Cathy Crenshaw Doheny, Freelance Writer

Adoption Factbook V released

2011-06-03T21:53:00.004-04:00

Adoption Factbook V, for which I am a contributing writer, was just released by the National Council for Adoption. Topics covered in this comprehensive publication include:

Infant adoptions in the United States
Data and Statistics
Issues for Adoptive Parents
Issues for Birth Parents
International Adoption
Foster Care
Health Issues Related to Adopted Children
Adoption-Related Legislation
Putative Father Registries
Adoption Outcomes

Adoption Factbook V can be ordered as a hard copy or as a downloadable copy on the National Council for Adoption website.

Article in May University City Magazine

2011-05-06T21:15:00.002-04:00

Looking for something fun to do for Mother's Day weekend in Charlotte? Check out Mayfair: A Celebration of Arts and Crafts in the University City area! For more info, read my UCity Magazine article online or pick up a complimentary copy at area news stands.

Miss Asia Carolinas Pageant

2011-04-21T20:51:00.002-04:00

Please check out my article about the Miss Asia Carolinas Pageant! The piece is published in the April issue of University City Magazine and can be read online or by picking up a complimentary print edition at various locations in the University City area of Charlotte.

My grievance with Anthem Blue Cross resolved

2011-04-19T20:46:00.004-04:00

I am happy to report that my grievance with Anthem Blue Cross (Blue Cross Blue Shield) has now been resolved. In response to my coverage of the topic on this blog and in Neurology Now, I was contacted by a Vice President at Anthem. She reviewed my case and found where the errors had been made in processing the past claims. Within 24 hours, she had the claims reprocessed and paid, as well as a new authorization for continued IVIG issued. She was extremely helpful, and I am so grateful to be resuming my IVIG treatments tomorrow! I will hopefully be on the mend soon!

Thanks so much to all who reached out to share with me your experiences with Blue Cross Blue Shield. My advice to those having difficulties is to make sure your voice is heard, either by contacting a BCBS executive in a position to help the matter or by telling your story via local or national media.

My grievance with Anthem Blue Cross highlighted in Neurology Now

2011-04-11T20:52:00.005-04:00

My personal essay, Still Standing: Will the insurance industry finish what neuropathy started?, is published in the current issue of Neurology Now, a publication of the American Academy of Neurology. The piece follows my struggle with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), the auto-immune disease with which I was diagnosed nine years ago. It also highlights my recent grievance with my health insurance company Anthem Blue Cross, the California brand of Blue Cross Blue Shield. The company approved the continuation of the intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatments I have received every 3-4 weeks to treat my CIDP since I was diagnosed in 2002.

In November of 2010, Anthem Blue Cross certified that the treatments were medically necessary and approved that I receive the IVIG at my neurologist's infusion center every three weeks for another six months, just as they had earlier in the year. After receiving five of the approved treatments, Anthem Blue Cross then refused to pay my medical provider for the treatments, stating that the North Carolina branch of their company did not believe the treatments were medically necessary. Since my provider has not been paid for these five past treatments, I am not able to continue to receive the IVIG treatments that have made my auto-immune disease manageable for the past nine years.

It has now been seven weeks since my last treatment, and I am suffering the effects of my untreated CIDP - difficulty walking, hand and upper body tremor, muscle weakness, difficulty holding a pen to write, and debilitating pain and muscle cramps in my hands, feet and legs. The tragedy of all of this is that I know that IVIG could remedy or improve many of these symptoms, but Anthem Blue Cross, whom we pay monthly to provide health insurance services, refuses to cover the treatments.

Though we are currently in the process of appealing their denial for a second time and getting my husband's benefits administrator involved, Anthem is constantly throwing obstacles in our path - saying they need more information or more documents, even though we have provided them with hundreds of pages of medical records.

Unfortunately, I understand that I am not the only one experiencing these sorts of difficulties with Blue Cross Blue Shield. In an effort to shed light on this very disturbing trend, I will be writing about it here on this blog, as well as in the local and national media. If you have had similar difficulties with Blue Cross Blue Shield and would be willing to be interviewed for an article, please email me at cathydoheny@gmail.com

April Asian Fortune News

2011-04-05T23:14:00.002-04:00

Please take a moment to check out two of my articles published in this month's issue of Asian Fortune News:

Asian Fortune News can be read online, or a print version is available at news stands in the Washington, D.C. area.

Personal essay published in Notes Magazine

2011-03-16T20:16:00.005-04:00

My personal essay, Birthday Breakdown, has been published in the current issue of Notes Magazine. The essay was included in my creative non-fiction collection, Her Fourth Decade. The collection was a finalist in Grace Notes Books 1st annual Discovering the Undiscovered Competition for Collections of Short Stories and Creative Essays.

Notes Magazine is currently available for purchase online.

March Asian Fortune News

2011-03-09T20:15:00.003-05:00

My article Asian Real Estate Association of America leading the way to improved home ownership for APA's is published in the March edition of Asian Fortune News. This issue also features an article about the Ethnic Media Awards that another Asian Fortune News writer and I received last month.

In addition to the online version, Asian Fortune News can be found in print at news stands in the Washington, D.C. area.

March University City Magazine

2011-03-07T21:11:00.003-05:00

Please take a moment to view my latest article, UCity Summer Camps Guide, published in the March edition of University City Magazine. The piece can be read online via the publication's website or in print by picking up a free copy at news stands in the University City area of Charlotte.

2011 Washington, D.C. Ethnic Media Awards

2011-02-16T20:57:00.007-05:00

I am proud to announce that I received an Ethnic Media Award last night at an awards ceremony held in Washington, D.C. My article "Asian Americans desperately needed to join Be the Match Marrow Registry," which was published in the July, 2010 edition of Asian Fortune News, was named the Runner-Up* for the Best Local News category. I felt especially proud that this article received recognition, as the topic of the piece is so very important and close to my heart. I hope that the award will help bring more exposure to the cause of bone marrow donation, especially among ethnic communities.

The awards event, sponsored by New America Media and American University School of Communication, honored outstanding reporting on news and features by ethnic media in and around the nation's capital. A panel of esteemed judges selected twelve first place winners and nine second place* winners from more than 100 entries in nine languages, including Farsi, Korean, Amharic, Vietnamese, and Spanish. I was told that the category in which I won, Best Local News, received the most entries than any other single category.

I would like to thank Asian Fortune News publisher, Jay Chen, for believing in me and giving me so many opportunities to make a difference in the world through my writing. I would also like to thank my husband Kevin for always supporting my career and my daughter Jade for being my inspiration each day. I would like to offer special thanks to Carol Gillespie, Executive Director of the Asian American Donor Program, and stem cell donor Rashmi Anand for contributing their expertise to the article.

In addition, I would like to dedicate my award to two very brave girls, Angel Chittaphong and Katie Cramer. I had the privilege of interviewing for my article the mother of each of these young Asian American girls. Both Angel and Katie were in desperate need of a bone marrow donor in order to receive a life-saving transplant. Tragically, 15-year-old Katie did not find a bone marrow donor and passed away last month. 9-year-old Angel is still searching for a donor to cure her genetic blood disorder. It is my greatest hope that Katie's story will help remind us all of the crucial nature of this issue, and that Angel's story will help inspire us into action.

For more information about joining the national marrow registry, please visit Be the Match.

*The terms "Runner-Up," "Second Place" and "Honorable Mention" were used interchangeably throughout the awards ceremony.

List of Winners: (Please read the full story on the New America Media site.)

BEST LOCAL NEWS

First Place (Tie): "Hardy Students Demand Principal's Return," Norma Porter Anthony, The Washington Informer
First Place (Tie): "Shedding Light on the Neglected Muslim Consumer Market," Minhaj Hasan, The Muslim Link
Runner Up: "Asian Americans Desperately Needed to Join 'Be The Match Marrow Registry'," Cathy Crenshaw Doheny, Asian Fortune

BEST IMMIGRATION COVERAGE

First Place: "Immigration Status Not a Factor in Receiving WIC Benefits," Seng Lim Yu, The Korea Daily
Runner Up: "Mustafa Center Rises from Humble Beginnings," Sufia Alnoor and Rashad Mulla, The Muslim Link

BEST INVESTIGATIVE NEWS

First Place (Tie): "Separate But Not Equal: Israel's Arab Citizens," Dina Kraft, Moment Magazine
First Place (Tie): "The Strange Death of Rubén Salazar: Accident or Assassination?" Frank O. Sotomayor, Hispanic Link
Runner Up: "Community Health Centers," Paula Andalo, El Tiempo Latino

BEST ARTS, SPORTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT

First Place: "Banned Practice – Music Censorship," Amina Elahi, Divanee.com
Runner Up: "The Curious Case of Walter Mosley," Johanna Neuman, Moment Magazine

BEST COMMENTARY

First Place: "Prioritizing Politics Over Unity Hurt the Community," Minhaj Hasan, The Muslim Link
Runner Up: "Fatty, Fatty, Two By Four," Jose de la Isla, Hispanic Link

BEST PHOTOJOURNALISM

First Place: "Woman Struggling to Read," Carlos Andres Vargas, ML News, Metrolatinousa.com
Runner Up: "Neda Pro-Democracy Demonstration," Ali Khaligh, Iranians Weekly

BEST FEATURE WRITING

First Place (Tie): "Soledad O'Brien Talks Race with The Washington Informer," Shantella Sherman, The Washington Informer
Denise Barnes, "CNN's partnership with The Washington Informer on Black in America special"
First Place (Tie): "In the Lord's Time," Neil Rubin, Baltimore Jewish Times
Runner Up: "Hurdling Campaign Brickbats May Offer Bully Pulpit Against Racism," Rita Gerona Adkins, Asian Fortune

BEST BROADCAST

First Place: "Mexican Immigrants Returning to their Homeland," Anne L. Wakefield, Grupo Radio Central
Runner Up: "Workers' Protection," Armando Guzman, Azteca America

BEST INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

First Place: "Blogging Suicides: The Death of Foreign Migrant Domestic Workers in Lebanon," Dereje Desta, ZeEthiopia
Runner Up: "Local Students of Farhar Hashmi Defend Movement Against Accusations," Zunara Naeem, The Muslim Link

SPECIAL MENTION

Special Mention for 2010 Census Coverage: Pho Nho Newspaper
Special Mention for Coverage on Aging: Pakistan Post
Special Mention for Community Coverage: Nepali Post

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:

Hazel Trice Edney, Editor-in-Chief, Trice Edney News Wire, President & CEO, Trice Edney Communications, LLC

**Top Photo: with Alexandra Moe, D.C. Director of New America Media, Bottom Photo: Presentation of my award.

February Asian Fortune News

2011-02-05T00:15:00.004-05:00

The February edition of Asian Fortune News is now available both online and in print. Be sure to read my three articles featured in this edition:

1. Dr. Peter Rhee Provides Heroic Care to U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords

2. Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Showcases Diverse Talent and Programming

3. U.S. Suspends Adoptions from Nepal

*photo of Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Principal Second Violin Qing Li courtesy of Qing Li

Year of the Asian American Model: 30% discount on calendars until January 9

2011-01-02T20:00:00.001-05:00

Year of the Asian American Model: 30% discount on calendars until January 9: "If you have not yet ordered your Year of the Asian American Model 2011 calendar, you can do so now until January 9 and get a 30% discount! J..."

