Michigander in Mass

Back in December, I shared the story of my cousin's fight with cancer on this blog. This year, my wife will be riding in the Pan Mass Challenge to keep Brad's fight, one that he personally lost, alive.

The Pan-Massachusetts Challenge raises money for life-saving cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through an annual bike-a-thon that crosses the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Since its founding in 1980, the PMC has successfully melded support from committed cyclists, volunteers, corporate sponsors and individual contributors.

Mailin is riding for Team Novartis, and her company sponsor is matching any contribution of $25 or higher made through their team. You can click here to make sure your donation gets matched. Even if you can't contribute $25, any amount would be appreciated!

Thank you!

Thanks again for all the support I got yesterday and today as I find a way to deal with the death of my cousin Brad of cancer at 37. I was planning on another series of Twitter posts (I’m at http://twitter.com/vanhoosear) today, but I don’t want to overwhelm folks. So I decided I’d put a post up here, on a personal blog that is very sadly underutilized (and in any case usually dedicated to urban development and our town of Somerville, Mass.). You can read my PR-focused posts on the Tech PR Gems blog at http://topazpartners.blogspot.com/. This just didn’t seem appropriate for that blog.

Here are some more facts about pancreatic cancer, many from Brad’s mother, who has been at Brad’s side throughout his terrible ordeal.

In 2007, The National Cancer Institute estimates 37,170 new cases of pancreatic cancer and 33,370 deaths in USA. Most people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer will have passed away by the end of the first year. Americans are twice as likely to be affected by pancreatic cancer that Europeans, for reasons unknown.

The symptoms of pancreatic cancer, according to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancreatic_cancer, but verified elsewhere) include pain in the upper abdomen that typically radiates to the back and is relieved by leaning forward, loss of appetite, significant weight loss and jaundice. By the time you feel the pain from pancreatic cancer, however, it's likely already beyond most typical cancer treatments currently available.

Furthermore, there are currently no non-intrusive, conclusive tests for pancreatic cancer beyond magnetic and sonic imaging that can pick up cancer masses, but which typically are only authorized after symptoms appear, when it’s already too late.

There are some known risk factors for the disease (the Wikipedia article lists several), and a few preventative measures, including quitting smoking, taking vitamin D, and eating foods rich in vitamins B12, B6 and folate.

The incidence of pancreatic cancer increases with age; most people are between 60 and 80 when they receive the diagnosis. Brad was 37. He was so young that, even though his symptoms were exactly those of the cancer, he was misdiagnosed because of his age. The doctor even said “If you were 60, I’d say you had pancreatic cancer.” Well, he did. But even if he had been diagnosed, it would’ve been too late.

There are people actively looking into ways to new treatment options. One such person is Michelle Calabretta, Ph.D., who blogs about her research at http://drmiggy.wordpress.com/ (she’s also on Twitter at http://twitter.com/drmiggy), but there are many others—you can read her blog for lots of good information and links to all kinds of cancer research, not just pancreatic.

In the U.S., pancreatic cancer is 9th or 10th most commonly diagnosed cancer (depending on gender), but the fourth leading cause of cancer death in men and women. The median survival period from the time of diagnosis until demise is arguably the worst of any of the cancers. The median survival for untreated advanced cancer of the pancreas is about 3 1/2 months; with good treatment this increases to about six months. Brad fought the disease for a year and a half—his youth and strength of spirit carried him.

I knew very little about this disease when Brad was first diagnosed. Quickly, however, I learned that a coworker’s cousin had dies of it. When I tweeted about it yesterday (http://twitter.com/vanhoosear), more cases came out of the woodwork. In my network of 300+ Twitter followers, six wrote back saying they had lost a friend, acquaintance or family member to this disease! (Dozens more shared sympathy and support, for which I am very thankful, as is Brad’s direct family, with whom I shared this groundswell of support.)

A diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is a death sentence. There is no cure, few treatment options, and the 5 year survival rate is less than 5%. Despite this high mortality rate, the federal government spends woefully little money on pancreatic cancer research. It’s a very painful way to die, few treatments exist, and no cures.

The National Cancer Institute’s cancer research budget was $4.824 billion in 2004, an estimated $52.7 million of which was devoted to pancreatic cancer (1% of the budget for the fourth leading cause of cancer death in men and women). Research spending per pancreatic cancer patient is $1,145, the lowest of any leading cancer.

There are things you can do to help change this!

First, learn more about the disease. Start here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancreatic_cancer and http://tinyurl.com/24p83b.

Next, tell your friends and family about the disease, especially if they match a lot of the predisposing factors outlined in Wikipedia.

