Happy new year everyone and welcome to the first edition of 2012. I do hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
In this months newsletter we bring you the latest ‘Beat Cancer with Nutrition’ where we take a look at a leafy green called Kale. Often underestimated yet a nutritional powerhouse, Kale has one of the highest levels of antioxidants of any vegetable and contains phytochemicals thought to suppress tumour growth and block cancer causing substances from reaching their targets.
With an abundance of vitamins and minerals Kale is no doubt one of the top super foods so why not try introducing it to your diet and start protecting yourself today!
This month’s delicious recipe ‘Kale Omelette’ is a Spanish inspired recipe so simple yet satisfying and packed with goodness. Why not give it a try?
This month, we also highlight a growing problem facing many cancer sufferers; soaring fuel bills, which are leaving many families unable to heat their homes this winter and those who do left struggling to make ends meet. Fuel poverty is a growing concern and recent statistics highlight the real need for not only financial support but emotional support for families affected. Which leads me to discuss our next articles ‘Fundraising idea of the Month’ and ‘Sports Challenge 2012’.
Every month we bring you a host of fresh fundraising ideas in a bid to raise as much money as possible and gain maximum publicity to highlight the issues facing vulnerable young people with cancer.
This year, why not consider hosting a fundraising event or doing one of our challenges (or indeed your own) and help us to help others.
Until next month
Kim
Beat cancer with nutrition – Kale
While not as well researched as some of its fellow cruciferous vegetables like broccoli or cabbage, kale is a food that you can count on for some unsurpassed health benefits, if for no other reason than its exceptional nutrient richness.
Health benefits of Kale
Like most of its fellow cruciferous vegetables, kale has been studied more extensively in relationship to cancer than any other health condition. This research focus makes perfect sense. Kale’s nutrient richness stands out in three particular areas: (1) antioxidant nutrients, (2) anti-inflammatory nutrients, and (3) anti-cancer nutrients in the form of glucosinolates. Without sufficient intake of antioxidants, our oxygen metabolism can become compromised, and we can experience a metabolic problem called “oxidative stress.” Without sufficient intake of anti-inflammatory nutrients, regulation of our inflammatory system can become compromised, and we can experience the problem of chronic inflammation. Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation and the combination of these metabolic problems–are risk factors for development of cancer. We’ve seen research studies on 5 specific types of cancer–including bladder cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, and prostate cancer and intake of cruciferous vegetables (specifically including kale). As a group, these studies definitely show cancer preventive benefits from kale intake, and in some cases, treatment benefits as well.
Kale’s cancer preventive benefits have been clearly linked to its unusual concentration of two types of antioxidants, namely, carotenoids and flavonoids. Within the carotenoids, lutein and beta-carotene are standout antioxidants in kale. Researchers have actually followed the passage of these two carotenoids in kale from the human digestive tract up into the blood stream, and they have demonstrated the ability of kale to raise blood levels of these carotenoid nutrients. That finding is important because lutein and beta-carotene are key nutrients in the protection of our body from oxidative stress and health problems related to oxidative stress. Increased risk of cataracts, atherosclerosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are three such problems. Also among these chronic health problems is cancer since our overall risk of cells becoming cancerous is partly related to oxidative stress.
Within the flavonoids, kaempferol is a spotlight antioxidant in kale, followed by a flavonoid called quercitin. But recent research has also made it clear that at least 45 different antioxidant flavonoids are provided in measurable amounts by kale. This broad spectrum of flavonoid antioxidants is likely to be a key to kale’s cancer-preventive benefits and benefits that we expect to be documented for other health problems stemming from oxidative stress.
Glucosinolates and Cancer-Preventive Benefits
What we have already seen in the health research on kale is ample evidence that its glucosinolates provide cancer-preventive benefits. Kale is a top food source for at least four glucosinolates, and once kale is eaten and digested, these glucosinolates can be converted by the body into cancer preventive compounds. Kale’s glucosinolates and the ITCs made from them have well-documented cancer preventive properties, and in some cases, cancer treatment properties as well. At the top of the cancer-related research for kale are colon cancer and breast cancer, but risk of bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and ovarian cancer have all been found to decrease in relationship to routine intake of kale.
