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PILC members learn “The Power of One”
PILC members Angela Proustie
and Anja Schoof in deep discussion at the March luncheon.
Ann Winfield
The March Luncheon of the Pattaya International Ladies
Club was held at Pan Pan Restaurant on Thappraya Road. Fifty-six members
were in attendance for a delicious meal provided by Pan Pan staff and
management. Children from the Fountain of Life were also in attendance
selling hand-made greeting cards, and Moya Hand was promoting St. Patrick’s
Day through the sale of leprechaun t-shirts and green umbrellas. Proceeds
from the sale and from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade all go to the Father Ray
Foundation and the Fountain of Life.
Internationally acclaimed
disaster relief and aid worker, Linda Cruse, makes a presentation to the
members of PILC at their March Luncheon.
President Ann Winfield made a number of announcements
before introducing the luncheon speaker, Linda Cruse, an internationally
known disaster relief worker. Linda shared with the audience details of her
work in Thailand during the aftermath of the tsunami and her work in
Pakistan and other countries. She gave an extremely inspirational
presentation on her philosophy of “The Power of One,” and spoke passionately
about the difference that one determined person can make in the world,
giving an example of a woman in Afghanistan who, within the strictures of
her religion, made a huge difference in the lives of other women in her
village.
Linda had been just another worker ant in the marketing
department of a huge drug manufacturing firm when she became temporarily
blind while driving home on the motorway. By sheer luck, she was able to
pull over without being hit by a truck or car. This brush with blindness and
death made her look at her life with a new perspective. She set out to
provide assistance to people in the most troubled parts of the world.
Trained as a nurse, Linda learned, in these living hells, that being an aid
worker is not for the faint-hearted. She discovered that she was, in fact,
quite strong-hearted, and she has risen to become an acknowledged expert on
aid and disaster relief.
Children from the Fountain of
Life Center sell their home-made greeting cards to raise funds for the
Center.
In addition to her aid work, she also has a book coming
out shortly. Entitled “Cake and Kalashnikovs: A Call to Arms, 16 countries,
3 continents, 12 years and one suitcase. One woman’s quest to help
disaster-stricken communities back on their feet,” the book talks about her
work in some of the world’s worst disaster areas. Linda kept members on the
edge of their seats with her dramatic and moving talk. We are all most
grateful that she came to our lunch to talk for us. Linda Cruse is an
embodiment of what the “Power of One” can achieve.
The Ladies Club will hold their April luncheon at
Benihana Restaurant, and the speaker will be Pichada Rajavechpisal, talking
about some of the lesser known aspects of Songkran.
The Pattaya International Ladies Club started 25 years
ago with 30 members and has grown to almost 250. The Club is a non-profit,
non-political club formed to support international women in developing
friendships and opportunities for social, cultural, and charitable
endeavors. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Members listen with interest
to the presentation given by Linda Cruse.
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Cancer is a word, not a sentence
Cancer is a word, not a sentence. This was part of the
opening remarks by Dr. Iain Corness with Bangkok Hospital Pattaya (BHP), in
introducing Dr. Chanawat Tesavibul, M.D., Radiation Oncologist, at the Sunday,
March 18 meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club.
Well known Pattaya identity Dr.
Iain Corness, of Bangkok Hospital Pattaya (BHP), introduces Dr. Chanawat
Tesavibul, M.D., Radiation Oncologist, of the Wattanasoth Cancer Hospital in
Bangkok, which is part of the Bangkok Hospital group.
Dr. Iain said that Dr. Chanawat would be sharing his
knowledge about cancer, especially in the area of reducing risk factors and the
importance of early detection. Dr. Chanawat has an extensive background in
radiation oncology and presently works with Wattanasoth Cancer Hospital in
Bangkok; part of the Bangkok Hospital Group. He is also the general secretary of
the Society of Radiation Oncology of Thailand.
