Lysa,

Terrible..I hate even talking and reading about this.

Lysa,  Great post.. you really hit home I can't tell you how nervous I am about skin cancer living in South Florida. 

Lysa, my area has one of the highest cancer rates in the country.  A good friend and neighbor is beating lung cancer, and she never smoked.  She's a year younger than me and raising two daughters.  We went to school together and hearing about it made me feel like I got hit in the stomach.  There's a lot of things about the world I'd like to change, and cancer is a big one.  

Lysa....good point.

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Lysa: A very compelling and thought-provoking post!

Mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer linked to asbestos exposure is showing up on Minnesota's Iron Range at a much higher rate than in the general population: "The Iron Range is a region in the northeastern part of Minnesota that is rich in taconite, a hard rock containing iron and silica used to make iron ore pellets that are melted down into steel. Iron Range workers may have been exposed to asbestos at various construction and labor jobs in and around the taconite mines. Taconite dust may also be contaminated with asbestos..." [Source]

Jay 

Neal, It is terrible, but unless we read and talk about it (in other words don't stick our heads in the sand) nothing will get done to fix it.

Matt, I hear you, use your sunblock and wear a hat! (Listen to me would you?) I dislike hats on my head. They make my head itch :(

Sarah, Has anyone ever asked why that is? I'm glad your friend is beating this, she is beating the odds!

Al, Thank you!

Jay, Thank you. I've not heard of Mesothelioma. That reminds me of Black Lung, the coal miners disease my grandfather had.

Lysa, I assume it's because of the chemical plants we used to have all over the place.  There aren't as many now, but for years they chugged out whatever they made into the air.  Used to eat the paint off a nearby bridge.  Can't be good to breathe.  (The state finally asked the chemical plants what kind of paint they used on their buildings so they could use it on the bridge.  They'd start painting at one end and by the time they got to the other, it was time to paint again.  I am not kidding.)

Also, we have a high smoking and obesity rate.  Low income, lots of people without insurance.  Lots of reasons, really.  This is a great place to live, but there's always something to balance it out. 

Lysa,

I've got to agree with you 100%.  There is a yound lady in our office who just realized she has Breast Cancer....luckily she caught it very early.  Going Green is a step in the right direction. 

Lysa,

I agree, too many people with this terrible diesease. My father in-law diagnosed with Mesothelioma, last christmas had his lung removed is doing ok. But his life turned upside down overnight. Something to think about.

Lysa

Hmmmmmmmm .........There are some many things I want to say --I'll try and stay on point though -- your last sentence that you wrote is very powerful

We need to start taking better care of our planet. I read once, "We are only renting the Earth, we don't own her" We really do need to remember that.

That last sentence reminds me of a verse out of a special book that states Humans are a vicegerent on Earth. 

To that point, going Green is definitely a step in the right direction along with how we treat one another.  Personally, I think we need to send a message to the media – sorta like what occurred here in AR with a newly formed group (POSITIVE ATTITUDE for the Weary Soul)

I stopped watching the news awhile back b/c after watching it I was depressed and knew that through my experiences good things were happening, however, if all you hear is negative crapola –you would think not.

Ok – I have rambled enough – thank you for bringing this to our attention.  A high school friend of mine overcame her cancer by going on a regiment of products from the Chinese health food store –of course the FDA des not recognize that.

I agree, and I hope the best for your friends...

Sarah, your response about the plant didn't surprise me. It sure saddens me though. Lets find out how to keep the bridge painted instead of finding out what's causing the paint to peel off? :(

Jason, My best to your co-worker. I have a friend that went through that 4 yrs ago, she is now 3 yrs cancer free.

Suzanne, Until today, like I told Jay, I've never heard of this form. What a horrible thing and to happen over the holidays.

Aziz, Yes "Going Green" is a great step forward for a lot of reasons, I think it will help the fight against cancer too. A friends husband (not mentioned in my post) is also fighting cancer using Chinese Herbs, I understand this does help him a lot. Lets not even go there with the FDA. Sometimes non traditional works better then the poison the Drs want to use to kill this evil.

I also agree with you on the News, we need more Good News segments. It does get rather depressing.

Gabe, Thank you so very much.

Lysa, once again you hit the nail on the head! BodyBalance for everyone

Lysa...Too close to home on this one!

I lost my dear cousin in January, another friend has but weeks(if that)another friend just had surgery for liver cancer

I am a 3 year BC survivor and my husband has Prostate Cancer...What more can I say? This disease sucks!

Lysa, I agree, I am noticing too much of this.  My uncle just had some skin cancer removed and a very young friend with 6 kids didn't survive his cancer.  I watched my Grandma, the love of my life, struggle for years through breast cancer and cervical cancer and my father in law died of a very rare cancer 6 years ago.... Its everywhere!  I just want it to go away!  (3 out of the 4 of these are not smokers)

Not only do we have to take care of the planet, but we have to help educate consumers about "natural" occuring things that are harmful -- e.g., radon, arsenic etc.  Many agents are ignorant and don't insure that their buyer clients do appropriate testing.   Seller agents also tell their seller -- oh, it is not big deal! These agents will do and say anything to make the sale -- even at the cost of a life.  I don't know how they sleep at night.

Good post! Taking care of the planet is something we all need to realize is a necessity! We have this one planet and have our best to misuse it so far! Going green and getting back to basics is a start!

Gary, Body Balence, I like that!

