Tag-Archive for » Cancer «
Six charities will share a £1m donation from Rupert Murdoch as part of the settlement agreed with the family of Milly Dowler after the News Of The World allegedly hacked her phone.
The charities all have connections to murdered teenager Milly
Sky News has learned that half the money will go to children’s hospice Shooting Star CHASE, which is close to the murdered schoolgirl’s family home in Surrey.
The remainder is going to a handful of other good causes associated with Milly.
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, named after the London estate agent who disappeared 25 years ago and who is presumed dead, will receive £100,000.
Another £100,000 will go to Child Victims Of Crime and £100,000 more to Cancer Research.
Brain Tumour UK will receive £100,000 with the remaining cash going to Milly’s local swimming pool, the Hampton Pool Trust.
A spokesman for the pool told Sky News: “The donation will have a huge impact on the services we provide to the community.
“We’re aware that it is being made in memory of Milly and we are determined to ensure that the money is invested in a fitting way.”
The Dowler family’s lawyer, Mark Lewis, said: “It was made clear from the outset that any money received for Milly Dowler would go to charity.”
News International agreed the payout after Milly’s family met Rupert Murdoch earlier this year. He said he was “appalled” at what had happened and apologised unreservedly.
None of the charities has yet received the money but all the paperwork is in place and the payout is imminent.
Mr Lewis said all the beneficiaries have some link to Milly herself.
“The donation to Cancer Research and the brain tumour charity are because her Godfather, unfortunately, died as a very young man from a brain tumour.”
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust helped the family when Milly disappeared, and she used to swim at the Hampton Pool.
The Hospice and Child Victims Of Crime clearly reflects the fact that Milly was just a child herself when she was murdered. She was just 13.
Former Bouncer Levi Bellfield is serving life for her murder.
AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY (‘TRY’, BEING THE KEY WORD) TO ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOUTHERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY
1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.
2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person’s lifetime.
3. When the person’s immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.
4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, but also to environmental, food and lifestyle factors.
5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet to eat more adequately and healthy, 4-5 times/day and by including supplements will strengthen the immune system.
6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.
7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.
8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.
9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.
10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.
11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.
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CANCER CELLS FEED ON:
a. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are madewith Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses, but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in color Better alternative is Bragg’s aminos or sea salt.
b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk cancer cells are being starved.
c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little other meat, like chicken. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.
d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into
an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live
enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including be an sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).
e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.
12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines becomes putrefied and leads to more toxic buildup.
13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body’s killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.
14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the bodies own killer cells to destroy cancer cells..Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body’s normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.
15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, un-forgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.
16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.
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1. No plastic containers in micro.
2. No water bottles in freezer.
3. No plastic wrap in microwave.
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Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters. This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well. Dioxin chemicals cause cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don’t freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic. Recently, Dr Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital , was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers. This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn’t bad but you don’t know what is in the paper. It’s just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper The dioxin problem is one of the reasons.
This is an article that should be sent to anyone important in your life.
It’s always surprising to learn about superstars who’ve flaunted in public the image of a hero, but turn out being monsters behind closed doors.
According to a new book “Sweetness: The Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton,” the Chicago Bears legendary running back abused painkillers in his retirement, eventually becoming suicidal.
According to the book, written by Jeff Pearlman, Payton mixed Tylenol and Vicodin and kept tanks of nitrous oxide in his garage. At one point he got a hold of Ritalin from a friend whose son was prescribed the drug.
An excerpt of “Sweetness: The Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton,” by Jeff Pearlman, will appear in the Oct. 3 issue of Sports Illustrated, and describes the Hall of Famer as suicidal, abusing pain medication and dealing with a crumbling family situation.
Payton, who retired after the 1987 season as the then-all-time leading rusher in NFL history, was depressed and suicidal in the mid-1990s. Pearlman cites a letter from Payton to a friend, in which Payton said he imagined himself killing those around him and then turning a gun on himself.
The book further delves into the details of his extramarital affairs. During his induction into the Hall of Fame, both his wife and mistress attended, obligating Payton’s personal assistant, Ginny Quirk, to baby sit the grown women and keep them from basically killing each other.
