Health Inducing Products and What to Avoid!

At a recent networking luncheon, I listened to a woman talk about why she started to work for her current company. She saw an alarming number of people in her community get diagnosed with cancer. She soon learned that there were chemicals in our everyday products that had been proven to cause cancer. Her solution was realized, when she started working for a company called Melaleuca. So, with her new venture, she decided to share what she had learned with her friends and family. She's now an advocate for others and spreads the word about the damaging effects of these toxins in our personal care products & beauty products.

We've already switched out the old toxic products for some new healthier products at the UCAAN Office. Maybe it's time for you to change? Below we've included a few of our favorite options. Enjoy!

Before buying a product, we suggest looking up the toxicity level of the ingredients on the label - you're better off to be well informed than under or uninformed. The Environmental Working Group is the best place to search the ingredients in products you use and to find out the level of toxicity that it is. Check out the EWG Here!

The Best in Aromatherapy - John Steele in Sherman Oaks. Essential Oils by John Steele 
You can also find John's oil blends at Capitol Drugs Pharmacy in Sherman Oaks 

Ferris-Farms, Aleen Ferris creates amazing essential oil blended products - from perfumes to bars of soap and more!! Ferris Farms 

Alabaster Box Soaps - All natural hand crafted artisan soaps created by a fellow cancer warrior. Unique custom quality scented soaps. David C. Fleming  info@alabasterboxsoaps.com 213-928-7790. My Personal Favorites include: Honey Oatmeal Vanilla Lavender, African Green Musk, Frankincense & Myrrh, Honeysuckle and Cucumber Melon.  Click for more info!


AvaAnderson - Quality Products without Harmful Chemicals:AvaAnderson NonToxic/

Melaleuca is serious about getting harmful and toxic ingredients out of your home. Melaleuca cleaning products use the best of science and nature to combine for the safest most effective
cleaning. Learn about just a few of our natural solutions to some of the toughest cleaning challenges in your home. If you don’tt have a Melaleuca membership yet, now is the time! Check out this new way of shopping while saving money for products you already have in your home that are better for us and our environment.

The best part is setting up your account today will benefit UCAAN now and in the future: 5% of your redirected purchase goes to UCAAN. This is a great way to give back while doing everyday shopping. For more information contact: Lisa Sepe  805-242-1133   lisasepe@gmail.com   www.lisasepe.advancingwithus.com


  
Chemicals in Your Current Products to Watch Out For

In your beauty products
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1. Lead: It seems crazy, but according to the Campaign for safe cosmetics (CSC), more than 60% of popular lipsticks contain lead. Brands with the highest lead levels were L’Oreal, Maybelline, Cover Girl and Revlon. And an FDA study found lead in hundreds of lipsticks (five of the 10 most lead-contaminated were made by L’Oreal). Lead is a proven neurotoxin, and its particularly dangerous for pregnant women and children.

2. Triclosan: Triclosan is a suspected endocrine disrupter, meaning it messes with your hormones and could lead to fertility problems (in men and women), breast cancer and thyroid issues (they’re particularly dangerous for fetuses and tween/teen girls). Because triclosan is antimicrobial, it’s found in deodorants, toothpaste and soap (including Bath & Body Works soaps). But studies have shown no evidence that it's better than soap and water at killing germs.

3. Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is present in more beauty products than you’d think, even though it's been classified as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Though there’s been outcry about formaldehyde in chemical hair straighteners, it can also be found in nail polish, face wash and makeup. DMDM-Hydantoin, a preservative that releases formaldehyde, is also common in shampoos.

4. Toluene: Found in nail polish, perfume and hair dye, toluene can cause dizziness, headaches and skin irritation. It also poses special danger to developing fetuses, upping risk of both miscarriage in moms and birth defects in babies. The European Union banned its use in cosmetics in 2004. It might also appear on labels as phenylmethane, methylbenzene, or toluol.

