Non Profit Spotlight: Fight Colorectal Cancer

Non Profit Spotlight: Fight Colorectal Cancer

Also known as colon or bowel cancer, colorectal cancer is the growth of cancer in the colon or rectum. It may be caused by old age, lifestyle and in rare cases, genetic factors (non-polyposis cancer that is hereditary). Other risk factors are diet (processed meat and alcohol), obesity, an absence of physical activity and smoking. Inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease are also a risk factor. The associated symptoms of colorectal cancer include weight loss, changed bowel movements and blood spots in the stool. Treatment is usually a combination of radio and chemotherapy and surgery. Surgery can cure cancer confined to the colon walls, if widespread, it cannot be cured, but is managed to improve the symptoms and the patients’ quality of life.


About Fight Colorectal Cancer

Founded in 2005, Fight Colorectal Cancer is an organization that aims at reducing deaths attributed to the disease. It also aims at finding a cure for colorectal cancer. The organization advocates for research into colorectal cancer and also offers training and provides grants to scientists working towards a cure for the disease. They do this through what they term as five ways to fight. They include:


  • Patient resources


    • It creates a resource center that is credible and contains resources that have been medically reviewed. This helps patients in making informed decisions concerning their health. The educational materials, found free online, give information on diagnosis, available treatment options and how to handle life with colorectal cancer. This keeps patients constantly informed.



  • Research


    • The organization follows studies that cover the basic biology, prevention of the disease, its treatment and how to survive it. They involve their researchers and help fund any project that may be groundbreaking in the field of colorectal cancer. The organization also has medical experts on its medical advisory board.



  • Advocacy


    • The organization, through forming coalitions with policy makers and other regulatory agencies have managed to build solid relations with leaders to ensure colorectal cancer and persons suffering from it are considered in policy decisions.



  • Awareness


    • Through awareness programmes like One million strong, kids awareness activities, online ambassadors; and events like sparks of strength luminary event, the organization has managed to create awareness around colorectal cancer.



  • Philanthropy


    • Fight colorectal cancer also encourages donations from members of the public. This can be through fundraising programmes, personal donations or donations to its research programmes.


How Your Landlord Calculates Rent

How Your Landlord Calculates Rent

There are many factors that go into the typical landlord’s determining of rent and apartment value. Not all are financial, but the beginning factors of deciding a fair price are evaluating the market, along with overhead costs.


Similar to purchasing a house, many landlords will look at comparable properties in the neighboring area. To be comparable, a neighboring apartment will have similar square footage, room counts, and amenities. Landlords can also evaluate apartment buildings in other neighborhoods that are comparable sizes, and then take into account a difference in neighborhoods. The surrounding neighborhood can increase or decrease the rent value for reasons such as park and school accessibility, transit, cleanliness, even the local nightlife.


Once this has been established, many landlords choose to compare the rent, or range of rent prices, to the Housing and Urban Developments annual fair market rental report. This report is used to illustrate how rent prices relate to the types of apartments available, along with the local markets. Supply and demand is also a very common factor when determining rent price, particularly in an area where rental property competition is either very high or very low. This does not necessarily mean that a high demand will drive the prices up too much, as it can be extremely unprofitable for a landlord to have frequent turnover.


Next, overhead costs will play a large part into how much an apartment can be rented for. A landlord will have many overhead costs, some which are quite expensive or even unpredictable. Mortgage of the overall building will be used to calculate rent, along with utilities that must be paid, property taxes, and insurance. All of these expenses must be covered by the combined rent of all units on the property, taking into account that vacancies will occur in between occupants.


Unforeseen expenses are more difficult to calculate, but are equally important to take into account when determining rent of a unit. The landlord must be able to provide their tenants with basic amenities, especially those of which were previously agreed upon such as a working refrigerator. Unforeseen events can also lead to expenses, such as fires or gas leaks, which the landlord are responsible for fixing using the obtained rent money.


Last, many landlords take into account their occupants themselves. In fact, many landlords who live in the same building as their tenants, or owners of smaller properties, are known to be reasonable in order to maintain a relationship with their tenants.


All in all, there are many different factors used to calculate the monthly price of any rental. Landlords may calculate the rent differently based on neighborhood, type of building, and even the landlord’s own proximity to the units. Ultimately, a good landlord will weigh all of the factors to determine a fair and affordable rate, which also covers necessary expenses with a safety net.


3 Influential Entrepreneurs of the 21st Century

3 Influential Entrepreneurs of the 21st Century

Throughout history, our culture and many industries have been shaped by those who pioneered new ideas. These entrepreneurs have changed the industries of technology, finance, and much more. Often a rags-to-riches story, these innovators have led the way in their field, making everyday life that much easier for most of the world. From the founders of online search engines to talk-show hosts, entrepreneurs of all fields have impacted our world in a way that will forever change it.


Oprah Winfrey

Though her success began in the late 90s, Ms. Winfrey has been a household name throughout the first two decades of the 21st century. Growing up in extreme poverty, Oprah faced many challenges due to her demographic. As she broke through at the local level of media, she was quickly notices by television and radio executive. Finally getting her own television show which ran for over 25 years, Oprah also became a leader in the media industry as a whole. Starting her own production company, Harpo Studios, she laid the foundation that was bound for success. Now as a owner of Weight Watchers, her own television network, a line of health foods, and a world-renowned book club, her legacy is solidified as an influencer for women around the world.


Jeff Bezos

Not a day goes by where millions of people around the world take care of their shopping needs on It is crazy to think that founder of the online site, simply wanted to provide readers a place to order books without heading into the bookstore. Now, as the wealthiest man in the world, Amazon founder and CEO, Jeff Bezos is living the dream. What started out as a business  idea that he wrote during a cross country trip, turned into one of the most visited websites in all of the world. Now selling everything from groceries to appliances, Amazon is a site that will likely not diminish anytime soon.


Steve Jobs

It is hard to make a list of successful entrepreneurs without mentioning the founder of Apple. Though he sadly was taken from the world before seeing the true impact that his work has made, Jobs changed the technology game for likely the rest of our time on earth. His innovation of all Apple products has allowed people to do their jobs, live, and communicate in ways that were never imagined before. His forward-thinking is what allowed him to be so successful and his humble nature is what makes him someone who aspiring leaders should look up to.