Story Ideas for Media 11/17/08

Research

Ohio State study: Intervention program boosts survival in breast cancer patients. A new study provides the best evidence to date that a psychological intervention program designed for breast cancer patients not only improves their health – it actually increases their chance of survival.
Researchers at Ohio State University’s Comprehensive Cancer Center found that patients participating in an intervention program reduced their risk of dying of breast cancer by 56 percent after an average of 11 years.
Participants in the program, which taught strategies to reduce stress, improve mood and alter health behaviors, also reduced the risk of breast cancer recurrence by 45 percent.
“The results suggest that we can help breast cancer patients make positive steps that may help them live longer and make recurrence less likely,” said Barbara Andersen, lead author of the study and a member of Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center and professor of psychology. CONTACT: Barbara Andersen, (614) 292-4236. SEE: http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/cancrsurv.htm

Events

It’s International Education Week – Nov. 17-21. The week of November 17-21 marks the ninth annual celebration of International Education Week. A joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education, International Education Week is an opportunity to promote a broader understanding of world cultures. Ohio State joins thousands of other institutions worldwide participating in events that bring an international perspective to college campuses. For a complete list of international events taking place on Ohio State’s campus during the week, see http://oia.osu.edu/

It’s Beat Michigan Week 2008 – through Nov. 22. Ohio State is celebrating school spirit and engaging in some friendly competitions with the University of Michigan to commemorate Beat Michigan Week 2008, Nov. 16-22. This year, the two teams will compete in the 105th game in this historic rivalry.
Throughout the week, students from both schools will donate blood in the Annual Red Cross Blood Battle, commit to being an organ donor and also collect canned goods to donate. Winners of those competitions will be announced at halftime. Fraternities will carry the game ball from the Big House in Ann Arbor to Ohio Stadium to raise funds for cancer research. Fans are also invited to “lose the blue” and donate some blue clothing to support Goodwill Columbus. Featured events include the Beat Michigan Pep Rally on Friday (11/21) and the Buckeye Battle Cry Brunch on Saturday (11/22). A complete list of Beat Michigan Week events is at www.beatmichigan.osu.edu

OSU rehabilitation patients host “Beat Michigan” rally – Nov. 19. Physical rehabilitation patients at The Ohio State University Medical Center will perform “Script Ohio” during a Beat Michigan pep rally at noon on Wednesday, (11/19) in the Medical Center’s Dodd Hall gymnasium, 480 W. 9th Ave.
Shelley Graf, Ohio State’s first female drum major in 1981 of the Ohio State Marching Band and a physical therapist at the Medical Center, will put on a twirling exhibition while the Alumni band plays “Hang on Sloopy” and several other favorites.
Graf and the band will conclude the rally leading patients, many in wheelchairs, around the gym for the infamous “Script Ohio.” The rally will last approximately 30 minutes. Parking for media is available at the front entrance of Davis Center, 480 W. 9th Ave. The Dodd Hall gym is located immediately to the right as you enter the door. CONTACT: Ashley McGinnis, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737.

President Gee leads kindergartners in kazoo band – Nov. 21. To generate excitement for the Ohio State-Michigan game, university President E. Gordon Gee will lead kindergarten students at East Franklin Elementary in their annual kazoo band march on Friday (11/21). The kazoo band march begins at 9:30 a.m. and will be followed by a tailgate with President Gee. March takes place at East Franklin Elementary School (Southwestern City School District), 1955 Richmond Rd., 43223. CONTACT: Amy Murray, (614) 292-8385.

Reception honors area Japanese-American businesses – Nov. 19. Japanese-American businesses will be recognized for their contribution to the Central Ohio economy in a Business Appreciation Reception on at 6 p.m. on Wednesday (11/19) at the Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Rd. Central Ohio and the surrounding area has approximately 92 Japanese owned businesses who employee approximately 35,000 Ohio workers.
Hosted by the Japan-American Society of Central Ohio (JASCO), the reception will gather top level executives from Japanese-American businesses, including Tsuneo Tanai, president of Honda America Mfg., Inc. This event was conceived as a result of the 2007 CompeteColumbus Report which looked at the Columbus area automotive manufacturers cluster. This group of companies contributed nearly 14 percent of the state’s manufacturing GDP in 2007, an increase of two percent from 1997. Much of the work for this study was conducted at Ohio State’s College of Engineering. CONTACT: Maureen Miller, (614) 247-2462.

The person listed as the CONTACT will have the most current information about the story. Call on our media relations staff for help with any Ohio State story: Liz Cook, (614) 292-7276, Shelly Hoffman, (614) 247-4748, Jim Lynch, (614) 247-4110, or Amy Murray, (614) 292-8385.