Recently in Texas Category

Every dollar goes further on September 8, (from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m) when the American Cancer Society, North Texas Region takes part in "Get Up and Give! North Texas Giving Day 2010."

On this day, every donation above $25 will be matched if you donate to the Society through donorbridgetx.org, an online resource to connect donors with nonprofit organizations.

On September 8, visit donorbridgetx.org, search for American Cancer Society, North Texas Region and click "Donate Now." Every dollar given will receive a portion of more than $700,000 in matching funds - making each dollar go further.

In 2010, an estimated 1.5 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer, 101,120 of them will be from Texas. Our programs and services help those touched by cancer right here in North Texas. Last fiscal year, the Society helped more than 8,500 cancer patients and their families in the communities we serve. Our patient navigators at Parkland Health & Hospital System and JPS Health Network have been connecting patients to the services they need to help them with their cancer journey for decades.

You have the power to help the American Cancer Society continue to make a difference in the lives touched by cancer in North Texas. If you are concerned about the busiest times on the site, visit and donate during the off-hours of 10-11 a.m. and 2-4 p.m. For more information about Get Up and Give! North Texas Giving Day, visit donorbridgetx.org

About DonorBridge

DonorBridge is a searchable online database with detailed information about nonprofits within the Dallas and Fort Worth region, as well as general information about every nonprofit in the United States. DonorBridge contains clear, comparative and reliable data in a user-friendly format provided at no charge to the user. Non-profits can set up their online profile to include detailed information about their mission, management, governance and programs offered to the DFW community. For donors, and others interested in supporting nonprofits, DonorBridge provides donors with the ability to make informed decisions about their charitable giving. DonorBridge is run by Communities Foundation of Texas, with the support of The Dallas Foundation and the Center for Nonprofit Management.

Donorbridgetx.org, was launched May 19, 2009, with a one-day fundraising drive that used $300,000 in matching funds to raise more than $4.2 million for local nonprofits.

Tapping into Dallas' pool of successful business professionals paid off big for the American Cancer Society's new Corporate Hero Circle initiative. The elite group of 23 area business leaders raised more than $51,000 for the Society's research, education, advocacy, and patient services programs in a mere two months.

"We are very pleased with the program's phenomenal start," said Maria Clark, Society regional vice president. "Corporate Hero Circle offers top professionals the opportunity to build relationships and networks that may last a lifetime, while involving their company, family, and friends. We are excited about the future of the program."

Launched this spring and led by Society board member Scott Fischer of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Corporate Hero Circle offers Dallas professionals the opportunity to network with business and community leaders, while fundraising and educating others about the Society's life-saving mission. The top ten fundraisers were featured in a two-page spread in the Dallas Business Journal's prestigious 40 Under 40 June publication. All participants were honored at a special recognition event.

Each member was nominated by a member of the Society's management team or Dallas Executive Management Board. Program participants were oriented into the Society at a breakfast hosted by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, attended a tour of the American Cancer Society Cancer Resource Center at Parkland Health & Hospital System, and were guests at a Dallas board meeting.  

Corporate Hero Circle is sponsored by longtime Society partner Medical City Dallas Hospital. The Society is appreciative of support from Paula Mele Design, Julian Noel Photography, Inc., Ali Wood Photography, and It's a Cooking Party catering. To learn more about the American Cancer Society Corporate Hero Circle, visit corporateherodallas.org.

Click here to view photos on Flickr.

FORT WORTH, Texas - A newly-awarded $75,000 grant from the Sid W. Richardson Foundation will provide vital cancer navigation services to help North Texas patients overcome barriers to care.

Every person receiving a cancer diagnosis faces fear and uncertainty.  The fear and uncertainty for uninsured and low-income patients is often compounded by serious barriers to treatment. 

The American Cancer Society provides both telephone and hospital-based navigators to help meet the complex needs of patients diagnosed with cancer. Patient navigation links patients to local resources, information and caring guidance needed to win their cancer battle, and this helps ensure the successful completion of treatment, reducing cancer suffering and saving lives and creating a world with less cancer and more birthdays. 

"Low-income, uninsured patients often face transportation and financial roadblocks to treatment," said Maria Clark, Regional Vice President with the American Cancer Society, North Texas. "This grant will help us guide more north Texas patients around these barriers."

This is the second Sid W. Richardson grant supporting the Society's navigation program.  In 1996 the Foundation helped establish a full-time cancer navigator at the JPS Center for Cancer Care in Fort Worth.

 "The Sid W. Richardson Foundation provided startup funds for the American Cancer Society navigator at JPS to assure that at-risk patients would have the guidance they need to complete their cancer treatments," said Val Wilkie, the foundation's executive director.  "This makes Fort Worth a healthier community".

The recently-announced grant will make similar guidance available by telephone, meeting a growing need of cancer patients throughout North Texas. 

