You Gotta Friend

Pool Party

2009-08-02T09:06:00.001-07:00

Cool off this Summer! Join us for an organization meeting poolside.

Here is the skinny:

Host:	Susan Feder and Tamara Walker

Date:	Saturday, August 8, 2009
Time:	2:00pm - 5:00pm
Location:	Susan's House
Street:	Silverwheel Place
City/Town:	Newbury Park, CA
	View Map

Phone:	805.298.2011
Email:	thebodydefined@gmail.com

Susan Feder is graciously hosting this meeting for You Gotta Friend. Topics to discuss - our t-shirt fundraiser, board nominations, donor recipients and future activities.

We will have home made full cream ice-cream as well as a vegan version for those of you who prefer your veggies and fruits. There will be snacks and drinks too. So bring a towel, your swimsuit and a smile. Please email me at thebodydefined@gmail.com for complete directions.

I am looking forward to seeing you poolside!

Into the Gerson Healing Newsletter

2009-07-01T11:33:00.000-07:00

The Gerson Healing Newsletter staff featured this blog in the article - "From the desk of Anita Wilson" of the July/August 2009 issue, Volume 24, Number 4. To quote -

I thought you would enjoy this website: www.gottafriend.blogspot.com. It was put together by the daughter of a recovered patient, and gives a lovely slice of what life is like at our Mexican clinic. - Anita

You can subscribe to The Gerson Institute's bimonthly newsletter at www.gerson.org.

Welcome to our new visitors! I hope you enjoy what you find here.

All the best,

Garden Party Canceled

2009-06-23T06:48:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, I have to cancel the Garden Party scheduled for this coming Sunday, June 28th. I will rescheduled as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
t

Garden Party - Sunday, June 28th at 3:00 PM

2009-06-18T09:23:00.000-07:00

Join me Sunday, June 28th at 3:00 PM for a Garden Party and Organizational Meeting. On the agenda: I will be discussing my trip to the Baja Nutri Center, our first recipient and our t-shirt fundraising campaign. We also need to establish a board of directors for You Gotta Friend. If you are interested please let me know.

Find out more about the party and RSVP at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=93540377478 or email me at thebodydefined@gmail.com for more information.

Hope to see you there!

What is You Gotta Friend?

2009-06-11T20:04:00.000-07:00

For those of you new to this blog, I thought I would re-post the concepts and foundations that lead to the buidling of You Gotta Friend - The Janice M. Foundation.

The concept for You Gotta Friend originated from a combination of my mom’s life and experiences. They are two fold. First, she had a great network of friends that helped support her throughout her life. Secondly, she had an incredible battle with cancer.
As many of you know, my mom, Janice M. Anderson, passed away a year ago. First diagnosed 15 years ago and given a very poor prognosis, Janice pursued traditional treatment methods - chemotherapy and mastectomy. While her treatment was quite successful in eradicating the tumor, lymph node biopsies revealed that although she had no known metastases, she had active tumor cells within her lymph system. Her traditional oncologist offered little other than a complete stem cell transplant.
To my mother, enduring another bout of chemotherapy that was certain to damage healthy tissues did not seem like a viable option. She began looking for alternatives and after much research found a program that made sense to her, the Gerson Therapy. She also found a holistic MD that agreed to work in conjunction with her traditional oncologist. I believe that this treatment program gave me an additional 13 years with my mother.
When I first came up with the idea to for You Gotta Friend, I wanted to find some way of increasing access to alternative care. Traditional fundraising did not seem like something that would work for me and it appears that there are numerous groups out there doing the same thing. Then I was introduced to the idea of a Shakti group. Basically, it is a group of women who get together to honor themselves and each other. It really struck home with me and felt like a great way honor the spirit of my mom.
Every week, my mom and her friends would meet at a local cafe or coffee shop to reconnect. This group of women shared a lot of things - the celebration of life experiences, the release of cares and troubles, the exploration of questions of spirituality, connectedness and belief but most importantly, I feel that for these women it was a place where they could truly be and express themselves. People came and went, but the essence of the group remained.
As my mom declined in health, the group eventually began bringing their coffee and lunches to her place, allowing her to be involved as much or as little as she chose in the conversations. I know that this group of women meant everything to my mom, they were her best friends, and it helped her through a very difficult time. I don’t know what she would have done without them.
All of this - my mothers battle with cancer and the strong support of her friends - has brought me to what I would like You Gotta Friend to be. My objectives for You Gotta Friend are, first and foremost, to establish supportive and nurturing friendships. As we nurture who and what we are as individuals, we can begin to reach out to the community. The problem with alternative treatment programs is that they are expensive, difficult to access and many are not covered by insurance. My hope is that, through donations of time, services and/or money, You Gotta Friend can provide information and assistance for those seeking alternative or complementary treatments.
People can involved in this group as much or as little as they would like. It is a means of support. If you’d just like the company of other women, please join us. For those who would like to do more, we can find ways to create access to care through various means. You can choose how, when or if you will be involved in each meeting and/or project. There is absolutely no obligation. Check back here frequently for updates on our activities and progress.

If you would like more information on this organization, please email me at thebodydefined@gmail.com.

Food, Inc. Trailer

2009-06-11T19:09:00.000-07:00

Steve Konell - Pancreatic Cancer

2009-06-09T14:16:00.001-07:00

To be quite honest, I didn't see much of Steve the first few days that I was at Baja although his room was right next to ours. He wasn't feel that great. During that time I did, however, get an opportunity to meet his extensive support staff - his two children, father-in-law, family friend/doctor and more. By the end of the week he was able to join us for meals.

Steve loves to ride motorcyles and, in fact, his family was participating in the Tiajauna 500. His two Australian Shepards, as well as his son's Aussie and his daughters Pomerainian, accompanied the rest of his family in their motor home on their trip down from Portland, Oregon. What a crazy, fun group of people! Here Steve is pictured at lunch with Margit.

Tommy the Greek - Colon Cancer

2009-06-08T10:42:00.000-07:00

Tommy, the gentleman in the blue striped shirt on the left, reminded me of the little boy in the Rugrats cartoon. (Steve, you will meet next, is pictured on his right.) It was generally agreed among the residents, however, that he was straight out of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". He was even caught saying something along the lines of all English words have Greek origins.

Tommy is nothing short of cordial and is entertaining to boot. He always was sitting out in the courtyard striking up a conversation with whomever would walk by. He left Sunday to join his wife and two daughters just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Yoshiko Honda - Breast Cancer

2009-06-08T10:30:00.000-07:00

Yoshiko was part of a very informative welcome party when we arrived. She has been reading up on various forms of alternative treatments and was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge. We were lucky to have her! Yoshiko, her husband and I posed together during our last meal together.

Yoshiko and her husband are also from Ontario, just about a 10 minute drive from Martin. Talk about a small world!

Yoshiko is here holding her 45 plus supplemental pills for the day...

Martin Costa - Prostate Cancer

2009-06-08T10:03:00.000-07:00

Martin arrived with his companion Margit at the Baja Nutri Center the same time as Denise and I. Together we learned the ropes - what pills to take when, coffee break and meal times, and general do's and don't's of the Gerson Therapy.

Over the week, Margit's enthusiasm for the treatment grew. She lost some weight, had less pain and began walking more - and that was only within the first week. Quite frankly, she was radiating health and happiness as the days went on.

Here Martin is sitting poolside, reading. You can always find him propped up in some chair, finger marking his spot, fast asleep. In the other photo, Martin and Margit enjoy one of their first meals in the dining hall.

Faces of Hope

2009-06-08T09:36:00.000-07:00

The following posts are of patients I met while at the Baja Nutri Center during my week visit there. I thought that you might like to meet them individually and hear their stories. I am sending them a link to the blog and inviting them each to keep us updated of their progress. Wishing each of them a speedy recovery and long, happy life!

