Recently in Oklahoma Category

Jones to Chair Leadership Committee in Oklahoma

(OKLAHOMA CITY) - March 3, 2010 - Bernard M. Jones, dean of admissions at Oklahoma City University School of Law, was recently named chair of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Leadership Committee for Oklahoma.

 

"Advocacy has played a significant role in today's declining cancer death rates," said Jones. "There are so many ways our lives are better because of cancer-related advocacy, and I am truly proud to be at the helm."

 

The Oklahoma ACS CAN Leadership Committee will organize efforts to assist with membership recruitment and fundraising. The ACS CAN advocates serve as the voice of the organization at the federal and state level to pass public policy laws that impact cancer.

 

"Advocacy for research has directly translated into advances in early detection, treatment, and prevention," said Jones. "Because of advocacy for colon cancer screening insurance coverage, yesterday the Oklahoma Association of Health Plans announced continued future coverage for colon cancer screenings. And more than half of America has strong public smoking laws and we hope to one day soon see passage of a stronger smoke-free law in Oklahoma."

 

Besides federal cancer-related legislation, the national ACS CAN organization financially supports local initiatives such as Smoke-Free Oklahoma and colon cancer screening insurance coverage.

 

Bernard M. Jones is the dean of admissions at Oklahoma City University School of Law and previously worked for private law firms in Oklahoma City and Columbus, Ohio. He earned his law degree from the University of Notre Dame School of Law where he was president of the Black Law Students Association. He is a graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where he served as president of the student body. He is a board member of the Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City and board president of Freedom School Oklahoma City. In 2009, Jones was named one of Oklahoma's Achievers Under 40 by the Journal Record.

 

The American Cancer Society's High Plains Division is comprised of staff and volunteers in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas and Hawaii who are 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.

           

ACS CAN is the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate organization of the American Cancer Society, dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage lawmakers, candidates and government officials to support laws and policies that will make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer. For more information, visit www.acscan.org.

 

(OKLAHOMA CITY)- March 2, 2010 -The Oklahoma Association of Health Plans (OAHP) announced today at a joint news conference with the American Cancer Society (Society) that they are joining forces in an effort to fight colon cancer, by educating Oklahoma citizens that colon cancer screenings should be a priority and are a covered benefit for members of individual and fully-insured group health plans.

 

 Last fall, the American Cancer Society approached the OAHP with details on the toll that colon cancer is taking on Oklahoma citizens, and what the Society is doing to encourage people to get screened.  In their discussions, the health plans agreed on the importance of consumer education on this issue and shared a number of initiatives they already had in place for their covered members.

 

"Prevention is the key to reducing the risk of colon cancer," said Laura Brookins, executive director of OAHP. "Our member organizations regularly inform and encourage their insured members age 50 and older to be screened for colon cancer, according to the American Cancer Society guidelines. This is a positive step in working collaboratively to reduce the incidence of color cancer in Oklahoma."

 

 "We applaud OAHP for publicly supporting education and coverage for colon cancer screening," said Mark Clanton, MD, MPH, chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society.  "These screenings are unique because they can prevent people from getting colon cancer and avert needless deaths and suffering. Detecting cancer before it starts also saves dollars spent on treatment. Insurance coverage and education about recommended colon cancer screening options helps save lives.  Lack of education makes people less likely to be screened for cancer and it puts them at a much greater risk for less successful and more expensive late-stage diagnosis of disease."

 

The Oklahoma Association of Health Plans includes the following Health Plans:  Aetna, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, CommunityCare, Coventry Health and Life Insurance Company, GlobalHealth, PacifiCare of Oklahoma and UnitedHealthcare. 

 

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in men and women in the United States and is the third leading cause of cancer death for men and women.

 

Almost 1,900 new cases of colon cancer and an estimated 750 deaths from the disease are expected in Oklahoma during 2010.

 

Risk factors of colon cancer increase with age. More than 90 percent of cases are diagnosed in individuals 50 and older. 

 

Preventative measures are to begin screening at age 50 or before if there is a strong family history, maintain a healthy weight and be physically active, eat a well-balanced diet that is high in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, limit consumption of red meat and processed meat, limit alcohol consumption to no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women, and quit smoking.

 

Colon cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable. It can be prevented by finding and removing polyps before they become cancerous and is highly treatable if found in its early stages. In addition, the five-year survival rate and death rate for colon cancer among Americans has been improving since 1990.

 

"About half the deaths a year could be prevented in the United States if persons age 50 and older got screened for colon cancer according to the American Cancer Society guidelines," said Pat Marshall, director of government relations for the American Cancer Society, High Plains Division.

 

The Oklahoma Association of Health Plans is a not-for-profit organization, created in 1987, to promote quality and affordable health care through advocacy, communications and education. They are committed to cultivating a regulatory and marketplace environment that facilitates a robust health care financing market, product flexibility and innovation, and an abundance of consumer choice.

 

The American Cancer Society's High Plains Division is comprised of staff and volunteers in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas and Hawaii who are 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.

 

Yesterday, the American Cancer Society announced it has secured the funds needed to complete construction of Hope Lodge Lubbock. The Society has raised $11 million of the $15 million capital campaign. 

 

"Thanks to the generosity of hundreds of individuals, foundations, corporations, and many of Lubbock's medical institutions and providers, we are now less than a year away from opening the doors to Hope Lodge, which will help make lifesaving treatments available to more patients than ever before," said Mike Dany, CEO of the American Cancer Society's High Plains Division.

