Relay For Life Funds Cancer Fighting Research

This is my article as published in the February 19, 2015 issue of The Mena Star.

Do you know a child who survived leukemia? Do you have a mother, sister or aunt whose breast cancer was found early thanks to a mammogram? Do you have a friend or coworker who quit smoking to decrease their risk of lung cancer? Each of these individuals benefited from the American Cancer Society’s research program funded by Relay For Life.

Every day scientists supported by the American Cancer Society work to find breakthroughs that will take us one step closer to a cure. The Society has long recognized that research holds many answers to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

As the largest source of non-profit cancer research funds in the United States, the American Cancer Society spends approximately $130 million each year on research. Since 1946, the Society has invested a total of $4.5 billion in research. The investment has paid rich dividends: the five-year survival rate has almost tripled since 1946, and diagnosis and mortality rates have declined each year since 1990.

Investigators and healthcare professionals in universities, research institutes and hospitals throughout the country receive grants from the American Cancer Society.  If the Society had more money available for research funding, nearly 200 more outstanding applications considered outstanding could be funded.

You can help fund more of these applications by participating in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life. More funding means more cancer breakthroughs and more lives saved.

Teams from around Polk County are busy raising funds for this important cause.  The Relay For Life of Polk County will be held on Friday, May 29th starting at 6:00 P.M. in Janssen Park.  Volunteers from Polk County will join with more than 5,200 communities across America who host their own Relay For Life events.  Since 1985, Relay For Life has raised more than $4 billion for the fight against cancer. It is the most successful not for-profit event in America.  Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be a part of the amazing community event.

To sign up for this year's Relay For Life of Polk County or for more information on the local event go to www.relayforlife.org/polkar