Cancer Research

As she chugs through the water, Annie Applegarth will never be mistaken for Olympic medalist Katie Hoff. Barbara Thompson will never be in a split-screen comparison to Michael Phelps . The triumph here is that 15 weeks ago, neither woman could swim a lick. Water was to be feared and being in over their heads was almost certain death. "I was terrified," recalls Thompson of her first lesson. "I was climbing down the ladder and clinging to the wall. " But these two middle-aged women and several of their swimming-challenged friends known as the Mermaids will join hundreds of others next Sunday jumping in the open waters off Gibson Island or the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center pool to swim a mile or three for cancer research.

When Ian Hannafin's close friend died of cancer five years ago, he wanted to do something to help fight the disease so other families wouldn't have to suffer. The 15-year-old, who lives in Parkton, was only 10 when his close friend and neighbor, Joseph Messina, died of cancer in 2005. Joseph suffered from neuroblastoma and died at the age of 5, and after experiencing his death, Ian felt compelled to help. "When my friend died of cancer, I wanted to do something. I just couldn't stand watching their family suffer so much.

Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center has received a $20 million donation for pancreas cancer research and patient care, the largest donation for such research in its history. The award came from Albert P. "Skip" Viragh Jr., founder of Rockville-based Rydex Investment, a mutual fund investment company. Viragh, who died of the disease at 62, was a Hopkins patient. The money will fund the existing laboratory, expand clinical programs and contribute to new research at the newly named Skip Viragh Center for Pancreas Cancer Clinical Research and Patient Care.

Gwen Jocson couldn't help but notice the symmetry when she reflected on her first competitive race in more than a decade. Jocson, 43, began her relatively brief but highly successful career with a victory in 1989, then capped it with a win in a race Friday afternoon. "Well, I won my first race and I won my last race. If I hadn't won this race, I'd have to go back to riding and get back even. It felt great because it was for a cause," Jocson said. Injuries prematurely ended Jocson's career.

On January 19, 2010, EMMA M. (nee Reimsnider) JOHENNING, age 90, beloved sister of Irma Spear; mother of Patricia Johenning; grandmother of Ian LaFleur; aunt of four nieces and one nephew; great-aunt of three grand-nieces and five grand-nephews, and great-grand aunt of one, as well as many loving family and friends. She is also survived by son, Raymond L. Johenning, Jr., and grandchildren, Steven, Laura and Kevin. She was preceded in death by loving husband, Raymond L. Johenning, Sr.; beloved sister Gertrude Smith and beloved daughter Mary LaFleur.

On December 29, 2009, CATHERINE ANN SPARKES "CATHY" (nee Maxwell); beloved wife of George M. Sparkes; devoted daughter of Richard and Irene Maxwell; loving sister of Denise Wendler and her husband Kevin; aunt of Karl, Jennifer, and Bradley Wendler, and Katherine Sparkes; daughter-in-law of Alfred and Mary Sparkes; sister-in-law of Alfred Sparkes, Jr. Also survived by many other loving family members and friends. A Memorial Service will be held at the Schimunek Funeral Home Inc., 9705 Belair Road (at Forge Road)

On August 8, 2009, Dr. Orazio "Ivy" Sindoni A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Joppa, MD on Thursday, August 13, 2009 at 12 noon. Interment will be in Barcellona, Sicily. Friends may call at the church in Joppa on Thursday from 11 to 12 noon prior to the service. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, 401 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21231 and should be earmarked for "cancer research".

Produce-linked food poisonings on the rise Americans didn't suffer more food poisoning last year despite high-profile outbreaks involving peppers, peanut butter and other foods, according to a new government report. Rates of food-borne illnesses have been holding steady for four years. They had been declining from the mid-1990s until the beginning of this decade, mainly because of improvements in the meat and poultry industry, some experts say. But produce-associated food poisonings have been increasing, and the nation is no longer making progress against food-borne disease rates, said Elliot Ryser, a professor of food science at Michigan State University.

The back of the T-shirt everyone was wearing Sunday said it all: "Heartburn can cause cancer." The Mordecai family didn't know that when John "Monte" Mordecai was diagnosed two years ago with esophageal cancer. He died less than a year later at age 63. In his honor - and ultimately in his memory - his daughter Mara, now 13, wanted to spread the word about this deadly disease, one that claims nearly all who are diagnosed with it, in the hope that no one else would have to lose their father to something that could have been caught sooner if only he had known to be on the lookout.