Remember that November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Buy a purple ribbon pin to show your support: http://tinyurl.com/2964gg.

If cancer has affected you personally, tell people about it. I’ve found the experience very fulfilling and comforting.

Finally, consider supporting awareness and research into treating this terrible disease. There are many causes out there. These are just a few:

• American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/DON/DON_0.asp
  
• Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN): http://www.pancan.org/
  
• Pancreatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland: http://www.pancsoc.org.uk/
  
• Johns Hopkins Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center: http://pathology.jhu.edu/pancreas/
  
• Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research: http://www.lustgarten.org/
  

My dear cousin left behind a very rich life, despite its shortness, wonderful memories for his friends and family (including myself), and one final, incredible gift. Brad’s final legacy was to donate his cancerous tissue to Dr. Iacobuzio-Donahue's research department at Johns Hopkins University in the effort to help find a cure for this dreaded disease.

If you knew Brad, or have been moved by this particular case, please consider making a memorial donation directly to the work of Dr. Iacobuzio-Donahue in Brad's honor:

"GI Medical Donation Program"
c/o Christine Iacobuzio-Donahue, MD, PhD
Dept of Pathology Johns Hopkins University
1550 Orleans Street, CRB II, Room 343
Baltimore, MD 21231
(410) 955-9132

Please include your name and address, and note that your donation is being made in memory of Bradley Van Hoosear.

Brad, thank you. You’ve inspired friends, family, and now hundreds of people online to think about pancreatic cancer, moving us one important step closer to treating, preventing and someday curing this terrible cancer.

You will be missed!

Technorati Tags: cancer, pancreaticcancer, pancan, NationalCancerInstitute, AmericanCancerSociety Lustgarten, JohnsHopkins

At least, that seems to be the opinion of the Mayor. When Somerville's dog owners brought the vacant land in the Inner Belt Park to the city's attention, the response was to consider it another revenue source to be sold off and taxed.

The mayor's office has proposed the site be made available for potential sale.

East Somerville is in drastic need for more park space. Although this parcel is not right next to a residential area, it is very close to the proposed Green Line Washington Street station would be, and to the Community Path once it's finally completed and linking up Somerville with Boston and Cambridge's North Point.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a little more greenery in East Somerville?

For more information, check out the SomDog site.

A deal that would allow future Assembly Square development to continue without legal opposition has been reached by the city, developer Federal Realty, home furnishings retailer Ikea and grassroots group the Mystic View Task Force.

Full story at The Somerville News.

One highlight: according to Wig Zamore:

Federal and IKEA will contribute $15 million toward the design, engineering and construction of a new MBTA Orannge T-stop at Assembly Square. In addition to the $25 million earmark secured by Congressman Capuano, this unprecedented contribution will enable accelerated provision of high speed transit to Assembly Square. IKEA will be located very close to the new T-stop and will assist with affordable home delivery to customers who come on the T. IKEA will also provide packaging designed to assist customers who might want to take their purchased goods home via public transit. Somerville's store will be the first truly transit-oriented IKEA in North America.

Also good to note (again from Wig):

The Open Space plan for Assembly Square includes additions to Mystic River park land, new public open space dotted throughout Assembly Square and extensive use of green roofs and/or rooftop "amentity" decks. Federal will plan and build (or improve) three important bike and Pedestrian Links to other Somerville neighborhoods - under Route 28 to Ten Hills, under the MBTA rail lines to Draw 7 Park, to Sullivan Square via Lombardi Street - and will also provide a Bike Path through the length of Assembly Square to facilitate alterrnative access. Federal will also plan and advocate for the following additional four Pedestrian Connections: from Foley Street to Foss Park, to the States Avenues section of East Somerville, across the Amelia Earhart dam, and along the waterfront from Assembly Square to Ryan Park in Charlestown. MVTF will be able to advocate for additional open space and pedestrain improvements during the public entitlement process.

I like the way I put it better than B&S: Plans for an Assembly Square Orange Line stop moved ahead recently with the approval for $25 million to design and build the station.

As the Green Line extension plans continue, this means Somerville is another step closer to transportation equity.

Mass EOT is offering up new state bike maps for review and input before they get finalized. The page includes comment forms and instructions.

It’s the deepest in the MBTA’s roster of stations - 12 stories below ground - and it could be a recipe for disaster.

If a terrorist struck the Porter Square T station, passengers might just be out of luck.

Full Story: http://www.townonline.com/somerville/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=573848

An article in today's Globe highlighted the shortcomings that our transportation infrastructure. Those shortcomings: a lack of connections, at least when it comes to everyone except drivers. Drivers have plenty of options, especially in Somerville.