Joan, I remember you telling me this. I bet each and every one of us has lost at least 3 people we know to this evil. I know the count is higher for me, w/o thinking I can name 5. One is a family member. It needs to be stopped.

Kim, was this the Police Officer you mentioned (the father of 6)? I want it to go away too, but looking at the maps it's getting worse not better since 1970. Ok, so there are many many more people in our country since then. But, my gut feeling is that isn't why.

Joan W. Your comment is a eye opener to me. I can't imagine one human saying that to another and like you said, sleep at night. That angers me to no end.

Bill & Barbara Jo, You are so right, boy have we done a job on planet Earth. I hope that it isn't too late to save her, Going Green seems to be the best thing for her and us. I wonder.. here we are going out to space looking for other planets to live on, have we learned our lesson or will we do the same 100 yrs from now?

Lysa, I have lost so many friends, my age with skin cancer, and relatives as well.  Nice post, that needed to be written, glad you did it.  Thanks.

Lysa, Yes the police officer was the father of six...  The charity ride is next weekend if you can make it!  :o)

Hi Bob, Thank you. That means a lot to me.

Kim, I would love to come, wish ya'll were closer!

Lysa, how do we stop it?  Corporations are not held accountable, the cruise lines are still allowed to dump sewage into the ocean, our neighbors pollute by using weed control, fertilizers, and insecticides.  The situation is completely out of control.  I don't think this planet will ever see a "clean" day again.  And its so sad to think, it took less than 100 years for it to go from clean drinking water, fresh air, and green horizons, to everything being so polluted it makes the inhabitats sick.  Thanks for the reference to my post.  The word on all these proliferating diseases needs to get out.

Lysa, we had a family reunion this weekend and one of my uncles there used to work at a chemical plant.  He mentioned that they never had mice or rats there, EVER.  They couldn't live in that stuff.  Nice, huh?

Terry, I hope more people stopped by your post, I notice there are not any new comments. :(

Sarah, Gee, peeling paint and no mice or rats? Is your uncles health ok?  That's some real scary stuff! Wonder what the closed down chemical plants left behind :(

I am speechless... Indeed there is so much pain and life deterioration around us, and we seem to be unaware and helpless. We need to wake up and take action until is to late.

Lysa,

Great thought provoking post. The fact that so many people have cancer nowadays definitely has to do with our environment, and Global Worming is one of the obvious side effects. Hey, we don't need the proof, here in Florida: we have been experiencing higher than average temperatures recently! It'S HOT OUT BABY...

Arina, Yes you're right, we need to take responsibility for our actions too. I'm begining with looking for organic ant killer for my new banana trees. Ants love these trees, but I don't want to use any chemicles on these trees or the ground.

Anna, Isn't that the truth. I wasn't much for the global warming theory until the last couple years, due to the fact weather records have only been kept for a couple hundred years. However, with the science we now have and the digging we've been doing into the ice and earth, lakes etc.. I'm believing more and more.

Lysa~

The thing that encourages me is that we real estate professionals are in a powerful position to create change with compassion.   All we need to do is keep doing what youdid here...(which, BTW is one of the many reasons why I subscribe to your BLOG)..

.and that is help make others aware of how all living things are connected...in a "web of life" that is delicate and strong and that affects us all...and offer eco-wise remedies such as

1. Low VOC paints that do not off-gas toxic chemicals
2. Non-toxic floor coverings
3. Clean air and water initiatives in our local communities
4. Native landscaping
5. Green-built homes

 So..just this simple...

Lysa -- It's hard for people to remain healthy when the planet is sick.  It is everyone's responsibility to pull together and create a better healthier environment.  I'm glad you pointed out how those close to us are affected.

janeAnne, your response means so much to me. With that native landscaping, organic fertilizer! Thanks so much!

Lori, You summed up in one sentance what it took a whole blog for me to say! Thanks!

Lysa,

Our organization has files of closed dumps (landfills) across the country that have contaminated drinking water and caused serious illnesses, including cancer.  People can protect themselves by knowing where these closed dumps are and what has been built on top of them.  Homes, schools, parks, golf courses, shopping centers and mobile home parks have been developed on top of dumps that contain cancer-causing chemicals.  Visit our website for lists of dumps, cancer clusters, and studies linking health problems and birth defects to exposure to chemicals for dumps.  Contact us for more information if you're concerned about where you live or where you are planning to move.

Janice

People Investigating Toxic Sites 

toxicsites.org

Lysa,  this is very interesting and true.  The street my parents live on is nuts.  They have had ACS out there several times.  There are houses on the street where everyone in the home, current and past owners alike, have had cancer.  The same kind of cancer.  I think there are 3 homes on the street that have not had someone affected.  Talk about a Cancer Cluster...They have not figured it out and say there is no reason to believe that is something in the area.  Geez.  Great post and Thanks for bringing this up.

Janice, I checked out the site and just love the photo.  That's crazy.   Toxic Dump right next to new homes.  What were they thinking?

Hi Janice, Thanks for stopping by! I just had a look at your site and it is very interesting and sad. It's just incredible what we've done to our planet :(

Stephanie, "They have not figured it out and say there is no reason to believe that is something in the area" Thats ridiculous! I'm left speechless by that sentance, and that doesn't happen often.

Hi Lisa, I'm actully going in for skin cancer surgery this week...and they found it on four different sections. I know it'svery common and can't say I'm very concerned (or perhaps I should be?!?!?) but I agree with you. What are we doing to ourselves and why is this becoming so common?