NEXT US TOO MEETING - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2001
CAMPUS AUDITORIUM, WILLIAM OSLER HEALTH CENTRE, 7:00 - 9:00 P.M.
BRAMPTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, 20 LYNCH STREET, BRAMPTON, ONTARIO.

CHRISTMAS SOCIAL POT LUCK BUFFET
Once again it is that time of the year to just get together, talk, mingle and enjoy ourselves. Over the past few months we have had some great guest speakers, both interesting and informative, starting in September with dietitian/nutritionist Tanya Giaguinto from the Sunnybrook Health Centre. In October we were fortunate to have oncologist Dr.Sandeep Sandev, who discussed hormone therapy and PC SPES. Last month we had another good showing of over 70 members, wives and guests who were treated to an excellent presentation by radiation oncologist M.Milosevic. "Dr.Mike" outlined all the various treatments for prostate cancer, and in particular, external radiation and brachytherapy. We have taken steps to get these excellent speakers back again next year.
The December 11th program is up to you - we suggest you chat with members with like-coloured name tags and enjoy the buffet. Not sure what to bring? Call the buffet coordinator, Marg Butterly - 905-454-4237. 

WHAT'S AHEAD
We now have a full schedule booked through to April 2002, thanks to the excellent work of Chairman Fred Norris. On January 8th, we will be honoured to have R.N.Mary Joan Pope from the Sunnybrook Health Centre whose subject will be "Helping You Help Yourself." Her talk will contain four topics: "Information about My Treatment, Managing My Pain, Managing My Fatigue, and Information about Community Resources to Help Me at Home." Finance Officer Gerry Brunjes has come up with another play, titled "The Wild Guys," which is scheduled for February 1st at Lester B.Pearson Theatre. More on this later in this newsletter. We will also have a regular meeting on February 12th when Dan Christante from Body Wise International will talk about The Immune System. Our March meeting will hit a topic close to home when Dr.David Saul will discuss "Erectile Dysfunction." The April, May and June topics were not confirmed at press time, but we have some ideas that we would like you the members to discuss. Also possible: Another Survivor Night, which was very popular last year; a computer night, when you can see what's on our web site and what we have planned for new members; and finally, a yoga demonstration. All these are possible. Let us know what you prefer.

NEW MEMBERS
Our next new member nights will be on our regular meeting night of Tuesday, December 11th at 6:00 p.m. in the small classroom adjacent to the auditorium and on Wednesday December 12th in the second floor conference room. In 2002 the new member meetings will be the fourth Tuesday of every month or two weeks from our regular scheduled get-togethers. All new member meetings for 2002 will be held in the auditorium. At press time there are no new members for November.

SHIRTS
Last call for what we originally called golf shirts, but they are much more than that. Everyone who wears one does a public-relations job for US TOO - Brampton and prostate cancer awareness. We will be ordering about a dozen shirts by mid December. If you are interested, please call me or see me on meeting night. Your cost $30 per shirt.

WEB SITE
Once again we would like to mention that, like our bigger brother in Manitoba, YOU can get this newsletter right off the web site. Just go to the "newsletter" link, open it and print it. Want to put a face to your steering committee? Just scroll down to the "Meet the Committee" link, click on it and follow the instructions. Check out the new Christmas decorations.
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WALK & TALK OR JUST TALK
Each Tuesday morning at 9:00 a.m., several members have been meeting at PAM's in the Bramalea City Centre to talk, have a coffee and walk the mall. We have had some interesting chats and have solved most of the world's problems. We also talk a bit about our common prostate problems, please feel free to join us.

FINANCES
Gerry Brunjes has asked me to remind you that your $10 membership fee is due. We have received payment from 84 members, which leaves about 60 still owing. If you can't make a meeting and wish to remain on our mailing list, you may send a cheque made out to US TOO - Brampton to: Gerry Brunjes, 8 Duke Rd., Brampton, Ont. L6T 3K1. On the other hand, if you would like your named removed from our mailing list, please let us know.
There will be no charge for refreshments this year, but all donations are appreciated. We would like to thank members Trevor Brathwaite and Don Fordham for their donations. We understand Al Tothe has left US TOO - BRAMPTON a sizable donation in his will. Al, we hope we never get your grant. These additional funds over and above the membership fee are much appreciated. Debra Dainton, member Jack's daughter, has once again donated an afghan for us to raffle off. Get your dollars ready on meeting night. Last year I was fortunate in winning the afghan and donated it to the St.Clair-O'Connor nursing home on behalf of my sister, who passed away in the summer.

"THE WILD GUYS"
Bramalea Live Theatre (Formerly Bramalea Little Theatre) has donated 200 tickets for the play "The Wild Guys" to be performed at Lester B. Pearson Theatre on Friday, February 1st. Curtain time is 8 p.m. This is a wonderful charitable opportunity for us to help reach our goal of opening an information room dedicated to prostate cancer in the Brampton area. After this humorous show, we have been invited to meet the cast in a separate room, where light refreshments will be served. We will also have an "awareness" table in the lobby. The ticket price is $14 each, of which the entire proceeds will be donated to our treasury. The tickets are now available and we will be looking for members to purchase and sell the entire 200. 
How many can you take?  The play coordinator is Gerry Brunjes ( 905 - 791 - 3043 ).
LET'S GET BEHIND THIS WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY AND MAKE IT AN US TOO - BRAMPTON SUCCESS STORY.

AWARENESS-IAN SMITH
Since the October 9th meeting, there has been a lot of activity on the awareness scene. My short vacation in England included visits to the London offices of Prostate Cancer Charity and also to the Prostate Cancer Support Association in Dorset, south England. Everyone accorded me a very warm welcome indeed and gave me plenty of contacts in both organizations to foster information links and communications both to and from Canada. In particular, one of the members of US TOO in Dorset needs to hear from any of our members with experience in PC-SPES treatment. Please call me if you can assist in any way.

With much able assistance, delivery of brochures is now compete to all the pharmacies in the city of Brampton, Georgetown, and Bolton/Caledon East. I would like to hear from members living in Orangeville/Caledon and who would undertake to deliver literature packs to pharmacies in their towns. These packs of leaflets comprise twelve each of the "Early Detection" and "PSA" flyers and will be available at the December meeting. I have requested a large consignment of the leaflet "For Women Who Care" of which I have received around 250 copies. This brochure will become much more prominent in the activities of the awareness campaigns.

We held a very well received information session for the Knights of Columbus, Brampton councils on 22nd November. Around thirty-two members and some spouses listened very attentively with many questions after our presentation from both male audience and also from the ladies. After the November Steering Committee meeting, I have contacted several of the service clubs in the Brampton area with a view to making more of these presentations to their members.

Now that Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) has finally abated in northern England, planning for my Coast-to-Coast walk is now resumed in earnest. However there is still need of continued vigilance as at least several months must pass without further appearances of the disease before the countryside can be declared completely "open". The 300-km walk is planned for sponsorships to benefit both the Brampton Hospital Foundation and the Prostate Cancer Charity for donors in England. The planned route crosses three national parks - the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors - in some of the areas most severely affected by FDM. More detailed description of the walk and planned sponsorships will follow in the coming months. 
Again, is there anything that the "awareness" sub-committee should be doing or perhaps improving? Please let me have your suggestions.( Ian can be reached at 905 - 454 - 3880 or E-mail - iclacewood@globalserve.net ) 

It is with deepest regret that we report the passing of Gerry Brunjes' wife Rosina (Ena). Our heartfelt condolences go out to Gerry and his family. She will be missed by all.