Latest news with #Casey
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Casey reflects on Biden's diagnosis, his own cancer fight
Bob Casey was on a train bound for Washington, D.C., when he got a call that stopped him in his tracks. 'It was just two words,' the former senator remembers. 'It's cancer.' Casey, a Scranton native serving his third term in the U.S. Senate, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in late 2022. He was 62 and had no symptoms of disease. The cancer was caught by a routine blood test that revealed elevated levels of prostate-specific antigen. Former Sen. Bob Casey and wife Terese greet neighborhood resident Molly Kankiewicz while taking a walk in Scranton's Hill section Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Casey was shaken by the diagnosis, but knew the cancer was manageable and detected early. He had decisions to make and time to make them. 'I can't imagine hearing those two words, 'It's cancer,' and having it be the kind of cancer which is not manageable,' Casey said in a recent interview. 'It hits you really hard, but I also had a general sense that this was more manageable, so it wasn't as devastating as it would have been if it were some other kind of cancer. But even with that, it still hits you hard.' Casey had successful surgery in 2023 and has remained healthy since, an example of advances in testing and treatment that have dramatically improved survival rates for the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in American men. Only lung cancer is more lethal. About one in eight men will be diagnosed over their lifetime with prostate cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Former Sen. Bob Casey smiles in the living room of his Scranton home Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Scranton native and former President Joe Biden was diagnosed last month with aggressive prostate cancer that spread to his bones. Prostate cancers are graded using what's known as a Gleason score. Scores range from 6 to 10. Biden's score is 9, suggesting his cancer is among the most aggressive types. It can be treated, but not cured. Casey said he sent Biden, 82, a message of support, but hasn't spoken to his old friend and political ally since the diagnosis. 'I reached out just to say, 'You're not alone,' and to tell him that we're thinking of him,' he said. 'I did see him right before he left (the White House) in January. I really haven't been in touch with him since, but (the diagnosis) is a hell of a thing after all he's been through.' Joined by Allentown firefighters and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, President Joe Biden addresses the media Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, at Mack South Fire Station in Allentown. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call) Casey, 65, credits the support and advocacy of Terese Casey, his wife of 40 years and a key partner in his treatment and recovery. 'She jumped right in helping me research it, and we interviewed a group of surgeons,' he said. 'Technically, I had three options — just let it go and see what happens; No. 2 was to get radiation; and No. 3 was to have surgery. I chose a prostatectomy, where you just get it out. I was really fortunate. I had a good doctor and got a good result.' Choosing the right doctor and treatment plan are key not only to survival, but quality of life, said Don Ezrin, a three-time cancer survivor who until recently chaired the Northeast Pennsylvania Prostate Cancer Survivors Support Group. The group no longer meets in person, but maintains a vibrant presence on Facebook, one of many regional pages for cancer survivors on the platform. A Vietnam-era Air Force veteran, Ezrin learned he was at risk during his discharge physical. His doctor told him his prostate was enlarged. 'I really remember the doctor with his rubber glove going, 'What is this? That's a bit enlarged,'' Ezrin said. 'So I was watching it thoroughly, and the minute it raised its ugly head, we proceeded to do something.' Ezrin was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2002. He opted for intensity modulated radiation therapy, which was not widely available in Northeast Pennsylvania at the time. His cancer has been under control for 20 years, which he credits in part to choosing the right treatment. 'You've got to understand that each medical professional is very similar to a car salesman,' the 78-year-old Clarks Summit retiree said. 'They want to sell what they practice, and if you start asking questions and they're not in that field, they're going to shut you down real quick, which was the reason for starting the group.' * Former Sen. Bob Casey talks with neighbors with his wife Terese by his side in Scranton's Hill section Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Former Sen. Bob Casey and wife Terese talk in their living room in their Hill section residence in Scranton Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Former Sen. Bob Casey and wife Terese talk on the couch in their living room in their Hill section residence in Scranton Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Former Sen. Bob Casey and wife Terese walk out of their house in Scranton's Hill section Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Former Sen. Bob Casey and wife Terese talk in their living room in their Hill section residence in Scranton Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Show Caption 1 of 5 Former Sen. Bob Casey talks with neighbors with his wife Terese by his side in Scranton's Hill section Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Expand Every treatment — whether surgery, radiation or hormone therapy — comes with side effects, Ezrin said. When he was diagnosed, his wife, Lisa, was 40. Ezrin was 57, and leery of the sexual side effects of some treatment options. 