By Sally Silbermann

It was two weeks before his junior prom in 1989 when Scott Dietz came home from school and discovered his mother lying unresponsive on the laundry room floor. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1983, Dietz’s mother had been fighting the disease valiantly but a tumor had surrounded some of the main blood vessels near the heart.

Dietz lost his mother just one day before her 43rd birthday.

“My mom was really the core,” he said. “She kept our family together.”

Scott was 16 years old when his mother died and her passing left a significant void.

His emotional struggle with his mother’s death continued into his late teen years. He went to college but dropped out, something he is convinced would never have happened if his mother were still alive.

“She was always very involved in my education,” he said. “I was 25 when I finally graduated from college, and I’ve always felt that she was pretty much my guardian angel through the whole thing.”

Unfortunately, this wouldn’t be Scott’s last experience with breast cancer.

In August of 2007, 18 years after his mother passed away as a result of breast cancer, one of Scott’s older sisters, Heather, was diagnosed with the disease and had a double mastectomy. After her diagnosis, Heather underwent genetic testing that showed she was positive for the BRCA2 gene, one of the genes associated with increased risk for breast cancer. Scott and his other older sister were also tested but neither had the gene.

Just over a year later, it was discovered that the cancer had spread to Heather’s liver. She died in January 2009 at the age of 39, leaving behind a husband and two young daughters.

For the second time in his life, Scott lost someone he loved dearly to breast cancer.

“You definitely go through that whole, ‘Why-my-family?’ experience,” said Scott. “Then you realize that cancer doesn’t care.”

Still grieving over the loss of his sister, Scott decided to try and turn his experience into something positive. He signed up for the inaugural Susan G. Komen Savannah Race for the Cure in 2009 and set out to get in shape, help raise funds and fight back against breast cancer. And that’s exactly what he did. Scott ran his first 5K and raised more than $7,000 that year to help find a cure for breast cancer.

“That first year was very emotional for me,” he said. “It was just a few months after my sister had passed away and there wasn’t a day that went by that I wasn’t dealing with some aspect of that. I had her memorial card in my pocket when I ran the race.”

Scott’s experience is one that is shared by people across the country and the globe. Women are diagnosed with breast cancer every day. And every day, the husbands, brothers, sisters, children and friends of those diagnosed are standing by their side, fighting with them every step of the way.

In 2010, more than 207,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States alone.

Scott continues to support the overall mission of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Coastal Georgia Affiliate. He remembers the struggles of his mother and sister and holds hope that one day soon, there will be a cure.

“I think of my daughter, who’s 7,” he said. “I’d like to think that when she grows up, breast cancer won’t even be an issue.”

The Komen Savannah Race for the Cure will be held Saturday, April 16, at 8:15 a.m. at Telfair Square. Organizers hope to race $330,000 with the event, which will go to fund research, education, screening and treatment programs. To register, go to www.komencoastalgeorgia.org.

ABOUT GENETIC TESTING
With genetic counseling, you can find out if you have a higher-than-average risk of developing breast cancer. Then, you can work with your physician to determine the best steps to take to protect your health.

You may be at an increased risk of developing breast cancer if you or members of your family have experienced the following:
• Breast cancer before age 50
• Ovarian cancer at any age
• Cancer in both breasts or multiple breast tumors at any age
• Male breast cancer at any age
• Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry with breast or ovarian cancer at any age
• Breast cancer over age 50 in addition to having one or more relatives with breast cancer or ovarian cancer

“You know the saying, ‘It runs in the family.’ Well, sometimes breast cancer does. Five to 10 percent of breast cancers are hereditary,” said Shai Huffard-King, M.S., a certified genetic counselor at the Curtis and Elizabeth Anderson Cancer Institute at Memorial University Medical Center. “The good news is that if you or a family member has had breast cancer, there are genetic tests you can do to look for those genes. Finding out early if you or a family member is at risk could help save a life. Talk to your doctor about genetic counseling if you have a family history of breast cancer.”

The Curtis and Elizabeth Anderson Cancer Institute at Memorial University Medical Center offers genetic counseling services. To learn more, talk to your doctor or call 1-877-224-8515.

ABOUT THE RACE FOR THE CURE
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. The Coastal Georgia Affiliate of Komen for the Cure is working to better the lives of those facing breast cancer in the local community joining more than 1 million breast cancer survivors and activists around the globe as part of the world’s largest and most progressive grassroots network fighting breast cancer. Through events like the Komen Savannah Race for the Cure®, the Coastal Georgia Affiliate has invested more than $750,000 in community breast health programs in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long and McIntosh counties. Up to 75 percent of net proceeds generated by the Affiliate stays in coastal Georgia. The remaining income goes to the national Susan G. Komen for the Cure Grants Program to fund research. For more information, call 912-232-2535 or visit www.komencoastalgeorgia.org.

Sally Silbermann is a volunteer with the Coastal Georgia Affiliate of Komen for the Cure.

Biggest Loser Cookbook Tells You How

 Who says losing weight means eating bland food? The Biggest Loser Dessert Cookbook (Rodale, 2010; $21.99) puts that myth to rest with more than 80 healthy treats that satisfy your sweet tooth without breaking your calorie budget.

Written by Chef Devin Alexander, The Biggest Loser Dessert Cookbook features sweet recipes made without artificial sweeteners, white flour, white sugar or refined products of any kind. It’s the first all-desserts cookbook to feature low-calorie, low-fat desserts such as Pumped Up Pumpkin Bites, Fudge Swirl Peanut Butter Cupcakes, Mexican “Fried” Ice Cream and Pecan Praline Cookie Thins.

