Let’s fund RESEARCH to SAVE LIVES!

Let’s fund PROGRAMS to provide SUPPORT.

Let’s fund HOPE to show LOVE.

Will you join me in providing much-needed donations to help fight back against cancer?

tl;dr: I’m raising funds to help support American Cancer Society research, programs and services. Make a $20 donation here.

Have more time? Keep reading?

COVID-19 and cancer

COVID-19 safety measures kept millions of us safer during the height of uncertainty over the last few years. But the ripple effect on cancer screenings is alarming, according to a recent American Cancer Society study.

In the survey conducted between 2018 and 2020, past-year breast and cervical cancer screening prevalence declined by 6% and 11%, respectively.

“The study is the first of its kind and confirms that breast, cervical and colon cancer screenings dropped during the pandemic with millions of screenings missing in 2020,” the peer-reviewed Journal of the American Medical Association wrote in its story.

Why is this relevant? The American Cancer Society focuses efforts on screening education and outreach. Supporting the American Cancer Society will help more people get screened and educated on the risks of cancer and preventative measures.

18 million cancer survivors

A new American Cancer Society report shows 18 million Americans with a history of cancer were living in the United States as of Jan. 1.

That’s great news!

But, that means more research is needed to better understand and support people living with cancer.

“As the population of cancer survivors continues to grow and age, there is an increased need for guidance for health professionals, caregivers, and patients on how to manage late and long-term effects of cancer and its treatment, maintain healthy behaviors and limit financial toxicity,” said Kimberly Miller, scientist, surveillance and health equity science at the ACS, and lead author of the study. “In addition, the survivor population is increasingly diverse, and further resources are needed to ensure equitable access to survivorship care.”

Study: Racial disparities in cancer treatment and survival suggest large inequalities in access to care

That same American Cancer Society study found that there are substantial racial disparities in treatment.

For example, according to the study, receipt of surgery is substantially lower among Black patients than white patients with non-small cell lung cancer, 49% versus 55% for stages I-II and 16% versus 22% for stage III, according to the American Cancer Society.

One of the largest racial disparities occurs in the treatment of rectal cancer, where 41% of Black patients with stage I disease receive proctectomy or proctocolectomy compared to 66% of white patients, according to the American Cancer Society.

Treatment disparities are exacerbated by later-stage diagnosis in Black people than in white people for most cancers, with one of the largest disparities for uterine corpus cancer (59% vs. 73% diagnosed with stage I disease, respectively).

“More evidence-based strategies and equitable access to available resources are needed to mitigate disparities for communities of color,” Miller said.

So, what can you do? What can WE do?

With YOUR support, the American Cancer Society is making a difference in the fight against cancer through research grants that help to uncover better ways to treat cancer, find cancer and help people with cancer live better lives.

With YOUR support, the American Cancer Society is helping to fund programs and services that provide support to cancer patients, their families and, really, all of us.

Among these programs includes the organization’s 24/7 cancer support line, which offers a live human available any hour of the day to answer any questions you might have about cancer. You can call 1-800-227-2345.

See you Saturday in Erie!

Visit the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Erie County between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. June 25 at Liberty Park in Erie, Pennsylvania!

See the events schedule!

WHY I RELAY…

This year marks my 26th year as a participant, supporter and volunteer with the American Cancer Society. What began as a way to celebrate and remember the life of my grandmother has grown to celebrate, remember and honor far too many other people who have been impacted by cancer.

Your support will help fund research, programs, services, information — and it will help fund hope.