Although I will expand on Randy Pausch, I imagine you're already well aware of who he is. He's the unstoppable man, who has inspired millions and millions of people around the world by his passion for life while he fights an almost impossible battle with pancreatic cancer. I learned of Dr. Pausch many months ago as Diane Sawyer interviewed him on ABC. He blew me away with his humor, dedication to his family, and outrageous courage.

His journey since his diagnosis put him on stage at the University he was a professor at, Carnegie Mellon, for his Last Lecture. This Last Lecture made it to YouTube (embedded below) and then became a best selling book, The Last Lecture. His outlook on life and stories of his childhood and career have inspired other cancer patients to fight harder and regular people to just be better. Although he's truly only concerned with getting his message across to his three young children, he's positively affected millions of others as a side effect.

Recently, President Bush was compelled to write to Randy Pausch. This can't change Randy's fate with cancer, but as a representative of the American people ... it was a fantastic way to show our appreciation for Randy setting a new standard for 'goodness' and dedicating his life to teaching others.

Source

My little family of four and I have already blasted through 12 bottles of sunblock since early May. At nine dollars a pop ... the cost is certainly adding up. But then I think about the investment I make each day, and the price it will prevent us all from paying some day in the future. Here's a short list in no particular order.

• Painful Sunburns -- Ouch!
• Freckles
• Moles
• Leathery Skin
• Sunspots
• Flaking
• Chemotherapy -- Not cheap!

Source

Curious to know how celebrities squeeze fitness into their daily lives? Want to know the secrets of the stars? Bi-weekly our That's Fit fitness expert Fitz sits down with the celebs we want to know more about, and digs out their great and not-so-great methods to staying healthy.

Our featured celebrity this week is one of our very own That's Fit bloggers, Jacki Donaldson. Jacki has published and become the feature of more than 1,000 magazine and online articles. She's an eloquent writer who guides her readers towards healthier, more appreciative and joyful lives with ease.

Jacki is also a Breast Cancer Survivor. Jacki was diagnosed in November of 2004, when her two small sons were only three years old and 18 months, Soon after, Jacki endured a lumpectomy, radiation, chemotherapy and all of the great side effects that go along with it. Jacki lives in my neighborhood and approached me about personal training in April of 2006. I considered her a friend before this, but truly had no idea what an inspirational and fun person she would be to have in my life.

As I've cheered for her, she's inspired me to become a better person in every aspect of my life. Her writing makes we want to be more insightful. Her parenting makes me want to be more creative. Her friendship makes me want to be a better person in general. Jacki has turned her experiences with cancer into a positive somehow. She's turned the most rotten lemons into the sweetest lemonade. She's now a role model for health and I'm grateful to be able to share her with you. I recommend visiting JackiDonaldson.com to get her full story.

Fitz: Describe your original diagnosis of breast cancer and your life at that point.

Jacki: I found a lump in my breast while washing in the shower. I knew in my gut it was cancer. After a mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy, I knew with absolute certainty. I had cancer. I was 34 years old, with a husband and two little boys, ages three and 18 months.

Fitz: What type of treatment did you undergo and for how long?

Jacki: I had a lumpectomy to remove my tumor and four lymph nodes. Then I had four doses of chemotherapy, six weeks worth of radiation -- I was zapped every week day for all these weeks -- and then a year-long targeted drug therapy with a new wonder drug that cuts the risk of recurrence by 50 percent. I also received physical therapy -- both surgery and radiation affect range of motion in the arm -- and talk therapy, and I took an anti-depressant for more than one year. My treatment began in January 2005 and ended in July 2006, just more than one year ago.

Fitz: You hired me as your personal trainer about 17 months ago. You said you wanted to "get strong." How were you weak?

Jacki: My body had been battered by both cancer and the treatment designed to save my life. I was fatigued, worn out, and without physical strength. I knew I needed to make a comeback. I just didn't know how. Then I found you.

Fitz: You were still undergoing chemotherapy once every three weeks for your first few months of training. Small things like lunges and strength training with tubes would leave you dizzy quite often, but you persevered. What kept you coming when you certainly were not required to?

Jacki: I believe the healthier and stronger I become, the less likely I am to develop cancer again. So I require myself to work hard. It's my way of controlling an unpredictable disease.

Fitz: You began training in April, 2006 and ran the entire Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5k in October, 2006. You were the first survivor to cross the finish line as you ran every step of the way. As I finished a few steps behind you, I couldn't think of a more proud moment in my career. What did that physical accomplishment mean to you?

Jacki: It meant I really could run, not just around the block which I could barely do even before cancer, but for 3.2 whole miles. It meant that I was taking powerful steps against a disease that threatened to take my life. It meant I could keep up with you -- which is no small feat!

Fitz: You've now revamped your entire way of eating. Tell me about the changes you've made and the results you've experienced. You look really hot by the way!

Jacki: I love you! I've cut out all sweets, soda, and red meat. I eat low-fat, low-sugar foods and lots of fruits and veggies. I drink only water. I've cleared my kitchen of butters, oils, dressings, and more. Results? I've lost 15 pounds, 10 of which crept up on me during treatment. I'm leaner, firmer, and so much happier in my slimmer body.

Source

To many nutrition fanatics (I'm one), traditional chemotherapy is a last resort for cancer treatment. The consumption of cancer-fighting (and preventing) foods is what is looked after. It's all in being proactive instead of reactive.

In the fight against unnecessary chemo treatments, new research stated this week that breast cancer survivors using chemotherapy may seen increased levels of heart disease.

Has the time come for the abandonment of chemotherapy? Of course not, as modern cancer treatment has evolved with medicine in the last few decades (although it's not preferable to me -- you?). Chemo is actually damaging to many parts of the body, but if it kills a tumor, it's done its job. The only side effect is a weakened body when the treatment is complete, and this new research reiterates that fact.

Source

Today, a client of mine told me she didn't wear sunblock all the time, because "sunblock is too expensive". I told her then, and I'm telling you now. Sunblock is cheaper than chemotherapy.

I just went in to a convenient store to grab a newspaper and came across a disturbing conversation. As I got in line to pay for my paper I stood behind a woman with a large triangular white bandage across what I thought was her nose. Apparently I was wrong. She no longer had a nose.

What really got to me was the conversation she had with the clerk, who had about four reddish black sores on his face. Both were dealing with melanoma - skin cancer - and both were joking about who would die sooner. Of course laughter was probably a relief to the stress they were feeling, but it stressed me out.

Folks, Melanoma is not funny at all, in fact it is the most serious form of cancer. It is deadly and the mere thought of having pieces of my face removed frequently to remove cancerous moles......nonetheless removing my nose makes me want to go buy a closet full of sun block and hats. Don't screw around! It's summer, the sun will be blazing and it is dangerous.

Source