Recently in Kansas Category

Wichita, KS. - Did you know that colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the US?  But there's good news: colon cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable. 

      A simple test, called an FOBT, can help detect colon cancer.  It's painless and non-invasive, and can be done in the privacy of your own home.  During the month of March, pick up your free FOBT kit while supplies last at Colvin Neighborhood City Hall or one of these Walgreens pharmacies: Central and Hillside, 13^th and Waco, Central and West, Harry and Broadway, Harry and Edgemoor.

      This free screening is made possible by the following organizations: the American Cancer Society, Via Christi Cancer Center, Walgreens, AMS Labs, Colvin Neighborhood City Hall, Project Access, KU School of Medicine, Wichita Surgical Specialists, Dr. Stephanie Oberhelman of Surgical Specialists, and Via Christi Volunteers/Partners in Caring.

      For more information about the free screening, visit cancer.org/bottomsup or call 800-227-2345.

(TOPEKA)--February 25, 2010-- American Cancer Society advocates celebrated a victory today with the passage of House Bill 2221, a strong statewide public smoking law.

 

"Thanks to the vision and the courage of our state legislature, Kansas will now be a better place to breathe," said Stephanie Weiter, regional vice president for the American Cancer Society. "Today we celebrate a tremendous victory for the health of Kansans."

           

In the 2009 legislative session, the Kansas Senate amended HB 2221 to include comprehensive clean indoor air provisions.  Today, the House concurred with the Senate version of the bill to finalize passage.  The bill now goes on to the governor's office to be signed into law.

 

"Governor Parkinson has been a tremendous supporter of a strong, statewide, clean indoor air law.  When he signs HB 2221, it will make Kansas the 29^th smoke-free state in the nation," said Chris Masoner, government relations director for Kansas. "We are looking forward to a healthier future with fewer hospital visits and fewer deaths.  No longer will 380 people die each year in Kansas due to secondhand smoke."

 

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States and in Kansas, burdening society with the suffering and health care costs related to cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illness. Secondhand smoke delivers those same illnesses to nonsmokers. Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals--and 60 of those chemicals are known causes of cancer, including arsenic and polonium.

 

 "After watching my father die from lung cancer, I didn't want other families to suffer like mine did," said Gay Cornell, American Cancer Society advocacy volunteer. "Smoking in public places is an unnecessary cause of illness and was simple to remedy. I'm thrilled that Kansas is going to be smoke-free. I'm ready for my family to be able to breathe clean indoor air."

 

HB 2221 requires the vast majority of worksites in Kansas to be smoke-free, with certain very narrow exceptions.  It will become effective July 1, 2010.

Eighty-two percent of Kansans do not smoke. According to a recent American cancer Society poll, more than 70 percent of Kansans support a strong smoke-free law for the state.

 

Joining the American Cancer Society in supporting a smoke-free Kansas are the American Heart Association, the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians, the Kansas State Nurses Association, Clean Air Kansas, Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition, the American Association of Retired Persons, and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

 

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to saving lives and creating more birthdays by helping people stay well and get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back against cancer. For more information, visit www.cancer.org.

 

Kansans Go Cold Turkey during this year's Great American Smokeout!

 

            Wichita, Kansas, November 5, 2009 - The American Cancer Society marks the 34^th annual Great American Smokeout on Thursday, November 19 by offering smoking cessation information and cold turkey sandwiches to smokers in exchange for their cigarettes.

            Smokers can drop off their cigarettes at Wichita metro-area YMCAs (North, South, East, West, and Central branches) on Thursday, November 19, 2009 from 6-9 a.m. In exchange, participants will receive a free Quit Kit from Tobacco Free Wichita (an organization supported by the Sedgwick County Health Department) that includes information on becoming smoke-free. Participants will also receive a delicious Jimmy John's cold turkey sandwich while supplies last.

