Tuesday, May 28, 2013

St. George Hospital Establishes Cancer Genomics Program

By Ladd Egan
(KUTV) Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George will be the home to Intermountain Healthcare’s first in-house cancer genomic program, aimed at providing patients with personalized cancer treatments.

Intermountain says the new program will make it one of the first healthcare systems in the country to treat cancer patients using genetic sequencing technologies.

Utah native Dr. Lincoln Nadauld, MD/PhD, has been hired to head the new cancer genomics department. He most recently taught cancer genomics and completed a medical oncology fellowship at Stanford School of Medicine.

“We’re very excited about it,” Nadauld said of the new program at Dixie. “We have a much better chance of giving patients the targeted therapies they could benefit from.”

Nadauld says the techniques he developed at Stanford University help him identify DNA changes in cancer and predict which cancer drugs will be most effective.

“The benefit comes from it being a personalized treatment,” Nadauld said. “So it’s really individualized and tailored to that patient’s specific DNA changes.”

By using targeted cancer treatments, Nadauld says, patients experience fewer side effects. In addition, the genetic sequencing can provide new treatment choices for patients with advanced or hard-to-treat cancers.

“We hope to be able to find more options for those patients, personalized options, for those who otherwise would be running out of hope,” he said.

Just a few years ago, completing genetic sequencing on tumors to guide treatments was too expensive and time consuming for most patients, Nadauld said.

But by integrating the cancer genomics lab within Dixie Regional’s existing cancer center, Nadauld says they will be able to quickly and cost-effectively give doctors valuable treatment guidance.

Because of his extensive training in personalized cancer treatments, combined with his medical and doctoral degrees, Nadauld is among a small group of physicians who specialize in cancer genomic medicine.

“He really comes to us with a new skill set that we’ve not had before,” said Gary Stone, operations officer for Intermountain’s southwest region. “This is cancer care close to home.”

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)

Monday, May 27, 2013

Memorial Day: A Time for Heroes

A teenager learns the importance of war veterans in this inspiring story.

By Nancy Sullivan Geng, Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota

I leaned against an oak at the side of the road, wishing I were invisible, keeping my distance from my parents on their lawn chairs and my younger siblings scampering about.
I hoped none of my friends saw me there. God forbid they caught me waving one of the small American flags Mom bought at Ben Franklin for a dime. At 16, I was too old and definitely too cool for our small town's Memorial Day parade.
I ought to be at the lake, I brooded. But, no, the all-day festivities were mandatory in my family.

A high school band marched by, the girl in sequins missing her baton as it tumbled from the sky. Firemen blasted sirens in their polished red trucks. The uniforms on the troop of World War II veterans looked too snug on more than one member.
"Here comes Mema," my father shouted.
Five black convertibles lumbered down the boulevard. The mayor was in the first, handing out programs. I didn't need to look at one. I knew my uncle Bud's name was printed on it, as it had been every year since he was killed in Italy. Our family's war hero.
And I knew that perched on the backseat of one of the cars, waving and smiling, was Mema, my grandmother. She had a corsage on her lapel and a sign in gold embossed letters on the car door: "Gold Star Mother."
I hid behind the tree so I wouldn't have to meet her gaze. It wasn't because I didn't love her or appreciate her. She'd taught me how to sew, to call a strike in baseball. She made great cinnamon rolls, which we always ate after the parade.
What embarrassed me was all the attention she got for a son who had died 20 years earlier. With four other children and a dozen grandchildren, why linger over this one long-ago loss?
I peeked out from behind the oak just in time to see Mema wave and blow my family a kiss as the motorcade moved on. The purple ribbon on her hat fluttered in the breeze.
The rest of our Memorial Day ritual was equally scripted. No use trying to get out of it. I followed my family back to Mema's house, where there was the usual baseball game in the backyard and the same old reminiscing about Uncle Bud in the kitchen.

