I just stole this video from Alex over at Vitus Speaks. It's French, fabulously entertaining, and... stars a couple of love-struck octopuses! Is there anything better than that?!
And of course, I would be remiss to not to use this chance to encourage you all to support our team, The Octapeds for Langerhans. We'll be walking in support of our friend, Dr. Becky Houck on March 8th, in Santa Monica, CA, as we raise money for the Lustgarten Foundation, a non-profit that sponsors pancreatic cancer research and supports people suffering from pancreatic cancer. Of course, if you'll be in the area, we'd love for you to join our team!
And now, without further ado... Oktapodi!
Showing posts with label Octapeds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Octapeds. Show all posts
24 February 2009
20 January 2009
Octapeds at the Beach!
On Sunday, March 8th, 2009 my cousins and I will be walking, as the team, "Octapeds for Langerhans", in the second annual Lustgarten West Coast Walk in Santa Monica, CA. The Lustgarten Foundation is a fabulous organization that sponsors pancreatic cancer research and supports pancreatic cancer patients and their families.
The Octapeds for Langerhans (affectionately known as The Octapeds) were created in support of our friend and biology professor, Dr. Becky Houck, who was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer on Sept. 17, 2007. Dr. Houck is a Marine Biologist by training and has studied octopuses (yes, that really is the plural!) for many years. Those of us fortunate enough to have been taught by her remember all sorts of fabulous marine bio stories, not the least of which is that of an octopus in Hawaii with an excellent memory and a penchant for trouble.
The Islets of Langerhans are cells in the pancreas, though not ones that typically give rise to pancreatic cancer. Put it all together and you get the fashionably-nerdy team name: Octapeds for Langerhans!
Last year, the Octapeds participated in the first-ever Lustgarten West Coast Walk. It was such an amazing experience that we're doing it again this year! Not only that, but Dr. Houck will be joining us at the walk this year!
So, if you're in the area or want to fly out - come join us! And no pressure, but if you can, please sponsor our team! No amount is too small and everything is appreciated to help in the battle against pancreatic cancer. Here's the link to our team:
http://www.lustgartencommunity.org/octapeds
Honestly, all cancer sucks, but pancreatic cancer is especially vile. The 5-year survival rate is less than 5% - a fact that has not changed in 30 years despite improved survival rates for other cancers. We need more research – both for early detection and for mechanistic understanding that will lead to cures. Please help us support the Lustgarten Foundation as they support life-saving pancreatic cancer research.
The Octapeds for Langerhans (affectionately known as The Octapeds) were created in support of our friend and biology professor, Dr. Becky Houck, who was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer on Sept. 17, 2007. Dr. Houck is a Marine Biologist by training and has studied octopuses (yes, that really is the plural!) for many years. Those of us fortunate enough to have been taught by her remember all sorts of fabulous marine bio stories, not the least of which is that of an octopus in Hawaii with an excellent memory and a penchant for trouble.
The Islets of Langerhans are cells in the pancreas, though not ones that typically give rise to pancreatic cancer. Put it all together and you get the fashionably-nerdy team name: Octapeds for Langerhans!
Last year, the Octapeds participated in the first-ever Lustgarten West Coast Walk. It was such an amazing experience that we're doing it again this year! Not only that, but Dr. Houck will be joining us at the walk this year!
So, if you're in the area or want to fly out - come join us! And no pressure, but if you can, please sponsor our team! No amount is too small and everything is appreciated to help in the battle against pancreatic cancer. Here's the link to our team:
http://www.
Honestly, all cancer sucks, but pancreatic cancer is especially vile. The 5-year survival rate is less than 5% - a fact that has not changed in 30 years despite improved survival rates for other cancers. We need more research – both for early detection and for mechanistic understanding that will lead to cures. Please help us support the Lustgarten Foundation as they support life-saving pancreatic cancer research.
11 November 2008
Octapeds in November
November is Pancreatic Awareness Month.
I realize that we're already nearly half-way through November, but I suppose that it's better late than never... And so, in honour of such an important topic and such an important month, here is the story of the ever-so-famous Octapeds!
The Octapeds for Langerhans (affectionately known as The Octapeds) is a team that was created in support of Auntie Becky, who was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer on September 17th, 2007. Auntie, you see, is a Marine Biologist by training and has studied octopusus (yes, that really is the plural!) for many, many years. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to have been taught by Auntie remember all sorts of fabulous marine bio stories - not the least of which is that of an octopus in Hawaii with an excellent memory and a penchant for trouble.
