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OUR NEXT MONTHLY MEETING IS AT 7:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2005
We are pleased to announce our next talk entitled " WHAT DR. DAVID EVANS DOES FOR US NOW", featuring our well known supporter, Dr. David Evans. Dr. Evans is well known to our members and is respected as one of the first champions of our cause. He maintained a close association with Us Too! throughout his term on staff at Brampton Memorial Hospital. It appeared that we had lost a good friend when he retired in 2001.
However, in 2001 Dr. Evans was appointed Regional Supervising Coroner for Toronto West. The evening will most undoubtedly prove very informative and entertaining as Dr. Evans describes his new role. So come hear Dr. Evans and speak with him in person!
There will be time allowed for questions from the members, so please send your questions for Dr. Evans to: Fred Norris, Chairman, (905) 877-8092 or e-mail fred.norris@ustoo-brampton.com.
We look forward to seeing you in Room #2, The Terry Miller Recreation Center, 1295 Williams Parkway at the southwest corner of Williams Parkway & Bramalea Road. Parking is free.
 

JANUARY 11, 2005 "THE LATEST IN CHEMOTHERAPY TREATMENT" - DR. S. SEHDEV
Over 55 members and spouses listened to Dr. Sehdev's highly technical talk detailing the latest in Chemotherapy treatment. Dr. Sehdev is a well known specialist in his field and many of our members are or have been under his care. At his last appearance in October 2001, Dr. Sehdev spoke to us on Hormonal Therapy. In this, his latest talk to the group, he focused mainly on Chemotherapy. The agenda included a review of prostate cancer in general, prostate cancer data, epidemiology (trying to establish cause or relationship) and available options when hormonal therapy failed to work.
Using detailed images, graphics and animated slides, Dr. Sehdev covered the subject in great depth, sharing with the group the aim and goal of chemotherapy, chemotherapy history, where and when it was applicable, some of the exciting and promising new treatments available and what the future may hold. He discussed many aspects of the latest drugs, their clinical study results and data showing the steady strides being made in improving mortality and in addressing quality of life issues. He also touched upon the side effects and the measures to counteract them.
In the area of exciting new developments, he mentioned newer molecular, biological drugs in the offing which were not chemo, safer and easier, many in pill form, that could revolutionize future treatment. He was hopeful that in a year or two he could possibly give us a talk on some of these exciting new drugs.
Dr. Sehdev closed his talk with a slide and analogy from 'Star Trek' with the promising note the "future has to get better", quoting examples of how with the progress in treatments there are survivors today who twenty years ago would have been given six months.
The presentation also briefly touched upon the Brampton Hospital situation, which should ease upon completion of the new hospital. A picture of the proposed new facility was shown - work on the site located at Bovaird and Bramalea has started and is expected to completed by July 2007. To view, visit: http://www.williamoslerhc.on.ca then go to the 'Redevelopment' link.
A highly interactive Question and Answer session followed. Excellent questions and comments were put forth and received detailed responses from Dr. Sehdev, specific to the individual's situation - just exactly what we like to achieve in these monthly meetings.
The question of web sites for PCa information came up and many useful links were mentioned. Dr. Sehdev's web site: http://www.myphysician.ca/DrSSehdev serves as a portal to these links. He cautioned that many of the web sites that will appear in an Internet search on PCa are operated by businesses that obtain prominence by paying large fees to the search engine companies. Position in the search results therefore may not reflect site's value to PCA victims at all. He advised us to be very wary of 'quackery' and of possible adverse interactions between 'herbal' remedies and chemotherapy.
We were very pleased when Dr. Sehdev remarked that the Us Too! Brampton web site is an excellent resource. It tied neatly with his opening comment that the tremendous knowledge base the group had built up makes the doctor's task easier, with 'informed' patients more actively involved in their treatment.
It was a tremendous evening! We not only received useful information but we can derive confidence and hope knowing that even more treatment advances are at hand. Audio files of both the Talk and the Question & Answer session can be accessed from our web site http://www.ustoo-brampton.com. along with Dr. Sehdev's Acrobat file. Scroll down to the write-up on the session and click on the appropriate link. Note: All of these files are very large. They are easily accessed on high speed Internet but dial-up users will experience lengthy download times.
Audio CD sets of Dr. Sehdev's session will be available at the Brampton Library around the end February - the call number will be announced on the web site.
If you need help please contact your web administrator: Mukul Luthra, (519) 853-4075, e-mail mukul.luthra@ustoo-brampton.com.