Helping myself to a cinnamon roll, I retreated to the living room and plopped down on an armchair.
There I found myself staring at the Army photo of Bud on the bookcase. The uncle I'd never known. I must have looked at him a thousand times—so proud in his crested cap and knotted tie. His uniform was decorated with military emblems that I could never decode.
Funny, he was starting to look younger to me as I got older. Who were you, Uncle Bud? I nearly asked aloud.
I picked up the photo and turned it over. Yellowing tape held a prayer card that read: "Lloyd 'Bud' Heitzman, 1925-1944. A Great Hero." Nineteen years old when he died, not much older than I was. But a great hero? How could you be a hero at 19?
The floorboards creaked behind me. I turned to see Mema coming in from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron.
I almost hid the photo because I didn't want to listen to the same stories I'd heard year after year: "Your uncle Bud had this little rat-terrier named Jiggs. Good old Jiggs. How he loved that mutt! He wouldn't go anywhere without Jiggs. He used to put him in the rumble seat of his Chevy coupe and drive all over town.
"Remember how hard Bud worked after we lost the farm? At haying season he worked all day, sunrise to sunset, baling for other farmers. Then he brought me all his wages. He'd say, 'Mama, someday I'm going to buy you a brand-new farm. I promise.' There wasn't a better boy in the world!"

Monday, May 20, 2013

Do You Know What to Do After a Car Accident? [INFOGRAPHIC]

Tuesday, May, 14th, 2013 at 6:00 am

Tags: Auto, Auto Accident, Auto Insurance, Auto Safety, Safety

You’re driving in bumper-to-bumper, stop-and-go traffic during rush hour on a Tuesday evening. Just as you glimpse your long-awaited exit, the car in front of you slams on the brakes. You stop just in time — but then the car behind you slams into your back bumper. Oh no! You’ve been in an accident!
Would you know what to do if this happened to you? There are a lot of things to consider after a wreck on the road, and knowing what steps to take can help ease the stress of an already nerve-wracking situation. Check out the infographic below for some helpful information:

Looking for more information about car accidents and insurance? Check out the Tools and Resources section of Allstate.com.

Contact an Allstate Agent near you to review your auto insurance coverage.

Monday, May 13, 2013

Stay in Ship Shape with These Simple Boating Tips

Wednesday, May, 8th, 2013 at 6:00 am

Tags: Boat, Boat Insurance, Boat Safety, Safety

Recreational boating can be fun, but like any activity involving large machinery or vehicles, it can be dangerous if you’re not prepared. In 2011, the US Coast Guard (USCG) reported 4,588 accidents that resulted in 758 deaths and 3,081 injuries.
While your odds aren’t terrible—one accident per 2,653 of the 12.2 million registered vessels—the injuries and damages from a serious accident could be staggering. Damaged property in 2011 boating accidents was estimated at $52 million (that’s almost $4.2 million per registered boat), according to the Recreational Boating Statistics 2011 report from the USCG. The kicker is, by taking simple steps and planning, as well as exercising safe judgement, accidents can be avoided.

The Importance of Training

Unlike a vehicle license, boat licenses are often given after a written exam only, without an operation test. And in some state, the written exam is not required. Just because you have a license doesn’t mean you know how to operate a boat. Fortunately, that’s an easy fix. Depending on how close you are to water, it may be as simple as going to a boat school. If that’s too much of a hassle, there are online courses, as well. Of course, it’s a good idea to check with you local regulatory agency to ensure you are in compliance with all licensing requirements.
Did you go through a boat safety education program? According to the report, 89 percent of deaths occurred on a boat driven by someone with no instruction. Of the remainder, about five deaths (under 0.01%) happened when the operator had been through a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved course. There is a list of approved courses and organizations here.

Plan: Where Are You Going and When Will You Be Back?

You’ve probably heard of a float plan if you’re a boat owner. If you haven’t, read up. A float plan can expedite rescue in the event that you’re unable to send out a distress signal or if you’re in a small vessel without means of communication. The USCG’s website even has a helpful form you can leave ashore to make sure no detail is forgotten.
And, if you’re thinking a float plan is unnecessary if you’re going on a lake or other enclosed body of water, think again: Forty-eight percent of accidents (and 46 percent of fatalities) happened in lakes, ponds, reservoirs, dams and gravel pits.