'I was not ready to give up what I call 'the finer things of life,' which is what can happen if you choose the wrong therapy to treat prostate cancer,' Ezrin said. 'A lot of the drugs that are out there today can rob you of the desire to want to do anything other than just exist. 'I've seen guys bounce back immediately and I've seen guys just fall apart. The bottom line is you've got to get educated on what you're up against and then make the best choice for you, your family and your financial situation.' Casey echoed Ezrin's call to research options widely before making treatment decisions. Seeking the support and counsel of survivors is also important, he said. Shortly after he announced his diagnosis, other members of Congress reached out with advice and support. 'That was a big help, and again, I was very fortunate to have good doctors and a good result,' he said. 'And the recovery was pretty fast. I think I was back voting in the Senate on day 12.' Casey was defeated in the November election and exited the Senate in January. His win over prostate cancer gives him more time to spend with his two grandchildren. Another is due in June. 'On Jan. 3, the first day of the new Congress, I purposely got in my car and drove to their house to be with them,' Casey said. 'I've been really lucky. I had a great run and had a lot of years in government and now I've got to do something else. I'm still working on that, still trying to figure that out, but I've been fortunate.' The former president's diagnosis and treatment going forward should serve as a reminder to men of a certain age to get tested regularly, Casey said. 'Whenever these things happen to someone who's prominent, it obviously brings a lot of attention to the topic,' he said. 'It's a powerful reminder for men to get the test, especially when you're in your 40s and 50s. It's important and it's so simple. You get a blood test. Treatment has come a long way over the past 25 or so years. What used to be a death sentence no longer is.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Former Sen. Bob Casey reflects on Biden's diagnosis, his own cancer fight
Bob Casey was on a train bound for Washington, D.C., when he got a call that stopped him in his tracks. 'It was just two words,' the former senator remembers. 'It's cancer.' Casey, serving his third term in the U.S. Senate, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in late 2022. He was 62 and had no symptoms of disease. The cancer was caught by a routine blood test that revealed elevated levels of prostate-specific antigen. Former Sen. Bob Casey and wife Terese greet neighborhood resident Molly Kankiewicz while taking a walk in Scranton's Hill section Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Casey was shaken by the diagnosis, but knew the cancer was manageable and detected early. He had decisions to make and time to make them. 'I can't imagine hearing those two words, 'It's cancer,' and having it be the kind of cancer which is not manageable,' Casey said in a recent interview. 'It hits you really hard, but I also had a general sense that this was more manageable, so it wasn't as devastating as it would have been if it were some other kind of cancer. But even with that, it still hits you hard.' Casey had successful surgery in 2023 and has remained healthy since, an example of advances in testing and treatment that have dramatically improved survival rates for the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in American men. Only lung cancer is more lethal. About one in eight men will be diagnosed over their lifetime with prostate cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Former Sen. Bob Casey smiles in the living room of his Scranton home Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Former President Joe Biden was diagnosed last month with aggressive prostate cancer that spread to his bones. Prostate cancers are graded using what's known as a Gleason score. Scores range from 6 to 10. Biden's score is 9, suggesting his cancer is among the most aggressive types. It can be treated, but not cured. Casey said he sent Biden, 82, a message of support, but hasn't spoken to his old friend and political ally since the diagnosis. 'I reached out just to say, 'You're not alone,' and to tell him that we're thinking of him,' he said. 'I did see him right before he left (the White House) in January. I really haven't been in touch with him since, but (the diagnosis) is a hell of a thing after all he's been through.' Joined by Allentown firefighters and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, President Joe Biden addresses the media Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, at Mack South Fire Station in Allentown. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call) Casey, 65, credits the support and advocacy of Terese Casey, his wife of 40 years and a key partner in his treatment and recovery. 'She jumped right in helping me research it, and we interviewed a group of surgeons,' he said. 'Technically, I had three options — just let it go and see what happens; No. 2 was to get radiation; and No. 3 was to have surgery. I chose a prostatectomy, where you just get it out. I was really fortunate. I had a good doctor and got a good result.' Choosing the right doctor and treatment plan are key not only to survival, but quality of life, said Don Ezrin, a three-time cancer survivor who until recently chaired the Northeast Pennsylvania Prostate Cancer Survivors Support Group. The group no longer meets in person, but maintains a vibrant presence on Facebook, one of many regional pages for cancer survivors on the platform. A Vietnam-era Air Force veteran, Ezrin learned he was at risk during his discharge physical. His doctor told him his prostate was enlarged. 'I really remember the doctor with his rubber glove going, 'What is this? That's a bit enlarged,'' Ezrin said. 'So I was watching it thoroughly, and the minute it raised its ugly head, we proceeded to do something.' Ezrin was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2002. He opted for intensity modulated radiation therapy, which was not widely available in Northeast Pennsylvania at the time. His cancer has been under control for 20 years, which he credits in part to choosing the right treatment. 'You've got to understand that each medical professional is very similar to a car salesman,' the 78-year-old retiree said. 'They want to sell what they practice, and if you start asking questions and they're not in that field, they're going to shut you down real quick, which was the reason for starting the group.' * Former Sen. Bob Casey talks with neighbors with his wife Terese by his side in Scranton's Hill section Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Former Sen. Bob Casey and wife Terese talk in their living room in their Hill section residence in Scranton Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Former Sen. Bob Casey and wife Terese talk on the couch in their living room in their Hill section residence in Scranton Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Former Sen. Bob Casey and wife Terese walk out of their house in Scranton's Hill section Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Former Sen. Bob Casey and wife Terese talk in their living room in their Hill section residence in Scranton Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Show Caption 1 of 5 Former Sen. Bob Casey talks with neighbors with his wife Terese by his side in Scranton's Hill section Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Expand Every treatment — whether surgery, radiation or hormone therapy — comes with side effects, Ezrin said. When he was diagnosed, his wife, Lisa, was 40. Ezrin was 57, and leery of the sexual side effects of some treatment options. 'I was not ready to give up what I call 'the finer things of life,' which is what can happen if you choose the wrong therapy to treat prostate cancer,' Ezrin said. 'A lot of the drugs that are out there today can rob you of the desire to want to do anything other than just exist. 'I've seen guys bounce back immediately and I've seen guys just fall apart. The bottom line is you've got to get educated on what you're up against and then make the best choice for you, your family and your financial situation.' Casey echoed Ezrin's call to research options widely before making treatment decisions. Seeking the support and counsel of survivors is also important, he said. Shortly after he announced his diagnosis, other members of Congress reached out with advice and support. 'That was a big help, and again, I was very fortunate to have good doctors and a good result,' he said. 'And the recovery was pretty fast. I think I was back voting in the Senate on day 12.' Casey was defeated in the November election and exited the Senate in January. His win over prostate cancer gives him more time to spend with his two grandchildren. Another is due in June. 'On Jan. 3, the first day of the new Congress, I purposely got in my car and drove to their house to be with them,' Casey said. 'I've been really lucky. I had a great run and had a lot of years in government and now I've got to do something else. I'm still working on that, still trying to figure that out, but I've been fortunate.' The former president's diagnosis and treatment going forward should serve as a reminder to men of a certain age to get tested regularly, Casey said. 'Whenever these things happen to someone who's prominent, it obviously brings a lot of attention to the topic,' he said. 'It's a powerful reminder for men to get the test, especially when you're in your 40s and 50s. It's important and it's so simple. You get a blood test. Treatment has come a long way over the past 25 or so years. What used to be a death sentence no longer is.'
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Climate action progress could attract investment, experts say, amid looming hefty EU fines
The Government's delayed approach to complying with climate-related targets and agreements may threaten Ireland's position as an attractive place to do business, according to collaborators of a major report. Marie Donnelly, chair of the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC), along with budgetary watchdog Ifac's chief economist Eddie Casey cautioned, since the publication of their report in March, that a likely hefty EU fine for incompliance with agreements could impact foreign direct investment (FDI) opportunities. 'There's good reason to say, given what we are seeing internationally happening and all this uncertainty that is threatening Ireland's competitiveness, that we're going to lean into these areas that are helping (FDI) and attracting multinationals to stay here,' said Mr Casey. The report, 'A Colossal Missed Opportunity — Ireland's climate action and the potential costs of missing targets', found the Government could be on the hook for fines between €8bn and €26bn if it fails to meet its agreed EU climate commitments outlined in legislation. 'The danger is that this is quite close to reality because the additional measures that they have said they will enact, they haven't followed through on yet,' said Mr Casey. If the Government implements the additional measures in its own Climate Action Plan by 2030, it could reduce the fine range to €3bn to €12bn. 'With every crisis, you have opportunities too,' he said. Mr Casey stressed the significance of investing in the renewable sector and meeting climate agreements to maintain relationships with multinationals, especially as trade tensions continue to simmer amid US president Donald Trump's tariff threats and his ambition to lure large firms back to the US. Eddie Casey, chief economist, Ifac. 'Thankfully, it looks like the Government is taking more urgency following the tariffs debacle to really get a grip on how they can deliver and accelerate it,' said Mr Casey. Ifac has long warned against the Government's overdependence on corporation tax for financial padding in annual budgets, however three quarters of the corporation tax haul last year was from US companies and around 40% was collected from just three companies. 'We are incredibly reliant on them and we don't want to lose that,' said Mr Casey. Multinationals have become increasingly interested in locations with a renewable energy supply and a reinforced energy grid as they come under mounting pressure to fuel their electricity-guzzling data centres in a more sustainable way. 'They've been really worried for a long time about Ireland's ability to actually deliver energy so they can, as a tech firm, have a larger data centre,' said Mr Casey. Ms Donnelly echoed Mr Casey's comments and said the EU's Green Deal and its clean competitiveness agenda 'are effectively the same thing'. 'Europe understands that we have to have energy both for our society and our economy,' she continued. 'It's clear that the energy we currently use is neither sustainable, it doesn't have supply security, it can blow the cost of living out of the water, it's largely drawn by not very politically stable parts of the world and it's very bad for our climate because it's full of emissions,' she said. These legally binding EU agreements that Ireland has entered require domestic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, an increasing share of renewable energy, and improved energy efficiency. A key piece of the legislation is the Effort Sharing Regulation, which Ireland and other EU countries agreed to adopt in 2018. It covers emissions from domestic transport, buildings, small industry, waste, and agriculture. If Ireland emits more than allowed, the state will have to purchase the gap from overperforming countries — those that reduce their emissions more than required. Other countries, including Spain and Portugal, have been overperforming in terms of their climate mandates because they have taken money from other countries that are underperforming. However, Ireland has around five times the cost of missing targets compared to a larger economy such as Germany which is underperforming. However, Mr Casey explained that Germany can afford to miss targets. Marie Donnelly, chair of the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC). Ireland has shown Europe it is capable of economic miracles, including its recovery from the banking crisis in 2008 to boasting healthy public finances after years of volatility, including covid lockdowns, soaring inflation and interest rate hikes. However, Ireland has not been as skillful in performing miracles when it comes to its emissions targets. In 2022, Ireland had the second-highest emissions of greenhouse gases per capita in the EU at 11.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide, figures from the Central Statistics Office showed. Ireland's emissions were 56% higher than the EU average of 7.5 tonnes. Meanwhile, the most recent projections from environmental agency EPA showed Ireland can achieve a 25% reduction of emissions by 2030, which is considerably short of the 42% reduction target. In addition, Ireland fell below its renewable energy share target baseline share in 2021, 2022 and 2023 and could face costs from purchasing compliance for falling below its baseline share in 2021 and 2022 but as things stand, not for 2023, according to the climate report. This is because countries have one year to return above their baseline share. Ireland is expected to return above its baseline share in 2024. Ireland's slow movement towards climate progress may be driven by a lack of serious consequences to date. 'There is a view amongst some that this is never going to happen, that they wouldn't be fined,' said Ms Donnelly. She repeated the point that if Ireland does get fined, the bill will without doubt be at least an eye-watering €8bn. Mr Casey also said that 'if they're not going to do it, they're basically breaking the law. The State would have the resources to do that without having to hike taxes or cut spending on any ongoing supports,' he said. Mr Casey added that if this were to happen, it 'would be a colossal wasted opportunity because that is money that could be put towards loads of potential measures that would meet the targets'. If Ireland does not comply with the EU's mandate, the money that Ireland will be fined will transfer to other countries in Europe.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Penfield grad introduces new mental health training to district staff