January Asian Fortune News

2011-01-01T20:31:00.006-05:00

Two of my articles are featured in the January issue of Asian Fortune News. The first is about the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, including their upcoming concerts with popular violinist Chee-Yun. Special thanks to Chee-Yun and FSO violinists Nancy Bovill (pictured here) and Mia Lee for agreeing to be featured in the article!

My other article is about the upcoming Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) celebration at the Eden Center in Falls Church, VA.

Both of these articles can be read online or by picking up a print edition of the January issue of Asian Fortune News at news stands in the Washington, D.C. area.

*Photo of Nancy Bovill courtesy of Barry Wheeler.

Year of the Asian American Model: Meet Katie Cramer

2010-12-03T19:41:00.000-05:00

Year of the Asian American Model: Meet Katie Cramer: "If you would like a gliimpse into the kind of patients the Asian American Donor Program (AADP) helps, please read about Katie Cramer, a 15-y..."

Year of the Asian American Model: YAAM Model Calendar featured in Asian Fortune News...

2010-12-02T20:50:00.000-05:00

Year of the Asian American Model: YAAM Model Calendar featured in Asian Fortune News...: "Check out the article about our calendar in the December issue of Asian Fortune News! The piece..."

Year of the Asian American Model: Cyber Tuesday! Calendar is discounted 25% today on...

2010-11-30T04:52:00.000-05:00

Year of the Asian American Model: Cyber Tuesday! Calendar is discounted 25% today on...: "Here is your chance to purchase our charity calendar at 25% off of the sales price! Just enter the code 'CYBER25' when you check-out! This i..."

December University City Magazine released

2010-11-25T18:55:00.005-05:00

The December issue of University City Magazine has been released. One of my articles* "The Season of Giving," about the charitable acts of four local families, is included. A digital version of the article can now be read online. The print version is available at news stands in the University City area of Charlotte.

Special thanks to the following families for agreeing to be featured:

The Konawalik Family (CaptureMeCandid Photography)

The Hensley Family

The Wilson Family

The Leder Family

*Final version of the article modified by UCity Magazine editor.

Our Miracle

2010-11-20T22:10:00.004-05:00

Four years ago today, my husband and I had the privilege of meeting Jade Chun'an in China for the very first time! She was 22-months-old at the time. The next day our adoption of her through the China Waiting Child Program was final, and our lives were never again the same! She is, without a doubt, truly a miracle to us, and we feel so very fortunate to have such a smart, talented, sweet and beautiful daughter!

You can read about our time in China adopting Jade in my personal essay, "A Whisper."

The first three photos posted here show Jade now (larger portion of photo) and Jade in China when we adopted her (smaller portion of photo.) The last three photos of Jade with me and my husband were taken today.

In addition, I have created a special photo show to celebrate the beauty that IS Jade! Enjoy...

Year of the Asian American Model 2011 Charity Calendar

2010-11-06T21:43:00.002-04:00

Year of the Asian American Model, the charity calendar project I am heading, has now been published! Please check out the preview below and consider ordering a calendar and spreading the word about the project. The calendar features 14 professional Asian American models, including my daughter Jade. All proceeds will be donated to the Asian American Donor Program, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping save the lives of patients with life threatening blood diseases curable by a stem cell transplant. AADP is an official recruitment group of the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) specializing in conducting outreach and donor drives in the Asian, Pacific Islander and multi-racial communities.

Stay tuned for two of my articles about the project to be published in Asian Fortune News and Asian Insider Magazine.

November UCity Magazine

2010-11-04T22:52:00.003-04:00

Two of my articles are published in the November issue of University City Magazine. The first article is about smart home technology, and the other is about the Electrical Power Research Institute (EPRI.) This issue also has several personal connections, as my husband is employed by EPRI and our daughter attends Carolina International School, which is featured in another article and on the cover of the magazine! Be sure to read it cover-to-cover online or in print at news stands in the University City area of Charlotte!

November Asian Fortune News

2010-11-01T21:08:00.005-04:00

Two of my articles are included in this month's edition of Asian Fortune News. The first is about Dr. Jon Liu, Ph.D, President and CEO of the Agis Center. The organization is bringing to the United States two world-class arts performances. The first is a concert with the Baltimore Symphony featuring three renowned Chinese musicians. The second performance is "Forbidden Fruit under the Great Wall," a spectacular Chinese dance-drama production. Both performances will take place next month at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

My second article is about the upcoming Hep B Free DC Gala Night that will be held in Rosslyn, VA this month to raise awareness and funds for the Hepatitis B Initiative of Washington, D.C.

Photo of "Forbidden Fruit under the Great Wall" courtesy of Jon Liu.

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T23:45:00.001-04:00

October Asian Fortune News released

2010-10-02T23:34:00.008-04:00

Please take a moment to view two of my articles in the October issue of Asian Fortune News. The first is about Tawny Wright (first photo), a young Asian American who is serving as a public information officer for the Fairfax County Police Department. My other piece is about Asian/Asian American students and faculty in the music division of The Juilliard School. The article features violinist Chun-Wen (Paul) Huang (middle photo), pianist Naomi Kudo (last photo), and violin and viola teacher Masao Kawasaki.

Asian Fortune News can be read online. A print version is also available at news stands in the Washington, D.C. area, including most metro stations in the area.

Check out September's Asian Fortune News

2010-09-01T21:20:00.005-04:00

Be sure to read the September issue of Asian Fortune News, which includes my article, "Northern Virginia Buddy Walk to Raise Funds for Those Affected by Down Syndrome." The national newspaper is available at news stands in the Washington, D.C. area, including most metro stations. A digital version can also be read online.

*image courtesy of Asian Fortune News

September University City Magazine released

2010-09-01T20:08:00.006-04:00

The September issue of University City Magazine is now available at news stands and online! Be sure to read my three articles that are included in this issue on the following topics:

Those in the Charlotte area can pick up complimentary print copies at news stands in the University City area. A digital version is also available online.

*image courtesy of University City Magazine

The Daily Book of Clasical Music arrives

2010-08-25T11:09:00.005-04:00

My comp copies of The Daily Book of Classical Music arrived yesterday, and I have to say that I am simply stunned at how the publication turned out! It is hardback, has a red ribbon bookmark, and so many beautiful color photos! I had no idea that it would be so impressive, and I feel very honored to have been one of ten contributing writers for the book!

I was especially happy that bios for each writer, along with photos, were included. There was even space under the "acknowledgment" section for my special thanks to Jade and Kevin for their support while I was writing for this project.

Once again, I want to thank all of the fabulous opera companies who contributed photos to accompany my "Famous Operas" entries. You will be very pleasantly surprised when you receive your comp copies!

I also want to thank Walter Foster Publishing for putting together such a quality publication and allowing me to be a part of it!

The Daily Book of Classical Music can now be purchased on the following sites:
Walter Foster Publishing
Borders
Amazon
And many other fine book stores.

Jade Doheny, Child Model and Actress: Jade and Cathy to perform at Mid-Autumn Moon Festi...

2010-08-19T23:43:00.000-04:00

Jade Doheny, Child Model and Actress: Jade and Cathy to perform at Mid-Autumn Moon Festi...: "Please make plans to attend the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival Gala on Saturday, September 25 from 6:30 to 10:..."

August Asian Fortune News now available online

2010-08-01T19:58:00.007-04:00

The digital version of the August edition of Asian Fortune News is now online. Please check out my three articles included in this issue:

You can also view a photo of my daughter, Jade, on the Community page!

*image courtesy of Asian Fortune News

August Asian Fortune News released

2010-07-28T23:17:00.006-04:00

The August issue of Asian Fortune News has just been released. Three of my articles - including one about "The Last Airbender" casting controversy, one about Love Without Boundaries, and a feature article about Cancer Fighters Art - are published in this issue! In addition, a photo of my daughter, Jade, is featured in the "Community" section of this issue.

Asian Fortune News is the only English newspaper designed to serve the pan Asian American Community (Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese, Filipino, Asian Indian, Pakistani, Cambodian, Thai, Laotian... All Asian American groups) since 1993. Circulation of the publication is 35,000 at over 800 convenient locations in VA-MD-DC including more than 100 newstands at most metro stations in the Washington DC metropolitan area.

The digital version of the August issue will be available online sometime next week.

*Images courtesy of Asian Fortune News.

Year of the Asian American: A New Era in Modeling: Winners of our first contest announced

2010-07-18T21:06:00.000-04:00

Year of the Asian American: A New Era in Modeling: Winners of our first contest announced: "We are happy to announce that Kit DeZolt is the winner of our first contest! His photo (shown first here) will occupy half of the space on t..."

Year of the Asian American: A New Era in Modeling: Our first contest is now underway!

2010-07-12T22:51:00.000-04:00

Year of the Asian American: A New Era in Modeling: Our first contest is now underway!: "Today, we began taking submissions for our first weekly contest and I am happy to present our first four contestants: (in the order in w..."