5. Hydroquinone: Hydroquinone is one of the most toxic chemicals still used in cosmetics today. A carcinogen in and of itself, it can also increase exposure to UV rays (thereby upping risk for skin cancer, too). It’s most commonly found in skin-lightening products, but it’s also found in hair relaxers, hair dye, hair-extension glue, hair removers and sunless tanning products. The FDA moved to ban its use in these products back in 2006, but never has.

6. Phthalates: Used to preserve color and scents in makeup, phthalates are endocrine disruptors that have been linked to cancer, sperm damage and reproductive problems. Phthalates are often added to synthetic fragrances, which are uber-common in soaps, lotions, cleansers and hair care products. Because products are allowed to list a "fragrance" as an ingredient without specifying what that means, many products contain phthalates even though their ingredient lists don’t.

7. Parabens: Used as a preservative in cosmetics, shampoos and lotions, parabens are also endocrine disruptors that have been linked to breast cancer and male reproductive problems. Look out for ingredients methylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben and propylparaben.

 ( This is a previously published article and can be found at: Toxins in beauty products )

Toxic Chemicals in Your Personal Care Products

The article that I found online has a startling statistic: The average adult uses nine personal care products a day, with roughly 120 chemicals spread among them, many of which are incompletely tested for toxicity.Do you know whats in your products that you use for you and your family?

1. Synthetic fragrances often contain phthalates (pronounced THAY-lates), synthetic chemicals commonly used to stabilize fragrances and make plastic more pliable. These endocrine disrupters mimic hormones and may alter genital development. Avoid products that list fragrance as an ingredient unless the label states that it’s derived from essentials oils,
or look for a phthalate-free label on the packaging.

2. Parabens, ubiquitous in skincare, preserve other ingredients and extend a product’s shelf life–but these antimicrobial chemicals also have hormone-disrupting effects.

3. Ureas, formally known as diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, or DMDM hydantoin and sodium hydroxymethyl-glycinate, are preservatives that have the potential to release formaldehyde in very small amounts and are a primary cause of contact dermatitis.

4. 1,4-dioxane, a chemical carcinogen, is created when ingredients are processed with petroleum-derived ethylene oxide. Common ethoxylated compounds include sodium laureth sulfate and polyethylene glycol (often listed as PEG). To avoid it, skip any product with the following ingredients: myreth, oleth, laureth, ceteareth (or any other -eth), PEG, polyethylene, polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene, or oxynol.

5. Petrochemicals are derived from crude oil. Petroleum-based ingredients such as petrolatum, mineral oil, and paraffin (derived from nonrenewable sources) form a barrier when applied to the skin that does not allow it to breathe and can clog pores.

6. MEA/DEA/TEA are “amines” (ammonia compounds) and can form harmful nitrosamines when they come in contact with nitrates. Used as foaming agents, synthetic stabilizers, and to adjust the pH of cosmetics, they can cause allergic reactions, eye irritation, and dryness of the hair and skin.

7. Sulfates, such as sodium lauryl and sodium laureth, are harsh detergents that give cleansers, soaps, and shampoos their latherability. Often derived from petroleum, sulfates can also come from coconut and other vegetable oils that can be contaminated with pesticides. Sulfates can cause eye irritation and skin rashes.

8. Chemical sunscreens, such as oxybenzone and octyl methoxycinnamate, have been shown to disrupt endocrine activity. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are safer alternatives.

9. Quats, such as benzalkonium chloride, steardimonium chloride, cetrimonium bromide, and cetrimonium chloride, give a positive charge to conditioners in order to prevent static. They are necessary for conditioners, but we have allowed only the mildest quats in our Beauty With a Conscience standard: guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, hydroxypropyltrimonium oligosaccharide, and SugaQuats.

10. Antibacterial compounds, such as triclosan and chlorphenesin, do not break down in the environment and may contribute to bacterial resistance.

11. Synthetic polymers, such as sodium polyacrylate and carbomer, come from petroleum and give viscosity to skincare products. They are highly processed and their manufacture
creates toxic by-products.