 

Many cancer patients face weeks or months of treatment away from home. At the same time, they often struggle to manage medical bills and other financial burdens. Each year, Hope Lodge Lubbock will offer 11,680 free housing nights to an estimated 2,300 patients traveling to Lubbock's health care facilities - saving them an estimated $1.3 million annually in hotel expenses.

 

When Hope Lodge opens its doors, it will offer 32 private guest suites, a library, shared living room, kitchen and dining areas, a prayer room and fitness space. In addition, a Community Resource Center adjacent to the Lodge will provide community outreach and patient services such as local support group meetings and transportation assistance to area cancer patients.

 

To sustain Hope Lodge's operations for the long term, the Society must raise an additional $4.25 million to complete the campaign's ultimate goal of $15 million. Help make a gift to Hope Lodge Lubbock. Three easy ways to donate:

·        Visit www.hopelodgelubbock.org

·        Call 806.792.7128

·        Mail your gift to American Cancer Society

                                      3411 73^rd Street

                                      Lubbock, Texas 79423.  

 

For details on naming opportunities, contact Mikell Bollinger, director of major gifts for the American Cancer Society, at 806.792.7128.

 

Hope Lodge Lubbock, located at 3511 10^th Street, will be the first Hope Lodge built in Texas and the first located outside a major metropolitan area anywhere in the United States. For more details about Hope Lodge Lubbock, contact your American Cancer Society at 1.800.227.2345 or visit www.hopelodgelubbock.org.

 

           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. 

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.

 

  

      Hope is on the horizon, but the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge Lubbock still needs your help. Show your support during the 38 Days to Hope campaign from Aug. 23 to Sept. 30 by making a gift. 

    Thanks to generous donors, the Society is within 5 percent of raising the $11 million needed to build Hope Lodge Lubbock. During the next 38 Days to Hope, the Society needs to raise the remaining 5 percent. Any size donation will be gladly accepted and gratefully appreciated.

     To make a donation:

• Visit www.hopelodgelubbock.org
• Call 806.792.7128
• Mail your gift to:  American Cancer Society, 3411 73^rd Street, Lubbock, Texas 79423.  

 Your Gift Will Make a Difference 

     Area cancer patients are postponing lifesaving treatment due to a lack of necessary housing and transportation. Each year, Hope Lodge Lubbock will offer 11,680 free housing nights to an estimated 2,200 patients traveling to Lubbock's health care facilities. Cancer patients will save an estimated $1.3 million annually in hotel expenses.

     Hope Lodge Lubbock, located at 3511 10^th Street, will be the first in Texas and the first located outside a major metropolitan area anywhere in the United States. The 32-room facility will include private guest rooms, a kitchen, laundry facilities, a dining room, a library, and a reflection room.

     To complete Hope Lodge Lubbock and sustain operating expenses, ACS must raise $15 million. To date, the Hope Lodge capital campaign committee has raised nearly $9.2 million.

     For more information about Hope Lodge, contact your American Cancer Society at 1.800.ACS.2345 or visit www.hopelodgelubbock.org. For details on naming opportunities, contact Mikell Bollinger, director of major gifts for the American Cancer Society, at 806.792.7128.

The High Plains Division of the American Cancer Society, serving Texas, Hawaii, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Guam, recently elected four new members to their board of directors.

Patricia Clapp, a leader in community affairs in Dallas, Texas, Mary Coyne, a leader in communications and marketing in Amarillo, Texas, James Hamilton, MD, a Kansas surgeon , and Rick Q. Ngo, MD, FACS, a Texas surgeon, will help set division-wide goals and provide insight and leadership to the High Plains Division. Each member is serving a two-year term on the 30-member board.

Patricia Clapp has an impressive history as an active volunteer with the Society and in the community. She has more than 40 years of community affairs experience and a strong background in training and fiscal management. Clapp has worked for the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce since 1987 and currently serves as the vice president for talent, education and workforce development. She graduated with a degree in English from the University of Oklahoma and completed postgraduate work from the University of North Texas.

Mary Coyne has an impressive history as an active volunteer with the Society. In 1980, while working as a reporter at the Amarillo Globe, Coyne was recruited to serve as the communications chair for the Society. She has since served as the communications committee chair for the state of Texas and then became a board member in Texas in 1992.

For the past two years, Coyne has worked to raise colon cancer awareness among African Americans and Hispanic populations in Texas. The two groups share a higher than average incidence and mortality burden from the disease. As the senior vice president McCormick Advertising, Coyne also provided media buying guidance to assist the Society in reaching millions of people with cancer screening messages.

Coyne received her bachelor's degree in journalism from Texas Tech University.

Dr. James Hamilton has an impressive history as an active volunteer with the Society. He served on the Society's education committee for four years and is the current chair of the Society's government relations committee in Kansas. Dr. Hamilton practices at Tallgrass General and Vascular Surgery in Topeka. Dr. Hamilton also teaches at the University of Kansas School of Medicine where he obtained his medical degree. His other services include the state chair on the Commission on Cancer, member of the National Commission on Cancer and cancer liaison physician for St. Francis Health Center.

Dr. Rick Ngo has an impressive history as an active volunteer with the Society and in the community. He has served on both local and international projects for the Society and has been critical in the outreach to educate Asians about the early detection and prevention of cancer. Dr. Ngo practices at Memorial and Katy Surgical Specialists in Houston. He received his medical degree from the University of Texas.

Among Dr. Ngo's many accomplishments is the nomination for the American College of Surgeons/Commission on Cancer Center's Liaison Physician Outstanding Performance Award in 2008. Dr. Ngo is serving a two-year term on the 30-member board.

About the American Cancer Society
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 more than $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.