December 2014


www.hamptonroadsmessenger.com


Nonprofit Strives to Improve the Quality of Life for Oral Cancer Patients


SPECIAL TO HRM


Local Virginia Beach entrepreneur,


Linda


Miles 71, has set her new retirement date for 2033 (at age 90). In 2007, she sold Linda Miles & Associates, her 30 year old successful INC 500 dental consulting firm to one of her dental clients, Dr. Rhonda Savage of Gig Harbor, WA. Three years later


in


2010, she sold her second


business, the


successful 16


year old Speaking Consulting


Network


to a protégé and friend, Lois Banta of MO. But as Linda Miles gracefully states: "I believe to rest


Virginia Beach entrepreneur, Linda Miles


is to rust, and I only slowed down long enough to shift gears".


Two years ago having lost her only sister in law, Charlotte Clark Estep of Lynchburg to oral cancer and having watched a best friend's son survive stage 4 cancer of the tonsil some 7 years before, Linda knew her next career would be giving back to the profession of dentistry that made her a household name nationally and in- ternationally. She's a professional speaker,


consultant and author on


dental practice management and team development and has spoken on four continents and all 50 states. In 2011, she met Robin Morrison, a dental marketing expert and former dental consultant of FL at a dental meeting. After learning


that Robin recently


lost her brother, Mike Collins to oral cancer and Charlotte had only months to live, they discussed the possibility of teaming up to create Oral Cancer Cause, now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is home based in Clearwater.


Donating two years of their time and many of their own dollars to create the marketing items and other related start up costs, Linda and Robin felt blessed from the beginning. At a luncheon two years ago, Robin met a large legal firm representative in Clearwater that donates the legal start up services to one pro bono nonprofit per year. She filled out the required paperwork and OCC was selected. "From day one we have had tremendous support to create funds for the families of the head and neck cancer patients when the bread winner's ability to speak, eat or work is compromised." OCC relies on dentists, oncologists, radiologists and dental specialists to assist OCC to screen those patients who have true financial distress due to oral cancer.


Most oral cancer foundations donate their funds to research which is extremely important but when Robin's brother who was ill for 6 years and unable to work his final two, we knew from day one wanted OCC to be different and to directly help with monthly related household expenses and travel funds for the families who must travel distances with their loved ones for proper treatment that may not be available in their town or city.


Oral cancer is a totally debilitating


disease, 42,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year with one person dying


every hour from delayed


diagnosis or a lack of early detection which is the only way to save lives.


In the past, older men or women who used smokeless tobacco, smoked or drank excessively were the high risk patients. Today there is another high risk group of young folks 20-40 due to the HPV 16 virus.


In addition to financially assisting families, OCCs second mission is to educate the general public (primarily dental patients) of this deadly disease and how to expect a complete oral cancer


The Hampton Roads Messenger 7


screening each time they visit their dentist or hygienist. This is a six point 4 minute examination that is standard of care. If a patient doesn't receive this level of care, we are encouraging them to ask for it. We are also encouraging all dental professionals to discuss oral cancer with patients of all ages. To also have "the" conversation with older teens or college


age patients that some


social activities can be dangerous. Unfortunately, too many very smart adults have no idea that oral cancer is so prevalent, or that people of all ages can have cancer in their mouths. Any sore spot that does not go away in two weeks could be a suspicious lesion and the only way to know is to have a biopsy. Many oral cancers are at the base of the tongue. A pea sized lump on the neck is another common indicator you should see your dentist immediately who will examine your mouth and refer you to a specialist if a biopsy is needed.


To raise funds, we ask dentists all over the country to become an OCC practice at one of three levels of monthly donations. The highest platinum level of OCC asks dentists to


donate $1 per dental hygiene


examination each month or make a once per year donation based on the number of periodic or new patient examinations


the past year. For


being an OCC practice, we provide educational brochures to hand out to patients and a nice laminated poster for their office about oral cancer. Each patient leaves with an OCC logo and sticker that says: "Got Mine" (meaning a complete oral cancer screening). This creates


many educational NONPROFIT PAGE 11


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