            The participating YMCA locations are as follows:

o       North: 3330 N. Woodlawn (Woodlawn and K96)

o       South: 3405 S. Meridian (Meridian and I-235)

o       East: 9333 E. Douglas (Webb and Douglas)

o       West: 6940 Newell (Central and Ridge)

o       Central: 402 N. Market (Central and Broadway)

            The American Cancer Society held its first Great American Smokeout in 1976 as a means to inspire and encourage smokers to quit. That year, an astounding one million people quit smoking for a day at a Great American Smokeout event in California.

            Although smoking rates are on the decline due to higher cigarette prices and a greater understanding of the negative health affects of smoking, tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the U.S. In Kansas alone, 3,800 smokers die each year, and an estimated 400 Kansans die from second-hand smoke annually.

            But there's good news! Research shows that people who stop smoking before age 50 can cut their risk of dying in half over the next 15 years compared with those who continue to smoke. Smokers who quit also reduce their risk of lung cancer - ten years after quitting, the lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker's. Some of the health benefits of quitting are almost instant, too - a person's heart rate and blood pressure may drop just 20 minutes after quitting. Quitting smoking also lowers a person's risk for developing other major diseases, including heart disease and stroke.

            For more information on ways to quit, the Great American Smokeout Web site (greatamericansmokeout.org) contains user-friendly tips and tools for leading a smoke-free life. In addition to tip sheets and calculators, the site offers downloadable desktop helpers to assist with planning to quit and succeeding in staying tobacco-free. A Quit Clock allows users to pick a quit day within 30 days, then counts down the selected day with tips for each day, and the Craving Stopper helps smokers beat cravings by offering fun distractions. Smokers can also call the Kansas Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

            "We know that quitting smoking is tough and that most smokers have to try several times before quitting for good," said Dana Kemp, regional communications director for the American Cancer Society. "The American Cancer Society offers a variety of effective resources ranging from online tips and tools to personalized telephone coaching by trained specialists. We hope that smokers will use the Great American Smokeout to map out a course of action that will help them quit, and in turn stay well and celebrate more birthdays."

Important national statistics about tobacco use:

o       Cigarette smoking accounts for about 443,000 premature deaths - including 49,400 in nonsmokers.

o       Thirty percent of cancer deaths, including 87 percent of lung cancer deaths, can be attributed to tobacco.

o       Smoking accounts for $193 billion in health care expenditures and productivity losses.

o       Great progress is being made in reducing tobacco use in the U.S., with adult smoking rates in 2007 declining among all adults to 19.8 percent.

            The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. To learn more, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

 

 

Great American Smokeout^®, Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009

 

Approximately 400 eighth graders at Washburn Rural Middle School, 5620 S.W. 61^st St., Topeka, Kan., will learn why they should avoid using tobacco products, in celebration of the Great American Smokeout this Thursday morning, Nov. 19.

The American Cancer Society is hosting this education event from 7:50 to 10:15 a.m. in the middle school cafeteria. Presentations will focus on the importance of tobacco use prevention as well as the ramifications of tobacco use. Presenters include Erica Anderson, community outreach coordinator for Tobacco Free Kansas; and Jennifer Taylor, American Cancer Society community manager. The "smoker's lung vs. healthy lung display" will also be shared with students and school staff.

            "Approximately one in four teenagers in the United States is a current smoker," explains Taylor. "And 90 percent of current adult smokers say they started smoking before the age of 18. That's why it is so important to get this information to kids at an early age."

The media is invited to cover the Great American Smokeout event at Washburn Rural Middle School.

In the United States, tobacco use is responsible for nearly one in five deaths. Smoking accounts for at least 30 percent of all cancer deaths and 87 percent of lung cancer deaths. Quitting smoking is one of the most important steps towards a healthier life - one that can lead to reducing cancer risk and creating more birthdays. Researchers say that quitting smoking can increase life expectancy - smokers who quit at age 35 gain an average of eight years of life expectancy; those who quit at age 55 gain about five years; and even long term smokers who quit at 65 gain three years.

Although a majority of smokers want to quit smoking, many delay making a plan to quit until the last minute, according to a recent American Cancer Society online survey of people who say they want to. Twenty-two percent of smokers surveyed planned to quit within 24 hours, while 30 percent said they planned to quit within a week or two. The American Cancer Society stresses the importance of planning ahead to quit smoking as research shows that preparing for quitting by allowing enough time to get nicotine replacement therapy, and planning how to deal with cravings and tempting situations, greatly increases the likelihood of succeeding. The Society encourages smokers to use the annual occasion of the Great American Smokeout^® on November 19 as a date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking that day.

 

Help for Quitters

To help tobacco users quit, the American Cancer Society and Kansas Department of Health and Environment have teamed up to provide the Kansas Tobacco Quitline. Call the Kansas Tobacco Quitline at 1.800.QUIT.NOW - 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, to receive free one-on-one personalized counseling on how to quit smoking and using tobacco. By using the Quitline, smokers can double their chances to successfully quitting. Trained Quitline counselors work with each caller to analyze their tobacco use and then develop a customized Quit Plan. One-on-one telephone counseling sessions are scheduled at the caller's convenience and all services are free.

The Great American Smokeout Web site (www.cancer.org/GreatAmericans) contains user-friendly tips and tools to help smokers create a smoke-free life. The site also offers downloadable desktop helpers to assist with planning to quit and succeeding in staying tobacco-free. The Quit Clock allows users to pick a quit day within 30 days, then counts down the selected day with tips for each day; and the Craving Stopper helps smokers beat cravings by offering a fun distraction.

Quitting smoking is not easy, and there are many ways to quit. The American Cancer Society offers the following tips to help smokers get through the day, or any day, without cigarettes.

• Prepare for life as a nonsmoker by removing all cigarette-related material (ashtrays, cigarettes and cigarette butts, matches you use for lighting up, etc.) from your home and office - it will help avoid temptation.

 

• Smoking urges are worst in the first two weeks. After that they are most likely to recur in situations associated with smoking (ex., after dinner or in the car).

 

• Urges last a few minutes at most, so practice the four Ds:

Ø      DEEP breaths,

Ø      DO something else to get your mind off the craving (call a friend; go for a walk; chew on a carrot stick),

Ø      DRINK lots of water throughout the day (especially during a craving), and

Ø      DELAY reaching for a cigarette; the urge will pass.

 

• Try to avoid situations that encourage smoking. If you can't, practice telling people you've just quit or that you're a non-smoker.

 

• Change your routines. If you always light up when you have a coffee, drink tea or juice instead. If you always smoked while watching the evening news, read the paper.

 

• Use the many tools available. Nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges are available over the counter; a nicotine nasal spray and inhaler and a smoking-cessation medication are available by prescription; and toll-free help lines, such as 1-800-ACS-2345, and even online support are available.

 

• Most smokers have to try several methods before they succeed in quitting, so keep trying until you find what works for you.

 

To help encourage smokers to stick with it and get through those urges, it's important to note the healthy changes that start happening, some of them quite quickly.

Within the first 20 minutes of quitting:

·         Blood pressure drops;

·         Increased circulation warms your hands and feet;

·         Heart rate goes down.

In 12 hours:

·         Carbon monoxide levels in blood drop to normal;

In 24 hours:

·         Chance of having a heart attack begins to drop.

In 48 hours:

·         Sense of taste and smell improve.

 

Two weeks to three months after quitting:

• Circulation continues to improve;
• Lung function increases as much as 30 percent.

 

One to nine months after quitting:

·         Coughing, fatigue, sinus congestion and shortness of breath decrease.

·         Cilia regain normal function in lungs, reducing risk of infection.

 

One year after quitting:

·         Excess risk of heart attack and death from heart disease is cut in half.

 

Five to 15 years after quitting:

·         Risk of stroke is reduced to that of a non-smoker.

 

15 years after quitting:

·         Risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker's.

 

Other benefits of quitting:

• Your clothes won't smell like smoke.
• Helps stop the premature wrinkling of your skin.
• Food tastes better.
• Your sense of smell returns to normal.
• You'll save a lot of money. A pack a day smoker who spends $4.00 a pack will save about $1,400 per year, not counting health costs.
• Smokers who quit by age 50 have cut their risk of premature death in half, compared to continuing smokers.

 

           The American Cancer Society, High Plains Division, Inc., recognized winners at its annual media awards program for excellence in cancer journalism on Nov. 11, according to vice-president of the Division Communications Department, Jackie Bayly-Bryant. The virtual awards ceremony took place at the University of Texas, Austin campus and was streamed live for viewers. The event was co-hosted by board members Mary Coyne and Mary Lou Adams, PhD, RN; and featured presentations by chief executive officer Mike Dany, and chief medical officer, Mark Clanton, MD, MPH.

The Media Awards officially recognize journalists in the Society's High Plains Division (Hawaii, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas) for excellent work in covering cancer-related stories. "Through these stories, the public have learned more about cancer research, treatment, early detection, how to get help, and what it feels like to be a cancer survivor," said Bayly-Bryant.

             This year, 16 winners were selected by a team of 27 judges. Judges were recruited from media outlets and public relations agencies to carefully rate the entries for accuracy, originality, and effectiveness.

"Our judges painstakingly selected the very best efforts by journalists who entered the competition. Our award winners can be proud that their work represents the most outstanding print and broadcast cancer stories throughout our Division," said Bayly-Bryant.

Submissions included news and feature stories from radio, television, newspaper, and magazine journalists. A replay of the Media Awards ceremony, including video clips from winning video entries, can be watched at www.watchacsawards.com.

Congratulations to all the winners and a special thank you to all those who entered. Their media stories are vital in the fight against cancer. Below are the winners of the 2010 High Plains Division Media Awards:

 

MAGAZINE

 

Katy Magazine

Katy, Texas

 

NEWSPAPER

 

Small Market Daily Feature

Edie Ross, The Hutchinson News

Hutchinson, Kansas

 

Small Market Daily News

James Coburn, The Edmond Sun

Edmond, Oklahoma

 

Small Market Daily News

Karrey Britt, Lawrence Journal-World

Lawrence, Kansas

 

Small Market Daily Relay For Life

Shanna Sissom, Midland Reporter-Telegram

Midland, Texas

 

Medium Market Daily Feature

Mary Ann Roser, Austin American-Statesman

Austin, Texas

 

Big Market Daily Feature

Judith Newmark, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

St. Louis, Missouri

 

Big Market Daily Feature

Ken Raymond, The Oklahoman

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

 

Weekly Feature

Editorial Department, Ladue News

St. Louis, Missouri

 

Weekly Relay For Life

Kathleen Holton, Alvin Sun

Alvin, Texas

 

Special Promotion: News/Feature/Series

Staff, The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

 

 

TELEVISION

 

Small Market Television Feature

Amanda Lanum, WIBW-TV

Topeka, Kansas

 

Small Market Television News

Christie Bett, KOLN/KGIN-TV

Lincoln, Nebraska

 

Medium Market Television Feature

Taylor Wilson, KPTM-TV

Omaha, Nebraska

 

Big Market Television Feature

Wendy Rigby, KENS-TV

San Antonio, Texas

 

Big Market Television News

Wendy Rigby, KENS-TV

San Antonio, Texas

Statement of Otis W. Brawley, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, American Cancer Society in Response to New York Times Article on Cancer Screening

"Today's New York Times article 'In Shift, Cancer Society Has Concerns on Screening' indicates that the American Cancer Society is changing its guidance on cancer screening to emphasize the risk of overtreatment from screening for breast, prostate, and other cancers.

"While the advantages of screening for some cancers have been overstated, there are advantages, especially in the case of breast, colon and cervical cancers. Mammography is effective - mammograms work and women should continue get them. Seven clinical trials tell us that screening with mammography and clinical breast exam do reduce risk of breast cancer death. This test is beneficial in that it saves lives, but it is not perfect. It can miss cancers that need treatment, and in some cases finds disease that does not need treatment. Understanding these limitations will help researchers develop better screening tests. The American Cancer Society stands by its recommendation that women age 40 and over should receive annual mammography, and women at high risk should talk with their doctors about when screening should begin based on their family history.

"The bottom line is that mammography has helped avert deaths from breast cancer, and we can make more progress against the disease if more women age 40 and older get an annual mammogram.

"Since 1997 the American Cancer Society has recommended that men talk to their doctor and make an informed decision about whether or not prostate cancer early detection testing is right for them. This recommendation also still stands.

"Cancer is a very complex and complicated disease. The American Cancer Society makes evidence-based cancer screening recommendations, and strives to provide clear messages about cancer screening to patients and doctors. Our guidelines are constantly under review to evaluate them as new evidence becomes available. Simple messages are not always possible, and over-simplifying them can in fact do a disservice to the very people we serve."

The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation's largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing about $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

In the fight against cancer, sharing hope and community are important as news of the latest medical breakthroughs.  Thus, CancerNewsNow.org was created to serve as the central hub for cancer related news and information.  Jackie Bayly-Bryant, Vice President of Communication states, "Our CancerNewsNow.org site provides media and our constituents with localized cancer-related news from the American Cancer Society, High Plains Division which covers Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Hawaii.  It is the official voice of the High Plains Division of the American Cancer Society."

    Through the website, people will be able to read about cancer breakthroughs, stories of hope, the impact the Society is making in the fight against cancer and much more.  In regards to the benefits and future goals of CancerNewsNow.org, Bayly-Bryant wants the media and public to know "those who register can stay in touch with our division's news and updates.  We will also provide links to our regional e-newsletters which offer a community-based focus on activities." In addition, CancerNewsNow.org provides several links for readers to share stories and news through other social mediums such as Facebook and Twitter.

    A part of the fight against cancer is awareness so it is our goal here at the American Cancer Society to provide accurate and timely information through CancerNewsNow.org against a disease that has already taken too much.

             The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation's largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing about $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at1-800-227-2345or visitcancer.org. 

A free prostate cancer workshop and non-invasive screening is offered on Saturday, October 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the E.C. Tyree Health and Dental Clinic at St. Mark United Methodist Church at 1525 North Lorraine in Wichita, Kan. Participants will be eligible to win free tickets to the NBA preseason game played on October 13 between the Orlando Magic and New Orleans Hornets at Wichita State University. For more information about the screening, call 316-616-6500. The screening is sponsored by the E.C. Tyree Health and Dental Clinic, St. Mark United Methodist Church, Via Christi Cancer Center, Sports Week Event, AMS Labs, and the American Cancer Society.

 

AUSTIN, Texas--September 15, 2009--The American Cancer Society, High Plains Division, Inc., announced the winners today of its annual media awards program for excellence in cancer journalism, according to vice-president of the Division Communications Department, Jackie Bayly-Bryant.

The Media Awards officially recognize journalists in the Society's High Plains Division (Hawaii, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas) for excellent work in covering cancer-related stories. "Through these stories, the public have learned more about cancer research, treatment, early detection, how to get help, and what it feels like to be a cancer survivor," said Bayly-Bryant.

This year, 16 winners were selected by a team of 27 judges. Judges were recruited from media outlets and public relations agencies to carefully rate the entries for accuracy, originality, and effectiveness.


The 2008 Media Awards Winners

"Our judges painstakingly selected the very best efforts by journalists who entered the competition. Our award winners can be proud that their work represents the most outstanding print and broadcast cancer stories throughout our Division," said Bayly-Bryant.