12. Synthetic colors are made from coal tar. They contain heavy metal salts that may deposit toxins onto the skin, causing skin sensitivity and irritation. Animal studies have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic. They will be labeled as FD&C or D&C, followed by a color and a number.

13. Chelators, such as disodium EDTA and tetrasodium EDTA, are used in personal care products to remove impurities from low-quality raw materials. They do not readily biode-
grade in the environment.

14. Nanos are a new technology with inconclusive but potentially hazardous study results. Research suggests that when tiny nano particles penetrate the skin, they may cause
cell damage.

15. Animal testing: A grim history of cruelty to animals lies behind many cosmetic ingredients. But scientists are developing new technologies to test cosmetics before a European Union ban on animal testing begins in March 2009.

 
This is a previously published article and can be found: Toxic Home

Creating "Boards of Love" - Surround your friend/family member with LOVE

One of the hardest things I faced while battling cancer was not always having people at the hospital with me. At times I found myself trying to find ways or reasons to call in a nurse, so I wouldn't feel alone. I did what I could to keep myself busy - watching movies, crafty things, drawing and writing. But sometimes I just wanted a friend to be there to talk to or hang out with. I even looked forward to receiving cards in the mail and phone calls.

This is why I came up with the option of creating "Boards of Love". Boards that the loved ones in your life would create and surround your room with them, in order to "Surround you with Love", so you would never feel alone. :) This is a creative project that anyone can help with, especially your scrap booking savvy friends!

Creating a "Board of Love" is easy and can be done by everyone in your family, your friends and your community.Everyone can work on one board, or each group of family members, friends and community groups can create one.

First, purchase your poster board or foam board - the 99 cents store and the Dollar tree are great for this. Next, come up with a theme, something inspirational or something that you know the person you're making it for will love. Try some of these themes:
* Favorite Memories (about Them) - include stories, photos, drawings, etc.
* Exciting Things To Experience (Make it fun)
* Places to visit
* Love from all of us - photos of your family, friends or cummity with inspiring words.
* Best Life Moments (Births, marriage, graduations, etc)
* Things I Love about YOU..... (Use drawings, magazine word cut outs, photos, words, etc to tell them what you love about them)

The ideas are endless and make sure when you're done with the board to share with your loved one what you put on them.and then put them all around their room, so even when you're not there, they will feel like you are and will be SURROUNDED WITH LOVE!  Even making videos of love would work as well that you could upload to their phone or text to them. Sending video texts to them as well. You could even create a scrapbook of greeting cards signed by the ones that love your fighter.warrior.
Remember to make it Colorful, Inspiring and Filled with Love!

Here are samples of Boards you could create: 

All the Good Things to Eat - Vegan

A Special Holiday Feature

Sending lots of Love!

                                                                              It's All About YOU!

Knock it out!

Everyone is Here for YOU!

HAVE FUN CREATING A BOARD FOR YOUR LOVED ONE!  

They'll Appreciate it More Than You Know!

The Rachel Story

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Rachel. As a baby and a child, she was independent and didn't cry in bed or the bath, instead she entertained herself for hours with toys and stuffed animals. Rachel's mom always saw and heard the little voices of the toys talking to one another, even when it was gibberish. When Rachel was 2, she lost her father to cancer...she was terrified of it...

Growing up, she continued to be simple....she loved time with her friends, especially with her "boyfriend" Mikey at the ripe age of 5. She roller skated around the house in her underwear, she acted like a runway model and was always having some type of fun either alone or with her family and close friends.

One time Rachel's parents were called to her daycare because she had $500 on her. Her parents wondered how that had happened, but realized later that Rachel had discovered the money in a book
on a shelf at their home and she took it all with her. She was curious.

