A recent VA study has revealed an effective, cost-efficient method for the prevention of nonmelanoma skin cancer, the most common cancer in the U.S. Investigators at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System discovered that, over a three-year period, patients treated with topical fluorouracil 5% (5-FU) had decreased skin cancer-related health care costs. Results suggest 5-FU could reduce the development of nonmelanoma skin cancer (and the related condition, actinic keratosis) in high-risk patients. With around 90,000 Veterans being treated for nonmelanoma skin cancer and treatment costs approaching $5 billion annually, the calculated cost savings of 5-FU therapy for VA could be as high as $69 million within three years.

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COURTESY US Department of Veterans Affairs

As the aroma of hot soup filled the halls at the VA Heinz Aspinwall on Wednesday, October 26th, many of the Veterans living at the facility anxiously awaited the doors to be opened to get in line to feast on the several homemade soups awaiting their tasting pleasure.

Pictured is First time volunteer, Gerry LaBella is a natural.

The VAVS sponsors an annual soup day in the fall where many of the volunteer organizations participate. For the past few years, some of the MCL #310 members have enjoyed the festivities and camaraderie of this much-anticipated event.

As in the past, Bob Timet and Rick Barzen prepared the soup of some wonderful concoction Bob dreams up. Audrey Szmed baked eight loaves of bread as it has become a request from returning guests.  Karen Barzen sent rice and noodles with Rick to compliment the soup.

Volunteering to help the #310 soup core group this year were Karen Barzen and Gerry LaBella. Sorely missed was Wilma Pakuszewski who currently resides at 29 Palms; and if it weren’t for a recent fall slowly her down, she would certainly want to be there rolling up her sleeves as she has for many years volunteering at the VA.

Bob had several Root Sport T-shirts which Tom Szmed passed out to the Vets as an extra bonus.

This event is well received by the Vets. We would like to mention that the VA Staff Member Ginger did a fabulous job in organizing this event and keeping everyone on track. What soup will Bob serve next year ?? .. not even the ‘Shadow’ knows.  We’ll have to wait.

 

Pictured is Gerry LaBella, Bob Timet, Karen and Rick Barzen