Cancer Support

Meet Jay Steiner: Cancer Survivor and Superhero

July 17, 2013 by jclements

Meet Jay Steiner. Jay is a cancer survivor. Jay is also a superhero. It takes a superhero to beat cancer and then to support a family member who is also battling cancer. Below, in question 8, you’ll find Jay’s Tips on being a superhero for your loved one who may be battling cancer.

1. You are a KU Fan – predict their record for this year.

Jay: Crimson & Blue all the way through. 5-7 in football. 33-3 in basketball.

2. What is the food that you are best at making?

Jay: Waffles!

3. If moon travel becomes available in the next 10 years, are you going?

Jay: Too many exciting things to see here (on Earth) first.

4. If you could throw a party for your donors with an unlimited budget, where would it be and what two bands would play?

Jay: At a park in Lake Tahoe. I’d probably have Jack Johnson open for Dave Matthews

4. Why did you want to join the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society team?

Jay: I’m a survivor of Pediatric A.L.L. (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) so finding cures for Leukemia has always been at the forefront of my mind. I’m fortunate to work for an organization who’s primary objective is so aligned with my personal objectives.

Deffenbaugh Industries Partners with Cells for Cells

August 24, 2010 by jclements

Midwest’s largest trash and recycling company partners with eco-friendly initiative to help families battling cancer

Shawnee, KS (August 24, 2010)—Today’s strategic partnerships are more important than ever. By capitalizing on innovative talent and creative networking, Deffenbaugh Industries continues to build a name for itself as an eco-friendly brand. Now, with a new partnership with cell phone recycler, Cells for Cells, Deffenbaugh Industries will apply its momentum as one of the largest recyclers in the Midwest to invigorate local and national green initiatives.

As the largest trash collection and disposal company in the Kansas City region, Deffenbaugh Industries has already built a strong connection with the community. Since introducing curbside recycling to the Kansas City metro area in 1989 and through programs like the “One Earth, One Chance School Recycling Program” Deffenbaugh Industries encourages sustainability by showcasing leading-edge methods of recycling. These programs reward creative thinking, and encourage participants to look at sustainability as a lifestyle choice.

And now, their partnership with Cells for Cells, the largest recycling program which collects used cell phones to raise money for families battling cancer, allows Deffenbaugh Industries to do more than just recycle: Deffenbaugh Industries is helping families battling cancer.

Deffenbaugh Industries is leading the Midwest in green initiatives and encouraging the community to take simple actions. Recycling efforts cannot be successful when only a few individuals try to make sweeping changes: It’s when a large group of people and communities make tiny changes – like recycling a cell phone – that the results are staggering.

Cells for Cells primary beneficiary is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society whom they support nationally – working with 14 chapters. “We just want to help more families,” says Jason Clements, Cells for Cells co-founder. “Our partnership with Deffenbaugh Industries will allow us to raise awareness about recycling and the environment both locally and nationally.”

About Deffenbaugh Industries, Inc.

Deffenbaugh Industries, Inc., founded in 1957 is one of the largest waste and recycling services companies in the Midwest. Deffenbaugh Industries provides efficient collection, transportation, and disposal of commercial and residential waste and recycling, construction waste, portable toilet, and truck and industrial supplies services. Over its 50 years in operations, Deffenbaugh Industries has establish a reputation for superior customer service and satisfaction. Deffenbaugh Industries is headquartered in Kansas City and operates in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa. For additional information please visit http://www.deffenbaughinc.com/

About Cells for Cells

Cells for Cells recycles cell phones to raise money for families battling cancer. Cells for Cells partners include Kansas City’s largest and most influential companies, and Fortune 500 companies nationwide. Cells for Cells is also part of Pepsi’s Eco Challenge. To learn more about getting your company involved with Cells for Cells please visit www.cellsforcells.com

Additional Reading

Cells for Cells: Part of Pepsi’s Eco Challenge

Thank you to bloggers that have written about Cells for Cells

March 18, 2010 by jclements

I need to give a very long-overdue thank you to Chris Hefling, founder and CEO of www.myhopespace.com. MyHopeSpace offers cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, friends, family members, and their cancer support network an easy way to communicate and share their stories, their struggles, and their accomplishments with other members.

