Taking lessons learned in the anti-aging field, a California researcher believes his research in mice may hold great promise for cancer patients on chemotherapy. Valter Longo of the University of Southern California found that fasting before chemo protected mice against some of the toxic side effects of chemotherapy while not reducing the anti-cancer effects of the drugs.  Longo believes that fasting puts the body's healthy cells into semi-hibernation where they hunker down waiting  for better times ahead - while cancer cells keep on dividing like there's no tomorrow and  suffer the chemo's full toxicity.  If the theory holds true for humans - and that's yet to be tested - fasting patients may be able to withstand higher chemo doses, which would take a heavier toll on the cancer.

In a statement from the University, oncologist David Quinn is quick to add: "Dont try and do this at home. We need to do the studies. Only clinical trials can establish the effectiveness and safety of fasting before chemotherapy. "

Read more about the work here.

National Donate Life Month

Lonely No More

Queen for a Day/ Heroes is a nationwide volunteer program designed to bring joy into the lives of children with cancer. The Detroit Free Press profiled 21-year-old cancer survivor Catie Hormel, who volunteers in the metro Detroit chapter.  She volunteers because she remembers how lonely it could be five years ago when she was being treated for a brain tumor.   You can read more about Catie here.  To see if there's a chapter near you, check the QFAD web site here.