Our Cause
Positive Pounders and Teen Cancer
Every 4 minutes, one person in the United States is diagnosed with a blood cancer, including Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), Leukemia or Meloma, which also accounts for 9 (nine) percent of the 1,529,560 new cancer cases in 2011. An estimated 8,830 men and women were diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2011 in the United States, an increase from the 8,490 new cases of Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosed in 2010. In January 2008, there were approximately 166,776 (86,218 men / 80,558 women) alive who had a history of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. At the end of 2011 at least 21,530 people succumbed to the Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
The incidence of Hodgkin’s lymphoma is lower among middle age adults than in young adults, but increases in people 60 to 84 years old. Between 2004 and 2008, the median age for Hodgkin’s lymphoma was 38 years of age, with nearly 32% of all people diagnosed between ages 20 and 34. During this same time, the five-year relative survival by race for white men was 83.3% and 77.2% for black men. Disproportionate racial trends in five-year relative survival rates are noted as all-race survival approached 87% whereas black relative survival rates were ad are statistically significantly lower at 82%. (P &It; 0.05). Nonetheless, racial data represents the diversity and mixed heritage of the US Population.
Hodgkin’s lymphoma affects bone marrow, blood cells, lymph nodes and other parts of the lymphatic system. According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, this cancer is likely the result of an acquired mutation to the genetic building block DNA of a single lymph- or blood-forming stem cell. The disease can be treated with radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or stem cell transplantation, depending on individual patient factors. In the process of this disease, there is severe anemia, bleeding, and an impaired ability to fight infection. There may be remission of the cancer or death.
References:
Lymphoma in Your Teens, Twenties and Thirties (2011). S. Seigel. Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases. Children’s Hospital of Los Angleles. http://www.presentme.com/FLASH/20080928LRFS
SEER Stat Fact Sheets: Hodkin’s lymphoma. (2011). Retieved from: http://seer.cancer.go/statfacts/html/hodg.html
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. (2011) Retrieved from: http://www.lls.org/#/diseaseinformation/lymphoma/hodkinlympoma/
Facts 2010-2011 Leukemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma. Retrieved from: http://www.lls.org/content/nationalcontent/resourcecenter/freeeducationmaterials/generalcancer/pdf/facts/pdf
Frequently Asked Questions
About Positive Pounders and Teen Cancer
Who is Positive Pounders?
Andrew E. Pounders is Positive, the son Pattye Anderson, and cofounder of www.PositivePounders.com Andrew was 19 and in college when he received a diagnosis of a rare form of Hodgkin’s lymphoma (cancer) and succumbed at age 24 after several rounds of chemotherapy, including radiation, salvage chemo, and an autologous stem cell transplant
What type of activities does your organization do to raise awareness for lymphoma?
Currently, we participate in several half and full marathons throughout Southern California, including Los Angeles & Long Beach (full) plus Pasadena Half, Malibu Half, Santa Monica Classic, West Lake Village Love Run. We participate in blood drives, volunteer with international causes, promote our mascot and fitness videos on social media.
What if I can’t afford to send in a donation?
Other things you could do to support our cause include: sharing and reposting our posts, sending ideas from your events, makes signs and come to cheer us on in person, helping with sick and shut in crafts, or send in unwanted items for repurposing.
What is your hashtag?
We promote a few memorable social media hashtags: #PositivePounders #iRunLA #Marathons #TeensLikeDrew #iWill #Annihilate #TeenCancer
What if I want to know more about Positive Pounders?
To Learn more about Positive Pounders and Andrew E. Pounders visit our Facebook page.
Do you host and/or participate in blood drives?
Positive Pounders / Pattye Anderson, FNP will come to your blood drive. Please submit request to through the contact page.
Where can I learn more about youth cancer?
Cancer.gov
Stupidcancer.org
StJude.org
VictoriousFoundation.org
TeenCancerAmerica.org
CureChildhoodCancer.com
2bMe.org
Livestrong.org
Is it true young people survive cancer differently from other age groups?
According to the CDC, survival analysis is a process performed by epidemiologists to determine the expected prognosis after diagnosis or after starting a treatment. There are conditions that reduce one’s chance of survival.
How may I help sustain your mission?
Our website lists and provides products like peacock themed items, including stamps, picture frames, earrings, jewelry, hair pins, romance novels, dog training and many book titles, ornamental fans, novelty items, bath supplies, gloves, keychains, clothing, manicure items, gifts cards, masks – visit our website shopping page or inquire if there something specific you’re looking for.
Do you collaborate and develop programs with other organizations?
Positive Pounders is always honored to be of service and works collaboratively with other organizations for finding the cure for Hodgkins Lymphoma. If you are interested in a developing a program with us, please supply your email and contact information on this website.
Is there a fee for Positive Pounders / Pattye Anderson to participate in our program?
Pattye Anderson, FNP, the director of Positive Pounders, appreciates a negotiable honorarium to speak or provide a service.
What are the qualifications of Pattye Anderson?
Pattye Anderson, FNP is a board-certified family nurse practitioner, and Spanish bilingual consultant. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in nursing from University of Southern California (USC) and a Master’s degree in nursing from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She has a 1st Dan Tae Kwon Do Black Belt and currently is a doctoral scholar of public health epidemiology, approaching the premise and prospectus phase of dissertation. In her experience in nursing, she has worked in public health, home health, hospice, obstetrics and pediatrics. She brings a wealth of information to any individual or group setting from anecdotes to printed literature.
What is epidemiology?
Epidemiology involves the study of public health crisis and look at disease trends which lead to significant individual level, local, worldwide epidemics. Analysts in public health determine causation and are fundamental for reducing death rates and improving survival.
What is an epidemic?
This refers to disease conditions like: unintended pregnancy, obesity, the flu, HIV, and teen cancer.
How can I be helped if emotions like sadness and grief from losing a family member to cancer are our concern?
This is a common topic to discuss on an individual consulting call and during a group production.
Would you consider writing a chapter in our book?
Yes. Pattye Anderson welcomes to write and author – and seeks opportunities.
What is Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Hodgkin’s is one of several types of blood cancers. Under a microscope, it is characterized by a special look of the cells. The cells are called “Reed-Sternberg“ cells.
What is the difference in a blood cancer and other cancers?
Unlike a solid cancer that creates a tumor in a tissue, lymphoma attack the person blood and lymph nodes.
Where do I find your mascot?
Our mascot is found on Instagram as @HappyBlackChowchow
Where do I find your memorial jewelry, products and comfort care program sustainability gifts?
Our jewels, gift cards, masks, and program and products to sustain this program are found on Instagram as @PositivePounders
Does Positive Pounders handle a large volume of speaking engagement or product orders?
Large orders can be accommodated with advance notice.
I read your son was a Hurricane Katrina survivor, is that true?
Yes, Andrew survived Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. He was a resilient person who experienced a lot.
Does mass calamity, natural disasters, hurricanes like Hurricane Katrina cause lymphoma and cancers?
This is a good topic I welcome discussing at a speaking engagement, symposium or luncheon. Schedule a live meeting with Pattye Anderson by clicking the CONTACT PAGE
How can I tell if I have symptoms of cancer?
Recognize the potential signs and symptoms of leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma or cancer. Consult your doctor if any of the following signs persist. (Sometimes they are indicators of a blood cancer)
Unexplained anemia Excessive bleeding Chronic fatigue Recurrent fever Unexplained back or bone pain Pain in the joints or bones Recurrent infection Swelling of lymph nodes Weakness Easy bruising