Alexander, a professionally trained chef and caterer, is the former chef of The Biggest Loser and host of Healthy Decadence with Devin Alexander. She has authored many other cookbooks as well.

To give you a “taste” of what you’ll find in the cookbook, here are two delicious recipes from The Biggest Loser Dessert Cookbook.

OUTRAGEOUS ORANGE CUPCAKES
Butter-flavored cooking spray
1 cup whole-grain oat flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large egg whites
1/2 cup fat-free, fruit-juice-sweetened vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup agave nectar
2 tablespoons orange juice concentrate
2 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon orange extract
1/2 tablespoon dried orange peel
2 cups, “Cut The Crap Whipped Topping,” divided
2 teaspoons freshly grated orange zest, divided

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Line 8 cups of a standard, nonstick muffin tin with foil cupcake liners (see note). Lightly mist them with spray. 

Add the flour to the bowl of a food processor or mini-food processor fitted with a chopping blade.  Process it for 2 minutes.
Place a sifter over a small mixing bowl. Add the flour mixture, baking soda, baking power and salt.  Sift them into the bowl.  Set the mixture aside.

In a medium mixing bowl, using a sturdy whisk (or a spatula if you don’t have one), mix  the egg whites, yogurt, agave, juice concentrate, butter and extracts until well combined.  Stir in the flour mixture until just combined.  Then stir in the orange peel. 

Divide the batter among the prepared cups, filling each cup about two-thirds full. Bake the cupcakes for 19-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out dry (a few crumbs are OK).  Let them cool completely then divide the whipped topping among them, about 1/4 cup on each, spreading it evenly over the tops. Sprinkle the tops evenly with the orange zest, about 1/4 teaspoon on each.

Note: It is very important that you do not use paper liners.  Full fat baked goods tend to have so much fat in them, that the paper ones are fine, but lower-fat treats stick to the paper.  Note that the most common brands of foil wrappers often come with a paper-liner between each foil liner, so be sure to remove the paper liners.

Makes 8 cupcakes.  Each (1 cupcake + 1/4 cup whipped topping) serving has: 144 calories, 4 g protein, 24 g carbohydrates (17 g sugar), 4 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 8 mg cholesterol, 1 g fiber, 238 mg sodium

FROZEN BLUEBERRY MARGARITA
Before you start making the drinks, it’s important to have all the ingredients ready. You don’t want the blueberries and ice to melt while you’re squeezing lemons and limes. If desired, you can rim your serving glass with lime juice and salt.
   
3 cups frozen blueberries
1/2 cup gold or silver tequila
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1/4 cup light agave nectar
24 ice cubes
4 lime wedges for garnish (optional)

Add the blueberries, tequila, lemon and lime juices, agave and ice to a blender with ice-crushing ability. Blend on high until the mixture is smooth. Divide the margaritas among four 12-ounce glasses and serve immediately.

Makes 4 servings. Per serving: 188 calories, < 1 g protein, 33 g carbohydrates (27 g sugar), < 1 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 3 g fiber, < 1 g sodium

Coordinators of “Laughs for Lemonade: An Evening of Comedy to Benefit Mom’s Lemonade Fund,” presented $15,000 to the Curtis and Elizabeth Anderson Cancer Institute at Memorial University Medical Center.  

Laughs for Lemonade was held at the Lucas Theatre in July. It featured Karen Morgan, finalist on Nick at Nite's Search for the Funniest Mom in America, and Nancy Witter, a four-time New York City MAC Award-winning stand-up comedian.

“Laughs for Lemonade was a fun way to raise money to fight ovarian cancer and raise awareness about this silent disease. We’re working with the Memorial Health Foundation to make it an annual fundraiser. After all, laughter is the best medicine,” said Dr. Natalie Hogan, originator of the Laughs for Lemonade event.

More than 25,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year. In August 2009, the families of Ellen Hogan and Mary Ann Mahfet created Mom’s Lemonade Fund. The mission of the fund is to raise awareness of ovarian cancer, assist with patients’ emotional and medical needs, and provide comfort care items for patients, their family members and caregivers. Funds raised so far have been used to purchase blanket warmers, blankets, scarf grippers, wigs, gas cards, portable DVDs and prescriptions. As the fund grows, donations may be used to support a broad range of needs, including equipment, research and educational programming. The Mom’s Lemonade Fund has raised more than $45,000 to date.

The Chatham County Health Department is now participating in the Planning for Healthy Babies (P4HB) program initiated by the Georgia Department of Community Health. P4HB will provide family planning services through the Georgia Medicaid program to women who previously did not qualify for Medicaid benefits. The focus of the program is to improve Georgia’s low birth weight and very low birth weight rates.

According to DCH, implementation of the P4HB program will impact Georgia’s families by:
• Providing family planning-related services to eligible women who meet income requirements.
• Increasing child spacing intervals through effective contraceptive use.
• Reducing the number of low birth weight and very low birth weight births through access to prenatal planning, health education and vitamins.
• Providing access to inter-pregnancy care services to women with a previous very low birth weight infant.

“This is a wonderful program that will help provide services for the women who need it and simply cannot afford it,” said Cathy Schmid, R.N., Chatham County Health Department nurse manager.

Women must meet certain requirements in order to be eligible for the program. Applications for enrollment are available online at planning4healthybabies.org and can also be picked up at the Chatham County Health Department.

For more information, visit dch.georgia.gov/p4hb or call 1-877-P4H-B101 or 1-877-744-2101.