PENFIELD, N.Y. (WROC) — May is Mental Health Awareness Month and in recent weeks, a graduate of Penfield Central Schools has brought first aid training to district faculty and staff there with the objective of better preparing school leaders in responding to a mental health crisis. In 2016, Cody Wiktorski lost his younger brother, Casey, to suicide at the age of 16. Ever since, the Wiktorski family has devoted their time to mental health advocacy in the Greater Rochester community and most recently, with this new training introduced to the staff of Penfield Central. 'That year after Casey passed was one of the hardest years of all of our lives. We really don't want people to have to go through that. I wish that this didn't have to happen in order for me to do these initiatives. We're always trying to be proactive and preventative,' said Wiktorski. In recent years, Wiktorski has become an instructor for the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Virtually, he trains professionals all over the U.S. on how to best respond to youth facing mental health struggles or crises. 'Back in 2012 when I was in high school, we just didn't talk about things and there weren't really these initiatives. Going to the counselor was frowned upon. Everyone just kind of tucked it down deep and didn't really show any emotion, and we unfortunately heard about it way too late when we started losing people,' said Wiktorski. For the staff taking part, they say this is one more tool in a growing kit to assist in the changing needs of students. 'The last few years have presented a lot of challenges. We want to make sure we are providing the opportunities that our adults need to be able to create a better and more sustainable environment for our kids,' said Kevin Marriott, director of professional learning for Penfield CSD. 'I think with the more opportunities that educators have to learn new strategies, to make those connections to a more proactive approach to community within their classrooms, this training does just that to help them be successful with it,' said Rachael Wyman, a 6th grade teacher at Bay Trail Middle School who completed the training. The sessions take up to five hours, but Wiktorski says that window of time can foster conversations for years to come. 'I said [to the district], 'Listen, would you feel 100 percent comfortable in every single one of your staff, teachers, and your counselors, if a student came to you or any of your staff members with a crises — that you would feel 100 percent confident that they would know what to do in order to get them the help they need? And if the answer is any hesitation, this training is for you,'' said Wiktorski. Wiktorski intends to take the Youth Mental Health First Aid Training to school districts across the Rochester area in the coming months. He adds he hopes to include Penfield staff who have completed it to work in collaboration with those who register in the future. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Sky News AU
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Casey Donovan in tears after finishing final performance as Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act musical
Casey Donovan has shared an emotional new social media post after finishing her final performance starring in Sister Act: The Musical. The beloved songstress recently treaded the boards in Sister Act for the last time after a national tour that saw Donovan perform across the country. Donovan starred in the production as Deloris Van Cartier, the role made famous by Oscar winner Whoopi Goldberg in the original 1992 film version of Sister Act. '11 months, 5 cities & 216 shows @sisteractmusicalau what a wild ride,' Donovan wrote. 'Thank you to all who came and supported this show, we couldn't have done it without you! 'Thank you to the cast, crew, musicians and creatives for one epic adventure! Until next time.' Donovan's fans flooded the comment section to celebrate her spectacular run embodying Goldberg's iconic singing nun character. 'Massive congratulations Casey … you had me at Aussie Idol,' one supporter wrote. 'You took us to heaven,' another fan said. The singer first found fame after winning the second season of Australian Idol in 2004, aged just 16. Since then, she has built a diverse career across music and television, starring in major musical theatre productions including Chicago and We Will Rock You. Casey's curtain call comes weeks after the singer revealed the moment she decided to embark on her health journey. 'I'm 36 now and I finally realised that, if I want to be healthy and fit at 40, I need to take some real and lasting preventative measures now,' she told New Idea magazine last month. Donovan also told the magazine that she was hoping to start a family with her fiancée Renee Sharples in the 'semi-near future', revealing she was "in such a good place in my life right now". Donovan, 36, recently lost a significant amount of weight after overhauling her lifestyle, including the use of a GLP-1 weight loss medication Juniper. GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Juniper help regulate appetite and are increasingly being used in medical weight loss programs.