Dr. Chanawat provided information about the various forms of
cancer and identifying those that are the leading cause of death; lung, stomach,
liver, colon and breast cancer. About 30% of cancer deaths are due to five
leading behavioral and dietary risks: high body mass index, low fruit and
vegetable intake, lack of physical activity, tobacco use, and alcohol use.
Cancer causing viral infections such as HBV/HCV and HPV are responsible for up
to 20% of cancer deaths in low- and middle-income countries.
Jerry Deane, as second speaker,
invites PCEC members to help the works of the Pattaya Friends of Youth,
improving the quality of life of many of Pattaya’s less fortunate children.
He explained that cancer is a generic term for a large group
of diseases that can affect any part of the body. Other terms used are malignant
tumours and neoplasms. One defining feature of cancer is the rapid creation of
abnormal cells that grow beyond their usual boundaries, and which can then
invade adjoining parts of the body and spread to other organs. This process is
referred to as metastasis. Metastases are the major cause of death from cancer.
Cancer arises from one single cell. The transformation from a
normal cell into a tumor cell is a multistage process, typically a progression
from a pre-cancerous lesion to malignant tumors. These changes are the result of
the interaction between a person’s genetic factors and three categories of
external agents, including: (a) physical carcinogens, such as ultraviolet and
ionizing radiation; (b) chemical carcinogens, such as asbestos, components of
tobacco smoke, aflatoxin (a food contaminant) and arsenic (a drinking water
contaminant); and (c) biological carcinogens, such as infections from certain
viruses, bacteria or parasites.
Roger Rabbit (a.k.a. Derek
McCarrick, O.B.E.) has his blood pressure checked by lovely BHP staff - in
anticipation for his next marathon?
Ageing is another fundamental factor for the development of
cancer. The incidence of cancer rises dramatically with age, most likely due to
a buildup of risks for specific cancers that increase with age. The overall risk
accumulation is combined with the tendency for cellular repair mechanisms to be
less effective as a person grows older.
Cancer can be reduced and controlled by implementing
strategies for cancer prevention, early detection of cancer and management of
patients with cancer. Many cancers have a high chance of cure if detected early
and treated adequately. Prevention involves increasing your avoidance of the
risk factors, vaccination against human papilloma virus (HPV) and hepatitis B
virus (HBV), controlling occupational hazards, and reducing exposure to
sunlight.
Further, cancer mortality can be reduced if cases are
detected and treated early. There are two aspects to early detection. One is
early diagnosis by being aware of early signs and symptoms (for cancer types
such as cervical, breast, colorectal and oral) and the other is screening tests.
Dr. Chanawat described some of the different screening methods for certain
cancers.
He emphasized that cancer can be treated, especially if
caught early. It requires a careful selection of one or more of the treatment
methods, such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. The goal is to cure
the disease or considerably prolong life while improving the patient’s quality
of life. But, cancer diagnosis and treatment needs to be accompanied with
psychological support. Completing the circle is palliative care which is
treatment to relieve, rather than cure, symptoms caused by cancer. It helps
people live more comfortably.
Relief from physical, psychosocial and spiritual problems can
be achieved in over 90% of advanced cancer patients through palliative care.
After describing some of the palliative care strategies, Dr.
Chanawat concluded by describing the facilities and equipment available at
Wattanasoth Cancer Hospital; website: http://www.bangkok hospital.
com/watanosoth/
Afterward, Master of Ceremonies Richard Silverberg called on
Jerry Dean with the Friends of Youth special interest group to present a brief
video on their activities. He explained that donations received by the various
children’s charity organizations are used for their housing, food, clothing, and
medical needs. One thing lacking is for the children to get away from the home
or usual background and have some fun. This is where the Friends of Youth come
in. The video clip had many pictures of the children going on fishing trips,
shopping trips, bowling, and other activities - all with smiling happy faces.
Richard Silverberg then called on Roy Albiston to conduct the
always informative and sometime humorous Open Forum.. The Pattaya City Expats
Club meets every Sunday at the Amari Orchid’s Tavern by the Sea Restaurant. Read
more about the Club’s activities on their website at www.
pattayacityexpatsclub.com.
