Re: Fw: Cancerbusters Letter

[Guest guest]

A fellow brain tumor patient and his parents are in need. Please open your

hearts and consider at least praying for them.

Thank you,

Kurt, 's Dad

========================================================================

Subject: Fw: Cancerbusters Letter

Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2000 19:52:48 -0400

July 28, 2000

Rita says that is doing very well after his surgery yesterday. He is

able to whisper words because the breathing tube in still in his throat. He

can see well, and it is clear that he will be able to speak. The doctor

thinks he will also be able to walk. Jim said after the first operation it

took months for to regain his full ability to see, walk, and talk.

looks great. This little boy never complains. In fact, he offers a

smile in the face of all the hardships put upon him. He is a fighter!

and his family still need your financial support. Please make copies

of this letter and give to friends and family.

RE: Cancerbusters Foundation, Inc.

FROM: Rita Starr

Dear Supporter of Medical Freedom,

The purpose of this letter is twofold: to update you about the plight of

5-year-old Navarro and to introduce you to the newly formed

Cancerbusters Foundation.

In September 1999, four-year-old Navarro was diagnosed with a

medulloblastoma brain tumor. After successful surgery, his parents, Jim and

Donna, decided 's best chance for survival with good quality of life

was antineoplastons, a nontoxic and effective treatment currently being

tested in clinical trials by Dr. Stanislaw Burzynski. This treatment has

saved the lives of many terminal brain tumor patients, including children

with the same type of tumor as .

For the past 10 months, the FDA has been denying permission for to be

enrolled in Dr. Burzynski's FDA-approved protocol because his tumor was not

" measurable " (it was completely removed during surgery, but medulloblastoma

ALWAYS recurs) and because has not had and failed the traditional

chemotherapy plus radiation regimen. The FDA also has refused to give

" Special Exception " status, which is regularly given in clinical

trials. The FDA also refused to allow Dr. Burzynski to open another

protocol for and other children like him. This agency insists

undergo chemotherapy plus radiation because he supposedly has a 70% chance

of living 5 years.

's parents have combed the medical literature and learned that these

therapies are also " experimental. " Although they have never received FDA

approval, against all logic, these treatments somehow have become, the

" standard of care. " This so-called " standard of care " can cause loss of

ability to see, hear, walk, talk, secondary tumors, and death. Substantial

loss of IQ and stunted growth are certain to occur.

Jim and Donna Navarro both come from families who have proudly served their

country. They have always taken pride in being Americans. However, since

learning that Americans are not free to make their own medical decisions,

Jim and Donna are ashamed of the government that is denying their son access

to a treatment which is his best chance for life. Unbelievably, the FDA and

medical doctors have the right to take legal action, to take your child from

you, and force treatments on your child that are chosen by medical

authorities.

In November 1999, with Child Protective Services of Arizona threatening to

take their children, Jim, Donna, , and

2 ½-year-old left their home in Tucson, Arizona and headed for

Houston Texas. For the next 7 months the Navarros lived in a hotel room

minutes from the Burzynski Clinic and the treatment they wanted for their

son. They believed that if they worked and fought hard enough, reason would

prevail, the FDA would relent, and would be given antineoplaston

therapy.

The Navarros went on local and national radio shows like that of Bill

Boshears and Dennis Prager. They were the focus of TV programs such as CNN,

NBC News with Tom Brokaw, the CBN 700 Club, and Extra. People Magazine did

a feature article about . All of this media coverage as well as

pressure from Senators Harkin and Hatch, Ambassador Alan Keyes, Texas

Governor Bush, and Representative Dan Burton did not change the FDA's mind.

Nor did thousands of letters and calls from supporters. Jim even testified

at (and C-SPAN covered) the June 7, 2000 House Government Reform Committee

hearing so he could plead with the FDA for his son's life, and to continue

to expose the fact that Americans do not have the right to choose treatments

they want. Dr. Pazdur, FDA's head of Oncology, was asked by

Chairman Burton to stay and listen to Jim and another family's testimonies.