As she continued to grow she did more and more creative things like making a bunny with a basket of eggs from clay at age 5. She would create pulleys in her closet and attach them to baskets and carry her kittens around the room and in the closet. She was often found picking flowers and leaves as she got older, creating wreaths to sell, bouquets and more....She was a bit of an entrepreneur then. As she got older, she stuck with her friends, was quiet around others and was always creating games with some of the neighborhood kids. Kid Olympics was one of her favorites - having kids throwing peanut butter slathered tortillas and water balloons across the grass. She often enjoyed her time with kids younger than her, rather than kids her age. When Rachel was 10 she got 2nd degree burns from being at the beach, the doctor told her she would get skin cancer if she was burned like that again and die...She grew even more fearful of cancer at that moment and started to avoid the sun at all costs.

By the time she was a teen and gearing up for high school, she had moved across the country several times, changed so many schools and was now somewhere she liked. Throughout high school Rachel was shy, hated being called out in class, didn't like speaking in front of the class, disliked math and was often teased by other kids. Rachel only broke loose around the friends she was close with. She didn't stand up for anything, let alone herself. The one time she did was in Middle School for a partially blind teacher she adored and a group of "nerdy" kids that were often picked on. They created a play about people being different, their goal was to show it to the entire school.... the school approved it, but it was never done because some bullies locked Rachel, her friends and the teacher in a classroom and put a flaming trash can in front of the door. They escaped out the window, everyone was safe, but the school never let them do the play because of it. Rachel was an introvert, she was uncomfortable around others, but she always loved and looked forward to adventures with close friends. Rachel often struggled to know who she really was and who she needed to be. Sometimes she followed others because she feared being rejected, she hung out with the wrong crowds that got her into trouble. This is probably common for most us when we grew up.

Through everything....Rachel was always just Rachel. As she grew up she continued to do what she enjoyed, her crafts, spending time with friends and working different jobs......For her it was enough. :)

***********************
It was the Horrible "C" that changed Rachel's life forever, because she changed as a person.
The moment those words came out of the doctor's mouth, "Leukemia is Cancer..." Rachel cried... long enough, she cried when her hair came out in clumps, but that was it. From then on..... she was stronger, she was going to fight for herself, for her life.

Rachel has become a full person, more than she ever could have imagined for herself. The people who love Rachel for who she is now and what she has created are the best friends in her eyes. Once upon a time, Rachel feared cancer and avoided anything that would cause it - she never drank or smoked, she never did drugs, she just lived. Now Rachel surrounds herself with people who are affected by it in some way. Rachel lives each day to the fullest and is so different from who she once was. Rachel surrounds herself with loving and supportive people more and more each day.

Rachel speaks about cancer to students, colleges, businesses, at events, for other organizations, on the radio, TV, Youtube and to random people she meets. Would would have imagined, Rachel would talk about cancer so much and surround herself with so many people who have and have had it? Rachel ran with it, the cancer that almost killed her added the spark to her life she needed. It made her see how important life really was and what the meaning of life was..... to impact the lives of as many people that she could. To reach out, the help, to inspire, to spread hope and to love.

This is the new and improved Rachel, the one that many of you now know. The one who spends most of her days and nights working towards improving the quality of life and the lives of those with cancer. She talks about cancer probably more than most, but it's the drive behind her for what she does and why she does it. For Rachel, this is her. Love her or Leave Her, Accept her or not.

For the person who said Rachel wasn't the real Rachel, Perhaps you never really got to know Rachel from her heart..her passion....what drives her. UCAAN is a HUGE part of Rachel, she created it from a dream and it's been amazing! <3 nbsp="" p="">
~ I wouldn't give up any of it for a second! - Rachel

We Have More Power than we Realize - The Right to Choose - Cancer Treatments

At the beginning of the year, we announced a campaign: "WAKE UP" and stated that it wasn't focused on the CURE, but rather on the Patients in NEED and our Quality of Life. We raised attention about the fact that our society has been raising money (LOTS OF IT) for cancer research for 94 Years, with 8.2 Million deaths a year that continue to grow each year. If there are Alternative Options, Complimentary Alternative Options and Outside of the box options, why don't we know more about them and why aren't these given to us as "Options"? Our Focus at UCAAN is to HELP THE CANCER PATIENTS DIRECTLY - NONE OF OUR MONEY GOES INTO RESEARCH EVER. We need to raise awareness that Patients, Survivors and Warriors should have a say, we should have a right to choose, we deserve the options and we won't go down without a fight!  