The Octapeds were created specifically to participate in the first annual Lustgarten Foundation West Coast Walk in Santa Monica, CA. The Lustgarten Foundation is one of two national groups that does patient education and advocacy, as well as sponsoring pancreatic cancer research. (The other really fabulous organization is The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.) Now that all the pieces are in place, here is the etymology of the team name:
Octapeds - Octopods is the generic term of Octopusus. We were walkers so, "OctoPEDS" instead of "OctoPODS". The final name of "OctApeds" came about solely because I can't spell.
Langerhans - Langerhans is merely a shout-out to the pancreas. The Islets of Langerhans are cells in the pancreas. They are not, traditionally, the cells in which pancreatic cancer begins. Still, Langerhans is a cool pancreas-associated word and a great addition to the team name.
Put it all together and what do you have?!
And so, last March, a small handful of us: my cousins, their two children, and my good friend from grad school, all headed to the coastal promenade in Santa Monica for the First Annual West Coast Walk. Armed with loads of monetary pledges in support of the Lustgarten Foundation and really fabulous team t-shirts, we had no idea what to expect. Would other teams show up? Would it be really sad? Would it be really fun? We were so amazingly surprised -- it was a beautiful, clear morning on the Southern California Coast. In total, over 500 people attended the walk, including one team of fire-fighters that had nearly 100 participants. Some teams had special t-shirts, others came as-is. Some people had pictures of their loved ones, others walked anonymously. Everyone, and I mean everyone, came to the walk with stories, memories, and a deep commitment to increase pancreatic cancer awareness -- it was beautiful!
(We were the best dressed team, by far!)
(The walk, itself, was down the coastal promenade starting in ritzy Santa Monica, meandering into hippie Venice Beach, and then returning to Santa Monica. As we approached Venice, the crisp smell of salt-water we could so clearly smell in Santa Monica, was replaced by the sweet smell of pot -- hilarious! You could just close your eyes, take a deep breath and know exactly where you were!)
(Walking along the coastal promenade.)
Perhaps the most touching moment of the walk, for me anyway, was at the end. We had already crossed the finish line and were headed to the beach in a search for seaweed (the kids are obsessed with seaweed). We looked back just in time to see an older gentleman walking all by himself and holding a sign that read, "In memory of my wife [her name]". It was so sad. I had had so much fun that morning at the walk -- seeing that man really brought home the whole point of the walk. Pancreatic cancer -- well, really any kind of cancer -- sucks. We need to do anything and everything we can to fight it!
The 2nd Annual West Coast Walk is scheduled for March 8th, 2009 in Santa Monica, CA. The Octapeds will be there and we'd love for you to join us! Please mark it on your calendar and please come if you can! (We'll give you a fabulous team t-shirt -- promise!!)
And if you can't come, and would like a t-shirt (available in regular or girly-tee styles), we'll be selling them as a fund-raiser for Lustgarten! C'mon you know you want to be cool like us...
I realize that we're already nearly half-way through November, but I suppose that it's better late than never... And so, in honour of such an important topic and such an important month, here is the story of the ever-so-famous Octapeds!
The Octapeds for Langerhans (affectionately known as The Octapeds) is a team that was created in support of Auntie Becky, who was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer on September 17th, 2007. Auntie, you see, is a Marine Biologist by training and has studied octopusus (yes, that really is the plural!) for many, many years. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to have been taught by Auntie remember all sorts of fabulous marine bio stories - not the least of which is that of an octopus in Hawaii with an excellent memory and a penchant for trouble.
The Octapeds were created specifically to participate in the first annual Lustgarten Foundation West Coast Walk in Santa Monica, CA. The Lustgarten Foundation is one of two national groups that does patient education and advocacy, as well as sponsoring pancreatic cancer research. (The other really fabulous organization is The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.) Now that all the pieces are in place, here is the etymology of the team name:
Octapeds - Octopods is the generic term of Octopusus. We were walkers so, "OctoPEDS" instead of "OctoPODS". The final name of "OctApeds" came about solely because I can't spell.
Langerhans - Langerhans is merely a shout-out to the pancreas. The Islets of Langerhans are cells in the pancreas. They are not, traditionally, the cells in which pancreatic cancer begins. Still, Langerhans is a cool pancreas-associated word and a great addition to the team name.
Put it all together and what do you have?!
THE OCTAPEDS FOR LANGERHANS!!!!
Yes, it is a fabulous (though nerdy) name and a fabulous team! (A super-big thanks to my friend, Brandon, for the team logo.)
