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East Haven - Tweed Airport
Last Update: 5:17pm Jan 6, 2009
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Wintry Mix, Probability Of Precipitation: 100%Rain/Sleet, Probability Of Precipitation: 100%
Wintry Mix
34°F | 28°F		Rain/Sleet
35°F | 31°F
Current Conditionss:
This observation is more than 4019 hours old
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly cloudy
75°F (24°C)
wind is from the east at 9 mph
barometric pressure is 30.01" (1016.1 mb)
(Last Updated on Jul 23, 9:53 am EDT)
Windsor Locks - Bradley Airport
Short Term Forecast
Winter Storm Warning
Last Update: 6:17pm Jan 6, 2009
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Wintry Mix, Probability Of Precipitation: 100%Rain, Probability Of Precipitation: 100%
Wintry Mix
36°F | 28°F		Rain
35°F | 31°F
Current Conditionss:
This observation is more than 4019 hours old
Light Rain Fog/Mist
Light rain fog/mist
70°F (21°C)
wind is from the east at 5 mph
barometric pressure is 30.03" (1016.8 mb)
(Last Updated on Jul 23, 9:51 am EDT)
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Sketches of Strength, Chapter 2 - Geraldine Ferraro Print E-mail
Written by Dr. Mel   
Friday, 13 January 2006
Article Index
Sketches of Strength, Chapter 2 - Geraldine Ferraro
Page 2
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Page 3 of 3

For now, in 2000, Geraldine travels to Boston. The myeloma cells are growing and treatment is necessary. She is first given steroids which make her restless and uncomfortable. One of the options at that point was to undergo a stem cell bone marrow transplant where high dose chemotherapy is accompanied by the filtering of one’s own stem cells from the marrow and followed by the reinfusion of the stem cells once most of the marrow is destroyed by the chemo. The stem cells then rebuild the marrow, along with the immune system, with the hope that most of the myeloma cells will be destroyed in the process. The treatment is standard for myeloma, but Geraldine was anxious to try something less harsh and something that was new and promising- so she started with relatively low doses of thalidomide. Geraldine was sleeping again. The thalidomide worked, After a year of treatment with thalidomide, she went into total remission with no sign at all of myeloma in her marrow. She says, “There’s nothing wrong with me!”

Well, that may not exactly be the case. The thalidomide does have side effects including neuropathy which is the deadening of nerves in hands and feet. Geraldine does have numbness in a leg, and that effects her walking- but not that much. She is on her treadmill for 25 to 30 minutes each day. She, of course, watches her diet, and amazingly, a bone density test has shown that she has the bones of a 30-year old. She still takes medication to protect her bones, and during those treatments, her husband is always by her side. She calls her husband a “mother hen.” Geraldine is being watched closely. The myeloma could always become active once again. There is still no cure for the disease, and to that effort of finding one, she channeled her political instinct and energy.

Initially, she did not go public with her diagnosis. This was a personal matter between herself and her family. But in 2001, she was convinced that she would be able to help countless people if she helped raise awareness of the disease, and at the same time, assisted others in raising funds for myeloma research through congress and the private sector. Maybe it was time for Geraldine to contact her former colleagues and see what could be done in acquiring support for a disease that until recently received so little attention. At that time, a bill was being drafted in congress to appropriate $275 million for blood-related cancer research which would include work in leukemia, lymphoma, as well as myeloma. For the first time, Geraldine stepped up to the cameras and announced her diagnosis. The announcement was carried by all the networks, and she went on to push for approval of the blood cancer bill. An advocacy day was set aside for patients to go to Washington and appeal to their congress people. Geraldine made her own appeals in a special hearing which was broadcast nationally. She garnered tremendous attention and support. The bill was passed. Certainly many advocacy groups and several members of congress including Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas were key forces in the passage of this milestone legislation, but it was Geraldine who provided the spark which captured the attention of a nation. The appropriation included $25 million for cancer education- that portion of the bill was named the Geraldine Ferraro Cancer Education Program.

That’s why Geraldine calls her diagnosis a “win.” This has been her greatest campaign.
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