Talking with Charlotte Gerson

2009-06-03T16:49:00.001-07:00

Today, Charlotte Gerson came to visit us at the Baja Nutri Center. Earlier in the day, she sat down with Denise to go over her specific case. Again she reiterated what we already know, Denise is a remarkable woman. She may have a difficult road ahead, but she is a survivor.
She later joined us for lunch and sat down for a question and answer session. Of course we had many questions about treatment, what works, why and how... what doesn't work and certain fruits, vegetables and nuts that are eliminated from the Gerson Therapy. A gracious hoast, Charlotte spent time explaining the therapy, different approachs, successes and failures.
What I found most compelling, beside the need for eliminating toxins, was her view on the phosphorus/sodium balance in the diet. According to Charlotte, to maintain a healthy, healing blood pH of 7.4, we must consume a diet 90% potassium to 10% sodium. Unfortunately with our cooking processes and our copious use of salt, we have reversed the percentage of sodium and potassium in our systems. Most Americans have a blood pH of 6.8 leading to cancer, autoimmune disease, heart disease, diabetes and various other maladies. To give you an idea, a blood pH of 6.4 is considered terminal. Your cells are dying because of the acidity of your blood. Fruits are contain the best ratio of potassium to sodium, vegetables are next. Charlotte recommends the following fruits: cherries, apricots, peaches, grapes, and apples.
I will continue to look into fermentation metabolism, another aspect Charlotte touched upon, as well as other information presented. I'll definitely keep you posted. In the meantime you can find out more in her book, Healing the Gerson Way by Charlotte Gerson.
Until the next time,
t

Hanging out in Baja

2009-06-02T15:49:00.001-07:00

Denise and I made is safely down to Baja Nutri Center, site of the Gerson Institute's treatment center, in Baja California yesterday morning. Denise began her treatments as soon as we arrived. We are getting into the groove with all the juices, coffee enemas, supplements and meals. It has kept us quite busy but, as you can see, I always find time to relax. We have also been fortunate to meet some great new people from all over the world and learn a lot of new information on diet, health and well-being. For example, beet tops are great for juicing while the beet, if not cooked can be hard on your kidneys. It is also high in sugar. We'll be sure to bring back more helpful information to you. For now it's been a lot of digestion, quite literally.
Sending you lots of love,
t

Denise in Baja

2009-05-29T15:35:00.001-07:00

You Gotta Friend is excited to announce it's first recipient, Denise Goosee. Denise has been battling metastic breast cancer in her pancreas quite effectively for the last few years through traditional means. Her doctors don't know what to say she's been doing so well. Way to go Denise! Unfortunately, her current treatment regimen is no longer working to contain her tumor. After investigating numerous treatment options, Denise decided to pursue the Gerson Therapy. As you may know from previous posts, my mom, Janice M. Anderson, the inspiration for this foundation, also utilized the Gerson Therapy.

While we are excited that Denise is pursuing the Gerson Therapy, please know that You Gotta Friend's mission is to provide aide to those wishing to pursue any alternative treatment, not just the Gerson Therapy. You Gotta Friend's position is, and will remain, that the patient alone can best determine the best course of treatment. Treatment, regardless of therapy, is most effective when the patient is involved and confident in their treatment of choice. Why else would placebos be so effective?

I will be accompanying Denise for her first week of treatments at Baja Nuti Care in Baja California. It is a wonderful opportunity for me not only to support Denise but learn more about nutrition, the Gerson Therapy, and different modalities of treatment. I am very honored to be joining her on this journey. Please check out her blog deniseinbaja.blogspot.com to learn more about Denise, her treatment and progress. Check back here soon to learn about our fundraiser to help Denise cover the costs of her treatment.

Right to choose?

2009-05-26T14:29:00.000-07:00

Whatever happened to your right to choose? I truly believe that any therapy works best when the patient believes in them. What happens when you force someone to undergo treatment? On top of that, what happens when you force someone to undergo toxic treatments based on a traditional doctors suggestion and big money research? Will that therapy be effective?