Shouldn't we have the right to choose? When it comes to our independence and our country, we have the right to choose lots of things from where we live, to where we work to who we are friends with and what we believe in, in some states you have the right to bear arms. But when most people are diagnosed with cancer, especially by a western medicine doctor, we are only given one option - standard medicine. And unless we already know about the abundance of information and resources that are out there about the alternative treatments, we go on thinking that the options we are given is just right for us.

So, once again I ask, "Shouldn't we have a right to choose?" In my case, I didn't have an option, because the cancer that I was diagnosed with was so aggressive and found too late for me to do my research. So I did what the doctors told me, I trusted my life in their hands....and yes I survived. But I know that it was much more than what the doctors did that saved my life. For me it was my positive attitude and GOD, the church that prayed over me when I was diagnosed, the prayers that others sent to the universe and my strength and will to fight. Now, let's be honest. I cannot begin to tell you all the times that I ran into people at my cancer center a year or so after my diagnosis that were telling me "You were so yellow, we never thought you'd survive....", "We all thought you were going to die...", "They didn't expect you to make it here from the other hospital...." Well folks..... I'm here!I survived and I had the will to live then and the will, strength, persistence and desire to survive and help others because of it.

This is all going to seem like a ramble, but I guess since it's been awhile since I've written that it will work.... I cannot even begin to tell you how many times I get a phone call from a cancer patient who tells me they've been given 6 weeks to live, 4 months to live.... a year to live and I think to myself, "Seriously? I had a 10% chance to survive and an even smaller chance I'd make it to the other hospital alive....But here I am." What I do when someone tells me this, I teach them that strength and a will to fight and live are some of the most powerful tools when it comes to battling any disease or ailment. I learned that on my own, but through my own experience, I witnessed it others. People who were given weeks or months and lived years beyond their doctor's expectations. I'm not the only one who feels this way, there are many others that believe in the same theory. Take Dr. Bernie Siegel for example, he's a NYC doctor that believes in the power of positive thinking. View his video here: http://youtu.be/UOY5bCanWBI.

So, let's get back to choices. I'm sure if you or someone you knew was diagnosed with cancer that you'd want to know all of your options, and all of the possible side effects and risks of those treatments. When I look at it now, I would have wanted to know about the side effects of my cancer treatments for the sake of knowing what I would possibly have to face in the future. The side life altering side effects that were caused by my life saving treatments include: infertility, degenerative disc disease, permanent brain/memory damage, lymphedema and deterioration of my teeth (10 teeth have been extracted since the completion of my treatments in 2008.) But I wouldn't go back for a moment, because I am alive and thankful for it. Had I been diagnosed earlier perhaps I would have tried one of the other alternative treatments, but I had no idea that they even existed, I didn't have an organization like UCAAN to turn to and find out that I had options and that these side effects were possible. Had I known, perhaps I would have made different decisions.

So, I mentioned choices. How many different choices do people have when it comes to cancer?
Metabolic Therapy, Laetrile Therapy, DCA, Transfer Factor, Cannaboids (Cannabis Oil), Gerson Therapy, Diet changes, Burzynski Clinic - Antineoplastons, The Ketogenic Diet, Dr. Simoncelli, Apricot Kernels, Hoxsey Therapy, Magnetic Therapy, Hyperthermia, Complimentary Alternative Medicine, Ormus, Mycopus Gold, AHCC, High Dose Vitamin C, Virginia Livingston Therapy, VG1000, High Dose Vitamin D, UVBI, Shark Cartilage,  Beta Glucans, SourSop, Carctol, Cesium Chloride, Alkaline, Hyperbaric therapy, Infared Sauna, Chelation Therapy, CLA, D-Glucarate, DMSO, Far Infared Therapy, HANSI Therapy, Lymphotonic PF2, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Oxygen Therapy and more. If we have all of these options available to us, why don't we know about them?

