Am writing this on the 1st day of Spring and it is such a blessing to see the sun again!! I know we need the rain and our new pond is filling much faster than we could imagine last fall. The green grass will soon show as well as the tulips and daffodils, take the time to just absorb their miracle.

Our Stay Healthy Stay Strong group completed their class last evening and there is a buzz in the air on continuing the work we have started. Please join us the 2nd of April at 6 pm. The program has been researched and tested by several of us in the congregation for several years now. We work to strengthen our joints, muscles, bones and spirit with simple yet challenging sets of exercises specially formulated for those adults 50+. Yes, I just had a birthday but am still a couple years from that mark! It is amazing to see the improvement every single participant experienced with just 10 sessions. Even more amazing is to see one of our own who has been hospitalized, received treatment for cancer with numerous complications, work out with us each week and slowly begin to regain her strength. So you owe it to yourself to do something for yourself 1 hour a week.

It's that time of year to begin planning for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. This years date is June 6th and 7th at the Boone County Fair grounds. Kaitlyn has been instrumental in the past 2 years in organizing and getting money from the Olivet community for this very worthy cause and for that I am indebted. Each of us has been personally affected by cancer in our lives. Cancer research is making fabulous strides with research for cures. Now we must focus on the causes of cancer and more importantly on the prevention of this devastating disease process.

The American Cancer Society reports that cancer mortality rates in the US continue to decline, although the actual cancer-related deaths have risen as reported in Cancer Facts & Figures 2008. Despite these reported numbers researchers note that progress is being made in the fight against cancer. Statistics show that prostate, lung and colorectal cancers account for ½ of all cancers in men. For women breast, lung and colorectal cancer make up 50%. Cancer incident rates have more or less leveled out since the late 1990's, however certain cancers do appear to be on the decline. Lung cancer cases are steady for women but are down for men. Female breast cancer incidence rates have decreased 3.5% from 2001-2004.

Because our population continues to grow cancer cases and even cancer deaths will continue to rise. We can help find that cure for cancer by:

*Keeping ourselves healthy through diet and exercise.

*Keep scheduled appointments with our health care provider ands have the cancer screenings that are recommended based on our age, sex and risk factors.

*Volunteer our time, talent and resources for cancer research.

If anyone has some extra time and would like to co-chair Olivet's Relay for Life Team please contact me ASAP. A few people's help can make a huge impact on lives saved.

"The world and its desire are passing way, but those who do the will of God live forever. " 1 John 2:17

Serving you in Christ,

Karen D Bradley, RNC-Olivet Parish Nurse