RELAY FOR LIFE
Relay For Life: Less cancer, more birthdays I’m writing this letter today to inform all of the people in Southern Illinois just exactly how the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life benefits our region. The society forecasts that about 63,890 Illinoisans — or about 175 people on any given day — will be diagnosed with cancer in 2011. Conversely, because of the progress being made in cancer awareness and treatment, more people than ever before are beating cancer. Today the five-year survival rate in Illinois is 68 percent, up from 62 percent in 2004. Through facility partnerships with more than 50 Illinois hospitals,
as well as the society’s telephone call center with readily available cancer care specialists, people fighting cancer can get unparalleled access to information and services that complement what their doctors and hospitals provide. The services include transportation solutions, explanation of insurance questions or concerns, resource matching and referrals, Look Good … Feel Better sessions and cosmetic help such as a free wig or headwear for patients who have lost their hair because of chemotherapy. The society also offers cancer information and access to support groups via its call
center, accessible anytime at 800-ACS-2345. Last year, approximately 1,400 new patients and caregivers in Southern Illinois benefited from these services. This year, the society hopes to assist approximately 1,500 new patients in the southern 22 counties of Illinois, because less cancer means more birthdays. Now, more than ever, cancer patients and their families need our help. You can be a part of your community’s fight against cancer by joining a planning committee or helping to raise funds. —Megan Jones, Southern Region Leadership Board Chair, American Cancer Society, Illinois Division
How to volunteer: Time required is flexible, and every minute helps The American Cancer Society depends on volunteers to make a world with less cancer. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer in any capacity please contact us. There are many different ways to get involved. Cancer resource volunteers are needed to
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help guide patients and families through the challenges of cancer at local treatment centers. Flexible schedules let you work as few as four hours a month, and we provide training. To learn more, contact penni.quitsch@ cancer.org. Road to Recovery volunteers provide
transportation to and from their cancer treatments. Contact maria.flint@cancer.org To learn how to get involved with Relay For Life, call 618-998-9898, option 3 or email fran.miley @cancer.org. It’s never too late to get involved with Relay!
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The American Cancer Society
RELAY FOR LIFE
What it means: Relay icon sends a powerful message A half-moon, a half-sun and a star comprise the design of the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life logo, and these elements combine to create a compelling message. These icons are meant to create the imagery of both day and night, as the battle against cancer is an unending one. As such, the participants in the various Relay For Life events in Southern Illinois and elsewhere will stay awake through the night. “Cancer doesn’t sleep and through our Relay For Life events, we don’t sleep,” said Fran Miley, an Income Development Manager for the ACS. “Cancer doesn’t take a break after business hours; cancer doesn’t stop for the weekends.” While some people may find themselves exhausted or tired after a Relay, it’s important to keep things in perspective. “It’s nothing compared to what a cancer patient goes through every day,” Miley said. — Adam Testa
PROVIDED BY ACS
Survivors take a lap during the 2010 Relay For Life Marion County in Salem.
American Cancer Society: ‘Attacking cancer on all fronts’ BY ADAM TESTA THE SOUTHERN
The key to victory in any war is a strong, strategic battle plan. The American Cancer Society has worked for years developing its plan of attack against the disease. Now, the organization has launched a full-on approach to the battle. “What we hope to do is attack cancer on all those fronts,” said Fran Miley, an Income Development Manager for ACS, in regard to the organization’s efforts in research, education, advocacy and patient service. “Through all of those things, we’re
fighting back against cancer and surrounding it to attack from all sides.” Research offers a longterm strategy, as doctors and scientists continue to make headway into developing prevention strategies, treatments and medications. For those already diagnosed, the ACS offers a variety of programs to help them through the process in the form of patient services. The Look Good ... Feel Better program offers women a connection to other patients and survivors with a cosmetologist and help with finding wigs. Drivers with the Road to Recovery will help
transport patients to appointments, and the Hope Lodge in St. Louis offers patients and their family a place to stay while undergoing treatment in the city. Education helps bring cancer awareness to the forefront for the general public, while advocacy keeps the issues of funding and support alive in Washington and state capitals like Springfield, where government dollars are being allocated to cancer research and advancements. All of the programs are designed to provide a network of support to cancer patients and to help them through one of the hardest times of their