I think we are crossing untold freedom issues when we take away an individuals right to choose their therapy or a parent's right to choose the right therapy for their child. It doesn't matter if you agree or don't agree with the therapy. You have a right to choose not to do anything, to fight the disease traditionally or to pursue any course of action you deem appropriate. Why must we make people suffer?

Check out this article on CNN about a 13 year old Minnesota boy who must undergo court mandated chemotherapy:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/05/26/minnesota.forced.chemo/index.html

Your thoughts?

T-shirt quotes

2009-05-26T09:31:00.000-07:00

You Gotta Friend is going to kick off its first fundraiser next month. We are currently working on developing t-shirts. If you have an inspirational quote you'd like to see on a t-shirt, please submit it to me at thebodydefined@gmail.com.

We will keep you posted as we progress!

The Beautiful Truth - The world's simplest cure for cancer

2009-03-21T10:40:00.001-07:00

The failure of the American diet has been a prevalent theme within my personal and professional studies, from my graduate studies professor spending a entire class on childhood obesity rates in the United States to my mother's battle with cancer. Last night I watched "The Beautiful Truth - The world's simplest cure for cancer" a documentary on the Gerson Therapy. This film follows a 15 year old boys quest to find scientific evidence on the curative properties of a raw, vegan diet and juicing as advocated by Dr. Max Gerson.

While I am not a huge fan of the commentary (a gentlemen describes a 15 year old boys journey, thoughts and emotions), the information within the film is thought provoking. Initially, I was drawn to the film because my mom followed the Gerson Therapy during her battle with cancer. I am quite familiar with the principles behind the therapy which include detoxifying the body and rebuilding the body's natural defenses to cancer and other onslaughts. More over, I feel that a raw, vegan diet which the Gerson Therapy advocates gave my mother an additional 15 years after her diagnosis.

Because of my mom's own struggle, I am aware that Dr. Max Gerson battled for many years with the American Medical Association and the Federal Drug Administration to provide services in the United States. I also know how difficult it was for my mother to find alternatives to main stream chemotherapy and radiation treatments. In fact, her naturopathic physician in Seattle was shut down many times by state regulatory institutions for practicing "quackery". Some how, he always managed to return to practice. (As an aside, my mom's traditional oncologist began incorporating Gerson principles and complimentary treatments after my mom's miraculous recovery.)

The information provided in this documentary on food toxicity - through refined sugars and additives - is startling, as is the complicity of many major food industry corporations in willfully incorporating dangerous additives to their products. While any statement of such magnitude must be regarded with a critical eye, this documentary does raise questions.

Dr. Max Gerson and his associates are not alone in their commentary on diet. John Robbins heir to the Basket and Robbins empire has been expounding the virtues of a healthier diet and has become one of "the leading experts on the dietary link to the environment and health". He has written several books including "Diet for a New America" and "The Food Revolution" which I highly recommend. Another noteworthy contributor is Dr. Joel Furhman who wrote "Fasting and Eating for Health" and "Eat to Live" in which he describes curing heart disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and headaches among other ailments with a raw, vegan diet and fasting.

I encourage you to watching this film, read the books listed above or others and educate yourself. Seek out additional information. Make your evaluation. Find your own truth.

More information is available at www.thebeautifultruthmovie.com and www.gerson.org.

Steps Forward

2009-03-02T10:39:00.000-08:00

Success is sometimes measured in the smallest of steps and last night's meeting, the first for You Gotta Friend, definitely was a success. While not everyone could make the meeting, I have had an overwhelmingly positive response to the concept of You Gotta Friend.

Thank you to Susan, Sara and Jules who attended! The core principle of You Gotta Friend is to establishing strong, supportive friendships. Over an elaborate vegetarian fair, we discussed all the events of the past few months - dished on the latest developments, relived past adventures, and really connected with one another.

Our next meeting is slated for the first Saturday, April 4th from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. It is a Healthy Recipe Swap Party so bring your favorite dish along with the recipe for it on 20 cards. Make sure to also bring a big appetite! Please RSVP at our facebook event page -

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=54817873548

The future is something that we create through our thoughts and our actions. You Gotta Friends is about becoming what you need to honor who you are as an individual. From this place, we can reach out to help others. When we take the time to take care of ourselves we, in turn, help the world.