The football player’s life came to an abrupt halt when he became deathly ill from a rare liver disease and bile duct cancer. He died in 1999.
“Sweetness: The Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton” will be released Oct. 4.
Smokers who indulge in their first cigarette shortly after waking up have an increased risk of developing lung and head and neck cancers, according to two new studies published in Cancer, a journal of the American Cancer Society. The findings may help identify smokers who have a greater risk of developing cancer. These smokers could then be more urgently targeted for smoking cessation programs.
The first studies to show a link between cigarette smoking and cancer were published back in the 1950s, but it wasn’t until 1980 that nicotine dependence was recognized by the American Psychiatric Association as a psychological and physiological problem. The new studies out of Penn State College of Medicine look at nicotine dependence, which in part can be determined by the amount of time elapsed before a smoker lights up his or her first cigarette after waking up in the morning.
“These smokers have higher levels of nicotine and possibly other tobacco toxins in their body, and they may be more addicted than smokers who refrain from smoking for a half hour or more,” says Joshua Muscat of the Penn State College of Medicine, who led the investigation.
Subjects who smoked their first cigarette between 31 and 60 minutes after waking up were more than 30% more likely to develop lung cancer; the odds increased to nearly 80% for those who smoked in their first half-hour awake. For head and neck cancers, subjects were more than 40% more likely if they indulged in the 31-60 minute window, and nearly 60% more likely for those who smoked in their first half-hour awake.
“One of the things we use to measure dependence is called the Heavyness of Smoking Index, which includes two questions,” says Dr. Richard D. Hurt, the director of the Mayo Clinic’s Nicotine Dependence Center, who is not affiliated with the new studies. “How much do you smoke, and how long after you arise do you have your first cigarette?”
Hurt also points out that waiting a little longer before indulging in a first cigarette of the day would mean fewer total cigarettes in a day. “The more dependent are more likely to be heavier smokers,” he says. “But you also have to look at how aggressively these people are smoking. Those who inhale deeper, hold longer, and smoke their cigarettes all the way to the end are receiving more of the harmful constituents of that cigarette.” This makes them more likely to develop cancer than those who smoke less aggressively.
The half-life of nicotine is relatively short – only two hours – so after six or eight hours of sleep, your body has gotten rid of nearly all of the nicotine you’ve inhaled the day before. There’s very little left in the body in the morning and the receptors in the brain are crying out for more nicotine. Those who are the most dependent need that cigarette earlier, and often smoke more cigarettes throughout the day, more intensely.
The takeaway here is about what you’d expect. “Stop smoking as soon as you can,” says Hurt. “We have more things to offer now than ever before. [You] can go to a physician or call a telephone quit line. We combine behavioral counseling with medications, which can double, triple, or even quadruple your chances of successfully quitting.”
Computer-aided detection (CAD) technology, which analyzes mammography images and marks suspicious areas for radiologists to review, has been widely hyped and pushed on women as a way to insure invasive breast cancer is spotted on mammograms. And it has grown into a huge industry, adding millions of dollars to the cost of healthcare.
The problem is, CAD simply doesn’t work — at all. That’s right. Despite the fact CAD is now applied to the large majority of screening mammograms in the U.S. with annual direct Medicare costs exceeding $30 million (according to a 2010 study in the Journal of the American College of Radiology), new research by University of California at Davis (UC Davis) scientists shows the expensive technology is ineffective in finding breast tumors.
But it does something extremely well. It causes enormous stress by greatly increasing a woman’s risk of being called back for more costly testing following a CAD analyzed mammogram.
The new research, just published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, used data from the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium to analyze 1.6 million mammograms. Entitled “Effectiveness of Computer-Aided Detection in Community Mammography Practice,” the study specifically looked at screening mammograms performed on more than 680,000 women at 90 mammography facilities in seven U.S. states, between the years of 1998 and 2006.
The results are being hailed as the most definitive findings to date on whether the super popular mammography tool is effective in locating cancer in the breast. The findings? CAD is a waste of time and money.
The false-positive rate increased from 8.1 percent before CAD to 8.6 percent after CAD was installed at the medical centers in the study. What’s more, the detection rate of breast cancer and the stage and size of breast cancer tumors were similar regardless of whether or not CAD was used.
*”In real-world practice, CAD increases the chances of being unnecessarily called back for further testing because of false-positive results without clear benefits to women,” * Joshua Fenton, assistant professor in the UC Davis Department of Family and Community Medicine, said in a statement to the media. “Breast cancers were detected at a similar stage and size regardless of whether or not radiologists used CAD.”
This isn’t the first time the CAD technology has been questioned by researchers. The current study follows a previous study of the computer aided mammography tool that was published by Dr. Fenton in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2007.
That examination of mammography screening results in 43 facilities, including seven that used CAD, found that CAD was actually linked to *reduced accuracy* of mammogram screenings and produced no difference in the detection rate of invasive breast cancer.
“In the current study, we evaluated newer technology in a larger sample and over a longer time period,” Fenton noted in a statement to the press. “We also looked for the first time at cancer stage and cancer size, which are critical for understanding how CAD may affect long-term breast cancer outcomes, such as mortality.”
CAD software was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration back in 1998, but its use only skyrocketed after Medicare began covering it in 2001. According to 2009 Medicare data, using CAD adds another $12 to the costs of having a mammogram (about $81 for film mammography and $130 for digital mammography), representing a 9 percent to 15 percent additional cost for CAD use.
Don’t invite Donald Trump and Rihanna to the same event. Rihanna was supposed to do a charity event for Trump. He paid her $500,000 to do a cancer fundraiser, but she bailed out. She claimed she was sick, but the next night she performed at the NBA All Star game and hosted her own birthday party. Trump was furious saying Rihanna was disrespectful, and that she couldn’t sing. He eventually replaced her with a real singer, Oscar Winner Jennifer Hudson.
SIDEBAR – Rhianna you must have another job, to have stood up Donald Trump. I don’t mean
the All Star Game either. Number one you can not sing, everyone knows that, you are just a
pretty face, and a nice body. You should have stuck to modeling on the real side of things.
You stood up a Cancer benefit, hope everyone in your family is very healthy…….
WJBK FOX 2 News in Detroit is confirming that Franklin is battling pancreatic cancer. A family insider told the station that she’s doing, “OK,” but they ask for the public’s prayers.
The National Enquirer reports that the cancer is incurable and she has less than a year to live.
In November, she canceled all concerts through May 2011 due to “medical reasons,” but never disclosed the illness. Last Thursday (Dec. 2), the Queen of Soul underwent surgery, which was labeled a success. She released the following statement after the mystery procedure:
“The surgery was highly successful. God is still in control. I had superb doctors and nurses whom were blessed by all the prayers of the city and the country. God bless you all for your prayers!
— The Queen of Soul, Ms. Aretha Franklin”
The Enquirer’s report lists pancreatic survival rates at 5-10%, and even lower for someone of Franklin’s age and weight.
SIDEBAR – Everyone please continue to lift Ms. Franklin up in prayers, for she is more than a ICON,
she is a Sister, Mother, GodMother, Daughter, Friend, Girlfriend, and the list goes on, and on.
Thank you for praying for the real true “Queen of Soul”, Aretha Franklin.
Aries:
A dog that needs exercise and lots of attention keeps Aries busy. An eager to please German Shepherd allows you to assume the role of friend, or “Alpha Dog Pack Leader.” Intelligent Collies think fast on their feet, something you definitely appreciate. You will admire the Chihuahua, who thinks he is a guard dog and won’t be insulted by man or beast. The Pointer is a delightful companion, if difficult to train. For Aries, “Sit! Stay!” means that. Therefore, no matter what type of dog you choose, a pet-owner training class is wise – even if you’ve adopted an older dog. If you have the room, of course Aries should have a ram or at least a sheep!