2004-2005 GUEST SPEAKERS & EVENTS
Our confirmed speakers and events for the remainder of the 2004 - 2005 season are:
Tuesday, March 8, 2005 - Dr. Ian Tannock will present a talk on the side-effects of hormone treatment and how they may affect individuals differently.
Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - Mark Dailey of City TV will present a talk on Brachytherapy (subject to final confirmation).
Friday, June 24 to Saturday,June 25, 2005 - The 2005 Relay for Life event will be at The Brampton Fairgrounds on Heart Lake Road. Details next month.
We are actively seeking interesting speakers to fill the balance of our 2004 - 2005 season!
Mukul Luthra, Speaker Committee, (519) 853-4075, e-mail mukul.luthra@ustoo-brampton.com

NEW MEMBER MEETINGS
The next New Member will be held between 6:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 22.
Please be sure to phone ahead to confirm meeting time and location. Contact: Sean Butterly, Special Consultant at (905) 454-4237 or Chairman, Fred Norris, at (905) 877-8092 e-mail fred.norris@ustoo-brampton.com.

FINANCE
A few weeks ago, I learned a new word: "Tsunami".
I admit ignorance of the word prior to December 26, 2004, and I think perhaps 95% of my fellow North Americans were just as ignorant. What a jolt we were given by nature, a jolt that when we realized the terrible extent of the loss of life, destruction and chaos, led to us opening up our purse strings to help those affected to fight back with medical aid, medication, food and other necessities of life.
Along with nearly everyone else on this planet, I am grateful and delighted that so much effort has come forth to help those affected by the Tsunami in South East Asia. I hope this charity lasts at least till the wound heals, though I am aware that a dreadful scar will be there indefinitely.
My father carefully taught me, in my youth, that comparisons are odious. So, rather than compare, I will draw a parallel.
The media inform us that at least 165,000 men, women and children perished that fateful day, with the likelihood of an equal number succumbing to disease, depreciation and overwhelming grief in time.
Apart from the fact that we, through our Canadian Government, are committing $400m over the next five years, a like amount will undoubtedly be donated from the private sector. Now, here is the parallel:
In North America alone, over two hundred thousand men will be diagnosed with Prostate Cancer this year. Of these, about a third will die as a result of the disease, given time. In other words, at least as many as the Tsunami claimed, over a three or four year time period.
One big difference is that the Tsunami has claimed its victims, and will stop there. Prostate Cancer is ongoing, year after year after year.
And, what is our government doing about it? Cutting the research funds down to zilch, that's what. And...Ontario still refuses to pay for the PSA test that most of us can testify has been very instrumental in saving our lives.
Is someone trying to kid us that PCa is not as dramatic a natural phenomenon as a Tsunami? I for one am not convinced...are you?.
Sincerely, Gerry Brunjes, Finance, (905) 791-3043, e-mail gerry.brunjes@ustoo-brampton.com.
 

US TOO! BRAMPTON 5th ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT, JUNE xx, 2005
Peter Barhydt, our Golf Convener for the 2005 Tournament, held the first Golf Committee meeting on November 4. So far there is nothing to report, but stay tuned for developments. As always, your suggestions and participation are welcome.
Contact: Peter Barhydt: (905) 459-8516, peter.barhydt@ustoo-brampton.com OR Fred Norris: (905) 877-8092, fred.norris@ustoo-brampton.com.
 

AWARENESS
As you will already know, plans for "No charge" PSA clinics are pending results of our fundraising efforts. We continue to work through and research various fundraising ideas. Indeed, this research is in some ways much like preparing Chinese food - a whole lot of preparation before firm results are seen. For instance, we must identify possible target donors; determine their funding guidelines and decide how best to prepare our submissions. We are hopeful that we can conclude some short-term financial commitments but we anticipate that for many potential donors, contributions may take several months to materialize.
We will submit periodic status reports to keep you informed of developments.
Ian Smith, Awareness Coordinator, (905) 454-3880, or e-mail ian.smith@ustoo-brampton.com.

CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE - www.ustoo-brampton.com
Mukul Luthra, our Multimedia Specialist, spends many hours each month updating the web site with articles, photos, audio & video clips and other features. We are very fortunate to have such a dedicated man in our chapter! Log on today and see what new magic he has worked.
Contact Mukul Luthra, (519) 853-4075, e-mail mukul.luthra@ustoo-brampton.com.