Year of the Asian American: A New Era in Modeling: Asian American Donor Program featured in Asian For...

2010-07-07T22:09:00.000-04:00

Year of the Asian American: A New Era in Modeling: Asian American Donor Program featured in Asian For...: "My article, Asian Americans Desperately Needed to Join Be The Match Marrow Registry, has been published in the July edition of Asian Fortune..."

Article published in July Asian Fortune News

2010-07-07T20:52:00.006-04:00

My article, Asian Americans Desperately Needed to Join Be The Match Marrow Registry, is now published in the July issue of Asian Fortune News. A print subscription can be ordered at www.asianfortunenews.com, or readers may pick up a complimentary copy at news stands in the Washington, D.C. area, including at most Metro stations. The piece can also be read online.

Please read and pass the information along to any Asian Americans who may wish to join this life-saving cause.

Year of the Asian American: A New Era in Modeling: 2011 Calendar to Benefit the Asian American Donor ...

2010-07-06T20:10:00.000-04:00

Year of the Asian American: A New Era in Modeling: 2011 Calendar to Benefit the Asian American Donor ...: "We are very pleased to announce that we will be donating the net proceeds of our 2011 calendar to the Asian American Donor Program (AADP), a..."

Year of the Asian American: A New Era in Modeling: Why Asian Americans?

2010-07-06T00:20:00.000-04:00

Year of the Asian American: A New Era in Modeling: Why Asian Americans?: "Many readers may be wondering why I have decided to head-up an endeavor involving only Asian American talent, given the fact that I am actua..."

My book of personal essays a contest finalist

2010-07-02T20:29:00.003-04:00

My collection of personal essays, Her Fourth Decade, has been named a finalist in the Discovering the Undiscovered: Short Fiction/Essay Collection & Novella Competition! The prize for this contest is publication plus cash. This was very exciting news for me, as this would be the first publication created entirely of my work! The winner will be announced September 1. Runners-up may also receive publication offers.

Article published in Liver Health Today

2010-07-01T08:47:00.003-04:00

My article, Remarkable Reflections: Extraordinary efforts in the organ donation community, has been published by Liver Health Today, the official publication of the American Liver Foundation and the only national magazine dedicated to people with liver disease. My article showcases the inspirational story of Lee Downing, a 21-year liver transplant survivor and organ donation advocate. The article is part of a special section entitled, "Rays of Life: Three inspiring stories of overcoming adversity." The article can be read for free online, or readers may subscribe to the print magazine.

Special thanks to Lee Downing for allowing me to share his inspiring story!

*image courtesy of Liver Health Today

Article published in July University City Magazine

2010-06-25T23:05:00.002-04:00

My latest article, The Perfect Match, was just published in the July, 2010 issue of University City Magazine. The piece deals with the need for more minorities to join the Be The Match Marrow Registry.

Special thanks to Ronna Gray and Erin Pavelchak for the insight and expertise they provided for the article.

Readers in the University City area of Charlotte can pick-up complimentary copies of the magazine at area news stands. A digital edition of the publication can also be viewed online.

*image courtesy of University City Magazine

A must-read about transracial adoption

2010-06-05T21:54:00.005-04:00

I just read an amazing blog post written by "Legend of Black Lotus" film maker Angelo Bell! This is a MUST-READ for adoptive families or anyone interested in the dynamics of trans-racial or international adoption!I'm not sure I have read anything that captures the essence of transracial adoption so well, and it is even more insightful because Bell is NOT an adoptive parent! Many times, it's easy to dismiss such writings of adoptive parents as sentimentality, and those of us in the adoption community wonder if individuals outside can ever really understand.

Bravo to Mr. Bell for writing such a meaningful blog post and an even more spectacular script for "Legend of Black Lotus." The film addresses many issues that those of us in the international adoption community deal with each day. I am so proud that my 5-year-old daughter Jade, an adoptee from China and actress, has been cast in the film and hope that readers will take the opportunity to be part of the project, as well, by contributing funds to help make it a success. Every little bit helps, and even a donation of as little as $1 is acknowledged by a "Special Thanks" credit in the film! Please visit Bell's Indiegogo page to find out how to show your support for something so worthwhile!

For more information, please read Bell's blog post: Adopting Interracial Films and Transracial Themes

Two articles published in June Asian Fortune News

2010-06-03T22:32:00.005-04:00

Check out my two latest articles in the June edition ofAsian Fortune News! The first article is about the upcoming martial arts film, "Legend of Black Lotus," in which my daughter Jade was recently cast. In fact, we were delighted and surprised to see Jade's photo on the cover of this issue! She will be portraying the role of a young Chinese Princess, Mingzhu. Filming will begin next month, but film maker Angelo Bell is still seeking supporters for the project. To find out how you can contribute to the film and receive very cool perks, please visit the project's Indiegogo page!

My second article is about world famous artist, Cao Yong, who will be presenting two shows in the Washington, D.C. area this month. A native of Xinxian, Henan Province, China, Yong immigrated to the U.S. from Japan in 1994 and has since become one of the most collected living artists in the country!

Asian Fortune News has a circulation of 35,000 at over 800 convenient locations in Virginia-Maryland-Washington, D.C., including more than 100 news stands at most metro stations in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The publication can also be viewed each month online. Asian Fortune News is the only English newspaper designed to serve pan Asian American Community, including Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese, Filipino, Asian Indian, Pakistani, Cambodian, Thai and Laotian, since 1993.

*images courtesy of Asian Fortune News

Personal essay named finalist in April Notes and Grace Notes contest

2010-05-07T23:21:00.004-04:00

My personal essay, It's Raining inside the Windows, was named a finalist in the Creative Nonfiction category of the April Notes and Grace Notes Contest. The piece deals with my struggle with viral meningo-encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain and meninges caused by a virus, last year.

Honorable Mention in Notes and Grace Notes Contest

2010-05-03T23:39:00.003-04:00

My personal essay, The Blood of the Chronically Living, has been awarded the "Honorable Mention" title in the Creative Nonfiction category in the Notes and Grace Notes contest for March. The piece deals with different eras of my life and the difficult and worthwhile lessons I have learned.

Article published in Asian Fortune News

2010-05-02T23:32:00.004-04:00

My article, "Asian Models Lead in Facebook Contest," about my daughter's recent success in the Face of Fusion contest, was just published in the May issue of Asian Fortune News. The article features the two leading Asian contenders in the contest sponsored by Fusion Photography Studios. My daughter, Jade, was entered in the age 0-9 category, and Erica Yang was entered in the 18+ category. Both contenders were named winners of the contest last week and will receive a free photo shoot courtesy of Fusion Photography, a full modeling contract from The Keenan Agency, as well as many other great prizes!

Asian Fortune News is the only English newspaper designed to serve all Asian Americans. With a circulation of over 35, 000, the publication is available across the country by print subscription or at 800 locations in the Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC area, including over 100 news stands at most metro stations in the Washington DC metropolitan area!

*Asian Fortune article by Cathy Doheny, image courtesy of Asian Fortune News

Article published in Adoption Today Magazine

2010-05-01T22:28:00.007-04:00

My article, "Strength Training," has been published in the May issue of Adoption Today Magazine! The theme of the issue is "creating an adoption sisterhood." My piece deals with the close friendships my 5-year-old daughter, Jade, has formed through her involvement in Speedway Gymnastic's Chinese gymnastics program. (Jade is pictured in the photo on the right, and her dear friend and "big sister", Peyton, is pictured in the photo to the left. Both photos show their coach, Guizhen Xiao.)

Readers can view the digital magazine by subscription only at http://www.adoptinfo.net/

*images courtesy of Adoption Today Magazine

May issue of University City Magazine released

2010-04-30T23:12:00.002-04:00

The May issue of University City Magazine is now online. Check out my article, "Vision of a Village," about Claire Green Fallon (one of Mecklenburg County's 50 most influential women) on pgs.28-31 (digital edition.) Readers in the University City area of Charlotte can also pick up a complimentary copy of the magazine at area news stands. The magazine will be included in the Sunday edition of The Charlotte Observer for subscribers in the area.

*Image courtesy of University City Magazine

Personal essay to be published in caregiving anthology

2010-04-22T00:09:00.004-04:00

I received the wonderful news today that a project that was put on hold in December of 2008 is now going to be moving forward. The Irish anthology surrounding the topic of caregiving, 24/7: How Much We Care, is now slated to be launched in ten weeks by the North Leitrem and West Cavan Carers Group, and my personal essay, The Reality of Caring, will be included! Stay tuned for more details on how to order this long-awaited anthology!

Jade to portray young Chinese Princess in short film "Legend of Black Lotus"

2010-04-21T23:47:00.001-04:00

I am pleased and proud to announce that my 5-year-old daughter, Jade, has been awarded the role of the young Chinese Princess Mingzhu in Angelo Bell's upcoming short film "Legend of Black Lotus." The part calls for a 5 or 6-year-old Chinese girl with strong dance and gymnastics skills. We filmed Jade's audition and also sent the film maker video of her recent Chinese dance performances. (You can view these YouTube videos at the bottom of Jade's blog.)

The short film is actually being made to secure investors for a full-length film on the same theme. So, if all goes well, we hope Jade will be cast in that too!

We start shooting in late July in Hollywood, and as you can imagine, Jade is very excited! (Kevin & me too!)

Please visit the film's page on Indiegogo to find out how you can help support this very exciting project!

New entry in Notes and Grace Notes contest

2010-04-20T21:19:00.004-04:00

My newest personal essay, It's Raining inside the Windows, has been entered in the Creative Nonfiction category of the April Notes and Grace Notes contest. The piece deals with my struggles surrounding my diagnosis of viral meningo encephalitis six months ago.

Please feel free to read and rate the essay. No registration is required, and readers' ratings help determine monthly finalists.

A blog just for Jade

2010-04-03T21:43:00.006-04:00

Since my daughter's performance endeavors have increased lately, I have decided to create a blog just for her. Readers can now get updates on this rising star at Jade Doheny, Child Model and Actress.