Taurus:
If you are one of the alleged less-than-active Taureans, you may enjoy a Basset Hound or Dachshund. The Basset Hound is slow moving and persistent, while the Dachshund is inactive and undemanding. The latter becomes quite possessive of an owner. A Schnauzer is reliable and adaptable to your time schedule, something hardworking Bulls appreciate. A fascinating, slow-as-molasses turtle may also delight you. If you have the space, the Taurus could love boarding a cow or steer, or even a buffalo! Cats purr when happy and content, and sometimes Taurus does too. That makes a good match.
Gemini:
Did you know that the Beagle has been described as “philosophical”? A Gemini probably ascribed the definition. Beagles are extra friendly, accommodating and flexible – perfect for the agile Twin. The alert and cheerful Retriever loves to please. Throw something their way and they always come back. Be prepared to toss again and again. The Poodle is intelligent and entertaining, and will create a mutual admiration society with a Gemini. A chatty Pomeranian is alleged to interrupt conversations. Rottweilers make nervous Gemini owners even more so. Parrots and cockatiels learn to talk. Cats caterwaul, or cry out – a form of interaction Gemini might learn to appreciate. You won’t be alone with a feline friend; they acknowledge you day or night.
Cancer:
The Border Collie spends its life anticipating and hoping for the type of attention a Cancerian Moonchild has to give: Collies will herd, love and protect you. The Retriever is a good family dog. A Bulldog also adores children, in case you have little ones around. They could care less about adults and other dogs, however. Longhaired breeds need lots of brushing, making them prime candidates for the Crab’s nurturing skills. They’ll give affection and love in return. Call a cat for dinner and she comes in her own good time, though few snub a Cancer. Birds and fish resonate to your tender loving care.
Leo:
A gorgeous, longhaired Afghan Hound looks good on the leash, just as a stunning companion does on regal Leo’s arm. An English Setter is aristocratic and friendly. Both breeds thrive in wide-open luxury spaces, just like Leo. Neither dog listens unless you are firm with royal command. The cheerful Irish Setter is a real party-type dog that everyone loves and wants to get to know. He or she will be the source of many introductions. One imagines the Leo with a couple of pet chinchillas, minks or beautiful, exotic parrots. A cat? The match has to be just right or it’s cat fighting between owner and pet, when both think they are each other’s ruler.
Virgo:
Dogs in the hound family enjoy luxury and comfort, and are happy to lie around and simply look pretty. The Basset Hound especially benefits from the attention to diet that a Virgo caregiver provides. It keeps them slim and trim. An adaptable, alert, quick Schnauzer is neither noisy nor nosy and won’t tend to intrude in your affairs. A Rottweiler isn’t for the nervous owner. Big work dogs and sporting dogs require attention and activity. The lively Terrier could be a good match, although they are not so easy to train. Mutts are iffy and a discriminating Virgo won’t know what they are getting. Birds can be messy and can’t be trained to “neaten up.” On the other hand, cats like life to hum along in efficient rhythm, just as you do.
Libra:
A Spaniel is an energetic and happy dog who loves what you love – a harmonious environment. Spaniels are easily trained, which is important for harmonious Libra. An Akita can be too bossy, and you could end up being their pet. Poodles are classy, entertaining, and intelligent. After a day at the doggy salon, a sweet-smelling Poodle – decked out in a perky bow – attracts attention and new friendships. Canaries provide music to a home. A cockatiel is always ready to “talk” to communicative Libra. A cat naps a lot, thus may not be around when you want them to be social. And, they aren’t big on the open paw policy, in case you are hoping for the message, “Guests are always welcome.”
Scorpio:
The Collie doesn’t tolerate fools, but then neither do you. If your pet doesn’t like your friends or new significant other, he or she is a great warning system that says you should be leery, too. A Scorpio might love to be seen holding the other end of the leash of something as unusual as a Pharaoh Hound. This mysterious looking dog is considered the guardian of world secrets from the time of the ancient Egyptian temples. An Airedale can be stubborn, and you should carefully consider whether you want to butt heads with someone whose mind is as fixed as your own. You can’t help but admire each other’s courage and genuine style, however. A Scorpio resonates with a finicky cat that loves to proclaim, “Mine!”