I would love for you to be a part of You Gotta Friend. Come honor who you are and create a better future with me. From small steps come great ideas, great progress, great change.

Here's to the future!

Inaugural Meeting Announcement

2009-02-19T14:34:00.001-08:00

Announcing the launch of

- You Gotta Friend -
The Janice M. Anderson Foundation

I am starting an organization,

You Gotta Friend - The Janice M. Anderson Foundation,

as a tribute to my mom. As you may know, she passed away from breast cancer a year ago this week. You Gotta Friend is inspired not only by her amazing battle with cancer but also by the incredible friendships she developed.

You can learn more about the inspiration for You Gotta Friend at

http://gottafriend.blogspot.com

Join the cause on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=128494250401.

I would love for you to be involved in the

development of this organization.

Please join me for:

The Inaugural Meeting

(A Girl's Night)

Sunday, March 1st, 2009

from 4:oo PM to 7:00 PM

Thousand Oaks, CA

RSVP at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=128494250401

or email thebodydefined@gmail.com

Concept and Foundations

2009-02-17T16:47:00.001-08:00

The concept for You Gotta Friend originated from a combination of my mom’s life and experiences. They are two fold. First, she had a great network of friends that helped support her throughout her life. Secondly, she had an incredible battle with cancer.

As many of you know, my mom, Janice M. Anderson, passed away a year ago this week from breast cancer. First diagnosed 15 years ago and given a very poor prognosis, Janice pursued traditional treatment methods - chemotherapy and mastectomy. While her treatment was quite successful in eradicating the tumor, lymph node biopsies revealed that although she had no known metastases, she had active tumor cells within her lymph system. Her traditional oncologist offered little other than a complete stem cell transplant.

To my mother, enduring another bout of chemotherapy that was certain to damage healthy tissues a stem cell transplant did not seem like a viable option. She began looking for alternatives and after much research found a program that made sense to her, the Gerson Therapy. She also found a holistic MD that agreed to work in conjunction with her traditional oncologist. I believe that this treatment program gave me an additional 13 years with my mother.

When I first came up with the idea to for You Gotta Friend, I wanted to find some way of increasing access to alternative care. Traditional fundraising did not seem like something that would work for me and it appears that there are numerous groups out there doing the same thing. Then I was introduced to the idea of a Shakti group. Basically, it is a group of women who get together to honor themselves and each other. It really struck home with me and felt like a great way honor the spirit of my mom.

Every week, my mom and her friends would meet at a local cafe or coffee shop to reconnect. This group of women shared a lot of things - the celebration of life experiences, the release of cares and troubles, the exploration of questions of spirituality, connectedness and belief but most importantly, I feel that for these women it was a place where they could truly be and express themselves. People came and went, but the essence of the group remained.

As my mom declined in health, the group eventually began bringing their coffee and lunches to her place, allowing her to be involved as much or as little as she chose in the conversations. I know that this group of women meant everything to my mom, they were her best friends, and it helped her through a very difficult time. I don’t know what she would have done without them.

All of this - my mothers battle with cancer and the strong support of her friends - has brought me to what I would like You Gotta Friend to be. My objectives for You Gotta Friend are, first and foremost, to establish supportive and nurturing friendships. As we nurture who and what we are as individuals, we can begin to reach out to the community. The problem with alternative treatment programs is that they are expensive, difficult to access and many are not covered by insurance. My hope is that, through donations of time, services and/or money, You Gotta Friend can provide information and assistance for those seeking alternative or complementary treatments.

People can involved in this group as much or as little as they would like. It is a means of support. If you’d just like the company of other women, please join us. For those who would like to do more, we can find ways to create access to care through various means. You can choose how, when or if you will be involved in each meeting and/or project. There is absolutely no obligation. Check back here frequently for updates on our activities and progress.

If you would like more information on this organization, please email me at thebodydefined@gmail.com.