Mar 2002     Newsletter  

NEXT US TOO MEETING - TUESDAY MARCH 12, 2002
CAMPUS AUDITORIUM, WILLIAM OSLER HEALTH CENTRE, 7:00 - 9:00 P.M.
BRAMPTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, 20 LYNCH STREET, BRAMPTON, ONTARIO.

SPEAKER - DR. DAVID SAUL
Dr. David Saul, a Scarborough-based physician and author of "Sex for Life", will discuss "Erectile Dysfunction", a topic that certainly concerns all prostate cancer victims.  We invite not only you and your partner but any of your younger friends and relatives to attend this session, as Dr. Saul will discuss ways of preventing as well as ways of treating Erectile Dysfunction. 

FEBRUARY MEETING
Close to 50 members, wives and guests were treated to an interesting talk by Dan Christante from Body Wise International. Dan discussed a variety of ways of boosting our immune systems.

URGENT: PC-SPES RECALLED
On February 8, 2002, the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) advised that two products sold as PC-SPES or SPES and manufactured by BotanicLab in California should not be used.  These "...herbal supplements....actually contain powerful prescription drugs."  This information came to us from Dr. David Evans; speak to your doctor immediately if you are affected.

WHAT'S AHEAD
Our April meeting will feature two topics.  First, Daniela Brancatella and Kristen Walmsley from the Canadian Cancer Society will present details of the 2002 Relay for Life and register participants for the Survivor's Victory Lap that opens this event.  Second, Dr. Richard Casey, a Urologist from Burlington, will discuss "New Non-Hormonal Treatment of Localized and Metastasized Prostate Cancer."  
In May, Arlene Dalton will present a "Yoga Demonstration", a pleasant change of pace. 
The June meeting will be our usual social wind-up to the season as well as a "Computer Night" highlighting our web site and showing you some of the many other resources available on the Internet.  If you have been considering purchasing a computer, take this opportunity to talk with our resident computer "geeks", Mukul Luthra and Jim Dorsey.

NEW MEMBERS
The March new member meeting will be held 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26 in the auditorium   Two couples joined our group in February: John & Cheryl Kerry and Robert & Jean Nelson.

WEB SITE
Remember that you can get this newsletter from our web site by clicking on  the "newsletter" link.You can even print it. To put faces to the members of the Steering Committee, check out the "Meet the Committee" link that appears after the Steering Committee listing.

FINANCES
Gerry Brunjes informs us that of 152 active members, 111 have paid the $10 annual membership fee. After all expenses, "The Wild Guys" added $2,341 to our treasury; thanks to all the volunteeers who contributed so much time and expertise.  Next year Brampton Live Theatre may give us the entire theatre for one night.  We will have 460 seats to sell instead of the 200 we were allowed to sell this year.  This will require even more volunteer effort, so if you are interested in helping, please contact Gerry NOW. 
We are still working to register our group as a charity so that we can better raise the funds needed to open our proposed Information Room; a similar group in Victoria, B.C. has provided us with information that should help with the lengthy registration process.  We hope to be registered by September.  
Finally, George Redmond's daughter, an Avon representative, has offered to make first aid packages available to our members for $10, with half the proceeds going back to our treasury.  A sample will be on display and orders will be taken at the registration desk at the next few meetings.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIRMAN, FRED NORRIS
In our eighth year of existence, we are going from strength to strength.  To achieve this we first had to build a Steering Committee that was strong and reliable to work the respective positions on their own.  I am happy to say that the present committee has proven that they are up to the task and work as a fine cohesive group.  The past two months have been very turbulent for me, but each member stepped forward and performed admirably.
As a group we are unfortunately growing by leaps and bounds and that requires more help on both the Telphone and Steering committees and on other tasks as they arise.
We must not lose the momentum that is now going for us; as the group grows in numbers so must we increase the strength of our committees to ensure that each position is covered.
Your help is earnestly solicited for the tasks ahead, so please do everything that you can to help us to become the best Prostate Cancer support group in Canada.

IN MEMORY
It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of Ivy Norris, beloved wife of our Chairman, Fred Norris.  Ivy was well known to many of the members and deeply loved by all who knew her.  Our sincere condolences to Fred.  In addition, Garry Lang, one of our members, died in February.  Our sympathy and best wishes go out to Garry's family.

RELAY FOR LIFE
Several members of US TOO - Brampton have decided to enter a team in this year's Relay For Life, operated by the Canadian Cancer Society. Teams of 10 - 12 people participate in this overnight non-competitive relay by walking, running  or strolling around a track. If you wish to participate, contact team Captain Jim Dorsey, (905) 453-3038  or Ian Smith (905) 454-3880. This year's Relay will be held at the Caledon fairgrounds on Friday, June 21st.

2002 GOLF TOURNAMENT
It is once again time to start planning our annual Golf Tournament.  Last year it was held at Acton Golf Club with great success.  A good time was had by all.  Anyone interested in helping out or joining our golf committee can contact Morris Rambout at (905) 793-8843 or e-mail mrambout@idirect.com.  Morris would like to find three or four members to help him.  We will provide more information as it becomes available.  The tournament will probably be held around the end of June.

HELP NEEDED  - VICE CHAIRMAN
VICE CHAIRMAN:  The vice chairman's job is to back up and learn the role of Chairman. This person would help out when our Chairman Fred Norris is on vacation or under the weather. Nominations should be forwarded to secretary Marg Butterly.

HELP FOUND  - LIBRARIAN
We are pleased to announce that member Gangadhar Deshpande, lately retired from the Brampton Public Library System, has offered to become our librarian.  Don Grant's wife Eileen has volunteered to assist with this important task.

DON GRANT IS AWAY
For some reason, Don has decided to take a leave of absence to play golf in Florida!  Jim Dorsey will try to fill Don's chair until he returns in May.