Arrogantly, Pazdur promptly left the room after he completed his own

testimony.

Sadly, all these efforts were in vain. Moreover, right on schedule, and

despite treatment in Mexico, 's tumor has recurred. The Navarros knew

they had to do something or they would lose their child to this horrible

disease. Because of the pressure on 's brain, the Navarros could not

fly but had to drive across the United States–over 3,000 miles–so that

can undergo a second surgery, one which will be performed by one of

the best pediatric neurosurgeons in the country.

The Navarros have spent this past year fighting to save their son, but they

have also been fighting for everyone's medical freedom. They recently

formed the Cancerbusters Foundation. Along with an experienced and highly

motivated

board of directors and advisors (and a growing number of supporters), they

hope to accomplish a number of important goals:

• To help pay for treatment–conventional, experimental, or

alternative--of

cancer patients who cannot afford to pay. (The American Cancer Society and

many other such cancer organizations offer no financial assistance to cancer

patients and their families.)

• To pass HR 3677, the Navarro FDA Patient Rights Act. This

legislation would bar the FDA from placing " clinical holds " on

investigational treatments like antineoplastons just because the FDA

believes another therapy is preferable. Thus, the FDA would have no control

over treatment choices of patient--or parents. The bill was recently

unanimously

accepted by the House Commerce Committee because of the many letters Members

received. So that the bill will be brought to the House Floor for a vote,

we are now asking everyone to contact their U.S. Representatives to urge

them to support this bill. (Even if you have already called, please do so

again. The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121). Please help.

• To inform the public of the need to insist on " informed consent " from

their doctor before submitting to a treatment. Informed Consent means the

patient and family must be told about all possible short and long-term side

effects and the likely outcome of doing a treatment, and about ALL their

options, not just those that doctor agrees with. Doctors sometimes fail to

reveal the entire truth about a treatment for a variety of reasons: For

example, the doctor may find it difficult to tell a patient that he is going

to suffer terrible life-threatening side effects and may die anyway; or the

doctor may not want to lose the patient to a different treatment or

institution (that is, for monetary gain). Without complete knowledge,

however, how can a patient make an informed decision about treatment

options? By not advising patients about all possible side effects, the

doctor may think he is sparing the person; however, patients must live

through the side effects of the treatment and the eventual outcome. After

having the treatment, the patient will know the truth, but by then it may be

too late to seek out something else, or the patient may believe if they had

known the " truth, " they never would have had the therapy.

• To inform the public about the need to have doctors speak to them in

layman's terms so the patient fully understands what the doctor is saying.

For example, doctors often talk about getting a " complete response. " The

patients usually think this means a cure. It does not! To the FDA and

doctors a " complete response " is only a short period of time (a month or

two) in which the tumor is no longer visible on imaging studies, such as an

MRI or CT scan. It has nothing to do with survival or quality of life.

• To encourage patients to seek second and third opinions and to

research

conventional, experimental, and alternative therapies before making a

treatment decision. Your doctor may not be aware of other

treatments–whether

experimental, alternative, available at another facility, or in another

country. If the doctor is aware of other promising therapies which he may

not have access to, he should inform you about them. Even if your doctor is

unaware of other treatments, but he knows your chances of real success are

not good with his treatments, he should tell you. While you are still

relatively well and have not yet suffered the debilitating and often

permanent side effects of a treatment that your doctor knows probably will

not work (but will not tell you this fact), you can choose to do your own

research to find something less harmful and more effective.

• To work for passage of the Access to Medical Treatment Act. This act

would allow doctors to treat patients with any treatment the doctor and

patient feel would be of benefit –even if not FDA approved–as long as

the

patient is made aware the treatment is not approved and of the possible side

effects. Currently, if you have cancer, in most states a doctor can lose

his medical license if he treats you with anything but surgery, chemo,

radiation, and a few other conventional therapies. This forces many

patients to go to other countries to seek therapies, especially after the

" standard " therapies have failed, when it often is too late. This act has

been passed in about 9 states but not on a federal level.

Once in a while we hear about a non-profit organization that is making a

difference. Sometimes such organizations come into existence because of a

tragedy. Mothers Against Drunk Drivers was formed by a mother who lost her

daughter to a drunk driver. Now we have strong DUI laws because of this mom

and others like her. As a result of young Adam Walsh's death by a serial

killer, his father has helped save the lives of thousands of children

and adults through his " America's Most Wanted " TV program.

Because of 's plight, the Navarros have formed the Cancerbusters

Foundation. Jim and Donna and their board members are determined to make

Cancerbusters into a foundation that will make a difference in many people's

lives–especially the lives of cancer patients. Jim and Donna have already

done much through their determination and dedication. The Navarros have

decided that no matter what happens to , they will devote their lives

to making sure that other parents and children do not have to go through the

nightmare they have experienced. They hope that one day parents will not

have to worry that their child will be taken from them if they refuse to

submit the child to treatments the parents do not want--treatments that

sometimes do more harm than good. The Navarros hope that one day Americans

will have what should be their Constitutional right to make their own

medical choices. We believe the above-stated goals are worth fighting for.

And we hope you will help us in our efforts.

Right now, however, Navarro needs your help. He is about to undergo

surgery, but his family cannot afford to pay for the hospital bill. These

amount to about $56,000. Additional money will be needed for 's

recovery period and any subsequent treatments. Any donation you give will

be appreciated. One kind person has offered to advance some of the money so

that 's surgery will not be delayed. However, he is not a rich man

and needs to be reimbursed. Our first appeal for money for the

Cancerbusters Foundation will be for the little boy whose ordeal has brought

to the forefront in America the great need for this organization. Please

make your check payable to and send your tax-deductible donation to

Cancerbusters Foundation, Inc.

34522 N. sdale Rd., #262

sdale, AZ 85262

If you need any more information, call Rita Starr at 305-532-3113.

Also, please pray for Navarro.

Sincerely,

Rita Starr

Board Member of the Cancerbusters Foundation

________________________________________________________________________

Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com

[Guest guest]

A fellow brain tumor patient and his parents are in need. Please open your

hearts and consider at least praying for them.

Thank you,

Kurt, 's Dad

========================================================================

Subject: Fw: Cancerbusters Letter

Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2000 19:52:48 -0400

July 28, 2000

Rita says that is doing very well after his surgery yesterday. He is

able to whisper words because the breathing tube in still in his throat. He

can see well, and it is clear that he will be able to speak. The doctor

thinks he will also be able to walk. Jim said after the first operation it

took months for to regain his full ability to see, walk, and talk.

looks great. This little boy never complains. In fact, he offers a

smile in the face of all the hardships put upon him. He is a fighter!

and his family still need your financial support. Please make copies

of this letter and give to friends and family.

RE: Cancerbusters Foundation, Inc.

FROM: Rita Starr

Dear Supporter of Medical Freedom,

The purpose of this letter is twofold: to update you about the plight of

5-year-old Navarro and to introduce you to the newly formed

Cancerbusters Foundation.

In September 1999, four-year-old Navarro was diagnosed with a

medulloblastoma brain tumor. After successful surgery, his parents, Jim and

Donna, decided 's best chance for survival with good quality of life

was antineoplastons, a nontoxic and effective treatment currently being

tested in clinical trials by Dr. Stanislaw Burzynski. This treatment has

saved the lives of many terminal brain tumor patients, including children

with the same type of tumor as .

For the past 10 months, the FDA has been denying permission for to be

enrolled in Dr. Burzynski's FDA-approved protocol because his tumor was not

" measurable " (it was completely removed during surgery, but medulloblastoma

ALWAYS recurs) and because has not had and failed the traditional

chemotherapy plus radiation regimen. The FDA also has refused to give

" Special Exception " status, which is regularly given in clinical

trials. The FDA also refused to allow Dr. Burzynski to open another

protocol for and other children like him. This agency insists

undergo chemotherapy plus radiation because he supposedly has a 70% chance

of living 5 years.

's parents have combed the medical literature and learned that these

therapies are also " experimental. " Although they have never received FDA

approval, against all logic, these treatments somehow have become, the

" standard of care. " This so-called " standard of care " can cause loss of

ability to see, hear, walk, talk, secondary tumors, and death. Substantial

loss of IQ and stunted growth are certain to occur.

Jim and Donna Navarro both come from families who have proudly served their

country. They have always taken pride in being Americans. However, since

learning that Americans are not free to make their own medical decisions,

Jim and Donna are ashamed of the government that is denying their son access

to a treatment which is his best chance for life. Unbelievably, the FDA and

medical doctors have the right to take legal action, to take your child from

you, and force treatments on your child that are chosen by medical

authorities.

In November 1999, with Child Protective Services of Arizona threatening to

take their children, Jim, Donna, , and

2 ½-year-old left their home in Tucson, Arizona and headed for

Houston Texas. For the next 7 months the Navarros lived in a hotel room

minutes from the Burzynski Clinic and the treatment they wanted for their

son. They believed that if they worked and fought hard enough, reason would

prevail, the FDA would relent, and would be given antineoplaston

therapy.

The Navarros went on local and national radio shows like that of Bill

Boshears and Dennis Prager. They were the focus of TV programs such as CNN,

NBC News with Tom Brokaw, the CBN 700 Club, and Extra. People Magazine did

a feature article about . All of this media coverage as well as

pressure from Senators Harkin and Hatch, Ambassador Alan Keyes, Texas

Governor Bush, and Representative Dan Burton did not change the FDA's mind.

Nor did thousands of letters and calls from supporters. Jim even testified

at (and C-SPAN covered) the June 7, 2000 House Government Reform Committee

hearing so he could plead with the FDA for his son's life, and to continue

to expose the fact that Americans do not have the right to choose treatments

they want. Dr. Pazdur, FDA's head of Oncology, was asked by

Chairman Burton to stay and listen to Jim and another family's testimonies.

Arrogantly, Pazdur promptly left the room after he completed his own

testimony.

Sadly, all these efforts were in vain. Moreover, right on schedule, and

despite treatment in Mexico, 's tumor has recurred. The Navarros knew

they had to do something or they would lose their child to this horrible

disease. Because of the pressure on 's brain, the Navarros could not

fly but had to drive across the United States–over 3,000 miles–so that

can undergo a second surgery, one which will be performed by one of

the best pediatric neurosurgeons in the country.

The Navarros have spent this past year fighting to save their son, but they

have also been fighting for everyone's medical freedom. They recently

formed the Cancerbusters Foundation. Along with an experienced and highly

motivated

board of directors and advisors (and a growing number of supporters), they

hope to accomplish a number of important goals:

• To help pay for treatment–conventional, experimental, or

alternative--of

cancer patients who cannot afford to pay. (The American Cancer Society and

many other such cancer organizations offer no financial assistance to cancer

patients and their families.)

• To pass HR 3677, the Navarro FDA Patient Rights Act. This

legislation would bar the FDA from placing " clinical holds " on

investigational treatments like antineoplastons just because the FDA

believes another therapy is preferable. Thus, the FDA would have no control

over treatment choices of patient--or parents. The bill was recently

unanimously

accepted by the House Commerce Committee because of the many letters Members

received. So that the bill will be brought to the House Floor for a vote,

we are now asking everyone to contact their U.S. Representatives to urge

them to support this bill. (Even if you have already called, please do so

again. The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121). Please help.

• To inform the public of the need to insist on " informed consent " from

their doctor before submitting to a treatment. Informed Consent means the

patient and family must be told about all possible short and long-term side

effects and the likely outcome of doing a treatment, and about ALL their

options, not just those that doctor agrees with. Doctors sometimes fail to

reveal the entire truth about a treatment for a variety of reasons: For

example, the doctor may find it difficult to tell a patient that he is going

to suffer terrible life-threatening side effects and may die anyway; or the

doctor may not want to lose the patient to a different treatment or

institution (that is, for monetary gain). Without complete knowledge,

however, how can a patient make an informed decision about treatment

options? By not advising patients about all possible side effects, the

doctor may think he is sparing the person; however, patients must live

through the side effects of the treatment and the eventual outcome. After

having the treatment, the patient will know the truth, but by then it may be

too late to seek out something else, or the patient may believe if they had

known the " truth, " they never would have had the therapy.

• To inform the public about the need to have doctors speak to them in

layman's terms so the patient fully understands what the doctor is saying.

For example, doctors often talk about getting a " complete response. " The

patients usually think this means a cure. It does not! To the FDA and

doctors a " complete response " is only a short period of time (a month or

two) in which the tumor is no longer visible on imaging studies, such as an

MRI or CT scan. It has nothing to do with survival or quality of life.

• To encourage patients to seek second and third opinions and to

research

conventional, experimental, and alternative therapies before making a

treatment decision. Your doctor may not be aware of other

treatments–whether

experimental, alternative, available at another facility, or in another

country. If the doctor is aware of other promising therapies which he may

not have access to, he should inform you about them. Even if your doctor is

unaware of other treatments, but he knows your chances of real success are

not good with his treatments, he should tell you. While you are still

relatively well and have not yet suffered the debilitating and often

permanent side effects of a treatment that your doctor knows probably will

not work (but will not tell you this fact), you can choose to do your own

research to find something less harmful and more effective.

• To work for passage of the Access to Medical Treatment Act. This act

would allow doctors to treat patients with any treatment the doctor and

patient feel would be of benefit –even if not FDA approved–as long as

the

patient is made aware the treatment is not approved and of the possible side

effects. Currently, if you have cancer, in most states a doctor can lose

his medical license if he treats you with anything but surgery, chemo,

radiation, and a few other conventional therapies. This forces many

patients to go to other countries to seek therapies, especially after the

" standard " therapies have failed, when it often is too late. This act has

been passed in about 9 states but not on a federal level.

Once in a while we hear about a non-profit organization that is making a

difference. Sometimes such organizations come into existence because of a

tragedy. Mothers Against Drunk Drivers was formed by a mother who lost her

daughter to a drunk driver. Now we have strong DUI laws because of this mom

and others like her. As a result of young Adam Walsh's death by a serial

killer, his father has helped save the lives of thousands of children

and adults through his " America's Most Wanted " TV program.

Because of 's plight, the Navarros have formed the Cancerbusters

Foundation. Jim and Donna and their board members are determined to make

Cancerbusters into a foundation that will make a difference in many people's

lives–especially the lives of cancer patients. Jim and Donna have already

done much through their determination and dedication. The Navarros have

decided that no matter what happens to , they will devote their lives

to making sure that other parents and children do not have to go through the

nightmare they have experienced. They hope that one day parents will not

have to worry that their child will be taken from them if they refuse to

submit the child to treatments the parents do not want--treatments that

sometimes do more harm than good. The Navarros hope that one day Americans

will have what should be their Constitutional right to make their own

medical choices. We believe the above-stated goals are worth fighting for.

And we hope you will help us in our efforts.

Right now, however, Navarro needs your help. He is about to undergo

surgery, but his family cannot afford to pay for the hospital bill. These

amount to about $56,000. Additional money will be needed for 's

recovery period and any subsequent treatments. Any donation you give will

be appreciated. One kind person has offered to advance some of the money so

that 's surgery will not be delayed. However, he is not a rich man

and needs to be reimbursed. Our first appeal for money for the

Cancerbusters Foundation will be for the little boy whose ordeal has brought

to the forefront in America the great need for this organization. Please

make your check payable to and send your tax-deductible donation to

Cancerbusters Foundation, Inc.

34522 N. sdale Rd., #262

sdale, AZ 85262

If you need any more information, call Rita Starr at 305-532-3113.

Also, please pray for Navarro.

Sincerely,

Rita Starr

Board Member of the Cancerbusters Foundation

________________________________________________________________________

Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com