Don't forget to vote for Jade in the Face of Fusion contest on Facebook, if you have not already done so. Voting only takes a few moments and is a one-time deal. Simply become a fan of Fusion Photography Studios. Then comment with the word, "Vote" underneath Jade's photo.

Thanks for the support!

New entry in Notes and Grace Notes contest

2010-04-02T22:30:00.002-04:00

My newest personal essay, Pregnancy Club Drop-Out, has been entered in the Creative Nonfiction category of the April Notes and Grace Notes contest. Please feel free to read and rate the piece. No registration is necessary, and readers' ratings help determine monthly finalists.

Two personal essays finalists in March Notes and Grace Notes

2010-04-01T20:08:00.002-04:00

The two personal essays, The Reality of Caring and The Blood of the Chronically Living, I entered in the Creative Nonfiction category of the monthly Notes and Grace Notes contest for March have both been named finalists. Winners for March will be announced on May 1.

UC Magazine April "Money" issue released

2010-03-31T10:15:00.005-04:00

The April "Money" issue of University City Magazine is now available online. Be sure to read my featured article, "Dollars & Sense" on page 23 about teaching children the value of money. Readers in the University City area of Charlotte can also pick-up complimentary copies of the magazine at area news stands.

I would like to thank Al Minter, Ryan Clark, Elise Elliot and family and Tracey Winters and family for contributing to this article!

*image courtesy of University City Magazine

View Jade's YouTube video and vote for a future star

2010-03-24T23:03:00.004-04:00

If you have not already cast your vote in the "Face of Fusion" contest on Facebook, please consider doing so. My 5-year-old daughter Jade is entered in the 0-9 year-old category and has been in the lead up until today, when she lost ground and is now trailing the forerunner by about ten to fifteen votes.

I have to say that I do not necessarily agree with contests of this sort, as they become more about social networking and who can get the most "friends" to vote for them than about talent. However, one of the co-owners of Fusion Photography is a parent of one of my daughter's classmates and asked Jade to participate. So, I thought we would try it.

In any case, I made the following YouTube video to at least give readers an opportunity to learn a little more about Jade, her modeling and performing experience and her dreams for the future. Please take a few minutes to check it out and then view all of the contestants in the "Face of Fusion" contest and cast your votes for your favorites. Step-by-step voting instructions are included in yesterday's blog post. Many thanks....

Vote for Jade Doheny in the Facebook "Face of Fusion" Contest

2010-03-22T21:36:00.006-04:00

My 5-year-old daughter, Jade, is one of twenty children ages 0-9 entered in the "Face of Fusion" contest currently taking place on Facebook and has the opportunity to win a free photo shoot from Fusion Photography, a full modeling contract from The Keenan Agency, plus many other fabulous prizes.

Anyone who has a Facebook profile may help her win simply by visiting the Fusion Photography Facebook page, becoming their fan, and then voting on Jade's photo.

The steps are simple:

1. Access your Facebook profile or create a profile, if you don't currently have one.

2. Visit the Fusion Photography Page.

3. Become their "Fan" by clicking on the box that says, "Become a Fan" by the "Fusion Photography" name located on their Facebook Page.

4. Locate the album labeled, "Face of Fusion 0-9" and click on it.

5. Locate the thumbnail of Jade's photo in the album. If you mouse over the photos, you will see each model's first name. You can also identify Jade's photo, as it is the same photo as the one that accompanies this article.

6. Type the word, "VOTE" in the comment box underneath her photo and paste your comment.

Voting will continue until May 21 and the winners will be announced on June 5.

Thanks in advance for helping Jade share her unique beauty and talent with the world!

Another personal essay entered in March Notes and Grace Notes

2010-03-16T21:53:00.002-04:00

I just entered a second personal essay, The Reality of Caring, in the creative nonfiction category of the March Notes and Grace Notes contest. Readers are invited to also rate the piece. No registration is required and readers' ratings help determine monthly finalists.

New personal essay entered in March Notes and Grace Notes contest

2010-03-15T22:35:00.003-04:00

My latest personal essay, The Blood of the Chronically Living, can be read on the Notes and Grace Notes site. The piece is entered in the creative nonfiction category for the March contest. Please feel free to rate the piece after reading it. No registration is necessary and readers' ratings help determine monthly finalists.

Preview of Daily Book of Classical Music

2010-03-07T22:17:00.006-05:00

A "Coming Soon" preview of The Daily Book of Classical Music is now available on the Walter Foster site. If you click on the thumbnails below the large cover image, you can view how the inside of the book will appear, including the "Barber of Seville" entry. (photo courtesy of Opera Carolina!)

Thanks to each of the "Famous Opera" photo contributors listed below for generously allowing us to use their beautiful photos and making this publication a true representation of opera around the world today!

Opera Carolina

New York City Opera

Kentucky Opera

Michigan Opera Theatre

Atlanta Opera

Houston Grand Opera

Anchorage Opera

PORT Opera

Puccini Festival (Italy)

Chautauqua Opera

Pittsburgh Opera

Peanut Butter and Jelly named a finalist in February Notes and Grace Notes

2010-03-02T23:18:00.003-05:00

My personal essay, Peanut Butter and Jelly, was named a finalist in the Creative Nonfiction category of the February Notes and Grace Notes monthly contest. The piece deals with a devastating time in my life and the lessons I learned. The winner for the February contest will be announced at the beginning of April.

March edition of University City Magazine released

2010-02-27T19:33:00.002-05:00

The March edition of University City Magazine has just been released. Those in the UC area of Charlotte can pick up a complimentary copy on news stands. Readers can also view the entire magazine online. Be sure to check out my article, "Flying to the Finish Line," about a charity 5k race in Highland Creek benefiting Garrett's Wings, a nonprofit organization providing support to children and families affected by Batten Disease, a rare and terminal pediatric neurological disease.

The Best of Unsent Letters now available for pre-order

2010-02-11T21:46:00.003-05:00

The Best of Unsent Letters, an anthology of nonfiction letters, is currently available for pre-order on the Twin Trinity Media site. The print publication will include two of my letters, Dear Giver of Life, written to my adopted daughter Jade's birth mother, and To Gigi's Grandma, written to a stranger I encountered at a mall play area. Scheduled for an April release, the anthology will also be available for pre-order on Amazon.com in the near future.

A Cup of Comfort for Mothers released

2010-02-07T13:10:00.003-05:00

A Cup of Comfort for Mothers has just been released by Adams Media. The anthology includes 50 stories, including my award-winning personal essay, A Whisper, about my time in China adopting my daughter. Readers can purchase this anthology online at the Adams Media Bookstore site or on Amazon.com.

February's University City Magazine now online

2010-02-03T23:21:00.003-05:00

The digital version of the February issue of University City Magazine is now available online. My 9-page compilation, UCity Love Stories, is featured in this issue and highlights questions and answers from eight local couples, including newlyweds and those who have been married more than twenty years.

Those in the University City area of Charlotte can also pick-up a complimentary copy of the magazine at news stands throughout the area.

*image courtesy of University City Magazine

New personal essay entered in February Notes & Graces Notes Contest

2010-02-01T23:49:00.003-05:00

My newest personal essay, Peanut Butter and Jelly, has been entered in the Creative Nonfiction category of the February Notes & Grace Notes monthly contest. The story deals with a difficult day during my former marriage and the life-changing realizations that came about afterward. Please feel free to read and rate the piece. No registration is required, and readers' ratings help determine monthly finalists.

Ashes to Ashes named a finalist in January Notes & Graces Notes Contest

2010-02-01T14:29:00.003-05:00

My personal essay, Ashes to Ashes, was named a finalist in the Creative Nonfiction category of the the January Notes and Grace Notes monthly contest. The winner for the January contest will be announced at the beginning of March.

New personal essay entered in January Notes and Grace Notes Contest

2010-01-31T14:32:00.002-05:00

My personal essay, Ashes to Ashes, has been entered in the Creative Nonfiction category of the January Notes and Grace Notes monthly contest. The piece tells the story of the difficult day I moved out my home when I went through a divorce seven years ago. Please feel free to read and rate the essay. No registration is required, and readers ratings help determine the monthly finalists.

University City February "Romance" issue released

2010-01-29T20:52:00.003-05:00

"UCity Love Stories," my nine-page compilation featuring stories of eight University City couples, is published in the February "Romance" issue of University City Magazine, now on news stands throughout the University area of Charlotte. Each of the eight couples answered a series of questions, including "How did you meet?" and "What challenges have you faced?" The compilation also includes wedding and current photos of each couple.

I would like to thank the following University City couples for their participation in this article:

Sonja Gantt and Mitch Gibson
Latoya and Eli Breedon
Deborah and William Murphy
Angela Meng and William Tang
Amber Smith and Jimmy Garzoni
Karina and Bryan Runyan
Mary Ann and Mark Green
Nicole and Clayton Sinclair, III

Those in the University area of Charlotte may pick-up a complimentary copy of the magazine at news stands throughout the area. Charlotte Observer subscribers will also receive a copy of the magazine in this Sunday's edition of the paper. In addition, the online version of the magazine will be available to readers within a few days.

*image courtesy of University City Magazine

New batch of WiseGEEK articles published

2010-01-20T23:49:00.004-05:00

I finally had an opportunity to write more WiseGEEK articles after recovering from my illness with viral meningo encephalitis. With my book projects and print work taking precedence right now, I am currently only writing online articles on a limited basis.

Highlights of this batch include What Does a Drama Teacher Do? and What is Medical Oncology? Readers can find links to all of my WiseGEEK articles listed in the column to the left.

Vote for Half the Sky in Facebook Chase Community Giving contest

2010-01-19T09:29:00.002-05:00

Please see the letter below from Jenny Bowen, the CEO of Half the Sky, an organization that does phenomenal work on behalf of Chinese orphans.

Most of the world’s attention is focused on Haiti right now. Here in China, the images I see on tv bring me right back to those horrible days I spent in Sichuan in May, 2008. Our hearts and our resources must go to help the Haitian people, however we can. So I ask you please NOT to make a contribution to Half the Sky this month. Send your dollars to Haiti. But, rather than money, give us a moment of your time.

Yesterday, I went to a government meeting in Beijing that presented Half the Sky with an opportunity to help China’s children in a way we couldn’t have even imagined a few years ago.

There’s more to learn in the coming days and I will share with you as soon as I can.

But I have to tell you that we REALLY need your help in the Facebook Chase Community Giving contest. Right now.

Given the current standings, I guess the idea of a $1 million win is pretty remote, but if we could all come together and ask everyone we know to PLEASE vote for Half the Sky TODAY, we’d sure have a shot at $100,000. That would absolutely jump-start the exciting new chance we have to help more children. I just can’t wait to tell you more.

If there are other organizations you’d rather support, that’s okay. You have 5 votes!

It’s hard for us to vote from China. That really puts us at a disadvantage. Won’t you do your best to help from wherever in the world you are?

Please pass this message along to everyone you know. With your help, we can still do this for the children!

Thank you,

Jenny Bowen

Executive Director

Half the Sky

A vote for Half the Sky is a vote for every forgotten child.

To vote for HTS, please follow these simple steps*.

THANK YOU!

*If you don’t like Chase having access to your Facebook information, would you consider "Becoming a Fan" for just a few seconds so you can vote? After you cast your vote(s), you can easily remove yourself from Chase's Fans by clicking on "Remove me from Fans" at the bottom of the left hand side of http://www.facebook.com/ChaseCommunityGiving.

When there are lots of voters the page freezes up. Can you try again?

Atlanta Opera contributes photos to The Daily Book of Classical Music

2010-01-15T23:54:00.004-05:00

I am delighted to announce that The Atlanta Opera is our newest "Famous Operas" photo contributor for The Daily Book of Classical Music to be released by Walter Foster Publishing in October of this year. In conjunction with a project to showcase alongside my articles photos of actual opera performances from companies all over the country, Atlanta Opera has generously contributed two photos from last year. The first is from Wagner's Die Fliegende Hollander ("The Flying Dutchman"), starring the always extraordinary Mark Dalavan as the Dutchman. The second photo is from Donizetti's The Elixir of Love, starring Leah Partridge as Adina and Peter Strummer as Dr. Dulcamara. Both photos were taken by the very talented Tim Wilkerson.

Those in the Atlanta area will not want to miss this company's next mainstage production, Aida, scheduled for February 27, March 2, 5, & 7!

*logo courtesy of Atlanta Opera

Chautauqua Opera joins The Daily Book of Classical Music

2010-01-13T22:21:00.004-05:00

Our newest "Famous Operas" photo contributor for The Daily Book of Classical Music is Chautauqua Opera, North America's oldest continuously operating summer opera company. Located in Chautauqua, New York, the company is the fourth oldest in the United States, after the Metropolitan Opera, Cincinnati Opera and San Fransisco Opera. They produce three operas and one musical or operetta each season and feature internationally recognized artists, as well as promising young singers who participate in their Young Artist Program. Their parent company is the Chautauqua Institute.

Chautuaqua Opera has generously contributed a photo from Gian Carlo Menotti's opera The Consul. The photo, taken by Katie Roupe, features Lina Tetriani as Magda Sorel.

This is just one of 37 beautiful photos depicting real performances of famous operas to be included in The Daily Book of Classical Music to be released by Walter Foster Publishing in October of this year. The photos are part of a project to increase exposure to the important work that opera companies around the county do. The photos will accompany my articles about 37 famous operas.

*image courtesy of Chautauqua Opera

The Daily Book of Classical Music welcomes PORTopera

2010-01-08T23:01:00.004-05:00

As the "Famous Operas" contributing writer for the upcoming Daily Book of Classical Music to be launched by Walter Foster Publishing in October of this year, I have had the privilege of writing about 37 of my most favorite operas. I also have enjoyed the process of partnering with opera companies across the country to include some of the most stunning photographs from recent live productions. Through this partnership, we hope to share with readers a slice of the spectacle that is opera, while also increasing exposure to the extraordinary work these companies do.

Our newest partner in this endeavor is PORTopera, an opera company in Portland, Maine focusing on summer mainstage productions. They have generously contributed a photo depicting the famous "Regina Coeli" chorus scene from Pietro Mascagni's one-act opera Cavalleria Rusticana. In addition to PORT chorus members, the photo is graced with the presence of Leann Pantaleo as Santuzza, Gioacchino Laura LiVigni as Turridu, and Margaret Yauger as Mama Lucia. The fabulous Martha Mickles is the photographer for this beautiful photo.

For information about PORTopera's next mainstage production, Hansel and Gretel, scheduled for July, 2010, be sure to visit their website or Facebook page.

*logo courtesy of PORTopera

Birthday Breakdown named a finalist in December Notes & Grace Notes Contest

2010-01-07T00:24:00.002-05:00

My personal essay, Birthday Breakdown, was named a finalist in the creative nonfiction category of the December contest on the Notes and Grace Notes site. The story takes place on my 35th birthday, also the day my husband was diagnosed with a deadly cancer. Winners in each category for the December contest will be announced at the beginning of February.

New personal essay entered in Notes and Grace Notes Contest

2009-12-31T13:51:00.003-05:00

Please take a moment to read my latest entry in the December Notes and Grace Notes monthly writing contest. My personal essay, Birthday Breakdown, is entered in the creative nonfiction category and chronicles my 35th birthday, the day my husband was diagnosed with a deadly cancer. Please feel free to read and rate the piece. No registration is necessary and readers' ratings help determine monthly winners.

Digital version of January's University City Magazine now online

2009-12-29T20:33:00.003-05:00

The digital version of January's University City Magazine is now online. You can read my feature article, Beating Diabetes about the treatment program at Carolinas Medical Center-University, on pages 24-26, and my feature article,Taking Christianity to the Catwalk, about Christian author and fashionista Shari Braendel, on pages 31-35. Readers in the University City area of Charlotte can also pick-up complimentary print copies of the magazines at news stands throughout the area.

*image courtesy of University City Magazine

Two articles featured in January University City Magazine

2009-12-27T13:11:00.007-05:00

Those in the University City area of Charlotte are reminded to check out the January issue

of University City Magazine that is included in

today's Charlotte Observer to read two of my feature articles - "Beating Diabetes," about the nationally recognized treatment program at CMC University, and "Taking Christianity to the Catwalk," about Christian author, speaker and fashionista Shari Braendel. Readers may also pick up complimentary copies of the magazine at news stands throughout the area. A digital version of the January issue will be available online in a few days. *excerpts courtesy of University City Magazine

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T02:18:00.003-05:00

Local mom discusses her family's experience with Saint Mary International Adoptions

2009-12-13T00:20:00.007-05:00

by Cathy Crenshaw Doheny

Charlotte-area couple, Susan and Michael, adopted their daughter, Anna, from Poland in June, 2007. When they started the process in June of 2006, they decided to use a local adoption agency, St. Mary International Adoptions . In this interview, Susan corresponded via email to answer questions about her family's experience with this local agency, as well as the Poland adoption process.

Q: What was your experience like using the Charlotte agency, Saint Mary International Adoptions?

A: Our adoption experience through St. Mary International Adoptions was extremely smooth. I believe the reason for our successful adoption is due to the agency’s CEO, Vesselina Ratcheva. She is an expert on the process, is meticulously detailed, and has formed relationships with exceptional orphanages in the countries with which she works.

Being local, we were able to visit the agency and meet Vesselina prior to starting the adoption process. Seeing the agency and meeting Vesselina gave us comfort and confidence. Also, living in the Charlotte area, we had “local knowledge” that St. Mary International Adoptions was a legitimate and viable organization. We had trust and confidence that all laws would be followed. The greatest benefit of working with a local agency was meeting with Vesselina during the “paper chase”. The process of gathering the paperwork can be quite cumbersome and confusing. It was a great benefit to be able to meet with Vesselina to review the documents and ask her questions in person.

Q: What was the most difficult aspect of the "paper chase"?

A: Without a doubt, the most difficult aspect of the “paper chase” was the amount of time it takes to gather all the documents, and have them notorized and Apostilled. Not only are there numerous required documents, but they must be in very specific formats. The paperwork is extremely complex and cumbersome. Before working with an adoption agency, it is important to ask references how supportive the agency was during the “paper chase” and if they are knowledgeable of the requirements and process.

Q: How long did you wait to adopt your child?

A: We submitted our Dossier in November, 2006 and received our referral on February 17, 2007. We made two trips to Poland. The first trip was in March, 2007 to meet our daughter and the officials in Poland. The second trip was in April, 2007 to complete our bonding and adoption process. The Polish adoption decree was issued to us on May 10, 2007, and we came home on June 1, 2007. The entire process took one year.

Q: How old was your child at referral?

A: Our child was just under 12 months old when we received the referral.

Q: What was the travel experience like?

A: The "in-country" facilitators are very professional and courteous. They work hard to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible. The time spent in Poland is full of excitement, uncertainty, and stress. Certainly the biggest obstacles were the language barrier and lack of “creature comforts”. Very few people speak English, and the living arrangements are very modest.

It is important to verify through references that the “in-country” representatives are supportive, professional, and knowledgeable. I can’t imagine how difficult the adoption process would be without a strong support network in the foreign country. When we were in Poland, we learned that we had to relinquish control and have faith in the professionals who were working on our behalf. I have met several adoptive couples who have trouble during this time because they want to know every detail and conversation. However, we have found there are times when parents need to step back, have faith in their adoption representatives and not interfere in the work they do every day. I tell adoptive parents that the time "in country" should be spent bonding and loving their child. I feel it is not a time to be overly stressed or involved in the paperwork.

Q: Please tell readers about the day you adopted Anna.

A: It was a very surreal day. My husband and I were both very nervous going before the Judge. We worried that we would say something wrong. But, our adoption representatives did a great job preparing us for the hearing and explaining the procedures.The Judge was very stern and direct. But, after the Judge issued the adoption decree, she smiled and said that this was the best part of her job – seeing a child being adopted into a nice family. It was so heartwarming to hear this tough Judge say that about our family. After the decree was issued, we felt both excitement and fear! It was the moment we realized that we now had a child, and it was a very sobering and happy time!