When it comes to pedestrians and bicyclists, however, options fall short quickly.

Here's a partial list of incomplete pedestrian, park and cyclist connections in the Greater Boston Area. Please tell me what I'm missing!

• Esplanade (Boston) -> Harborwalk (Boston)
  
• Northpoint Park (Cambridge) -> Nashua Street Park (Boston)
  
• Minuteman Bike Path (Lexington, etc.) -> Boston
  
• Boston Harbor Walk
  
• Somerville, Charlestown and Everett
  
• Minuteman Bike Path -> Central Mass
  
• Winthrop Greenway -> East Boston Greenway
  
• Minuteman Bike Path -> Mystic River
  
• Everett -> Lynn
  
• Ruggles -> Southie
  
• Calais, Maine -> Key West, Florida

I'm sure there are plenty more. MassBike has a good list of proposed projects.

A public hearing is scheduled for this Thursday, June 15th at 6pm, to gather input on the fate of Assembly Square.

Here's a flyer on the event:

Public Hearing on New Zoning for Assembly Square
City Must Fix Illegal Zoning

Thursday, June 15th at 6 P.M. at Somerville City Hall (93 Highland Av.)

Earlier this year, a Mass. Land Court Judge ruled that the Assembly Square Zoning Ordinance illegally violated State laws requiring equal treatment of landowners. In response, the Administration is proposing a stripped-down zoning ordinance, drafted by the developer's attorneys (and filed by Alderman Roche), that would legitimize the permits issued under the tainted Ordinance, and that would essentially waive basic traffic, environmental, and other impact review and mitigation requirements provided for under the existing Somerville Zoning Code, in order to expedite the development of additional big box and boutique retail..

Despite rhetoric about high-density development and "smart growth," the Administration's proposal essentially allows landowners to develop whatever they want - regardless of the adverse impact on Somerville's residents, neighborhood businesses and City finances.

This time, there's a REAL alternative to more of that kind of giveaway:

Aldermen White, Provost and Gewirtz have proposed a zoning amendment that would designate Assembly Square:

• a Transit-Oriented Development District to promote a mix of moderate and high density development with a significant transit ridership, and
• a Smart Growth Zoning District (as defined in Chapter 40R) that would make Somerville eligible for financial and other incentives from the State.

Their proposal needs our support. And it needs teeth: Without specific prescriptions for the desired mix of office, retail, and residential land uses, and without requirements for impact analysis and mitigation, even the most well-intentioned zoning is easily circumvented by developers.

Please, in addition to supporting their proposal, urge adoption of amendments:
(a) requiring developers of every project over 50,000 square feet to submit a professional-caliber transportation, environmental, and public health impact analysis of their development, and a plan for mitigating significant increases in traffic and adverse environmental or public health impacts;
(b) providing for a set-aside of 25-33% of the overall parcel for publicly accessible open space; and
(c) prescribing an overall mix of land uses that maximizes the commercial property taxes generated by the District, and minimizes the use of valuable land for sprawling parking lots and low-rise retail.

This Thursday's hearing may be our last chance to speak out in favor of sensible,
proactive, and fair zoning that promotes real "smart growth":

• Generating the higher level of commercial property tax revenues that Somerville needs to fund City services. Big box retail and sprawling parking does nothing to relieve the tax burden on homeowners, or to lessen dependence on State Aid. Net tax revenue from proposed Assembly Square development isn't even enough to cover the annual cost of bond repayment for the new Lincoln Park School.
• Promoting transit-oriented development that protects the health of East Somerville neighborhoods and leverages an Orange Line T stop. The I-93 / Route 28 /38 Corridor is already choked with 250,000 vehicle trips per day, and can't handle the 50,000-100,000 additional trips projected by the Federal Realty to result from development centered around regional retail. Somerville residents already suffer from elevated heart attack, lung cancer, and asthma rates. And, let’s be real –by exhausting available highway capacity large retail developments will render higher value future development infeasible.
• Integrating Assembly Square with the rest of the City, enhancing access to the Mystic River, and protecting and improving the quality of the adjoining open space.

It's not too late to stand up for sensible development

I've been a big fan of some great MBTA-related railfan sites in the past. Now it looks like they've been cracking down on wanna-be T photogs.

Sorry for the break... Too many blogs. There's a good three-part series on Assembly Square in the Somerville News. Part 1 seems to have disappeared, but parts 2 and 3 are still available.

Part four has also been posted.

From The Somerville News: "The zoning changes that has allowed a new Assembly Square mall to be built has been deemed illegal by a Massachusetts judge, said Lawrence Paolella of the Mystic View Task Force (MVTF) today." [The decision was apparently released on March 7.]