In the Twin Ports area, we're fortunate to have hundreds of dedicated American Cancer Society Relay for Life volunteers and participants who walk the track each summer to raise funds so no more families have to hear the words, "You have cancer."
Nationally, Relay for Life makes it possible for life-saving research to be funded.
Locally, on April 2-6, our residents will have the opportunity to personally participate in research that might help determine factors that cause or prevent cancer.
Enrollment for the American Cancer Society's third Cancer Prevention Study will take place in the Twin Ports area at select venues. The locations and times of enrollment can be found at CPS3Twin
Ports.org. American Cancer Society research studies began in the 1950s and led to discoveries such as the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer and the role obesity plays in the risk of several cancers. This new study will help researchers build on evidence from previous studies and help bring us closer to eliminating cancer as a major health burden for this and future generations.
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Individuals age 30 to 65 who never have been diagnosed with cancer (not including basal or squamous cell skin cancer) and who are willing to make a long-term commitment to the study are encouraged to sign up. Those who choose to enroll simply will fill out a comprehensive survey packet about their health history and provide a waist measurement and small blood sample (to be collected by trained phlebotomists). Participants periodically will be sent follow-up questionnaires for the next 20 to 30 years.
What if your involvement, and that research, ultimately leads to the elimination of cancer as a major health problem for this and future generations? This is our chance to fight back against a disease that takes too much. Please consider taking part in this historic study and share this message with all those you know who want to join in this fight.
Area Relay for Life participants deserve praise because they help us fund the fight against cancer. So do those who help by being part of the research that will help us find how to prevent it.
Suzanne Prochazka of Superior is vice president of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life-Midwest Division.