Kale Omelette
Serves: 2
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 18 minutes
Ingredient:
2 medium waxy potatoes, diced (350g)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, sliced (175g)
75g Kale, chopped
6 medium eggs, beaten
75ml milk
Method:
Boil the potatoes for 8-10 minutes until tender.
Drain.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a 24cm frying pan
and fry the onion and Kale for 7-8 minutes.
Add the potatoes.
Mix together the eggs, milk and seasoning.
Pour into the frying pan and cook gently, covered for 7-8 minutes, finishing under a preheated grill for 1-2 minutes until cooked throughout.
Tip: Sprinkle with toasted pine nuts and serve
either hot or cold with a crisp green salad.
Nutritional information:
500kcals
30g protein
28g fat (of which 7g saturated)
39g carbohydrate (of which 9g sugar)
4.5g fibre
0.8g salt
Thank you’s
Impact Young Heroes would like to thank the following people and organisations for their generous donations and their continued support.
All Saints Church, Newton on Ouse
Otley Rotary Club
The Anglican Parish of St Laurence in Lanzarote
Tamworth Anker Inner Wheel No.6 district
The Rotary Club of Warwick Avon
Yvonne Hewitt.
Text Donation Service
Don’t forget you can donate to Impact Young Heroes via our text service. For those unfamiliar with the service, here’s how works;
It really is as simple as 1, 2, 3.
How it works
1)Write one of the following text codes into the main body of your text
MABD01 £1 (use this code will donate £1 to Young Heroes)
MABD01 £2 (use this code will donate £2 to Young Heroes)
MABD01 £3 (use this code will donate £3 to Young Heroes)
MABD01 £4 (use this code will donate £4 to Young Heroes)
MABD01 £5 (use this code will donate £4 to Young Heroes)
MABD01 £10 (use this code to donate £10 to Young Heroes)
Our charity’s code and the amount you wish to donate.
2) Send a text to 70070
Include your charity’s code and an amount (for example CHAR17 £10)
3) You’ll receive a text with a link
to a Gift Aid form.
If you’re a UK tax payer, your charity benefits from a 25% boost to your donation
Why use TextGiving?
1) The charity gets every penny
This is a free service so no admin fees are taken
2) It’s free to take part
All text messages are free on all networks (except for the cost of the donation sent)
3) Easy and quick
Simply send a text and give up to £10 using your Impact Young Heroes unique six-digit code.
Please support us By using our text donation service.
Cancer patients ‘relying on charity handouts’ for fuel
Cancer patients are relying more on charity handouts as they struggle to pay rising fuel bills, figures reveal.
Macmillan Cancer Support said it had paid out £2,548,563 to 12,669 cancer patients during 2011, up from £1.4m to 7,369 patients five years ago.
The charity wants a government-commissioned independent review of fuel poverty to prioritise cancer patients.
Macmillan’s campaign manager, Laura Keely, said it was “shocking” cancer sufferers needed such help.
‘Unacceptable reality’
She said: “To feel too scared to put the heating on because of soaring energy bills is an unacceptable reality for thousands of vulnerable cancer patients who feel the cold more and spend long periods of time at home.
“When the charity was established 100 years ago, founder Douglas Macmillan helped cancer patients by handing out sacks of coal to keep them warm.
“It is shocking that a century on, people who are diagnosed with this devastating disease are still relying on charity help to heat their freezing homes.”
The charity says 70% of cancer patients under 55 have less income after being diagnosed, often because their illness affects their ability to earn.
But their fuel bills often rise because they are spending more time at home and often feel colder because of their illness.
Research into fuel poverty for Macmillan suggests those on housing benefit and council tax benefit or with a low annual household income are most susceptible to fuel poverty.
Sourced from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16336267
NEW FACEBOOK DONATION SERVICE
We love fundraising. We also love Facebook.
Which is why Young Heroes are delighted that JustGiving have launched a brand new service combining the two.
As a charity this exciting new application will allow supporters of our charity to make one-off donations or set up a monthly direct debit scheme.
As one of our fundraisers the new service will allow you to;
- Share your JustGiving page on Facebook.
- Friends can sponsor you without leaving Facebook.
- Make it easier for your friends to tell their friends about your fundraising.
- Allow you and your friends to start conversations about your fundraising by leaving comments on your page which also appear in their friends’ newsfeeds.
