In Memoriam: Joseph Strain

Joseph Strain lived an exceptional life. As noted in his recent eulogy, so rich and varied were his experiences, Joe lived the equivalent of three lifetimes.

Joseph died on May 17, 2014 at the age of 93.

Joseph and Marie Strain c. 1950-500pxAs a Marine Corps Captain, Joe served as a dive-bomber pilot in the Marshall Islands during World War II, and fighter-bomber and helicopter pilot in the Korean War.

After the war, Joe earned a PhD in Educational Administration at Harvard. During a 43-year career at Suffolk University, he taught English and speech. At Suffolk, he held many leadership roles, ultimately becoming the associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Joe was known for his kindness, compassion, and tireless dedication to improving the world. He was a champion of the civil rights movement, worked to improve conditions for students and teachers, and helped his wife Marie organize the Committee for a National Day of Peace.

Joe was also a dedicated supporter of Men With Heart. At his and his family’s request, donations in Joe’s memory may be made to Men With Heart to support the battle against breast cancer.

To donate by credit card, click on the button below, which will take you to a secure PayPal page.

 

To donate via check, please send your donation to:

Men With Heart, A Non-Profit Corporation
733 Turnpike Street, #200
North Andover, MA 01845

Men With Heart Teams with Silent Spring in Breast Cancer Fight

In the latest volley in its battle against breast cancer, Men With Heart has awarded a grant to Silent Spring Institute to support its breast cancer research programs.

Men With Heart, a Boston-based nonprofit dedicated to eradicating breast cancer, has contributed $5,000 to Silent Spring to further its work toward identifying and breaking the links between environmental chemicals and breast cancer.


  • Searched for environmental factors in women’s health with an ultimate goal of disease prevention.
  • Conducted scientific research in the context of alliance and dialogue between scientists and activists.
  • Supported scientific excellence and innovation, conducting research unlikely to be done elsewhere.
  • Fostered multidisciplinary teams incorporating toxicology, epidemiology, computer science, environmental science, and communications in an integrated research program.
  • “Genetics alone cannot account for the majority of cases of breast cancer, leaving a lot of room for prevention,” says Julia Brody, PhD, Senior Scientist and Executive Director of Silent Spring Institute, citing that only five to ten percent of breast cancers are attributable to high-risk inherited genes. “Every day we are exposed to hundreds of chemicals in consumer products and pollution that raise concern for breast cancer because they are either breast carcinogens or estrogen mimics. We are so grateful to Men With Heart for this grant, which will accelerate Silent Spring’s prevention research. This work includes the development of new technologies to quickly screen chemicals for effects on breast cancer and breast health, putting in sight the day that consumer products will be deemed safe before they are put on the market.”

    # # #

    ABOUT MEN WITH HEART: Men With Heart is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to eradicating breast cancer by getting more men involved in the breast cancer fight; raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research, treatment, prevention, and cure; and serving as stewards on multiday breast cancer walks, helping our fellow walkers complete their walks in good spirits and shape. Men With Heart supports a number of organizations. Since 2002, we have awarded grants to the Avon Foundation, Susan G. Komen Foundation, The Healing Garden, The Ellie Fund, The Lahey Clinic, Dana Farber Hospital, and many other organizations. More information may be found at www.menwithheart.org.

    Contact: Jack Burlingame
    Founding board member
    jack@menwithheart.org

    ABOUT SILENT SPRING INSTITUTE: Founded in 1994, Silent Spring Institute is the leading scientific research organization dedicated to understanding how we can help prevent breast cancer. The organization’s groundbreaking studies reveal connections between the chemicals in our everyday lives and the risk for breast cancer. Pursuing science for the public interest, Silent Spring’s researchers create new knowledge about the health risks associated with toxic chemicals where we live and work—areas that largely have been ignored in breast cancer research. More information is available at www.silentspring.org.

    Contact: Catherine M. Cotton
    Development and Communications Associate
    617-332-4288 ext. 215
    cotton@silentspring.org

    Announcing our Boston Avon Walk matching donation program!

    Guys-Way-250pxFor many Avon walkers, the most daunting challenge isn’t blisters, cramps, or dehydration. It’s the fund- raising requirement!

    Let’s face it: $1,800 isn’t exactly spare change you can dig out of the couch cushions. Putting the ask on family, friends, and colleagues, whether it’s the first time or the tenth time, isn’t easy.

    Recognizing this fact, Men With Heart has a plan to make it easier-—a matching donation program!

    For the 2014 Boston Avon Walk, Men With Heart will subsidize up to one-half of our team members’ minimum fundraising requirement. That’s right: we’ll chip in up to $900 toward your Avon donation requirement!

