[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by chuckster

The effective statement here is donate if you wish and don't if you have a problem with the issues. If you are criticizing in an attempt to influence others from not giving don't waste your breath.

Many of us have and will continue to follow our beliefs in trying to help others. Personally I purchased several memorial bricks to honor family and close friends that have fallen victim to cancer. That is my choice and not yours to decide.

To those that say this will lessen donations to other charities, not true, we still give the same to all those we have supported over the years, locally and in our home town. Follow your heart and not those that are trying to convince you based on their dislike of one or another individual. I've found after all these years that they tend to not be a giving person and of course that's their choice.

Well thought out post, steeped in kindness, like the person who wrote it; thoughtful and kind.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by Advogado

Russ, are you going to donate to Moffitt, knowing what you now know about the situation?

Yes I plan on buying two memorial bricks for people that I've lost to cancer.

At work I still support United Way even though they have had some issues with how the money was spent.

I support LiveStrong even though Lance is having his character questioned.

When my friends throw raffle tickets on my desk and say give me $25 I don't quiz them on the charity.

Maybe I'm naive but I suspect that registered charities (yes Moffitt is one) are, for the most part, doing something good for our communities.

I've seen nothing here or from Laureen Ritchie or the POA that makes me think this is all just one big scam.

My opinion and I'm sticking with it. You are free to do as you see fit.

[Number 6]

To those that say this will lessen donations to other charities, not true,

Of course it is going to lessen donations to other charities. Well, that is my opinion.

[Karissimo]

Has anyone noticed that a non-profit entity that was originally set up by Morse family (they changed officers just before fundraising for Moffitt) is fundraising for Moffitt. What's up? Why isn't Moffitt fundraising for Moffitt?

I think most residents have been lead to believe Moffitt is the entity behind this fundraiser.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by Karissimo

Has anyone noticed that a non-profit entity that was originally set up by Morse family (they changed officers just before fundraising for Moffitt) is fundraising for Moffitt. What's up? Why isn't Moffitt fundraising for Moffitt?

I think most residents have been lead to believe Moffitt is the entity behind this fundraiser.

I don't see this as unusual. First, it is an affiliation between Moffitt and CFHA. Second, many organizations use outside fund raiser efforts. In fact I think most benefits I attend say something like "sponsored by X with proceeds going to Y"

[graciegirl]

Banner headline in todays paper. Greg Norman coming to Villages for Moffitt Center at fundraiser Golfest.

[nitakk]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Banner headline in todays paper. Greg Norman coming to Villages for Moffitt Center at fundraiser Golfest.

Is it just me, or shouldn't the "banner" headline on the front page of a real newspaper be: a) cold grips the nation, or b) unrest in Egypt?

I'm just saying........

[Taj44]

To put things in a nutshell, The Villagers are being asked to fund millions of dollars for radiation equipment for a new facility that won't provide us any new or improved services. Radiation is considered one of the "most lucrative" portions of cancer treatment, and the equipment can be expected to pay for itself in 2-3 years.

I laud those people that support charities. We all know people who have suffered from cancer ,and good feeling people that we are, we want to help out. In these times of economic hardship, although some people will up their charitable donations to meet various causes, many have a set amount they give any one year, and if they give some to Moffit, some other charity will suffer. Personally, I want my money to go to a charitable cause that really needs it. I just don't see how this "Moffit Center" needs our money. They have over $175 million in assets they can borrow against to purchase equipment, and the equipment will pay for itself in a couple of years anyways.

My spouse and I have been supporting charities for years; most recently I've donated to SeeYourImpact.org. Our money helps out poor people who will never be able to repay us, but our donation will help improve their life. I would much rather make a contribution to a real charity like that, then something like Moffit who has no business asking for money, in my opinion.

[The Shadow]

Originally Posted by nitakk

Is it just me, or shouldn't the "banner" headline on the front page of a real newspaper be: a) cold grips the nation, or b) unrest in Egypt?

I'm just saying........

This post makes me think of this, an old TV program that I own on DVD. If you know the program you will see the connection. All other please proceed to the next post.

[Whalen]

Originally Posted by The Shadow

This post makes me think of this, an old TV program that I own on DVD. If you know the program you will see the connection. All other please proceed to the next post.

I keep expecting the big white baloon to roll down Morse Blvd

[downeaster]

Originally Posted by Taj44

To put things in a nutshell, The Villagers are being asked to fund millions of dollars for radiation equipment for a new facility that won't provide us any new or improved services. Radiation is considered one of the "most lucrative" portions of cancer treatment, and the equipment can be expected to pay for itself in 2-3 years.