Weather

It’s common sense to check the weather conditions before heading out on the water. “Red sky in the morning, sailor take warning,” right?
Contrary to what you might think, more deaths happened in calm and choppy waters (at most, 2-foot waves) than rougher waves. And according to the USCG’s 2011 report, nearly 74 percent of all accidents happened during the day with good visibility; the peak time for accidents is 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Regardless of your plans, keep an eye on wind, water and visibility conditions before casting off.

Situational Awareness is Key

The No. 1 contributor to accidents was a distracted operator, followed by poor lookout. Nearly 24 percent of accidents in 2011 could have been avoided by people paying attention. To give you a little more perspective, 22 percent of accidents were boat collisions. Think there might be a connection there?
So, while you’re enjoying the day on the water, remember that your inattention could ruin someone else’s day—and yours.

When an Accident Happens, Safety First

We get it. Everyone looks a little ridiculous in a life jacket. Put one on anyway. In 2011, 54.7 percent of people who died drowned without a lifejacket, compared to just 11 percent who drowned with a lifejacket.
“But I’m a strong swimmer,” you may say. Well, strong swimmer, if you’re a mile from shore, you would have to swim the equivalent distance of nearly 53 lengths in a 25-meter pool…with a current and waves. “Impossible,” you say. “I’ll wait it out.” You may have to stay afloat for hours until rescue teams arrive. Swallow your pride and pop on a life jacket.
The key to your safety on the water is how much effort you put into it. Take a class and get informed. Make a plan and leave a copy with a family member, friend or neighbor. Exercise common sense. Drinking and operating a boat? Bad idea. Speeding? Bad idea. Having a good time while being safe? Great idea.

Stay safe on the water and protect your watercraft with Allstate Boat Insurance.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Making a blended family work

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SALT LAKE CITY — Life is a complicated and messy endeavor. Life Coach Kim Giles is here to help you with simple, principle-based solutions to the challenges you face. Coach Kim will empower you to get along with others and become the best you. Question:
My husband and I both have kids from previous marriages, and blending our families has been hard. We fight all the time, usually about his kids not getting along with my kids, his kids wrecking things, me not treating his kids good enough, or him spending too much time with his ex and her family. (I think he spends an abnormal amount of time with them.) I don’t know how to handle any of these issues, and they are tearing us apart. Can you offer some advice?
Answer:
Blending families is a really difficult endeavor and not for the faint of heart. I know — I am in a second marriage situation with kids myself, so I speak from experience.
There is a reason that 70 percent of second marriages fail, and the odds are even worse when children are involved. Making a step-family work is a huge challenge, but you can significantly improve your odds of making it if you get some help, plan ahead, and get educated so your expectations are realistic.

Studies have shown that 80 percent of couples entering a second marriage do nothing up front to prepare themselves for the complexities of the challenge. They think their love should be enough to get them through the difficulties.

Let me set the record straight right now: It isn’t.
You must get educated about step-families if you are going to make it. I highly recommend getting some books about step-families, attending seminars and classes, or getting some professional help to work through the challenging issues. Things will go much smoother when you know what you are doing and have a plan to deal with the challenges.
Here are some other tips that may help:
Improve your communication skills. This is the most important thing you must do. You must learn to have mutually validating conversations with your spouse and have them often. Couples who know how to communicate with respect, in a loving way, can solve almost any problem.
If you are unhappy with how much time your husband spends with his ex and her family, you need to talk about it and figure out what amount of time you would feel comfortable with. If you still can’t reach a compromise on this issue (and the many other issues that cause the fighting), you may need some professional help with your relationship skills.
Make the house rules, as a couple, ahead of time. You must be a united front and decide on rules, consequences, job sharing, conflict resolution and responsibilities ahead of time. Successful step-parents are always united on decisions and discuss their disagreements in private. They are a cohesive team in front of the children, so it is clear they cannot be played off each other.

Ask Coach Kim

Do you have a question for Coach Kim, or maybe a topic you'd like her to address?
Email her at kim@lifeadviceradio.com.

Couples should decide on the rules together, but the natural parent should be the one to dish out the discipline to their child. If the natural parent isn’t present, the step-parent can remind the child of the house rules and the consequences in a very loving and calm manner. If you can't speak to your step-children with kindness and respect, you need to get some help to change this.