For more information on the American Cancer Society, visit cancer.org or call 1-800-227-2345.

One year after the Dallas City Council passed a comprehensive smoke-free ordinance making indoor public places and workplaces smoke-free, many residents, business owners, workers, and health professionals believe the ordinance is a success.

The ordinance, which protects the health and rights of workers and non-smokers, has had a positive impact, according to some business owners. Alan Pierce and Gary Miller, owners of the Round Up Saloon & Dance Hall in Dallas, have heard positive feedback about the ordinance.

"The smoking ban has been a huge success, with very few, if any problems," said Pierce. "Our customers have adjusted easily; our smokers enjoy our newly built patio and sun deck. The club smells clean, our customers appreciate it, and our business has continued to increase.  Many customers, who had quit coming to clubs due to the smoke, are now coming back and enjoying the smoke free environment. I would recommend it to every city."

The Dallas City Council passed the expanded ordinance in response to overwhelming medical evidence that secondhand smoke is harmful to the health of workers and non-smokers.  Secondhand smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals and 43 Class A carcinogens including formaldehyde, cyanide, arsenic, asbestos, carbon monoxide, methane and benzene. 

Click here for smoke-free press release.

(DALLAS) -- The American Cancer Society has selected five-time Super Bowl champion and former Dallas Cowboy, Charles Haley, to serve as honorary co-chair of this year's Relay For Life of North Dallas.

Charles Haley comes to the Relay not only as a five-time Super Bowl champion, passionate team player and amazing father, but as a fighter against cancer for his daughter. In 1997, at the young age of three, Haley's daughter Brianna, was diagnosed with a dire form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Charles and his wife were determined to raise marrow donor awareness after their two older children were tested and unfortunately did not match. They quickly spearheaded campaigns, of their own initiatives, in Texas, California and Virginia. Soon after, their prayers were answered with the birth of their fourth child, Madison, a perfect marrow match. Today Madison, 11, is a standout soccer player and Brianna is 16 and still in remission.

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society's national signature event and is as much an awareness raiser as a fundraiser. This family-oriented team event brings participants from all parts of the community together in a "celebration of life." Businesses, civic clubs, churches, friends and families take turns walking and running in relay fashion while they also celebrate the critical role the American Cancer Society plays in the fight against cancer.

"The vital research and programs of the American Cancer Society are leading the way to eliminating cancer as a major health problem," said Haley. "I'm proud to participate in Relay For Life. More funds raised translates into more research and more life-saving programs."

Also serving as honorary co-chair is Louise Flournoy, an Ursuline Academy freshman currently battling leukemia.

Diagnosed more than a year ago, she is only halfway through an estimated two and half year battle that has entailed month-long hospital stays, numerous medical procedures and chemotherapy, which she receives daily. Through it all, Louise maintains a fighting spirit. She has never entertained the idea that she will NOT bet this disease. She continues to inspire those around her to face the difficult situations.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of North Dallas takes place at on April 23 at Town North YMCA, 43332 Northhaven Rd., Dallas, Texas. To participate, call your American Cancer Society at 214. 631.3852 or visit relayforlife.org/northdallastx. For information on cancer, call the American Cancer Society's 24-hour help line at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. 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.

(DALLAS) -- The American Cancer Society has selected five-time Super Bowl champion and former Dallas Cowboy, Charles Haley, to serve as honorary co-chair of this year's Relay For Life of North Dallas.

Charles Haley comes to the Relay not only as a five-time Super Bowl champion, passionate team player and amazing father, but as a fighter against cancer for his daughter. In 1997, at the young age of three, Haley's daughter Brianna, was diagnosed with a dire form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Charles and his wife were determined to raise marrow donor awareness after their two older children were tested and unfortunately did not match. They quickly spearheaded campaigns, of their own initiatives, in Texas, California and Virginia. Soon after, their prayers were answered with the birth of their fourth child, Madison, a perfect marrow match. Today Madison, 11, is a standout soccer player and Brianna is 16 and still in remission.

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society's national signature event and is as much an awareness raiser as a fundraiser. This family-oriented team event brings participants from all parts of the community together in a "celebration of life." Businesses, civic clubs, churches, friends and families take turns walking and running in relay fashion while they also celebrate the critical role the American Cancer Society plays in the fight against cancer.

"The vital research and programs of the American Cancer Society are leading the way to eliminating cancer as a major health problem," said Haley. "I'm proud to participate in Relay For Life. More funds raised translates into more research and more life-saving programs."

Also serving as honorary co-chair is Louise Flournoy, an Ursuline Academy freshman currently battling leukemia.

Diagnosed more than a year ago, she is only halfway through an estimated two and half year battle that has entailed month-long hospital stays, numerous medical procedures and chemotherapy, which she receives daily. Through it all, Louise maintains a fighting spirit. She has never entertained the idea that she will NOT bet this disease. She continues to inspire those around her to face the difficult situations.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of North Dallas takes place at on April 23 at Town North YMCA, 43332 Northhaven Rd., Dallas, Texas. To participate, call your American Cancer Society at 214. 631.3852 or visit relayforlife.org/northdallastx. For information on cancer, call the American Cancer Society's 24-hour help line at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. 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.

Dallas - April 6, 2010 - Residents of North Texas have a remarkable opportunity to join the movement to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays, by participating in Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3), an historic research project that has the potential to change the face of cancer for future generations.

CPS-3 will enroll a diverse population of half a million people across the United States. The men and women participating must be willing to commit to the long-term study be between the ages of 30 and 65, and have never been diagnosed with cancer. Enrollment for CPS-3 will take place at three Relay For Life sites in North Texas.

·  Relay For Life of Ennis - April 30, 2010, Texas Motorplex 7500 W. Hwy.287, Ennis, Texas

·  Relay For Life of McKinney - April 30, 2010, The Ballfields at Craig Ranch, 6151 Alma Road, McKinney, Texas

·  Relay For Life of Frisco - May 7, 2010, Memorial Stadium, 6950 Stadium Lane, Frisco, Texas

CPS-3 will help researchers better understand the lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer.

"My mom is a two-time cancer survivor and I'm doing all I can to make sure my children don't have to say that.... I really believe this (CPS-3) is part of the answer," stated one study participant from the North Texas Area.

To enroll in the study, individuals complete a brief written survey, provide a waist measurement, and give a small blood sample at the Relay enrollment site, and then complete their enrollment at home where they fill out a more comprehensive baseline survey. Over the course of the study, participants will be asked to fill out follow-up surveys every few years.  

"Many individuals diagnosed with cancer struggle to answer the question, 'What caused my cancer?' In many cases, we don't know the answer," said Alpa V. Patel, Ph.D., principal investigator of CPS-3. "CPS-3 will help us better understand what factors cause cancer, and once we know that, we can be better equipped to prevent cancer."

"Previous cancer prevention studies have been instrumental in helping us identify some of the major factors that can affect cancer risk. CPS-3 holds the best hope of identifying new and emerging cancer risks, and we can only do this if members of the community are willing to become involved," added Dr. Patel.

Researchers will use the data from CPS-3 to build on evidence from a series of American Cancer Society studies that began in the 1950s and involved hundreds of thousands of volunteer participants. The Hammond-Horn Study and previous Cancer Prevention Studies (CPS-I, and CPS-II) played a major role in understanding cancer prevention and risk, and contributed significantly to the scientific basis and development of public health guidelines and recommendations. Those studies confirmed the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer, showed that obesity increases the risk of several cancers, and linked aspirin use to a lower death rate from colon cancer. The current study, CPS-II, began in 1982 and is still ongoing. But changes in lifestyle and in the understanding of cancer in the more than two decades since its launch make it important to begin a new cohort.

The initial enrollment process involves about 30 minutes at the Relay event and an additional 45 to 60 minutes at home to fill out the more comprehensive survey, with periodic follow-up surveys of various lengths expected to be sent every few years to individuals. The voluntary, long-term commitment by participants is what will produce benefits for decades to come.

 "We are once again looking to the dedication, compassion, and generosity of Americans to come through and help us provide answers that we know will save lives and improve the outlook for future generations," said Dr. Patel.

For more information or to learn how to become involved with CPS-3, visit www.cancer.org/cps3, email cps3@cancer org, or call toll-free 1-888-604-5888.

A Research Scholar Reception was held in Fort Worth, Texas on March 9, 2010 to honor Amy L. Paguirigan, Ph.D., who was recognized for her investigations into drug-resistant cancer cells. Her funding comes from the North Texas Region's Creating Tomorrow's Miracles research initiative.

Since 2008, Dr. Paguirigan has been a Postdoctoral Fellow at one of the nation's most respected cancer centers, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. Dr. Paguirigan's work could eventually help scientists identify those patients with drug-resistant cancer cells. This could lead to more personalized and more effective treatments for a variety of cancers.  

Led last year by Janeen and Bill Lamkin of Fort Worth, the local initiative raises money for pay-if (projects that have exceptional potential, but are placed on a funding waiting list) research projects. The reception was hosted by Dr. John A. Malonis and Jamie Malonis, local research initiative supporters.

Each year the American Cancer Society is able to fund just over ten percent of all grant applications. Other projects ranked by the American Cancer Society's panel of research experts as having exceptional potential to yield the next cancer breakthrough must be placed on a waiting list. Since 2006, through the generous support of a select group of North Texas leaders, six research projects originally on this waiting list are now underway. Each gift to this initiative is dedicated entirely to cancer research.

Pictured left to right:

Dr. Paguirigan with her eight-month-old daughter Amelia, and Bill Lamkin