I laud those people that support charities. We all know people who have suffered from cancer ,and good feeling people that we are, we want to help out. In these times of economic hardship, although some people will up their charitable donations to meet various causes, many have a set amount they give any one year, and if they give some to Moffit, some other charity will suffer. Personally, I want my money to go to a charitable cause that really needs it. I just don't see how this "Moffit Center" needs our money. They have over $175 million in assets they can borrow against to purchase equipment, and the equipment will pay for itself in a couple of years anyways.

My spouse and I have been supporting charities for years; most recently I've donated to SeeYourImpact.org. Our money helps out poor people who will never be able to repay us, but our donation will help improve their life. I would much rather make a contribution to a real charity like that, then something like Moffit who has no business asking for money, in my opinion.

Well said, Taj.

[dillywho]

As Chuckster and others have said, people are being asked to donate with donate and asked being the key words. This is entirely different from an assessment which is not one of the key words here. With assessments there is no choice concerning participation, choice being the key word.

Even though the request is seemingly targeting The Villages community, I don't think that that is the case at all. No where have I seen that only donations from Villagers will be accepted or that only Villagers will have access to the new facility. Cancer knows no boundaries, be it age, assets, or geography or any other parameter.

Until cancer becomes extinct, there can never be too much access to facilities, equipment, drugs, or whatever no matter the means. IMHO

[Larry Wilson]

Originally Posted by Taj44

To put things in a nutshell, The Villagers are being asked to fund millions of dollars for radiation equipment for a new facility that won't provide us any new or improved services. Radiation is considered one of the "most lucrative" portions of cancer treatment, and the equipment can be expected to pay for itself in 2-3 years.

I laud those people that support charities. We all know people who have suffered from cancer ,and good feeling people that we are, we want to help out. In these times of economic hardship, although some people will up their charitable donations to meet various causes, many have a set amount they give any one year, and if they give some to Moffit, some other charity will suffer. Personally, I want my money to go to a charitable cause that really needs it. I just don't see how this "Moffit Center" needs our money. They have over $175 million in assets they can borrow against to purchase equipment, and the equipment will pay for itself in a couple of years anyways.

My spouse and I have been supporting charities for years; most recently I've donated to SeeYourImpact.org. Our money helps out poor people who will never be able to repay us, but our donation will help improve their life. I would much rather make a contribution to a real charity like that, then something like Moffit who has no business asking for money, in my opinion.

Well put...

[iaudit]

Originally Posted by dillywho

Until cancer becomes extinct, there can never be too much access to facilities, equipment, drugs, or whatever no matter the means. IMHO

I disagree with the statement that there can never be too much access. Let me tell you my story.

When my PSA starting going up seven years ago, I researched who were the top doctors that treated prostate conditions. I found a medical oncologist who treated nothing but prostate related diseases. Although he was five hours from my home, I felt it was important enough to make the trip. After doing a COMPLETE physical assessment, he recommended a biopsy. However, he also recommended that I go one of several physicians who use color dopler ultrasound to guide their biopsy because it highlights blood source which cancer needs to grow. The norm at the time was for grey scale ultrasound which doesn’t highlight blood source. He also recommended that the biopsy slides be sent to a pathologist who does nothing but prostate tissue because it is important that the correct gleason score be assigned if cancer is found. Unfortunately, after following his guidance I was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
This oncologist then started me on androgen deprivation therapy and after two months my PSA had dropped significantly, or so I thought. This oncologist, however, felt it should have been lower and recommended that I receive radiation treatment. He then suggested that I go to one of three sites in the USA who do nothing but prostate cancer AND publish their results. No only are their results good but the side effects from treatment were significantly less than normal. I settled on a place in Sarasota and rented a villa there while being treated for two months. So, here I am seven years later, with an undetectable PSA and no significant side effects.

Two points from all this:
1. The doctor doing the treatment and his expertise is way more important than just having a facility. The Villages may be getting a “Moffit” center but they are NOT getting “Moffit” doctors or necessarily “Moffit” class treatment. All doctors are not the same, even though they are in the same specialty. The doctor who graduates at the top of his class and the one who graduates at the bottom are both called doctor. You have to search out the ones at the top. In addition to their practices, they will take part in research AND publish their results.
2. Don’t be afraid to travel for treatment. In most cases, the initial treatment is the major determinant on whether an effective cure is made for many cancers. Subsequent salvage treatments may effect cures but usually just prolong life.

[Freeda]

Originally Posted by iaudit

I disagree with the statement that there can never be too much access.

I agree. The more people involved, as in any highly profitable endeavor, the danger is you may be the one who ends up with the 'expert' who is "all hat, no cattle", as we say in Kentucky. With cancer, no one wants to risk that.