And so, last March, a small handful of us: my cousins, their two children, and my good friend from grad school, all headed to the coastal promenade in Santa Monica for the First Annual West Coast Walk. Armed with loads of monetary pledges in support of the Lustgarten Foundation and really fabulous team t-shirts, we had no idea what to expect. Would other teams show up? Would it be really sad? Would it be really fun? We were so amazingly surprised -- it was a beautiful, clear morning on the Southern California Coast. In total, over 500 people attended the walk, including one team of fire-fighters that had nearly 100 participants. Some teams had special t-shirts, others came as-is. Some people had pictures of their loved ones, others walked anonymously. Everyone, and I mean everyone, came to the walk with stories, memories, and a deep commitment to increase pancreatic cancer awareness -- it was beautiful!
(We were the best dressed team, by far!)
(Walking along the coastal promenade.)The 2nd Annual West Coast Walk is scheduled for March 8th, 2009 in Santa Monica, CA. The Octapeds will be there and we'd love for you to join us! Please mark it on your calendar and please come if you can! (We'll give you a fabulous team t-shirt -- promise!!)
And if you can't come, and would like a t-shirt (available in regular or girly-tee styles), we'll be selling them as a fund-raiser for Lustgarten! C'mon you know you want to be cool like us...
17 September 2008
One Year
Today is 17 September 2008.
It is a significant day.
One year ago today, on 17 September 2007 Auntie Becky, my Mamma Hen, was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. It was a diagnosis that made everyone who knows Auntie fall to their knees in prayer. Cancer is scary. And pancreatic cancer?! Well, that's even scarier. And Stage IV pancreatic cancer?! Absolutely terrifying! The one year survival rate is abysmal.
That's just what makes 17 September 2008 so special.
Forget the statistics and survival rates. Today is not about numbers. Today is about Auntie Becky and the amazing person that she is. Today is the celebration of a year well lived! Ever since I have known her (dare I say Sept 1995?!), Auntie Becky has had a crazy live-life-to-the-fullest attitude. She is amazing and has instilled that attitude in all of her students. This year has been no different. Auntie has been traveling, teaching, and doing whatever-in-the-hell-it-is-that-she-wants-to-do. Auntie Becky?! She rocks! Holla'!
Here is a photo from Auntie's friend, Fr. Tom C.S.C., taken on a Biology Study trip in Australia in 2005.
Auntie happily posing next to a termite mound.
(Seriously. Just who in their right mind would be happy standing next to a pile of bugs?!)
Auntie and a drive-thru Redwood tree!
Nothing in this past year has abated Auntie's crazy live-life-to-the-fullest attitude. Actually, if anything, at least judged from an outside perspective, that attitude has been strengthened. Auntie Becky is one of the most amazing people I have ever known. (This is not a secret, any one of her multitude of students could tell you that.) But this, year?! Wow, this year, Auntie proved herself to be more amazing than ever. Like I said earlier, she rocks!
It is a significant day.
One year ago today, on 17 September 2007 Auntie Becky, my Mamma Hen, was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. It was a diagnosis that made everyone who knows Auntie fall to their knees in prayer. Cancer is scary. And pancreatic cancer?! Well, that's even scarier. And Stage IV pancreatic cancer?! Absolutely terrifying! The one year survival rate is abysmal.
That's just what makes 17 September 2008 so special.
Forget the statistics and survival rates. Today is not about numbers. Today is about Auntie Becky and the amazing person that she is. Today is the celebration of a year well lived! Ever since I have known her (dare I say Sept 1995?!), Auntie Becky has had a crazy live-life-to-the-fullest attitude. She is amazing and has instilled that attitude in all of her students. This year has been no different. Auntie has been traveling, teaching, and doing whatever-in-the-hell-it-is-that-she-wants-to-do. Auntie Becky?! She rocks! Holla'!
Here is a photo from Auntie's friend, Fr. Tom C.S.C., taken on a Biology Study trip in Australia in 2005.
Auntie happily posing next to a termite mound.(Seriously. Just who in their right mind would be happy standing next to a pile of bugs?!)
And more recently, here's a photo of Auntie Becky checking out the Redwoods in California this summer:
Auntie and a drive-thru Redwood tree!Please pray for Auntie Becky. Pray for her miracle! And pray, too, in thanksgiving for her relatively good health this past year. We're all looking forward to celebrating 17 September 2009 and many, many more 17 Septembers to come!
11 August 2008
Mamma Hen
I actually entered university as a Biology major, though it wasn't long till I jumped ship to Chemistry. Still, my first full course at university was General Biology. In lecture, I sat with 60 (80?) or so other freshman, ready to take notes. For us, it was a huge course and a huge undertaking as well.