Children deserve respect, understanding and kindness even when they mis-behave. If you treat children this way, they will respect you back. If you behave immaturely, lose control, yell and berate children, they will lose respect for you.
Give everyone some time to learn how to handle this complex situation. Your spouse has never been a step-parent before and neither have you, so you both need some time to figure this out. You must be patient and not expect your spouse to have all the answers and do everything right, right away.
Don’t rush the process of blending. Everyone needs time to get used to this new way of life. You must let each child set the pace for how close they want to be to the new step-parent and when. Don’t worry if they pull back at times; they are fighting a battle of loyalties that often confuses them. Don’t take their moving slow personally. It takes years to build strong relationships of trust.
Make sure you treat all the children the same. Feeling cheated, short-changed or left out is a common problem in step-families. Make things fair and the same, as much as possible.
Insist on mutual respect for everyone. Not everyone has to like each other, but they do have to respect each other. If you are going to make your step-family work, children must respect the adults in the home, and the adults must respect the children. This means listening to their thoughts and feelings and respecting their right to feel the way they do. Respect must happen in every interaction.
This will not be an easy road. It will test your love and patience on a daily basis, but you can do it, if you are both committed and open to getting some help.

About the Author: Kimberly Giles

Kimberly Giles gives her advice in the "LIFEadvice" series every Monday on ksl.com. She is the president of Claritypoint Life Coaching and a sought-after life coach and popular speaker who specializes in repairing self-esteem. Listen to her Self Esteem CPR Workshop at www.claritypointcoaching.com.

Monday, April 29, 2013

How to Start Improving Your Credit Health Right Now

You might not think about your credit that often, but when it comes time to apply for a loan it’s a top priority. The thing is, if you wait until that moment to concern yourself with your credit health, it’ll may be too late to do anything about it.

So instead of waiting until you need it, anticipate that someday you’ll probably apply for a mortgage or auto loan—or even a credit card—and take a few steps to start improving your credit health today.

Get rid of credit errors.

Get in the habit of checking your credit report on an annual basis to make sure that it is accurate.

Check your three, free credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com. You’re entitled to these once per year. After you’ve pulled your reports, go through them thoroughly to check for errors. You should look out for things like accounts you don’t recognize, late payments on accounts you’ve always paid on time, erroneous derogatory marks and even incorrect personal information. Small errors, like a wrongly reported mailing address, shouldn’t affect your credit score. But an incorrectly reported account could.

If you spot an error, use the FTC’s guidelines for disputing it with the credit bureau. If that doesn’t work, you can also go directly to the information provider to see if they’ll stop reporting the incorrect information.

Spot future errors early on by getting a credit monitoring service, like Credit Karma’s free one. You’ll be alerted to important changes on your credit report and can act quickly if you don’t recognize them.

Get a higher limit.

One of the most important factors of your credit score is your average credit card utilization rate. This percentage shows creditors how much of your available credit you’re using. Ideally, you should keep this number to less than 30 percent for good credit health.

One way to ensure your credit utilization stays low is to get higher credit limits on your credit cards. This should not lead you to spend more on your cards; it should just give you a nice buffer to stay well below a 30 percent utilization rate.

Most credit card issuers review and raise credit limits every six months or so. If it’s been a while since your last credit limit increase, try the direct approach. Call up your credit card company to request one, calling out your responsible credit behavior. Keep in mind that a request like this can sometimes result in a hard credit inquiry, which will ding your score a few points.

Use your old credit cards.

Unless you have a really good reason for closing out an old credit card account—like a high annual fee, for instance—keep these cards open and active. Creditors like to see long credit histories, especially if they’re clean. But it’s not enough to just keep old cards open; you also have to use them. The reason for this is that some credit card companies will close out inactive cards or at least stop reporting them to the credit bureaus. This can unexpectedly reduce your utilization rate, too.

Make a small purchase or two on your oldest card, or set up a recurring charge like a gym membership. Just make sure to pay off the balance each month.

Bottom Line: This should give you a good start in improving your credit health. Of course, make all of your bill payments on time; that’s the best way to maintain good credit health once you have it.

Bethy Hardeman writes on credit, personal finance and the economy for CreditKarma.com, a free credit management website that helps more than 8 million people access their credit score for free.

Bethy Hardeman is not an Allstate employee and does not represent Allstate. She did not receive monetary compensation for this post.

Monday, April 22, 2013

Spring is Here: Get Your Home Ready!

Spring weather was a little late in arriving in many parts of the country this year. Chances are, by now, you’re probably seeing some daffodils and tulips and hearing birds singing in the budding trees.
The arrival of spring brings thoughts of spring cleaning — and getting some maintenance projects under way before summer means you’ll be able to relax and enjoy your home by the time spring gives way to summer. Here are some home maintenance tips to help you welcome the arrival of spring weather.

Weatherstripping

The U.S. Department of Energy says weatherstripping the windows on your home is an easy and effective way to save money on your energy bill. Weatherstripping is a material you can apply around your window and door frames to ensure there’s a good seal. During the harsh winter months, it can help keep the warm air inside the house, and the cold drafts out. In the spring and summer, weatherstripping works the opposite way, helping to keep the cool air inside and the warm air out.
If you didn’t install weatherstripping before the winter cold set in, you may want to take this opportunity to seal your windows before you have to turn on the air conditioner — which could help save you money on your energy bills year-round. In the summer, if the cool air is contained inside, then the AC will not have to work as hard, and that may help you save money on your energy bill. The same can be true of your furnace when winter rolls back around.
Thinking about installing weatherstripping? The U.S. Department of Energy recommends that you apply weatherstripping to clean, dry surfaces in temperatures above 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Click here for more information.

Indoor Maintenance

Spring cleaning is a time-honored tradition, an opportunity to sweep the cobwebs from your home, clear out the dust that accumulated during the winter and let the sunshine in. While you’re up to your elbows in soap, washing the windows, defrosting the refrigerator and tackling what seems to be a never-ending list of spring cleaning chores, you might as well make a maintenance checklist, too. On those warmer days, you may want to do the following:
Test and clean ceiling fans. According to the the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, an efficient ceiling fan in each room you want to cool can help allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4 degrees Fahrenheit without reducing your comfort level. Ceiling fans are not only a good way to air out the house and generate a cross-breeze, but they have the potential to help you save money on your energy bill. With ceiling fans keeping the house cool, you may not have to turn up the AC as high. So, now might be a good time to make sure your fans are clean and ready to start cooling you off this spring.
Replace your AC filter. While the warm weather is still technically several weeks away, you want to make sure your air conditioner is prepared and ready to go. The National Center for Healthy Housing recommends you replace the filters in the air conditioner in the spring. A new filter will optimize the efficiency of the unit.
Replace torn or damaged window screens. If you don’t have an air conditioner, or if you simply like to keep the windows open in the spring and summer, it’s a good idea to make sure your screens are in good shape — you don’t want to let flies in with all that fresh air! Winter storms and wind can damage window screens, so it may be a good idea to assess any damage and replace what needs to be fixed.
Exterior Upkeep
Your window screens aren’t the only parts of your home that can fall victim to nasty winter weather, so you may want to take stock of your home’s condition. The National Center for Healthy Housing suggests that in the springtime, you may want consider these outdoor maintenance projects:
Check your roof shingles. This should be done by a licensed professional, as working on the roof can be dangerous without the proper training. You should ask the roofing professional to make sure the shingles are not curling or clawing. If they are, they are susceptible to leaks and may need to be replaced.
Replace rotten siding or trim. Make sure your home’s siding and trim aren’t damaged from windy, icy conditions. If your home is made of brick or stucco, look for any crumbling or deteriorated mortar. If you find a problem, contact a professional for help with repairing or replacing the damaged materials.
Clean gutters and downspouts. You’re making sure the inside of your home is clean; why not make sure your gutters are, as well? Get rid of any leaves of other debris that accumulated during the winter to make sure your gutters and downspouts are ready to take on those April showers. This job, too, is best left to a professional, as climbing on a ladder is required.
So, now’s the time to get those spring maintenance projects under way. By the time those May flowers start to bloom, you will be able to enjoy them with the peace of mind of knowing your home maintenance is up-to-date.
If you need a reminder to perform maintenance tasks at your home, click here to sign up for the Allstate Maintenance Reminder tool.

Check out more home-related topics on Allstate.com.