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Pattaya School No. 11 leads winners list
at Yamaha Young Talent contest
IDC Dance Cover from Pattaya
School No. 11 wins the J-Pop / K-Pop, 12 - 18 years category.
Manoon Makpol
Three groups of students from Pattaya School No. 11 took home
trophies and scholarships by singing and dancing their way to top finishes at
the Yamaha Pattaya Young Talent contest.
Phathakan Samertwet won the Thai or International singing
category for teenagers; the group “I.D.C. Cover Dance” took first in the Korean
/ Japanese Pop Dance category and the school’s “Leon” team also took third place
in the same category at the March 11 finals at the Tiffany Theatre.
Darin Phanthusak (3rd right),
director of Siam Kolakarn School, Pattaya, presents the championship trophy to
the winners and runners-up of the Thai / International music category, age
13-18.
The annual competition, sponsored by Yamaha Music Institute,
Siam Kolakarn Music School and the Tiffany Theatre awards prizes to pre-teens
and teens in Thai traditional or country music, current Thai or international
pop, bands and for dancing to Asian pop tunes.
Tiffany’s Assistant Managing Director Alisa Phanthusak, Siam
Kolakarn Director Darin Phanthusak, Chonburi Sen. Sutham Phanthusak and Chonburi
provincial representative Prathan Surkitbuan handed out prizes worth 2,000-5,000
baht. The Pattaya Fah Mai Group also distributed 21 scholarships worth 1,000
baht each to participants.
Phathakan Samertwet (left) from
Pattaya School No. 11 receives her prize for winning the Thai or International
singing category for teenagers, from Darin Phanthusak, director of Siam Kolakarn
School.
Tawanthai Khongsomrith of Lertpunya School in Sattahip won
the top prize in the under-age 12 Thai or International Pop category and a
sponsorship from Yamaha to train him for a national competition.
Other winners included Ploychompoo Apin from Rasadornpradit
Withaya School in the age 13-18 Thai country music contest; The band category
was won by “Never Forget” from E-Tec in Chonburi.
Nathakan Bandaan of Bangwua Bangpakong in Chachoengsao won
the under-13 Thai country music category.
Finally, the Thai Country Music category, under 12 yrs, was
won by Pitayarat Saynson from Maanda Niramol School, Bangwua Bangpakong
Chachoengsao.
The Never Forget team from E-Tec
Chonburi celebrates winning the under 18 band category.
Pattaya Fah Mai awards
scholarships to students from 21 schools in Pattaya.
The audience has a great time
cheering loudly for their favorite contestants.
Sponsors and contestants pose for
a group picture.
Alisa Phanthusak, head of the
competition, officially opens the event.
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Thank you Pattaya
St. Patrick’s Day parade raises funds for Father Ray Foundation
St Patrick’s Day brings the
communities of Pattaya together.
Derek Franklin
More than one thousand local residents and foreign expats
joined the 2012 St. Patrick’s Day Parade which took place on the afternoon of
Saturday March 17th.
Bigger and better than last year, the 2012 Parade attracted
marching bands and decorated floats from many of Pattaya’s Irish bars as well as
from local businesses, including one float from Thammasat University.
While it can be said that everyone attending had an afternoon
of fun, there was also a serious side to the day’s events.
It was hoped that the 2012 parade would increase awareness of
the work of the Father Ray Foundation. The parade also raised funds to help
cover the costs of providing accommodation, education, food, medical help and
therapy for the 850 children and students with disabilities currently living at
the Foundation.
Money was collected in donation boxes along the route, from
sponsorship of the event and from decorated float entry, and more than 400,000
baht was raised.
Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome is already looking forward
to 2013, and has agreed that the St. Patrick’s Day Parade will once again take
place. It is hoped that more Pattaya based Irish bars and businesses will join
together in one of the most fun filled days in the Pattaya calendar, boosting
the image of our city and raising much needed funds for the underprivileged
children of Pattaya.
More information can be found at www.fr-ray.org or email
[email protected]
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