    There are a few stipulations, detailed below, but it’s an unbeatable deal. If you’ve been thinking about joining the fight against breast cancer, but were worried about raising the funds, now’s the time!

    THE FINE PRINT

    To qualify for this offer, you must:

    1) Sign up for the 2014 Boston Avon Walk as a member of the Men With Heart team: This year’s walk takes place during the weekend of May 17-18. Click here to join now!

    2) Conduct your fundraising through Men With Heart: We’ll set up a donation page for you on the Men With Heart website, which will allow you to take credit card donations. Around the time of the walk, MWH will write a check on your behalf to Avon, which will include the subsidy funds if needed to meet your minimum requirement.

    3) Agree to be a fully participating MWH member: Our mission is to be stewards of the walks, helping our fellow walkers make it to the finish line in good spirits and shape. You’ll wear the signature MWH yellow t-shirt; carry a backpack filled with supplies (chocolate, blister packs, sunblock, etc.) for walkers in need; and join in sing-a-longs to serenade our fellow walkers. At the end of each day, we line up at the finish line to cheer in every single walker – it is a point of pride and duty that we continue cheering until the very last walker finishes.

    If you think you’ve got what it takes, sign up right now and take advantage of this probably-never-to-be-repeated offer!

    Contact us with any questions.

    Avon captain: Jack Burlingame
    Jack@menwithheart.org

    Men With Heart is an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) corporation (a fancy way of saying we’re a charity!). All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

    Chase away the winter blues with these breast cancer events

    Snowy days and long nights haven’t driven us into hibernation this winter. Men With Heart and our sister organizations (we don’t seem to have any brother organizations!) are hard at work in the breast cancer fight. Here are a few activities to join and break the winter blues:


    healinggardenThe Virginia Thurston Healing Garden is running a vast array of programs, including support groups; acupressure; arts programs; Yoga, Tai Chi, and Qi Gong; mind-body therapy; strength training; dance classes; and more! Visit www.healinggarden.net for the full list.


    capecodcharitablefunraisersCape Cod Charitable Funraisers is sponsoring “Roll the Rock 2014,” a simply rollicking and fun event. Roll the Rock features many local businesses showcasing their bowling, fundraising, and team building skills. It’s a blast! Best of all, proceeds go to a variety of charitable organizations, including our friends at the Silent Spring Institute.

    Roll the Rock 2014 takes place on Friday, March 28, 2014 at Ryan Family Amusements, 1067 Route 28, So. Yarmouth, MA 02664. Click here for more information.


    EllieFundOur longtime friends and partners in charity, The Ellie Fund, are hosting their 18th annual Red Carpet Gala. The event includes an exclusive viewing of the 86th Academy Awards Telecast live from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Join hosts Kelley Tuthill and Susan Wornick of WCVB-TV Channel 5 for an exciting evening of film, food, fashion and fundraising with:

    ♦ Red Carpet Arrivals hosted by J.C. Monahan, WCVB-TV Channel 5
    ♦ Hosted Bars with delicious wines, beers and cocktails
    ♦ Gourmet Chef Stations hosted by BostonChefs.com, starring the city’s best restaurants and chefs
    ♦ “Best of the Best” Live and Silent Auctions featuring autographed memorabilia, deluxe vacation packages and more!
    ♦ Deluxe Swag Bags sponsored by The Street Chestnut Hill

    For more info and to purchase tickets, click here.


    healinggardenA snowstorm forced the postponement of the Healing Garden’s annual Wine Tasting & Tour — an extraordinary fundraising event where 100% of the proceeds benefit cancer care at The Healing Garden. Hosted by Nashoba Valley Winery, the event features culinary creations from Executive Chef Andy McWilliams of J’s Restaurant; wine and craft beer tastings; a behind-the-scenes tour; live Traditional Irish music by Laurel Martin (Fiddle) and Kathleen Guilday (Harp); as well numerous raffle items.

    The Nashoba Valley Winery Benefit has been rescheduled to Thursday, February 27th, 2014 at 6:30 pm at Nashoba Valley Winery, 100 Wattaquadock Hill Road, Bolton. Find more info here and purchase tickets here


    2014: Our best year ever?

    PaulDoucette-FaulknerGala-webAlthough regrettable in many ways, the demise of the Komen Boston walk offers one silver lining: it allows the local breast cancer community to coalesce around a single multiday walk event — the 2-day Boston Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

    Men With Heart will be consolidating its team for the May 17-18th event, and we hope you’ll join us! We expect to provide some modest financial incentives to our teammates; more to come on that topic soon.

    In the meantime, if you’re inspired to act, follow this link to sign up now. Choose “Join a Team,” then select Men With Heart, and you are on your way!

    2014 — our best year ever!


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