Q: How has Anna adjusted to her new family and community?

A: Our child has adjusted wonderfully to her new family and friends. I credit the successful adjustment to Poland’s bonding process. Poland requires a three-week bonding period. Although this sounds difficult, it is a time when the parents and child are able to be together without any interruptions or normal day-to-day responsibilities. Parents are able to focus solely on bonding with their new child. In my experience, this is the time to begin to become a family. It fostered a critical and healthy adjustment between Anna and ourselves. In addition, I strongly recommend reading books prior to travelling on the bonding process and attachment issues. It is so important to have an understanding of the attachment process, in order to be prepared to recognize and respond to a newly adopted child’s needs.

When we came home, I took our daughter to a pediatrician who specializes in children adopted internationally and had her evaluated by the NC Children’s Developmental Services Agency. Our child’s psychological and physical health was excellent. Since she was in an orphanage, she had some delays with her gross motor skills. However, within several months, she quickly caught up. Our daughter is a very loving, intelligent, and happy child. We feel so blessed that she was brought into our lives and is part of our family.

Q: Would you recommend St Mary International Adoptions and the Poland adoption program to other families?

A: Absolutely! In fact, if we were to adopt another child, I would simply pick up the phone and call St. Mary International Adoptions. I would not even consider another agency.

The Daily Book of Classical Music Welcomes Michigan Opera

2009-12-11T22:23:00.010-05:00

I am delighted to announce that Michigan Opera Theatre is our newest photo contributor for The Daily Book of Classical Music. As I mentioned in a previous post, I am coordinating a project to bring exposure to opera companies all over the country by giving them an opportunity to have photos from their past productions featured alongside my articles highlighting 37 famous operas.

Michigan Opera Theatre generously contributed two stunning photos from past productions of Bellini operas. The first is a great shot from their March, 2008 La Sonnambula, starring Charles Castronovo as Elvino and Ekaterina Siurina as Amina and directed by the legendary soprano Renata Scotto. The second photo is from their October, 2005 production of Norma, starring Hasmik Papian as Norma. The photographer for both photos is the most talented, John Grigaitis.

The Daily Book of Classical Music, set to be published by Walter Foster Publishing in October, 2010, is the second in a series of daily reference books focused on the arts. The first is The Daily Book of Art. The books are meant to familiarize the public with various facets of the arts, while educating, entertaining, and inspiring them.

Those in the Detroit area....please be sure to reserve your tickets early for Michigan Opera Theatre's next production, Don Giovanni, scheduled for April 10-18, 2010!

Cathy's picks for Chase Community Giving

2009-12-10T22:01:00.003-05:00

For those on Facebook, you can vote for your favorite nonprofits to help give them a chance to win money from Chase. Each Facebook member is given 20 votes and can only vote for an organization once. Preliminary voting ends tomorrow (12/11). On December 15, Chase will announce the top 100 nonprofits, who will receive $25k each. Final voting will take place from January 15-22, and on Feb. 1, Chase will award the top five charities $100k.

If you have not already used all 20 of your preliminary votes, please do so before tomorrow night.

I have listed the recipients of my votes below. Please note that these are just a fraction of the many worthy causes I would have liked to have voted for. However, if you're looking for suggestions, you may wish to consider one from the list below.

Kelly Labell Encephalitis Fund

National Council for Adoption

Lydia's Hope

China Care Foundation

North Carolina Stage Company

Opera Carolina

Love Without Boundaries Foundation

Lymphoma Research Foundation

Half the Sky Foundation

I'm Too Young For This Cancer Foundation

Organ Donation and Transplant Association of America

Asian American Bone Marrow Foundation

American Association of Bone Marrow Donor Registries

N.C. Dance Theatre

Saint Jude's Foundation

Guillain Barre Support Group

Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation

Meningitis Foundation of America

Women Who Write

Caring Bridge

Jamie Reno's Snowman on the Pitcher's Mound website and blog launched

2009-12-09T20:35:00.008-05:00

Please take a moment to visit the new website and blog just launched by friend and award-winning writer Jamie Reno to accompany the release of Snowman on the Pitcher's Mound, his new novel for children ages eight and up who have a parent or loved one diagnosed with cancer. A 13-year survivor of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and a devoted patient advocate, Reno is an ideal author of this sensitive subject matter.

To learn more, read my full review of the book.

Readers may visit Reno's website to order the book.

What they’re saying about Snowman on the Pitcher’s Mound:

“I only wish my children could have read this when I was diagnosed with cancer four years ago. Sensitive, thoughtful, humorous, poignant and most importantly, provides a much needed canvas on which families can explore the myriad emotions surrounding diagnosis and treatment of any serious illnesses. This book will be very helpful to kids and parents everywhere.”
Michael E. Werner, Director, Lymphoma Research Foundation

“This is a beautiful novel. Reno shows how powerful a simple game like baseball can be in helping a young boy cope. The true moral of this book though is beyond baseball and beyond cancer – it lies in the healing strength of familial love and the celebration of life.”
Larry Lucchino, President and CEO, Boston Red Sox, and two-time cancer survivor

“Finally, a book written for both parents and children about loss from a young boy’s perspective. Carefully and brilliantly written, it provides a guide for teachable moments that parents can use to help them relate to their children when faced with serious illness or loss. This fills an obvious void in the literary world.”
Leslie Hovsepian, PhD, licensed clinical psychologist

“Captures your heart from the first words. Entertaining, funny and touching, it takes the reader inside a cancer patient’s family and shares both the heartbreak and hope many children feel.”
Linette Atwood, CEO, Patient Resource Cancer Guide

“Had me reaching for the tissues, but smiling, too, at the many moments of love so well depicted in this story of a boy coming to terms with loss. The author possesses a finely honed skill in giving readers the true voice of a 10-year-old boy learning to cope with death—and life.”
Phyllis DeBlanche, Associate Editor, San Diego Magazine

“This book is wonderful. I can't think of a feeling Jamie didn't cover. Within the first few pages, I found myself feeling like a 10-year-old myself and relating to all the emotions Tyler experienced. I laughed and cried throughout. The book is beautifully written, but even more importantly, it's a powerful insight and will be invaluable for children and their parents who will have a whole lot less explaining to do. Before I read it, I frankly wondered if girls could identify with the baseball backdrop if they weren't into sports, but there is no doubt that the balance is perfect to keep both boys and girls turning the pages. There is much that everyone - kids, young, old, male, female - can identify with. Jamie knocked this one way, way, way out of the park.”
Betsy de Parry, author, patient advocate and cancer survivor

”Snowman on the Pitcher’s Mound is both practical and brilliantly inspiring. Flavored with baseball analogies, humor, and poignant life lessons, this is a good read for anyone interested in the dynamics associated with serious illness within a family.”
Cathy Doheny, Examiner.com

“It’s never easy to talk about cancer with children, but this book gracefully facilitates this difficult dialogue in such an inviting way. I love this book. It can strengthen a family's understanding and compassion through the emotional perils of cancer.”
Regina Huelsenbeck, PhD, PsychoSocialOncologist

“As a young adult who as a child lost her mother to cancer, I have never read a book that is more insightful and helpful in dealing with the questions children face when a loved one is ill.”
Jessica Dallow, Pakula/King & Associates

*photo courtesy of Jamie Reno

Saint Mary International Adoption agency in Charlotte

2009-12-08T22:26:00.013-05:00

Saint Mary International Adoption Agency

by Cathy Crenshaw Doheny

Located in Charlotte, Saint Mary International Adoptions is a non-profit 501(C)(3) and Hague accredited agency that is licensed to provide adoption services to clients nationwide. Founded in 2001, the agency only facilitates about 20 adoptions per year and prefers a more personal touch to client communications. Parents deal directly with the manager of their adoption country of choice, as well as the founder and CEO of the agency, communicating via personal cell phones, rather than office voice mails. Clients are also offered convenient meeting times beyond the typical 8am-5pm business hours.

Saint Mary International Adoptions offers three programs to their clients: Poland, Bulgaria, andUkraine. They feel that the adoption procedure is well established in these countries, plus they have trustworthy connections with lawyers and other professionals with whom they have chosen to work in these countries. The agents of Saint Mary work diligently to insure that all laws and regulations in the United States and abroad are followed strictly, yielding a safe and legal adoption.

Though the founder and CEO of Saint Mary International Adoption, Ms. Vesselina Ratcheva, is a Christian and built the agency on Christian principles, no religious requirement is made of clients. The agency simply sees the name as a symbol of the unconditional love that a mother can give to her child.

Saint Mary International Adoptions is located at:

1515 Mockingbird Lane Suite 204

Charlotte, NC 28209

For more info: Contact the agency at stmaryadoption@hotmail.com

or by phone at 704 527 7673

*photo - Wikimedia Commons

Update on The Daily Book of Classical Music

2009-12-07T22:04:00.006-05:00

I just wanted to take a moment to report on my progress with The Daily Book of Classical Music, the book for which I was signed to be a contributing writer. Published by Walter Foster Publishing, the book is the second in a series of daily reference books with "365 readings that teach, inspire and entertain". The Daily Book of Art was the first in the series and is currently available on Amazon.com in a durable hardcover edition with ribbon bookmark.

For The Daily Book of Classical Music, I am covering the topic of "Famous Operas," writing 37 articles about the most well-known operas in the world. I have to say that I was absolutely thrilled when I was chosen for this job and my enthusiasm for the project has only grown since then. My editor and all of the folks at Walter Foster have been a real pleasure to work with, and I have been given much creative freedom. I was allowed to choose the 37 operas I wanted cover and have been able to write from virtually any slant, as long as it has value and appeal to a general audience wishing to learn more about opera.

I have also enjoyed the process of obtaining images to accompany my articles. Rather than using generic or "stock" images, I came up with the idea of inviting opera companies around the country to participate in the project, by having them contribute original photography from past productions. While we would enjoy use of these contemporary photos, they would get the benefit of the exposure of having their company featured in a well-known publication. The plan is beginning to work beautifully, as several opera companies across the country have expressed interest in the project. So far, the following companies have confirmed their participation:

Opera Carolina

Anchorage Opera

Kentucky Opera

Participation from Houston Grand Opera, as well as several other opera companies that have shown interest, are still pending.