In the front of the lecture hall was a petite woman, wearing an over-sized cardigan-like sweater with large pockets, a long black skirt, and black ballet flats. She was very excited and highly excitable. Wearing what only years later I discovered was her "lecture outfit", complete with overhead pens in the pockets and a microphone on the lapel, she would get so worked up about the beauty of this-or-that (usually some system or pathway) that her shoes would click-click-click on the hardwood floor, her hair would flop about, and her arms would flail - so much so that you could envision her as a bat who was about to take flight. (Never mind that she actually studied bat behaviour; the similarities were truly striking.) We loved her, instantly. And we hung on her every word.
We learned many things in that lecture course, much of which I still use to this day: molecular pathways, cell cycle regulation, DNA replication, random mnemonic devices, and so much more. We also learned about avian imprinting. Chicks, as I remember it, hatch with no innate knowledge of who the Mamma Hen is. Rather, they "imprint" on whatever face they see first. And so it was with our oddly-dressed General Bio prof, Dr. Houck (who, by the way, dressed normally on non-lecture days); our freshman class imprinted upon her. She became our Mamma Hen. Over the years, she has also become Embryology prof (for me anyway), adviser, mentor, and eventually friend.
Going for familiarity, but also unwavering respect, I now call her "Auntie Becky".
Here's a photo of Auntie Becky and me from my university days - proof that she dressed normally on non-lecture days. I'm not sure what I was thinking, though. Notice the black dress, and large, cardigan-like sweater? Perhaps I was trying to emulate the "lecture outfit"? No pockets and no lapel, though; it looks like I have no excuse!
This weekend, I got to visit with Auntie. It was fabulous, as always, because she is still my Mamma Hen, and well, chicks always love their Mammas. We had a nice chat, about serious stuff (yay! for the transition from infusion to oral chemo!) and silly stuff (ugly bridesmaid dresses). And we just hung out. I feel like my life is so hectic these days, that it's nice to just sit and be with a friend. Here's a photo of Auntie Becky chillin' with her fat-cat, Abi.
Yes, more proof that Auntie dresses normally when not lecturing. In fact, she's wearing a super-stylish Octapeds t-shirt, which is hidden by fat-cat, Abi. More on the Octapeds later, but as a preview, here's that super-stylish shirt:
(Isn't this the greatest shirt ever?! You know you want one!)
For now, though, I leave you with one more photo of fat-cat, Abi. Because, quite frankly, he's adorable, super-cuddly, and so stinkin' cute that he just needs another picture on here!
In the front of the lecture hall was a petite woman, wearing an over-sized cardigan-like sweater with large pockets, a long black skirt, and black ballet flats. She was very excited and highly excitable. Wearing what only years later I discovered was her "lecture outfit", complete with overhead pens in the pockets and a microphone on the lapel, she would get so worked up about the beauty of this-or-that (usually some system or pathway) that her shoes would click-click-click on the hardwood floor, her hair would flop about, and her arms would flail - so much so that you could envision her as a bat who was about to take flight. (Never mind that she actually studied bat behaviour; the similarities were truly striking.) We loved her, instantly. And we hung on her every word.
We learned many things in that lecture course, much of which I still use to this day: molecular pathways, cell cycle regulation, DNA replication, random mnemonic devices, and so much more. We also learned about avian imprinting. Chicks, as I remember it, hatch with no innate knowledge of who the Mamma Hen is. Rather, they "imprint" on whatever face they see first. And so it was with our oddly-dressed General Bio prof, Dr. Houck (who, by the way, dressed normally on non-lecture days); our freshman class imprinted upon her. She became our Mamma Hen. Over the years, she has also become Embryology prof (for me anyway), adviser, mentor, and eventually friend.
Going for familiarity, but also unwavering respect, I now call her "Auntie Becky".
Here's a photo of Auntie Becky and me from my university days - proof that she dressed normally on non-lecture days. I'm not sure what I was thinking, though. Notice the black dress, and large, cardigan-like sweater? Perhaps I was trying to emulate the "lecture outfit"? No pockets and no lapel, though; it looks like I have no excuse!
This weekend, I got to visit with Auntie. It was fabulous, as always, because she is still my Mamma Hen, and well, chicks always love their Mammas. We had a nice chat, about serious stuff (yay! for the transition from infusion to oral chemo!) and silly stuff (ugly bridesmaid dresses). And we just hung out. I feel like my life is so hectic these days, that it's nice to just sit and be with a friend. Here's a photo of Auntie Becky chillin' with her fat-cat, Abi.
Yes, more proof that Auntie dresses normally when not lecturing. In fact, she's wearing a super-stylish Octapeds t-shirt, which is hidden by fat-cat, Abi. More on the Octapeds later, but as a preview, here's that super-stylish shirt:
(Isn't this the greatest shirt ever?! You know you want one!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