Start using the app now at http://apps.facebook.com/jgdonation
Fundraising idea of the Month
We are all aware that themed fundraisers do very well to bring in the profits and encourage turnout. Valentine’s Day is not an exception! It’s one of the most popular holidays in the world. Everyone likes an excuse to celebrate love, so why not host a Valentine’s Day themed fundraiser?
Before you decide to host a Valentine’s Day fundraiser, you want to ensure that you are not alienating any of your potential donors. By that I mean, don’t focus your event or your fundraising products too much on couples or secret crushes—instead try to include everyone to draw the most guests possible to your event.
And remember, there are a ton of things to do on Valentine’s Day. Everyone is making plans. So try to make your event a little more unique then the rest. Here are some traditional and not-so-traditional themed Valentine’s Day fundraising ideas. Have fun and spread the love!
Valentine’s Dance
This one is easy to organise. Rent a space in a church, school or recreational hall. Then all you need to do is find a willing volunteer DJ and dance staff to take tickets. You can decorate the hall with Valentine’s themed décor and red and pink balloons.
Rose for your Love
Contact your local florist and ask them to donate slightly flawed roses for free or a reduced charge. Then sell them for £1.00 per rose, most people will tend to buy a dozen.
Sweet Thoughts
You can sell all sorts of yummy gifts that have a Valentine’s Day theme. Try heart shaped chocolates, cookies, heart shaped lollipops, teddy bears, love balloons, romantic candles and so on!
Romantic Getaway Giveaway
Contact a local hotel and ask them to donate a romantic weekend package or offer one up at a discounted price for charity. Then sell raffle tickets to friends, family, colleagues, friends of friends etc.
Bake Sale/Auction
Sugar lovers will jump at the chance to bake up a special sweet treat and donate it to your bake sale or auction, but more will likely come and bid on the sweet treats to take home and enjoy!
Sports Challenge 2012
As part of our winter fundraising drive we are asking supporters up and the country to take part in a range of events and activities to help us raise precious funds for young people affected by cancer.
Each month we will hand pick a selection of sporting events; so whether you are a beginner, seasoned athlete or general thrill-seeker there is an event for you.
What? London to Geneva Cycle
Cycle from London to Geneva by combining two of our most popular cycle challenges and creating a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Setting off from London, we pass through picturesque Kent countryside, cross the Channel and continue through the small villages and medieval market towns of Northern France to Paris and the evocative landmark of the Eiffel Tower. Heading off again, we cross rolling chalk hills, quiet woodland and rural plateaux dotted with small medieval towns and Romanesque churches until we reach the Roman spa town of Lons-le-Saunier, at the foot of the Jura Mountains.
This incredible challenge finishes with the hair-pin bends of the Col de la Faucille (1232m), a climb used regularly in the Tour de France and the toughest part of our challenge. We finish beside the lake in beautiful Geneva.
When? 16th May 2012
Where? London to Geneva
Closing date? Asap to avoid disappointment
For further information:
VISIT: http://www.discoveradventure.com
What? Around the clock sailing challenge to the Channel Islands
This is your chance to experience the thrill of sailing a wonderful classic 46ft yawl racing boat! Joining a professional skipper and mate, you and your fellow challengers will sail from Poole to the Channel Islands.
Musketeer, built in 1963, has sleek lines and is built of Honduras mahogany; a truly traditional boat. She is fast but needs working by her crew – and that’s where you come in!
When? 9th May 2012
Where? Poole
Closing date? Asap to avoid disappointment
For further information:
VISIT: http://www.discoveradventure.com
What? Cheddar to Glastonbury Trekathon
Heading south from our start point near the village of Cheddar we walk the edge of the Mendip Hills to Cheddar Gorge and on to the small cathedral city of Wells, we continue on flatter farmland, finally turning west towards Glastonbury, famous for its ancient history, mythical connections and music festival! We finish our challenge with a final effort to the top of Glastonbury Tor.
This is a tough event over the hills, farmland and wetlands of rural Somerset. At 26 miles it forms an enormous challenge for walkers. There will be full support throughout the challenge with marshals and water stops along the route.
When? 28th July 2012
Where? Cheddar
Closing date? Asap to avoid disappointment
For further information: