Finishing the fight

One hundred years ago, the American Cancer Society began the fight of a lifetime — the fight against cancer. The American Cancer Society was originally founded in 1913 as the American Society for the Control of Cancer (ASCC) by 15 prominent physicians and business leaders in New York City. At that time, a cancer diagnosis amounted to near certain death. Physicians sometimes did not tell their patients they had cancer, and patients often did not tell their friends and families if they had been diagnosed. Rarely mentioned in public, it faced much the same stigmas and taboos as mental health. To try to change this, members of the American Cancer Society started on a mission to educate people.

Fast forward 100 years and the American Cancer Society has achieved a staggering amount in terms of research and breakthroughs in cancer. The Society has been instrumental in establishing things that we take for granted as common knowledge now, such as the link between cancer and smoking. In total, around $3.6 billion has so far been spent on researching the disease.

Today, two out of three people diagnosed with cancer are surviving the disease (for at least five years). More than 400 people a day in the U.S. are celebrating birthdays that would have otherwise been lost to cancer. As the Official Sponsor of Birthdays ™, The American Cancer Society will continue to make noise by amplifying its efforts to ensure lifesaving cancer research gets funded; by making sure people facing cancer have the help they need, such as a free place to stay during treatment or a ride to get there; and by fighting for equal access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, and clean air. And the American Cancer Society won’t stop until they eliminate cancer as a major health problem.

As the American Cancer Society celebrates its 100th birthday, it is determined to finish the fight against cancer. But it needs your help. Silence won’t finish the fight, it will take action.

The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life is one way to take action. Relay For Life is an organized, overnight, community event where teams of people come together and take turns walking around the track. Rocking chairs are provided for those who are unable to walk their laps.

Food, games and activities, music, and a silent auction provide entertainment throughout the night in the family-friendly environment.

Funds raised by Relay For Life events around the world provide 40 to 50 percent of the total income for the American Cancer Society.

This year, Mineral County celebrates its 15th year of participation in Relay For Life as members of the community come together to share in the ‘Carnival of Hope’ on June 28 at the Superior High School track.

For more information on how you can become involved in your local Mineral County Relay for Life, call Micki Tourtelotte, Event Chair, at 822-4247 or visit www.mineralcountyrelay.org.

You may also contact the American Cancer Society anytime, day or night, for information, to get help, or to join the fight, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.