Hit his website and you’ll see the work of a true giver. Chris and all of his partners, resources, and connections have truly put together a place where families battling cancer can find strength, hope, and a way to celebrate life…just as their website states.

If you are looking for cancer support or cancer help, MyHopeSpace is a great place to start.

You absolutely must check out the cancer inspired tattoo section – you will find some pretty amazing stories of strength and survival.

Here’s my favorite and a link to the story behind the “Hope Tattoo.”

MyHopeSpace also has a blog that you can follow here: Blog.MyHopeSpace.com

And if you Twitter, you can follow Chris and all the latest news about MyHopeSpace @myhopespace

Chris, keep up the wonderful work!

Cells for Cells is honored to be listed in MyHopeSpace resource section among organizations that do such powerful work.

Additional Reading

How Richard Todd Beat Leukemia in 44 Days

Dawn and Jeff Wooten’s Story

Jennifer Hancock’s Story

8 tips for making mobile phone recycling easier

March 12, 2010 by jclements

1. Always, always, always pull out your SIM chip and SD or mini SD card.

Today, pretty much every phone has some sort of REMOVE-able storage – so remove it before you donate or recycle your device. That pretty much will cover all of the security concerns you may have.

2. Do a little planning on the front end when getting your new cell phone…

as most Americas update or change cell phones every 18 months. Point all of your storage (photos, music, phonebook) to your sim or sd chip. All of the “how to’s” will be in your new owner’s manual.

3. If you are one of those that are super concerned with security of your data, just master reset or master clear your device.

It has become so easy to reset or master clear your phone. If you’ve kept your instruction manual, the steps will outlined. If you don’t have your manual, there are hundreds or thousands of DIY videos all over the interwebs – most just a few minutes long. Here are ours: How to Clear My Blackberry and How to Clear My Treo.

4. Find a cause that is bigger than just recycling.

Cells for Cells recycles cells phones to help families that are battling cancer. Another great example of a recycling programs that does more than just recycle is Cell Phones for Soldiers. With a solid purpose behind your efforts, more people will follow you and you end up doing more. And if you are passionate about a cause that is not Cells for Cells, don’t let that stop you from recycling.

5. Influence others to join you.

It is commonly accepted that cell phone recycling rates remain in the single digits. So recycle more than one phone at a time. Buddy Up with co-workers and friends that are inclined to recycle and get your place of employment behind you. It is way more exciting to work with your co-workers and friends for your cause (See #4). Fill a giant box with cell phones to recycle. Make a bigger difference for your cause. (Oh, by the way, you know that little plastic baggie that comes with new cell phones – IGNORE IT. It encourages people who want to recycle – to just recycle one phone – and that is not you, right?)

6. The phone, battery and charger do not have to match.

Most recyclers separate the components, anyway. So don’t worry if you have cells to recycle without the batteries or chargers – it all recycles just the same.

7. Use free shipping if your program offers it – but don’t let it hold you back…

from recycling if your program does not offer to pay for your shipping. Keep in mind that Cells for Cells wants you to recycle at least 25 cell phones before we send you a pre-paid FedEx label. (Anyone still use the word “gumption“? As in, “It is easy for me to collect more than 25 cell phones for recycling, because I have gumption.”)

8. Be a giver.

Just get your old cell phone out of your office drawer or closet and give it to a program that helps others. Give a little of your time to help promote collecting cell phones in your office. You be the person to print off the poster “Battle Cancer with a Cell Phone” and hang it in your breakroom. You be the person that calls FedEx to pick up the box of (more than) 25 cells you and your office buddies collected. You be the person that helped a family that is battling cancer.