Sagittarius:
Are you a lucky Sagittarian with a horse? Then you, also need a dog like a Setter or Pointer to run alongside both of you. The intelligent, all-purpose German Shepherd is a good friend to have around when you want to stay home or are up for adventure. Many members of the Toy dog family can be scooped up and put in a pocket, ever ready to explore. You might find a Chihuahua is too nervous as a traveling companion. Terriers act first and think later. Decide first whether you want to be two of a kind. Cats like life to operate like a well-oiled machine. They hate change! Are you willing to be a creature of habit, dear Archer?
Capricorn:
Sea Goats resonate with working dogs like Border Collies, German Shepherds, or Huskies. Convince a Boxer or a Doberman that you know best and that you are the boss and they are the pet – which you shouldn’t find too difficult – and they’ll happily guard you, your home and your family. A Schnauzer likes rules and follows them. Toy dogs get upset and snappy, making it difficult to concentrate. A cat sits on your computer, hits the wrong key and erases three hours of work efforts. A mutt doesn’t come with Capricorn-coveted papers or prestigious breed qualifications like “The Soft-Coated Wheaton Terrier, son of Alhambra Nottingdale IV and Queen Pookiboo Xi.”
Aquarius:
Water Bearers make ideal adoptive parents for the mutts of the world. Ears, bodies, legs and feet that don’t seem to match the dog they belong to are fascinating to you. A Greyhound retired from racing is a rescue mission: They love to run; you have to be fit – and if you aren’t, they keep you that way. A Pekinese has a huge, free and independent personality you have to admire. Just know that they are rather dignified and may disapprove of outfits you consider stunning, but they find distasteful. If you have room for boarding, Aquarians are attracted to exotic animals like camels, elephants and emus because no one else has them!
Pisces:
The most obvious pet choice for a Pisces is, of course, a fish. Koi can be friendly creatures, though not huggable. The bonus for a Pisces is the pond, complete with fountain that relaxes your nerves. Cats nap a great deal, but then so do many Pisces. Cats are good little lap nesters and provide something to compassionately pet. Purring is reassuring icing on the cake. Non-sporting dogs make great companions: They’ll love activity when you want to do something, and yet it’s okay if you just want to laze around. The Chow Chow and Shar-Pei easily win your heart. Dogs with big, hidden-by-hair eyes that you can’t peer into, like a Lhasa Apso or a Shih Tzu, might make you uncomfortable.
It is time to adjust your feelings and emotions dear Cancer. We all know how sensitive you can become at times. Money will be taken, and money will spent all for a good cause. Have faith that all will turn out all right no matter what it is. For some Cancers this is been a year of ups and downs. All this is to make your strong and confident within yourself. You have truly grown this year dear Cancer, possibly more than some.
Between now and the end of the yer, your life will have completed a 180 degree turn around in how you face life and it’s problems. Continue to communicate, for that is only how a close mouth gets fed. Instead of retreating when you don’t understand something, or hurt by your own decisions, let love fill those empty caverns of your heart, and joy will prevail. To know thyself be true. I can see you smiling, keep going, you are almost there. (understanding) The moon may govern your emotions but not your mind, you have control, so use it.
Elaine Riddick was 13 years old when she got pregnant after being raped by a neighbor in Winfall, N.C., in 1967. The state ordered that immediately after giving birth, she should be sterilized. Doctors cut and tied off her fallopian tubes.
“I have to carry these scars with me. I have to live with this for the rest of my life,” she said.
Riddick was never told what was happening. “Got to the hospital and they put me in a room and that’s all I remember, that’s all I remember,” she said. “When I woke up, I woke up with bandages on my stomach.”
Riddick’s records reveal that a five-person state eugenics board in Raleigh had approved a recommendation that she be sterilized. The records label Riddick as “feebleminded” and “promiscuous.” They said her schoolwork was poor and that she “does not get along well with others.”
“I was raped by a perpetrator [who was never charged] and then I was raped by the state of North Carolina. They took something from me both times,” she said. “The state of North Carolina, they took something so dearly from me, something that was God given.”
It wouldn’t be until Riddick was 19, married and wanting more children, that she’d learn she was incapable of having any more babies. A doctor in New York where she was living at the time told her that she’d been sterilized.
