Christmas Time Is Almost Here

With Christmas time approaching I can't help but be in a better mood. I don't know what it is about Christmas but it always makes me feel different. Christmas is a big deal in my family especially since my grandmother died a couple years ago from breast cancer. We have all made this pact to keep her traditions going. She always like beautiful trees and she like everyone to cook. My oldest aunt is usually cooks Christmas Eve dinner, while my youngest aunt cooks the whole Christmas day dinner, and my mom is in charge of the desserts. Christmas is also the only time of the year I really think about my nana and sometimes even cry. Christmas means so much to my family and it brings us together. Im glad we are all here to celebrate they way she would have loved it. 

 

Submitted by Stefani Mucci

Spotlight on TAD Clinical Research

Dear Colleague,

In this update, we’re reflecting on the progress made in the last few months by recognizing those who made it possible.

First, we share a story from Site 5006 (TAD Clinical Research) in Texas, USA. Read how the team there is successfully consenting and enrolling a unique patient population.

Next, we invite you to see the list of badges below to review the milestones achieved by your peers. Some are for FPIs from months past, while others celebrate more recent news, such as the November site initiation of Dr. Haidar's team at Mississippi Medical Research in Mississippi, USA. Our thanks and congratulations go out to all badge recipients. We look forward to awarding you *your* next badge!

We are also pleased to welcome 89 more CONNECTS users this week. You can see members new and old from your region or who share your role in the trial by visiting the Directory and using the selection boxes on the left side.

All members are encouraged to complete their profile if they haven't already done so. We are proud of the team we've assembled and want to know more about you. You may be wondering about the best way to complete the "About Me" section of your profile. Two fictional examples follow to give you an idea. Feel free to share your personal as well as professional interests. We are not only a talented team, but an interesting one, too.

EXAMPLE 1: "I’ve been a urologist at a mid-sized practice here in Florida for the last 15 years. I attended medical school at Duke and residency and fellowship in Boston. We conduct a good number of trials at our practice. I’m excited about the science of this trial and I think the outcome of this trial will improve the care of our patients. On the personal side I’m an avid boater and have three kids, the oldest of whom is about to start med school."

EXAMPLE 2: "I’m the research coordinator for all of our trials. I was a critical care nurse and made the switch to focusing full time on clinical trials around ten years ago. The first trial I worked on was TITAN. Outside of work I’m a mother to three, grandmother to two and an avid reader."

Remember to post a picture, as well.

Finally, we are still taking questions for our "Ask Obi" video series.

Submitted by Diana Vergato

Does Natural Food Mean It's Organic?

My family and I have recently started a change in our eating habits. Besides cutting down on sweets we have been purchasing organic groceries. We never looked into the "organic lifestyle" until a friend of ours introduced us to it last year after she had developed breast cancer. It is appalling to find out all the pesticides and growth hormones that are applied or injected into the foods we eat which are can be contributing factors to many cancer. Organic foods use natural fertilizers, such a manure or compost to feed soil and plants. Organic meats also provide a leaner, healthier and fresher taste for the body. Organic meats are results from animals that are fed with a healthy diet as opposed corn feed cows with hormone injections. Eating organic will help provide a healthier lifestyle! However there are two downfalls, they take longer to produce and they are more pricier than conventional groceries. Remember, even though a product claims that it is all Natural, or Hormone-Free, it does not mean that it is UNLESS it has a USDA seal!

Submitted by Elizabeth Kinchan

My Inner Geek Is Stoked: Free- Standford University Classes

I did not believe it at first. Good News! It is for real. I just signed up for two free classes at Standford University. I will not get actual college credit but will receive a certificate of completion. I think it is awesome Standford went from offering 3 free classes to 14 come 2012. Besides it being refreshing that there are educators who enjoy what they do so much they are willing to do it for free I will get to explore interests I have for free as try to narrow down the path I take. I will be participating in:

 

The Lean Launchpad

http://youtu.be/AINJpHoefDc

&

Cryptography

http://youtu.be/QVL1gjS20XU

 

Submitted by Cullen McManus

Black Friday

The day after Thanksgiving is called Black Friday. It's a day full of savings on presents that people like to give loved ones for Christmas. People take this time of year very seriously. Even though there are great deals, I think there are more fights than anything. I heard on the news that some lady took pepper spray and was spraying people to get to a certain item that she wanted. I think this is a little ridiculous and is out of control. I think that people should be a little more considerate of others when they are shopping and not fight over something that they have thousands of in stock. 

Submitted by Katelynne Fortin

Another day

November 22nd, 2011 passed without a hitch the other day, but I gave a moment of my day to reflect on an event that happened 48 years prior. The event of the John F. Kennedy assassination. Around this time of the year I often find myself asking what would this country be like if he were to have lived out his days as president normally. Would he have finished his term? Would he have run for another and win? Wondering if the course of history would have lead to his brother Bobby eventually reaching the high title of president as well. It is morbid to dwell on the fact that you can't change what had happened that fateful day. Much like all things that come to pass you cannot change, but scenerios are often played in this brain of mine whether or not it would be a better place this United States of America. I feel that the US has lost its beacon of opportunity, life, and happiness in recent years. 9/11 had more of a significant impact, maybe that might have not come to pass had the Kennedy's ruled the roost. LBJ wouldn't have had his say, a generation may not have been lost in Vietnam, and Watergate may have never fully been played out. It's unfortunate the way America's family the Kennedys had so much bad luck, and truley promising talents that never fully blossomed. I salute JFK, you don't wish an event such as this every occurs, but it possible at any point in time.

Submitted by Joe Castiglia

Thanksgiving

This past Thursday was Thanksgiving as everyone knows. My family has a really different tradition for Thanksgiving. We used to have a big traditional dinner with my entire family including extended aunts, uncles, and cousins.We dressed up and looked fancy, but when my grandmother died we switched it up. Now my Aunt Lisa does a small dinner with just 10 of us. We have pajama Thanksgiving. We all wear our pajamas and just eat and watch a Christmas movie. Its really fun for me because it makes me miss my grandmother but it also makes me realize how close my family is and that is what I'm truly thankful for.


Submitted by Stefani Mucci