We also have the privilege of using a beautiful original photo from the opera, Tosca, produced at The Puccini Festival in Italy.

I look forward to partnering with even more regional, national, and internationally known companies to help spread the word about the great work that they do and educate others about the very glorious art form that is opera.

*images copy written by Amazon.com, Anchorage Opera, Opera Carolina, & Kentucky Opera. Visit their websites at the links above for more info.

Writing...and resting

2009-12-06T10:36:00.008-05:00

To update everyone... unfortunately, I am still suffering from a case of viral meningoencephalitis, an inflammation of the brain and meninges caused by a virus. I have been sick since Halloween and have been mostly on bed rest and confined to my home, since I am immuno-compromised. Apparently, the recovery from this devastating illness can be rather lengthy. So, I am just glad to be able to be in my own home and not the hospital to do it.

Despite the longest and worst headache of my life, I have managed to get quite a bit of writing done and meet my deadlines through all of this. My husband lovingly points out that using my laptop in bed doesn't exactly constitute "bed rest". However, I cannot just lay here and watch TV all day, knowing there is so much writing I could be doing. It is also very important to my spirit that I continue to write and share with the world my truth and that of others.

My physical therapist, who is working to help me relieve my head and neck pain with heat therapy, tended to agree with my husband, and encouraged me to at least find a way to sit up straighter, if I was going to use the laptop in bed. So, I found on Amazon.com the great back rest pictured above - the Homedics BRF-2L Foldable Massaging Back Rest with LED Light. My husband agreed that it would make the perfect early Christmas gift, and it is now on its way!

I'll be sure to report back my review of the product, so that any other writers who are confined to bed with the flu or any other illness and still have deadlines to meet, or those who just like to write from bed, will know if this could be a valuable tool for them too.

*photo - Amazon.com

December's University City Magazine now online

2009-12-05T21:49:00.006-05:00

Please take a moment to view the digital version of the December issue of The Charlotte Observer's University City Magazine. Two of my feature articles are published this month - A Brighter Christmas, about the Toys for Tots program in Charlotte (pages 15-16), and Beyond the Runway, about fashion-art studio Style Sanctum(pages 43-44).

Readers in the University City area of Charlotte may pick up a complimentary print copy of the magazine at news stands throughout the area.

*images courtesy of University City Magazine

Feature article published in December's Adoption Today Magazine

2009-12-04T19:05:00.008-05:00

My article, Happy and Smiling Children, was published in December's edition of Adoption Today Magazine. The piece is about my adopted daughter's involvement with the Pacific Youth Troupe, a local Chinese dance troupe that helped her to achieve better cultural awareness. The magazine feature includes some gorgeous photos of Jade and her dear friend, Elaine, whom she met while dancing with the troupe. You can view the first few pages of the subscriber-only digital magazine at the link above. The photos here also give you a preview of the layout of this feature article. If you like what you see, become a subscriber to read more!

*photos courtesy of and copy written by Adoption Today Magazine

Inspirational Necklace Courtesy of Black Mountain Jewelry

2009-12-03T21:35:00.007-05:00

As everyone is in the midst of Christmas shopping, I wanted to highlight one of my very favorite online stores, Black Mountain Jewelry. Their "Tree of Life" collection is truly unique and a perfect option if you are searching for just the right gift for someone special on your Christmas list. I was lucky enough to be awarded one of their unique pendants in May and have treasured it ever since. In fact, it is the necklace shown in my head shot on my Amazon.com author page.

To highlight this outstanding jeweler, I decided to republish my post from May.

Yesterday, I received the pendant I won on the Mother's Day "Who's the Boss" Tree of Life contest. The pendant is simply stunning and so detailed. Here is a copy of the thank you note I sent to the owners of Black Mountain jewelry:

Dear Carla and Mark,

I cannot thank you enough for the Tree of Life pendant! When I opened the box, I was simply stunned at the beauty of the piece. The detail is phenomenal, and I am amazed that all of the smaller stones fit perfectly in the branches of the tree. It is almost as if they are celebratory lights strung on the tree, each jewel representing a milestone in my life. My four year-old daughter loves to look at it and hear over and over what the stones stand for: the month her daddy and I met, the month we were married, the month we found out we were going to adopt her, the month we adopted her, and the month of her daddy's life-saving stem cell transplant. And, of course, she knows that the amethyst at the center is the birthstone for her, as well as her mama and daddy. I know that my daughter will be happy to receive this heirloom piece one day, and always be reminded of the events that shone brightest in the tree of my life.

Thanks again for the meaningful piece and for the wonderful work you do to help others tell their stories.

All the best,
Cathy

Finalist in Notes and Grace Notes November Contest

2009-12-03T21:10:00.003-05:00

My personal essay, Jewelry Junkie, was named a finalist in the Creative Nonfiction category of the November Notes and Grace Notes monthly writing contest. The piece deals with my addiction to jewelry and my often comic use of contests to cope with the devastation of life. Feel free to read and rate the piece. No registration is required and reader's ratings help determine monthly winners. The winners for November will be announced at the beginning of January.

Contributing writer for the next "Adoption Fact Book"

2009-12-01T21:28:00.002-05:00

I am very proud to announce that I have been invited to be a contributing writer for the next edition of the National Council for Adoption's Adoption Fact Book to be released in January, 2011. According to the National Council for Adoption's website, this 500+ page publication is the most comprehensive source of adoption facts and statistics available today.

I have been asked to write a summary of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's regulations for tuberculosis testing of immigrants and how they negatively impacted international adoptions earlier this year. I will also highlight how the adoptive community banned together to mobilize the effort to educate the CDC officials about the special circumstances of international adoptees, resulting in an unprecedented change of policy.

Book Review: A Snowman on the Pitcher's Mound by Jamie Reno

2009-11-30T22:42:00.012-05:00

Book Review: A Snowman on the Pitcher's Mound by Jamie Reno

by Cathy Crenshaw Doheny

Jamie Reno, shown here with daughter Mandy, is the author of the
children's novel, "A Snowman on the Pitcher's Mound", which was released this fall.*

A Snowman on the Pitcher's Mound, a novel written by award-winning author and journalist and non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor Jamie Reno for children ages 8 and up and their families, was released this fall. In a way that is both practical and brilliantly inspiring, the book deals with the sensitive emotional issues faced by children who are confronted with a parent's cancer diagnosis.

The story is told solely from the perspective of 10 year-old Tyler Paulson, whose mother has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. When her cancer recurs, she explains to Tyler that she has chosen a treatment, called radio-immunotherapy (RIT), that is just starting to help people. The author, who credits RIT with saving his own life ten years ago, doesn't discount the impact of the mother's treatment choices on her son. In fact, Tyler feels more in control when he researches RIT on the internet for himself and realizes that his mother's situation is quite hopeful.

As Tyler endures the natural range of emotions surrounding the trauma within his family, he learns valuable tools for dealing with those feelings from his parents and a school psychologist:

He must have said that a hundred times in the couple of months that I saw him: “Let people help you.” When someone tells you something that many times it drives you crazy but it’s bound to sink in.

Perhaps the most important of the tools at Tyler's disposal is realized when he is befriended by a classmate whose mother has died.

You know, parents and teachers and even a smart psychologist like Dr. Mackey can tell you things all day long but until another kid your same age tells you stuff sometimes it doesn’t sink in.

Throughout the story, the dialogue about Tyler's mother's cancer is facilitated by talking about the recent death of his grandfather, who was also diagnosed with cancer. Tyler is told time and again that death does not equal loss, but is a natural part of life.

“A person never really dies if you don’t forget them,” my mom said. “They never die if you keep them alive in your heart and in your memories. They stay with you always.”

Though written primarily for children dealing with a parent's cancer diagnosis, this novel would also be appropriate for any older child experiencing the death or illness of a loved one. In addition, Reno has achieved a narrative tone that is also engaging for an adult. Flavored with baseball analogies, humor, and poignant life lessons, this is a good read for anyone interested in the family dynamics associated with a cancer diagnosis, and most especially for those who wish to help a young person navigate his or her way through the complexities of cancer within the family.

Most of all, A Snowman on the Pitcher's Mound is a desperately needed addition to a market that is filled with books for children diagnosed with cancer themselves, but has in most cases overlooked children affected by cancer in other ways. In fact, when asked his inspiration and purpose for writing the book, Reno responded:

My main inspiration for writing this book was my daughter, Mandy. I wrote the book because I am a 13-year cancer survivor who has had many long conversations with my own daughter about what it’s like for her to have a daddy who has battled cancer. I’ve also met with literally thousands of cancer patients and their families over the past decade, and have learned that a child is often the forgotten victim when a parent gets sick. The child has so many questions and emotions stirring inside and often has nowhere to go with these feelings.

"A Snowman on the Pitcher’s Mound" shows how one particularly thoughtful 10-year-old boy copes with the cancer diagnosis of his mom. By explaining his emotional changes, in the child’s own voice and in a life-affirming, accessible and often humorous way, I want to help young readers and their parents understand a child’s natural course of anger, frustration, sadness and fear when dealing with parental illness and loss. I want to facilitate a dialogue that may not otherwise take place.

A Snowman on the Pitcher's Mound was written in association with the Children's Treehouse Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the emotional health of children whose parents have cancer. Reno received an educational grant from Spectrum Pharmaceuticals to write the novel and owns all rights until the summer of 2010, when it will be published by Fulcrum Publishing and available for sale in bookstores nationwide. Until then, copies of the book may be purchased on Reno's website.

For more info: contact Jamie Reno at jreno@san.rr.com

*photo courtesy of Jamie Reno

Resigning from Examiner.com

2009-11-30T20:11:00.003-05:00

Last week, I finally resigned from Examiner.com. I had not been comfortable writing for them in quite some time because of changes they have made in their organization and what I view to be an unethical treatment of their writers. Before resigning, I removed my articles from their website, as we are allowed to do through their publishing tool. However, after resigning, I was informed that Examiner would be restoring my library of roughly 200 articles to the site, as they have the legal right to use them indefinitely without paying me royalties.