So how do you choose from the many options that you have to choose from? How do you know which will benefit you and which only work for some people? It all comes down to your right to choose and your own research. YOU Have to make the decision yourself, an educated decision based on what you'd like to do. I can tell you that since I had cancer, I have been healthier, even with all the side effects I have to deal with. I've taken transfer factor to raise my immune system and it has helped me, I've loaded up on vitamins and am continually trying to get my body back into a healthier state because I am still getting rid of the toxins in my body from all my chemo and radiation back in 2006-2008.

You Have the RIGHT TO CHOOSE What Treatment You Want. Do the RESEARCH and make your own decision. Don't allow others to pressure you to do the things that you don't want. It's time to Fight Back and Stand Up for Our Rights! :)

One more thing, Sugar....>Feeds Tumors and Cancer and causes inflammation. So if you have cancer or knows someone who does, tell them to cut it out! This includes: Juices, candy, breads, pastas, potatoes, starches, rice, sweets and many fruits high in sugar. And YES< Doctors will tell you it's ok to eat these things but sometimes it's because they don't think you will survive and want you to enjoy what you like. Well, if you can fight the cancer and cut out the things it survives on....then just do it. It's Your LIFE - Make the Decision - Your Choice!

Thank you!

"Jane's" Story - The Struggle for Resources

For “Jane”, she dealt with this same issue when her daughter was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, a bad form of brain cancer that normally occurs in older people, her daughter however is only 19, 17 at time of diagnosis. When I received the call from “Jane” she told me how she had called all of the larger organizations, especially the ones that dealt with children. What she found was a large lack of information. She didn’t understand how there could be so little assistance for her. She’s a single parent and trying to do everything she can for her daughter, and this has put several financial restraints on her already stressful situation. She needs money for rent, utilities and gas to get her daughter to treatments, and from the organizations she’s reached out to, she hasn’t found the help she needed. She was desperate and distraught, but still hopeful when she called UCAAN. 

I remember talking to her about her specific needs; when we speak to a patient or their family member, we try to get as much information as possible from them, as this makes it much easier for us to provide them with the resources and support that they need. I told “Jane” about our resource database and how we had well over 1500 organizations that provided some type of support to cancer patients in need and that I would research and see which would be the best fit for what she needed. As I worked and went through the database, I documented the organizations that I felt she could benefit from. Within a few hours, I had gone through over 800 organizations in our database and found over 60 resources that I could provide her with right away.  Since I didn’t want to overwhelm her with even more, I sent the resources to her and promised to continue the search UCAAN’s database in case that those organization cannot help.  This is ONE of the MANY ways that UCAAN is Finding Solutions for Cancer Patients in Need. 

I cannot begin to tell you the overwhelming joy I felt when I sent “Jane”: the long list of resources, it shows that we can do so much more when we put our hearts and our minds into it. 

The Fact here is that Resources should NOT be difficult for patients to find. This is why we have social workers, but what if the social workers we rely on do not provide us with the information we need when we need it? How many organizations would you contact prior to giving up? For "Jane" she had almost reached that when she called us, and anyone affected by cancer has enough to worry about and shouldn't have the added stress of having to search for help. This is why UCAAN has Committed to "Finding Solutions for Cancer Patients in Need." 

 Rachel Pictured, in 2007 after her Terminal Diagnosis, Sporting her Butt Kicking Spirit!

This is one of the many reasons why I started UCAAN in 2009, the resources just weren't there for me and it was difficult in my position to search them all, but being a Taurus and bull headed I fought on and searched for the help I needed. In many cases, I never found the resources, but I always tried to find a solution.

This is WHY We Need Your Continued Support, so we can grow from a Grass Roots Organization into an organization big enough to fill the gaps that other organizations leave open.  

 

With your help we can Continue to GROW!

(When making a donation, please gift an additional 2.7%, so we can get your full donation)

Thank you!