(Lancaster) -- Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Now that summer's around the corner, it's especially important to take care of the body's largest organ when venturing outside. But many people, including African-Americans and Latinos, don't protect their skin against the sun because they don't think they're at risk of getting skin cancer. As part of witf's multimedia Facing Cancer Together initiative, Megan Lello spoke with Dr. Jennifer Mueller, a dermatologist with Lancaster General Health, about how far-reaching the disease can be:

Radio Smart Talk for Thursday, May 24:

Uplifting Athletes is a non-profit organization that raises money for the research of rare diseases.  It all began in 2003 when former Penn State football player Scott Shirley learned that his father was diagnosed with kidney cancer, which is considered a rare disease since fewer than 200,000 Americans are afflicted by it.  At the encouragement of a teammate, Shirley and other Penn State players took a strength and conditioning competition amongst themselves to the public.  "Lifting for Life" became so successful that fundraisers spread to other college football teams across the country. 

Scott Shirley is now the Executive Director of Uplifting Athletes and he'll be our guest on Thursday's Radio Smart Talk program.

It's part of witf's Facing Cancer Together initiative.

Also, the Memorial Day weekend is designated as the unofficial beginning of summer so many Pennsylvanians will be heading outdoors.   That includes the thousands who will be looking to have a good time on the state's rivers and lakes in their boats.  Laurel Anders, the director of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's Bureau of Boating and Outreach will join us to talk boating safety and fun.

(Mount Joy) -- More than fifteen years ago, scores of firefighters from central Pennsylvania helped put out a fire at the PennDOT headquarters in Harrisburg. Later, they'd find out they were exposed to asbestos and other substances that could lead to lung cancer. Bruce Henry of Mount Joy, Lancaster County was one of those firefighters. He's recently taken part in a new lung cancer screening program spearheaded by PinnacleHealth for firefighters who responded to the PennDOT fire or to the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. As part of witf's multimedia Facing Cancer Together intiative, Henry spoke with Megan Lello to discuss the free screening process:

Radio Smart Talk for Wednesday, May 9:

One of the most anticipated events after the six tumultuous months since former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky's arrest for allegedly sexually assaulting and molesting young boys was the university's Board of Trustees election.  The results were finalized last week and three new board members were elected, including our guest on Wednesday's Radio Smart Talk, Anthony Lubrano.

Lubrano was critical of how the Board of Trustees fired legendary Coach Joe Paterno in the fallout of the Sandusky scandal last November.  College football's all-time winningest coach was terminated in a brief telephone call after the Board voted unanimously to fire Paterno last November.

During his campaign, Lubrano demanded the Board of Trustees offer an apology to the Paterno family.  We'll asked how he plans to proceed and what other issues he would like to see addressed at the university.

Also, as part of witf's on-going Facing Cancer Together initiative, Wednesday's show will focus on the rights adoptees in Pennsylvania have to obtain information about their biological parents' medical histories.

Appearing on the program will be Amanda Woolston, founder of the group Pennsylvania Adoptee Rights.

Radio Smart Talk for Monday, April 30:

The National Cancer Institute estimates more than 1.6 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in 2012.  The overwhelming majority of them will be treated conventionally or traditionally with surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.   For many, those treatments won't stop the pain and discomfort or will have side effects that present a new set of issues.  Often, they'll opt for alternative therapy or complementary medicine.   The alternatives include acupuncture, massage therapy, diets, or yoga.  They are not meant to replace conventional treatments but as a complement to healing.   On Monday's Radio Smart Talk, we'll examine Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the treatment of cancer as part of witf's ongoing Facing Cancer Together initiative.   Also, Monday is Pennsylvania Tourism Day.  It's a good time to focus on a $30 billion a year industry in Pennsylvania.

(Mount Laurel, NJ) -- A few years ago, Jarrod Skole of Mount Laurel, New Jersey was an average ten-year-old who enjoyed playing sports and hanging out with his friends. Then, he was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Jarrod found visualization helped him cope with the disease, which he says he knew nothing about when he was going through treatment. witf's Megan Lello recently spoke with Jarrod, now a 15-year-old high school freshman, about the book he's written with his father to help reach out to other kids who are battling cancer. Jarrod's book can be purchased online.

Radio Smart Talk for Tuesday, April 24:

This week marks Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Awareness Week.  These type diseases may not get as much attention as others, but they are the sixth-most-common form of cancer in the world.  Some 50,000 cases of oral, head, and neck cancers are diagnosed each year in the U.S.

These cancers are diagnosed in the head or neck region, including the nasal cavity, sinuses, lips, mouth, thyroid glands, salivary glands, throat, or larynx.

On Tuesday's Radio Smart Talk, we'll learn more about about oral, head and neck cancers and hear from a woman who survived cancer in her gum.

Also, does a positive attitude help to fight cancer?  Many people, including lots of cancer survivors, think so.

Joining us will be Dr. Dan Shapiro, a clinical psychologist and cancer survivor himself and Karolyn Kelly O'Keefe, a writer who is a uterine cancer survivor.

Tuesday's program is part of witf's on-going Facing Cancer Together initiative.

(Orlando) -- Many times, when someone is diagnosed with cancer, a spouse, family member, or friend will act as a caregiver to help with the patient's needs. But sometimes caregivers become so engrossed in looking after their loved ones, they forget to take care of themselves. Rob Harris, who's based in Orlando, says that's what happened to him as he cared for his wife, Cindy, during her two separate battles with cancer. As part of witf's multimedia Facing Cancer Together project, Harris spoke with witf's Megan Lello about being a caregiver and the blog he's set up for other people going through similar situations, RobCares:

“I would never take my child to the funeral.  She doesn’t understand anyway.”
“I figure I'll just take the pictures down of Nana for a while.  Being reminded of her will only upset my son more.”
“My teenager doesn’t talk about his dad anymore.  I’m so glad he is over that.”
“I’m afraid I’m gonna say something wrong so I won’t say anything at all."

Can you relate to some of these comments about the way that children grieve?  You’re not alone.

(Harrisburg) -- For the second year in a row, the witf Multimedia News Department has been honored by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) with six 2012 regional Edward R. Murrow awards in recognition of the best in broadcast and digital journalism. RTDNA groups witf in a region that includes all of Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. witf competed against all radio stations in markets 51 and smaller in the three state region. The six awards were the most in the region among radio and televison outlets in both the large and small market categories. witf was also the only midstate broadcast organization recognized in the region.

Among the stories cited are witf's coverage of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal and the Flight 93 crash site in Somerset County 10 years after the September 11th attacks.

"2011 was a year that saw major stories like the Sandusky scandal and record flooding put Pennsylvania center stage, nationally." witf's Multimedia News Director Tim Lambert said. "We, as a department, are gratified to have our stories recognized by RTDNA as some of the best work in the country. It just highlights witf's dedication to providing the best public service possible to our audience."