“Butchered. The doctor used that word… I didn’t understand what she meant when she said I had been butchered,” Riddick said.
North Carolina was one of 31 states to have a government run eugenics program. By the 1960s, tens of thousands of Americans were sterilized as a result of these programs.
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Eugenics was a scientific theory that grew in popularity during the 1920s. Eugenicists believed that poverty, promiscuity and alcoholism were traits that were inherited. To eliminate those society ills and improve society’s gene pool, proponents of the theory argued that those that exhibited the traits should be sterilized. Some of America’s wealthiest citizens of the time were eugenicists including Dr. Clarence Gamble of the Procter and Gamble fortune and James Hanes of the hosiery fortune. Hanes helped found the Human Betterment League which promoted the cause of eugenicists.
It began as a way to control welfare spending on poor white women and men, but over time, North Carolina shifted focus, targeting more women and more blacks than whites. A third of the sterilizations performed in North Carolina were done on girls under the age of 18. Some were as young as nine years old.
For the past eight years, North Carolina lawmakers have been working to find a way to compensate those involuntarily sterilized in the state between 1929 and 1974. During that time period, 7,600 people were sterilized in North Carolina. Of those who were sterilized, 85 percent of the victims were female and 40 percent were non-white.
“You can’t rewind a watch or rewrite history. You just have to go forward and that’s what we’re trying to do in North Carolina,” said Governor Beverly Perdue in an exclusive interview with NBC News.
While North Carolina’s eugenics board was disbanded in 1977, the law allowing involuntary sterilization wasn’t officially repealed until 2003. In 2002, the state issued an apology to those who had been sterilized, but the victims have yet to receive any financial compensation, medical care or counseling from the state. Since 2003, three task forces have been created to determine a way to compensate the victims. Officials estimate that as many as 2,000 victims are still alive.
Riddick was one of several victims to speak at a public hearing this summer. It was the first time that many survivors had told their stories publicly and that others heard of North Carolina’s tarnished past.
“To think about folks who went in…and their doctor told them this was birth control and they were sterilized…the folks who didn’t have the capacity to make the decisions, the uninformed consent,” said Perdue. “Those types of stories aren’t good for America and I can’t allow for this period in history to be forgotten, that’s why this work is important.”
Only 48 victims have been matched with their records, something necessary for them to eventually be compensated. State Representative Larry Womble has been advocating for the survivors of the state’s sterilization program for nearly 10 years. He helped fight for the repeal of the state’s law.
Womble said that if the government is “powerful enough to perpetrate this on this society, they ought to be responsible, step up to the plate and compensate.”
In August, a task force created by Gov. Perdue recommended that the victims be compensated, but they were unsure how much to award the victims. Previous numbers pondered range between $20,000 and $50,000. The task force also recommended mental health services for living victims and a traveling museum exhibit about North Carolina’s eugenics program.
Perdue said it’s a challenge to determine how much money each victim should be given.
“From my perspective, and as a woman, and as the governor of this state, this is not about the money. There isn’t enough money in the world to pay these people for what has been done to them, but money is part of the equation,” she said.
Riddick once sued North Carolina for a million dollars. Her case made it all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States, but the court declined to hear the case. “I would like for the state of North Carolina to right what they wronged with me,” she said.
Some victims and their advocates have questioned whether North Carolina is procrastinating in compensating them, hoping they’ll die before a solution is reached. “It’s an ugly chapter in North Carolina’s book, we have a wonderful book, but there’s an ugly chapter,” Womble said. “We must step up to the plate and we must realize and take responsibility.”
Perdue, for her part, said that she is committed to helping the victims.
“I want this solved on my watch. I want there to be completion. I want the whole discussion to end and there be action for these folks. There is nobody in North Carolina who is waiting for anybody to die,” Gov. Perdue said.
Despite the state social workers who declared Riddick was “mentally retarded” and “promiscuous”, she went to college and raised the son born moments before she was sterilized. Her son is devoted to his mother and a successful entrepreneur.
Elaine is proud of her achievements.
“I don’t know where I would be if I listened to the state of North Carolina,” she said.