Being diagnosed with cancer on December 19th wasn't the holiday gift I had asked for in 1994. It was my son Brooks' birthday, and days before the holidays. None of us have any control over the timing of our diagnosis. As they say, "Cancer has its own calendar." But if a friend or loved one has to go through surgery, treatments or hospitalization on or around a "special" day, plan to do something for them anyway to acknowledge the occasion despite their protests to the contrary. It will help take their mind off their situation, if even for only an hour or two. It will help them recognize that life does go on. And in the long run, they'll probably feel better just knowing that you cared enough to remember.

To cancer patients:

If you are going to the hospital, having a treatment, or just dealing with cancer on a special occasion, bring a little something to hand out to family, friends, physicians and caregivers to demonstrate your positive ATTITUDE. Bring blowers for New Year's, or candy hearts for Valentine's Day, chocolates for Easter or balloons on your birthday. You can prove to everyone that you may be down, but you're not out!

"Laughter is the shortest distance between two people."

-- Anonymous

CONTEST: Congratulations to Dinah Day, who was our 15th person to email us last month to win a free journal from The Cancer Club! Dinah is an executive image and career transition coach in New York City.

Sure it's cold out there! But researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and ONYX Pharmaceuticals of Richmond, CA recently revealed that two treatments that use cold viruses to invade and destroy cancer cells are showing promise in experiments on gravely ill patients. Both tests involve genetically manipulatiing the adenovirus, a usually modest microbe that causes colds and intestinal upsets.

Both experimental treatments involve one of the hottest ideas in cancer research-- finding a way to exploit the genetic flaws that allow cancer cells to divide and spread endlessly. Dr. Daniel VonHoff from The Cancer Therapy and Research Center in San Antonio cautions, however, that a major limitation of the approach is that the virus must be put directly into tumors. If it is injected into the bloodstream to look for spreading cancer, the body recognizes the virus as foreign and kills it. Maybe colds aren't so bad after all!

Dear Cancer Club,

In July 2007, my husband Jim and I took a wonderful trip to Italy for two weeks. At that time, I had been breast-cancer-free for four years, having undergone a bilateral mastectomy with no reconstruction. Sometimes I wore prostheses in my bra, and other times, I went braless.

When in Turin, we decided to walk to the train station a mile from our hotel just to see the variety of destinations offered. I had left my protheses back at the room.

Suddenly, a sign caught our attention: "Train to Bra in 20 minutes." After a moment to reflect, I quipped, "Let's not go there." We both got a good chuckle as we sauntered back to the hotel, hand in hand, marveling at another funny moment in the life of this cancer survivor.

Jan Hasak Author of Mourning Has Broken: Reflections on Surviving Cancer

Dear Cancer Club,

Here's one that might make you smile. My husband (diagnosed in February, 2004) decided there are some things he wants to do and not put off in his life-- ride the Dragon's tail (motorcycle), get some more tattoos, etc. One thing recent: he's been getting some piercings. After 20+ years of marriage, this was a first.

Long story short, he got two piercings on his chest. Let's just say, "Ow." Anyhow, I asked him why that, and it was his answer that started my giggle. He said that he really dislikes his 12+ inch scar on his stomach when he takes his shirt off, and the piercings give him something else to look at that he likes. Okay... here's the giggle.

When he takes his shirt off, he has two barbells (shuddering as I write this), a 12" scar in his stomach area, and drum roll please... a HERNIA between them both that sticks out and can't be repaired for at least another year. And to wrap this up, let's just say tthat he doesn't have the flattest stomach to begin with, and can't do crunches or lift weights because of the hernia. And, getting better, he never gets out in the sun.

Yeah, those piercings will distract them from noticing the scar. Oy! But, and this is a big but, it makes him feel good about himself, and that is what is important. I guess. Take care, and I try to laugh every day!

Jill Collins West Virginia

Dear Cancer Club,

Upon arrival at work the day before my scheduled double mastectomy/reconstruction, my "work daughter" Jenny said to me, "You might notice something different about some employees today." Knowing that a majority of our healthcare employees are women, and not really noticing anything different at first, I said to her, "Are they going bra-less today?" We giggled about that one until I was asked to go to the hospital's Christmas poinsettia tree in the lobby at noon. When I arrived, I was greeted my many co- workers~ who were all dressed in pink!

After hugs and tears, we posed for a photo in front of the poinsettia tree, which was a lovely shade of pink that year. I obviously was the only person NOT wearing pink that day, so the joke for the rest of the day was that I must not have received the memo!

Francie Crawford Mercy Medical Center New Hampton, IA

ABOUT... THE PINK GLOVE DANCE? THE CUTEST FUNDRAISER WE HAVE EVER SEEN ABOUT BREAST CANCER? Created, directed and choreographed by Emily Somers in Portland, OR for St. Vincent's Medical Center, this is definitely worth watching: www.youtube.com.

ABOUT...PROTANDIM™ ? . If you knew for sure that it was possible to slow down the cellular aging of an 80-year-old to that of a 20-year-old, that was affordable, would that be of interest to you? Recommended by Christine Clifford. To learn more about Protandim, or an exciting business opportunity, please call The Cancer Club at (952)944-0639. Visit www.Lif eVantage.com/LiveYoung and watch the ABC Prime Time video.

ABOUT...CANCER CARDS? created by Tammy Maxey. View all 32 cards at www.cancer cardsonline.com. They are hosting a fundraiser for cervical cancer screening month. $1.00 for every card sold in January will be donated to the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation (GCF).

Last month, The Cancer Club told you about an exciting new all natural supplement that is helping people like me~ Christine Clifford Beckwith~ improve my energy level, helping me sleep better and giving me more focus and clarity instead of "chemo brain." This month, I have another exciting new product that has helped me with my skin.

TrueScience skincare lotion was just launched only two months ago. And I have become the Poster Child for the company's advertising campaign, thanks to the incredible results I've experienced.

When I went through ten months of high-dose chemotherapy almost fifteen years ago, I was forced in to menopause at the age of 40. With no estrogen to support my skin tone, combined with growing up in southern California (and spending every waking moment of my childhood in the sun), my skin was damaged.

Only two months of using TrueScience have improved my collagen, removed sun and age spots, reduced fine lines and wrinkles, and helped me feel the best I've felt in years about my appearance. I invite you to preview my "Before & After" photos and to call us today

I would personally like to encourage all of you to visit www.LifeVantage.com/LiveYoung, watch the ABC Prime Time video, and call me personally to tell you how you can improve your health starting today.

The Cancer Club™, based in Minneapolis, MN, was created by Christine Clifford following her diagnosis of breast cancer in 1994.

Needing a lift, Christine began to search for signs of humor in herself and her predicament. She found them daily. The more she laughed, the stronger she grew, and The Cancer Club™ was born.

The critically acclaimed Cancer Club™ is the first organization to offer hope and support to cancer patients, their families and friends through the healing power of humor. A dynamic speaker, Christine has traveled the globe with her presentations on the healing power of laughter.

Christine is the mother of two sons,Tim (25) and Brooks (22) and is grandmother to a Siberian Husky named Skylar. Call The Cancer Club™ today or email us to book Christine for your next event. Don't forget to laugh! ™

We hope you've enjoyed this edition of The Cancer Club™ eNewsletter. We'd like to thank our FABulous illustrator Jack Lindstrom of FAB Artists!

If you have a humorous or interesting story about cancer, send it to us at: P.O. Box 24747 Edina, MN 55424-0747 or email us at: Christine@cancerclub.com