Submissions included news and feature stories from radio, television, newspaper, and magazine journalists. The 16 winners will be recognized at a virtual ceremony on November 11.

MAGAZINE

Katy Magazine
Katy, Texas

NEWSPAPER

Small Market Daily Feature
Edie Ross, The Hutchinson News
Hutchinson, Kansas


Small Market Daily News
James Coburn, The Edmond Sun
Edmond, Oklahoma

Small Market Daily News
Karrey Britt, Lawrence Journal-World
Lawrence, Kansas

Small Market Daily Relay For Life
Shanna Sissom, Midland Reporter-Telegram
Midland, Texas

Medium Market Daily Feature
Mary Ann Roser, Austin American-Statesman
Austin, Texas

Big Market Daily Feature
Judith Newmark, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
St. Louis, Missouri

Big Market Daily Feature
Ken Raymond, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Weekly Feature
Editorial Department, Ladue News
St. Louis, Missouri

Weekly Relay For Life
Kathleen Holton, Alvin Sun
Alvin, Texas

Special Promotion: News/Feature/Series
Staff, The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal


TELEVISION

Small Market Television Feature
Amanda Lanum, WIBW-TV
Topeka, Kansas

Small Market Television News
Christie Bett, KOLN/KGIN-TV
Lincoln, Nebraska

Medium Market Television Feature
Taylor Wilson, KPTM-TV
Omaha, Nebraska

Big Market Television Feature
Wendy Rigby, KENS-TV
San Antonio, Texas

Big Market Television News
Wendy Rigby, KENS-TV
San Antonio, Texas

For questions or information about the media awards program, contact Greg Cameron at 512-919-1916, or greg.cameron@cancer.org.

===============================================================

The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation's largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing about $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

The American Cancer Society, High Plains Division, recently announced the 2009-2010 Childhood Cancer Survivor Scholarship recipients. Across six states, 201 chidlhood cancer survivors were awarded a scholarship. These youth are from 148 cities in 102 counties and are attending 105 schools.

 

Childhood Cancer Survivor Scholarships are awarded to students with a history of childhood cancer. This award gives young cancer survivors the opportunity to pursue an undergraduate degree from an accredited university, college, vocational or trade school.

 

One of the recipients is Amanda Klohman, of Chesterfield, MO, who has received the scholarship two years in a row. She says the scholarship makes school less stressful and allows her to focus more on school and not the financial strains. She is a junior at University of Missouri-Columbia majoring in journalism, and is a three-year survivor of cystic teratomas of the ovaries.

 

"When I first received the news, I was shocked, but I immediately took action because I wanted to do a lot," said Amanda. "Being so young, it gave me a different perspective. [The cancer] made me well rounded."

 

The American Cancer Society's Relay For Life events are the major source of these scholarship funds. While nothing can compensate for the hardships of cancer, the American Cancer Society's Childhood Cancer Survivor Scholarship Program gives young people a head start when beginning this important time in their lives.

 

The American Cancer Society created the scholarship program in 2002 and has since awarded 539 students nearly $1,940,909. For the 2009 - 2010 academic year the High Plains Division (consisting of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Hawaii) is awarding 201 youth scholarships, totaling $200,500.

 

High Plains Division residents, who are U.S. citizens under the age of 25, who have had a diagnosis of cancer before age 21, are eligible to apply. The American Cancer Society is confident these scholarships will assist the students in achieving their highest academic potential and personal career dreams.

 

Tremendous progress has been made in the treatments of childhood cancers. For all childhood cancers combined, 5-year relative survival has improved over the past 30 years, from less than 50 percent before the 1970s to nearly 80 percent today, due to new and improved treatments. For more information about childhood cancers or if you have been recently diagnosed with cancer, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

 

Media inquiries should be directed to the local Communications Director. To find your contact, call (800) 227-2345 or visit http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MED/content/MED_1_Media_Contacts.asp and select your state.