HOPE.
PROGRESS. ANSWERS. FOR YOUR COMMUNITY
HOPE: The American Cancer Society help line (1-800-ACS-2345) and web
site ( www.cancer.org
) offer a place to turn, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for comprehensive information about cancer and resources in your community.
PROGRESS:
The American Cancer Society devotes approximately $100 million each year to cancer research. Scientific breakthroughs funded by our research program (pap smear, bone marrow transplants, tamoxifen, anti-genesis drugs) save thousands of lives each year and bring us closer to a cure.
ANSWERS: The American Cancer Society collaborates with national and
community partners to identify the specific scope of the cancer problem in
your area. We also work with national and local lawmakers and policy makers to
encourage responsible public policy making on all issues related to cancer.
MISSION STATEMENT
The American Cancer Society is the nationwide,
community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education,
advocacy, and service.
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population (1996)=48,378
Age - Birth to 18 =13,593
18+ =34,785
Female =25,172 (52%)
Male =23,206 (47.9%)
Cultural Diversity
White =42,742
Black =1,331
Native American =3,819
Pacific Islander =459 |
CANCER PREVALENCE
#1 - Breast
#2 - Lung/Heart
#3 - Colorectal
#4 - Prostate
COMMUNITY HEALTH CONCERNS
#1 - Cardiovascular Disease
#2 - Cancer
#3 - Pulmonary Disease
#4 - Accidental Death |
Opportunities for YOU to Make a Difference!
With your commitment to be informed, stay healthy, become involved, and financially support your American Cancer Society, together we can double the amount of lives saved,
dramatically decrease the number of people who get cancer, and greatly improve the quality of life of those touched by cancer.
For needs not being met in your community the American Cancer Society offers the Community Access to Resources Grants (CAR) program. Communities can obtain funds
from the American Cancer Society to develop and implement programs designed to impact cancer. For information on applying for a CAR grant, talk with your local staff member.
PREVENTION PROGRAMS
Great American Smokeout - a day dedicated each year to promoting smokefree environments and reducing smoking rates.
Make Yours a Fresh Start Family a smoking cessation program designed expressly for
health care professionals who work with pregnant women and mothers of pediatric patients.
Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU)
Certified adults prepare teens to teach young people about living a tobacco-free lifestyle.
Comprehensive School Health Education Programs designed to promote health and wellness among children in schools.
Youth Rallies and Summits yearly events held to encourage children to advocate for smokefree lifestyles and legislative action in tobacco control.
DETECTION/TREATMENT PROGRAMS
Reach to Recovery and Early Support these programs provide support and information for breast cancer patients before and after surgery/treatment. Volunteers and patients are
matched by surgery and treatment similarities. For referral, please call 743-6767.
Breast Cancer Awareness Educational Promotions events that teach women the importance of early detection.
Tell-A-Friend friends encouraging others to receive their annual mammogram.
Man to Man awareness, support, and educational programs for men and their significant others regarding prostate cancer.
Colon Cancer Awareness Programs educational programs to encourage early detection and screening for colon cancer.
PATIENT ISSUES PROGRAMS
Look Good...Feel Better local beauty professionals provide assistance for patients undergoing cancer treatment with hats, wigs, and other suggestions to cope with hair loss and other skin changes.
Road to Recovery local volunteers provide patients with transportation to and from cancer treatment.
I Can Cope an educational program designed to inform and support patients during the cancer experience.
Guest Housing a program that provides a free lodging for patients undergoing cancer treatment having to travel more than 100 miles round trip. Space is limited.
Gift Items items such as wigs, ostomy supplies, breast prosthesis, etc. may be
available. For more information, contact your local American Cancer Society office.
RIG (Resources, Information, and Guidance) information on cancer resources in your community. |
