Column - Web Watch

by Eric Schwartzberg

There are the survivors of the entertainment world, flaunting their lives on television for the world to see, and then there are real survivors - the ones with the courage and perseverance to battle real challenges. This column is for them.

The largest source of private, nonprofit cancer research funds in the United States is The American Cancer Society. Its Web site (http://www.cancer.org) highlights the research, early detection and treatment available for cancer patients as well a way to find exhaustive amounts of resources for recovery, advocacy and assistance available to them locally.

Narrowing the focus slightly, The Fanconi Anemia Research Fund (http://www.fanconi.org) clarifies what FA is, how it is related to leukemia and other cancers, and how it is diagnosed and treated. This site also has a useful link to ••Fanconi Anemia: A Handbook for Families and Their Physicians••.

FA survivor Henry Strongin Goldberg has spent the first 5 years of his life enduring "endless waiting rooms, doctor's visits, blood tests, EKG's, bone marrow aspirations, IV's, surgeries, transfusions, drugs and recoveries." Hope For Henry (http://www.hsg.org) tells his story.

Cancer Care (http://www.cancercare.org) features a Cancer Care bookstore, several virtual workshops and even a section for physicians. The site's "program of the month" section recounts stories of individuals who have benefited from the organization's services and inspired others fighting seemingly insurmountable odds.

Similarly, Healthy Young Attitude (http://www.hya.org) offers support, information, and the sharing of ideas with young adults who are dealing with the physical and psychological effects of cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

For those who have survived the disease, The Cancer Survivors Network (http://www.acscsn.org/) provides an emotional outlet via personal Web pages, a discussion area and an expression gallery full of stories, quotes, poems and pictures.

Forty-three thousand mothers, sisters and friends will die from breast cancer this year. Learn more than statistics at The Breast Cancer Site (http://www.thebreastcancersite.com), which tells how to detect the second most lethal form of cancer before it is too late.

Want to make a difference in the fight against lung cancer? Donate Your Car to the American Lung Association (http://www.donateyourcar.com) can show how turning in your clunker can not only net a tax deduction, but it can help save a life.

Believe it or not, heart disease is the leading cause of death in America. Check out the news, recipes and health tips at Heartpoint (http://www.heartpoint.com/) and lower your risk of getting it.

Paul Michael Glaser, star of the '70s hit TV show "Starsky and Hutch," lost his daughter and wife to AIDS because of HIV-tainted blood. His wife and daughter's memories live on through the work of The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (http://www.pedaids.org). Click on the "how you can help" section to buy items at any of the thousands of Web sites listed at Greatergood.com. Up to 15 percent of each purchase automatically goes to the organization's efforts to provide care for children who have AIDS.

Schwartzberg, a junior journalism major, welcomes your comments and suggestions at ecstra@hotmail.com