Fortunately, I still hold the copyright to the pieces and can also publish them in other places, which was my original intention - to allow organizations for which I advocate to publish these articles free of charge, so that they may continue to be helped by my work. So, in addition to these articles being available on the Examiner site (despite my request that they not be), some of them will also be available on various other sites, including this blog.

If you represent a non-profit organization and would like to publish one of my previously published Examiner pieces on the topics of International Adoption, Blood Cancers or Organ and Tissue Donation, please feel free to contact me at cathydoheny@gmail.com to make arrangements to do so.

If you are a writer considering joining the Examiner.com team, please be aware that, once you become an "Examiner", apparently you will be tied to Examiner.com indefinitely or until the company no longer exists....whether you like it or not. I don't think most writers who apply to work for them realize this. I certainly did not. If you would like more feedback on my experience being an "Examiner", please feel free to email me.

What is radioimmunotherapy?

2009-11-30T19:43:00.016-05:00

What is radioimmunotherapy?
By Cathy Crenshaw Doheny

A treatment option for blood cancers, radioimmunotherapy combines radiation therapy with the use of monoclonal antibodies, which can be grown in bottles, as shown in the photo to the above.*

Radioimmunotherapy is a revolutionary cancer treatment that is producing remarkable results in treating blood cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma.

The technique combines two types of therapy:

1. radiation therapy
2. immune therapy, using monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies are man-made immune proteins used to target and attach to the surface of a cell. In radioimmunotherapy, radiation-emitting molecules, called radioisotopes, attach to the monoclonal antibodies. Those monoclonal antibodies carry the radiation-emitting molecule to the cancer cells and result in a more localized, target-specific irradiation. As the radioisotope attaches to the surface of the cancer cell, the cancer cells are killed.

Advantages of Radioimmunotherapy:
1. It targets specific cancer cells, whereas chemotherapy kills rapidly dividing cells, both cancer cells, as well as non-cancer cells (This means there are far less side effects with radidoimmunotherapy.)

2. The therapy is usually given in an outpatient setting, so no hospitalization is necessary.

3. The treatment period is short, usually only lasting one to three weeks.

4. Resulting remissions are longer than the standard lymphoma treatment therapy of chemotherapy and/or Rituxan.

5. Studies suggest there is no greater risk of secondary cancers than with chemotherapy treatment.

Common Side Effects:

1. Cytopenias (lowered blood counts) caused by radiation to the bone marrow. This can result in a reduction in the body's ability to fight infection due to low white blood cell counts, anemia-induced fatigue due to low red blood cell counts, or abnormal bruising and bleeding due to low platelet counts. Usually, cytopenias are mild to moderate and are transient in nature.

2. Fever, chills, and aches may occur after the treatment is given.

3. Abdominal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are infrequent side effects.

FDA Approved Radioimmunotherapy

1. Ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin®) - approved in March, 2002 for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory (this term means that the lymphoma does not respond to a particular therapy) low-grade, follicular, or transformed B-cell lymphoma. In addition, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals is currently awaiting the FDA's decision regarding their application to use Zevalin as an initial treatment for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. The FDA will be ruling on the application by September 7, 2009.

2. Tositiumomab (Bexxar®) - approved in June, 2003 for the treatment of patients with CD20 positive, follicular, non-Hodgkin lymphoma who are resistant to Rituxan (rituximab) and have relapsed following chemotherapy. Both Zevalin and Bexxar are being investigated in clinical trials for additional treatment of lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma.

A Personal Perspective from Jamie Reno, Follicular Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivor

Diagnosed in 1996 with stage IV follicular, low grade Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, award-winning Newsweek journalist and acclaimed singer-songwriter-guitarist Jamie Reno, was told by his first oncologist that he would be lucky to live for five years. He was originally treated with the common chemotherapy regimen, CHOP, only to relapse two years later. He then decided, against his oncologist's advice, to enroll in a clinical trial for Bexxar, which he credits for his continued long-term remission.

In a phone interview conducted for the purpose of this article, Reno reported that there were very few side effects associated with his radioimmunotherapy treatment, especially compared to the chemotherapy regimen he had previously endured. He also hopes that Spectrum will gain FDA approval for Zevalin to be used as a first line treatment for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma:

This approval for first-line treatment would be a catalyst for greater awareness of radioimmunotherapy. Unfortunately, not as many doctors and patients are as aware of this treatment option as I would like. Doctors are not always equipped to treat patients with radioimmunotherapy in their own clinics, and this may also account for their hesitation to inform their patients of this treatment option.

Ultimately, Reno advocates for patients to be informed of all of their treatment options. In the introduction to his book, Hope Begins in the Dark: 50 Lymphoma Survivors Tell Their Exclusive Life Stories, he shares that all of the survivors whose diverse stories are included are also similar in that they each took charge of their own health care, researched or had someone close to them research their condition, and explored all of their treatment options.

For more info: Email Jamie Reno with questions at jreno@san.rr.com. Reno recommends visiting the Zevalin and Bexxar websites for the most accurate and up to date information on radioimmunotherapy. Reno's Newsweek Q& A with Farrah Fawcett's oncologist, Lawrence Piro (includes info on RIT)

*photo - Wikimedia Commons

Two of my articles in December University City Magazine

2009-11-29T09:33:00.004-05:00

For those in the University area of Charlotte, be sure to check out the December issue of University City Magazine included in the Sunday edition of the Charlotte Observer today. Two of my articles are included - one about Toys for Tots and the other about Style Sanctum fashion art studio. You can also pick-up a complementary copy of the magazine at news stands at various locations in the University area. The December issue should be available online in the next couple of days, as well.

My Amazon.com Author Page

2009-11-27T14:33:00.004-05:00

I am happy to announce that I now have my very own author page on Amazon.com. The page includes a photo, biography, bibliography and blog feed. Please take a moment to view my page at: Cathy Crenshaw Doheny on Amazon.com.

If you are an author with at least one published book listed on Amazon, you are eligible for a free Author Page through Author Central. The set-up is very easy, and it's a great way to increase your exposure! You can get started by clicking on the link at the bottom right corner of my Author Page.

The great...and not so great

2009-11-22T23:40:00.005-05:00

Today, we celebrated our Forever Family Day, the 3-year anniversary of the day we adopted the most amazing, beautiful, and brilliant little girl in the world - Jade Chun'an. She was nearly two years old and was part of the Waiting Child China program for children with special medical needs, as she was diagnosed with a rare form of congenital heart disease. Today, Jade is a happy and healthy 4 1/2 year-old preschooler who loves to dance, model, take gymnastics and play piano. She says that one day she wants to be a doctor. I have no doubt that she will be, if that is what she chooses.

On another topic, for those who do not know, I have been battling a particularly stubborn case of viral encephalitis, an inflammation and swelling of the brain caused by a virus, for the past three weeks. I am currently on bed rest at home for at least the next month and hope to not have to be hospitalized.

Through all of this, I am determined to continue to write, despite the severe headaches. I have quite a few projects I am working on and deadlines for The Daily Book of Classical Music, as well as several other magazines and newspapers to which I am committed, and I do not want to fall behind. I also think it is crucial for my morale at this point to continue to work as much as possible. However, please be aware if you try to contact me, that I may take a little longer than usual in my communications. Your understanding is greatly appreciated!

To give readers a glimpse into the nightmare I have been experiencing with this illness, I have recently begun writing a personal essay, It's Raining Inside the Windows, and hope to have it completed in the near future.

My latest WiseGEEK articles

2009-11-17T22:01:00.003-05:00

My newest batch of five articles has just been published on the WiseGEEK.com site. Highlights of this batch include What Is a Pineoblastoma? and What Is Bone Metastasis? I write at least ten articles a month, mostly on health and medical topics, for this site. You can read all of my WiseGEEK articles by clicking on the titles listed in the column to the left.

Root Exposure on GoodReads.com

2009-11-09T22:41:00.004-05:00

Root Exposure: New Voices in Literature is now listed on GoodReads.com! Three of my personal essays are included in this anthology. Ratings and reviews would be very appreciated by anyone who has read any of my three pieces included in the anthology (Assault on a Marriage, Drowning Lifeline, and Survival of the Sacrificial Alley Cat) or any other pieces from the book.

Fashion Show for Make-A-Wish Foundation

2009-11-08T17:45:00.003-05:00

Jade has been selected as one of twenty children and teens to model in a fashion show at Ballantyne Resort on Sunday, November 29, 2009 at 3 pm. These local models will be representing Peek-A-Boo Couture and will also participate in a photo shoot next weekend for an advertising campaign.

I would like to invite those in the Charlotte area to the fashion show, which is also a fundraiser for the Make a Wish Foundation. There is a pageant scheduled during the events as well, though Jade is not participating in that. Tickets are $10. If you are interested in attending, please email me at cathydoheny@gmail.com and I can secure a ticket for you. This is a great way to show your encouragement of Jade’s new endeavor, while also supporting a very worthy cause!

Parents Magazine's Most Meaningful Moment Contest

2009-11-07T22:24:00.010-05:00

I've entered Parents Magazine's "Most Meaningful Moment" Contest for an opportunity to win $500. Entrants submit a photo, along with a short description, telling judges about their most meaningful moment within the past year.

My entry, Jade graduates from life to preschool, includes the photo above and describes the life crises that resulted in Jade not beginning a preschool program until she was 4 1/2 years old. For our family life to finally be calm enough for Jade to start preschool is more meaningful than most people could probably ever fathom.

Please feel free to read more on the contest entry page about our

compassionate little girl, who is ironically developmentally ahead of most children her age, despite all of the delays and adversity. You can also view more of her photo albums on the Parents Magazine site in the Halloween Costume Contest and on the Show Off Your Kid page.

New entry in Notes and Grace Notes contest

2009-11-05T17:15:00.002-05:00

My newest entry in the Notes and Grace Notes monthly writing contest is Jewelry Junkie, a personal essay about my humorous, but sanity-saving jewelry addiction. Please feel free to read and rate the essay in the November contest. No registration is necessary and ratings help determine the finalists at the end of the month.