoses in Arkansas rose 53% from 1997 to 2007. This knowledge, along with the sun safety options and goals in the plan, inspired the Support House staff to take action to promote and encourage protective behaviors from sun and UV exposure. The Sun SMART program was the result. SMART, an acronym for Slip on a hat or t-shirt, Move to the shade, Apply sunscreen (at least a 30 spf), Reapply sunscreen every few hours, and Tell your friends to be Sun SMART, is a simple message that will be delivered to thousands of Fort Smith area kids via a collaboration with the Fort Smith Parks Department and the Fort Smith Public Library.

Fort Smith Parks

The Reynolds Cancer Support House is located across the street from Fort Smith’s beautiful Creekmore Park, which includes a playground, tennis courts, picnic areas, basketball court, putt-putt course, walking/running trail, train, and pool, so the Support House staff knew that this would be the perfect place to spread the Sun SMART message.

To kick-off the Sun SMART program, kids are invited to Creekmore Park on June 21st at 2 p.m. Entertainment will features Scudder the Amazing Frisbee Dog doing tricks with a UV frisbee. Kids will receive free (regular) frisbees, frozen fruit treats, sunscreen samples, and Sun SMART education. UV bead crafts will also be made and fingernails will be painted with UV polish. The UV products change colors in the sun, serving as a wonderful teaching tool.

Throughout the summer, volunteens (Support House teen volunteers) will canvass the park and hand out frisbees, sunscreen, and the Sun SMART message. Additionally, Creekmore Park lifeguards will be made aware of sun safety as well as water safety. In fact, the Sun SMART program is purchasing a sunscreen dispenser for the Creekmore Park pool so that swimmers have free access to sunscreen. Banners with the Sun SMART message will be hung at Creekmore Park pool as well as at the Martin Luther King Park sprayground and the Woodlawn Park wading pool.

Fort Smith Public Library

The Fort Smith Library will also collaborate with the Support House to deliver the Sun SMART message. The 1,600 kids that participate in the summer reading program will receive a Sun SMART card and sunscreen (shown below) as well as an invitation to participate in one of four Sun SMART story times. Each story time will feature summer fun books, the Sun SMART message, a UV bead craft, and snack.

The Plan at Work

The Reynolds Cancer Support House’s Sun SMART plan is a perfect example of the Arkansas Cancer Plan at work. When confronted with a need, they developed a creative way to deliver a much needed message, found partners to help deliver the message, and invited additional partners to fund the work. So, during the summer of 2010, nine organizations will work together in Fort Smith for one cause: to protect skin and save lives.

The Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House provides cost-free, non-medical support programs and services to cancer patients and their family members and educational programs to the community in support of cancer prevention behavior and early detection of cancer. Visit http://reynoldscancersupporthouse.org/ for more information.

We have had an exciting month since our last post!  The mission and work of the Cancer Support House extends well beyond the walls of the House.  We would like to take this opportunity to recognize House outreach initiatives; appreciate those in the community who support our efforts; and applaud organizations who’s mission aligns with ours and who have collaborated with us to provide expanded services and support. Fighting cancer is truly a team effort, the Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House is honored to be part of this team!

A 30-Day Glimpse into Outreach and Community Collaborations:

• Immaculate Conception School held a massive nutritional supplements drive! We received 1,408 cans of nutritional supplements for our survivors.
• Saint James Baptist Church organized a sewing party to make turbans for cancer patients who may lose their hair during chemo treatments.
• The Fort Smith Juniors Volleyball Club raised nearly $700 playing for a cause and donated all of it to the Reynolds Cancer Support House.
• Sparks Women’s Center offered an educational Survivors Breakfast which many of our breast cancer survivors were able to attend.
• The Fort Smith Community Foundation extended a grant for $2,000 in support of an upcoming online education program the Support House plans to offer later this year.
• MedWise joined with us to present an educational session teaching patients about drug interactions, side effects, dietary supplements, herbal medication interactions and much more.
• The Cancer Support House visited area cancer treatment centers on multiple occasions delivering gifts and information to patients and providers.
• The Swinging Cox Ranch held a “Tough Enough to Wear Pink Pasture Roping Contest” and raised over $2,000 for the Support House!
• We were able to enjoy and support the efforts of our fellow cancer fighting organizations with the Relay for Life and the Race for the Cure, both took place in late April.
• The Reynolds Cancer Support House facebook page hit 1,000 friends!
• Dr. Suzanne Klimberg, world-renowned breast cancer surgeon and scientist at UAMS, joined us in the Pendergraft room to present a special session for survivors and guests of the Reynolds Cancer Support House, sharing exciting advancements in breast cancer treatments and research.
• As part of Melanoma Awareness Month, Dr. Sandy Johnson (with Johnson Dermatology) and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery came by the House to offer a free skin cancer screening and educational session where guests learned how to prevent, identify, and treat skin cancer.  Dr. Sandy Johnson screened more than 40 people for skin cancer!
• The House was pleased to have the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition meet on site and applauds their mission to raise awareness of ovarian cancer in our region.
• The 2nd Annual Gayla Milam “Turn for a Cure” 4 D Barrel Race took place at Kay Rogers Park. This is just one of the many groups who actively support the mission of the Reynolds Cancer Support House.
• Celeste White and the Creative Tack Riders hosted an awesome Chili Feast at the Alma Intermediate School. The event featured live music by Corybell Country, a live auction, bowls for sell which were painted and fired by survivors right here at the Cancer Support House, and more to raise over $3,400 just at the Chili Feast. This group has more fundraising efforts coming up with the Old Fort Days Rodeo!!!  A great example of what a small group of dedicated individuals can accomplish to really make an impact on the lives of others!
• Teresa Jones, the local Komen representative, offered lunch & learn sessions at the Reynolds Cancer Support House educating women on breast cancer.
• AOG donated a new gas grill for the Cancer Support House!  A great addition to our beautiful back yard, where guests and survivors can relax and enjoy this lasting gift.
• We are still wrapping up Wine and Roses, what an amazing event! We exceeded our budget expectations which will allow us to provide even more support and services in the coming year!
• The Old Fort Days Rodeo is coming up soon. The Support House receives a sizable donation every year from this event and especially from Tough Enough to Wear Pink. We are currently recruiting volunteers to help us sell programs at this event. If you’re interested please give us a call.
• Backyard BBQ plans also got underway.  This year’s event will be held August 14th. Mark your calendar and join us for our 2nd largest fundraiser of the year!
• We’re excited about our new “Sun SMART” program we will offer this summer.  We’re heading out to area libraries and parks to teach kids how to be safe in the sun.  So what does it mean to be “Sun SMART”?  Sun “S.M.A.R.T.” means you Slip on a tshirt, Move to the shade, Apply sunblock, Reapply sunblock every couple of hours and Tell your friends to be Sun SMART!  Want to help make our community “Sun SMART”? Sponsorships are still available at $500 each and volunteers are needed. Call 424-1812 to get involved!

To receive frequent updates on additional activities like these, please follow us on Facebook:  ”Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House”.

Wine & Roses, our biggest annual fundraiser and one of the area’s premier events, is coming up this Saturday, April 10, at 7pm. It’s not too late, GET YOUR TICKETS ONLINE TODAY!!!

The Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House is a local non-profit organization. This means that when you support our fundraising events, such as Wine & Roses, or make a financial contribution to the Reynolds Cancer Support House you ensure local cancer patients and their families receive the support they need to battle this disease.

The patients we serve are all within driving distance of Fort Smith in Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma. They are YOUR family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. Support them today by purchasing your Wine & Roses ticket online or making a financial contribution. Online donations are quick and easy, just click the Paypal button on the right side of our web page.

To find out more about Wine & Roses 2010 gala event, CLICK HERE!

This session will help patients, families, healthcare professionals and caregivers cope with the difficult challenges of cancer through faith in Jesus Christ.  For more information or to RSVP, please call 479-782-6302 or 800-262-9917.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010
6:00pm – 7:30 pm

Pendergraft Room (upstairs)
Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House
3324 South M Street
Fort Smith, AR  72903

Learn how to utilize proper nutrition when coping with cancer. Topics for the night will include:

• Coping with the side effects of treatment
• Foods that boost your blood work
• When treatment causes eating problems:
  • Improving poor appetite
  • Handling taste changes
  • Queasiness
  • Other eating problems
• Nutritional needs before and after treatment

Sparks health professionals, Aida Jones, Oncology Nurse, and Pixie King, Licensed Dietician, will lead the session and answer general questions related to the nutritional needs of cancer patients.

WHEN

February 25, 2010
6:00pm – 7:30 pm

WHERE

Pendergraft Room (upstairs)
Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House
3324 South M Street
Fort Smith, AR 72903

Join cancer patients, family members and survivors at the Support House on February 16th at 6pm to delve into topics such as how cancer affects relationships, coping with cancer in the family, how to communicate with your spouse and other topics important to patients and families.

Greg Roberts, local licenses professional counselor, cancer support group facilitator and psychology faculty member at UA Fort Smith will lead the session and be joined by other local counselors and cancer support group facilitators.

WHEN:
February 16th, 2010
6pm-7:30pm

WHERE:
Pendergraft Room (upstairs)
Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House
3324 South M Street
Fort Smith, AR

WHO’S INVITED:
Everyone who may be impacted or know people impacted by this topic is welcome to attend. Topic discussed will primarily impact cancer patients, spouses of cancer patients and those who provide care and counseling for patients and families.

RSVP:
For more information or to RSVP, please call 479-782-6302 or 800-262-9917.

The Reynolds Cancer Support House will be closed today due to winter weather conditions. Activities around the House will resume when weather permits. The Cancer Support House follows the inclement weather policy of the Fort Smith School system. If schools are closed, the House will also be closed. We look forward to seeing you later this week and hope you all stay safe and warm.

With the potential for severe weather, the Reynolds Cancer Support House will follow the inclement weather closings of the Fort Smith Public School System. Please confirm schools have not been closed before driving to the support house.

To find out about school closings, please go to 40/29News.com.