|
HELP FIGHT ALS
with Sigma Xi Epsilon this Fall
What is ALS?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(ALS), often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s disease,” is a
progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells
in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the
brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles
throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor
neurons in ALS eventually lead to their death. When the motor
neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control
muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action
progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the
disease may become totally paralyzed. Yet, through it all, for
the vast majority of people, their minds remain unaffected.
Who is at risk
for ALS?
Anyone can be at risk for ALS. It
usually affects people between the ages of 40-70. Half of all
people affected with ALS live at least three or more years after
diagnosis.
How can I help?
Starting now, Sigma Xi Epsilon is
currently selling dark blue silicone bracelets with “St.
Joseph’s College” imprinted on them for $2.00 each. 100% of the
proceeds will be donated to the ALS Association to help find a
cure. All brothers of Sigma Xi Epsilon have these bracelets
available, so please find us and help us fight against ALS!
HELP FIGHT
LEUKEMIA
and LYMPHOMA
with Sigma Xi Epsilon this Spring
What are
leukemia and lymphoma?
Leukemia is the general term used
to describe four different disease-types called acute
myelogenous leukemia (AML), acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL),
chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), and chronic lymphocytic
leukemia (CLL). The terms lymphocytic or lymphoblastic indicate
that the cancerous change takes place in a type of marrow cell
that forms lymphocytes. The terms myelogenous or myeloid
indicate that the cell change takes place in a type of marrow
cell that normally goes on to form red cells, some types of
white cells, and platelets. Acute lymphocytic leukemia and acute
myelogenous leukemia are each composed of blast cells, known as
lymphoblasts or myeloblasts. Acute leukemias progress rapidly
without treatment. Chronic leukemias have few or no blast cells.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia and chronic myelogenous leukemia
usually progress slowly compared to acute leukemias.
Lymphoma is a general term for a
group of cancers that originate in the lymphatic system. The
lymphomas are divided into two major categories: Hodgkin
lymphoma and all other lymphomas, called non-Hodgkin lymphomas.
The prefix “lymph-” indicates their origin in the malignant
change of a lymphocyte and the suffix “-oma” is derived from the
Greek suffix denoting “tumor.” About 53 percent of the blood
cancers that occur each year are lymphomas. Hodgkin lymphoma was
named for Thomas Hodgkin, an English physician who described
several cases of the disease in 1832. Hodgkin lymphoma will
represent about 11.5 percent of all lymphomas diagnosed in 2007.
About 71,380 people living in the United States will be
diagnosed with lymphoma in 2007. This figure includes
approximately 8,190 new cases of Hodgkin lymphoma (4,470 males
and 3,720 females), and 63,190 new cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
(34,200 males and 28,990 females).
Who is at risk
for leukemia or lymphoma?
Anyone can be at risk for these
diseases. The risk factors for leukemia are unknown, with a
majority of cases appearing after age 60 but many appearing in
childhood. Lymphoma can occur in any patient at any age,
although adults are most prone to the disease. Many types of
leukemia and lymphoma are treatable and patients can live normal
lives after treatment.
How can I Help?
Sigma assists the Leukemia &
Lymphoma Society each spring in its battle against blood
cancers. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world's largest
voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer
research, education and patient services. The Society’s mission:
Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and
improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
Since its founding in 1949, the Society has invested more than
$550.8 million for research specifically targeting blood
cancers. Please support Sigma’s various charity events this
semester!
 |