lives. In this war, the ACS is armed with thousands of volunteers, many of them cancer survivors, who are willing to help. “It’s a chance for people who are going through cancer to talk to other people about their journeys,” said Brenda Nehring, lead Relay For Life volunteer in Southern Illinois. “There are all kinds of programs where you can reach out to somebody for help on your journey.” For Clora May Baker, it’s amazing to see the array of services and programs offered today. When she was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer in the spring of 2001, she couldn’t even
find a local support group. Understanding and perceptions of cancer have changed drastically in the passing time. Medicine has improved, and people have become more open and accepting of their battles with the disease, recognizing that with enough fight, it can in fact be defeated. “Some people still saw it as an immediate death sentence, but through medicine and education, it’s become less a matter of death and more how to live with it,” Baker said. “Part of it is telling people you have to face this head on — don’t be afraid to ask questions. Some people don’t want to talk about it; you
know, if you don’t talk about it, it doesn’t exist. But you can’t shut me up.” And on top of everything else, volunteering with the ACS can help improve the spirits of survivors and their families alike. For Nehring, who lost her grandson to cancer at age 8, it’s been an emotional benefit. “I can honestly say I’m still angry that an 8-year-old lost his battle with cancer,” she said. “This was a way for me to turn a lot of that anger into something productive and beneficial.” adam.testa@thesouthern.com 618-351-5031
The Southern Illinoisan April-July 2011 Page 3
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RELAY FOR LIFE
PROVIDED BY COLE TAYLOR
The High Schools Against Cancer group at Murphysboro High School put blue sticky notes on every other locker at the school, representing the fact that one in two men will be diagnosed with cancer. The group also put pink sticky notes on one of three lockers, representing the women who will be afflicted with the disease.
High Schools Against Cancer: Youngsters lead the way BY ADAM TESTA THE SOUTHERN
Lucas Johnson made a promise to his cousin Caleb, and it’s one he intends on keeping. Doctors diagnosed Caleb Nehring with cancer at age 7. Less than two years later, he lost the battle. But his family refuses to give up. “He more or less told me to carry on his legacy by fighting and raising money,” said Johnson, a junior at Murphysboro High School. “That’s what I’ve been trying to do.” Johnson does everything he can to help. He collects soda cans and tabs for the Ronald McDonald House and he helped launch the High Schools Against Cancer program at his school. He serves as the Relay For Life chairman for the group. Founded in January as an American Cancer Society pilot program in
ADAM TESTA / THE SOUTHERN
Lori Elwell is a teacher at Murphysboro High School and the group’s sponsor.
Southern Illinois, the Murphysboro organization has a core of about 10 students who have already made an impact in the fight against cancer. Lori Elwell, a family consumer sciences teacher and the group’s advisor, said the school community has already latched onto the idea and shown its support as well. A “Pink Out” at a February basketball game propelled the students past their initial fundraising goal. “Our first goal was
$1,000. They blew that out of the water by raising $2,600,” she said. “It’s very inspiring to see them want to help. Our school has really stepped up and made a difference. The ‘Pink Out’ proved it.” But there’s more to High Schools Against Cancer than just fundraising. Members of the group will also participate in a June 10 Relay For Life event, and they have done other projects around school to raise awareness. Earlier this semester, they posted pink and blue sticky notes on lockers to symbolize the percentages of men and women who will be diagnosed with cancer in their lives. Both Johnson and Elwell look forward to the future, when they hope to raise more money and organize additional educational events. They also hope they’ll be able to share what they’ve learned with other schools.
One other Southern Illinois school, ZeiglerRoyalton High School, has signed on. The school also started its program in January, spinning out of the successful “Coaches vs. Cancer” program. The group has only run a few fundraisers so far, but advisor Donellyn Dean said they’re learning to play a role in a larger picture. “We haven’t been able to do much yet, but every little bit helps,” she said. And there’s more to participating in High Schools Against Cancer than helping fundraise. It’s an opportunity for students to come face-toface with the disease and to join to fight. “You don’t want them to go down the wrong path,” Dean said. “Cancer unfortunately affects everyone at some point in their life. (The program) is a win-win situation.”
ADAM TESTA / THE SOUTHERN
Lucas Johnson, a junior at Murphysboro High School, is very active with the High Schools Against Cancer program. Fueled by a request from his cousin, Caleb, who lost his battle at age 8, Lucas helps fight the disease any way he can.
PROVIDED BY ACS adam.testa@thesouthern.com 618-351-5031
Children participate in a 2010 Mini-Relay For Life at Unity Point School in Carbondale.
The Southern Illinoisan April-July 2011 Page 5
RELAY FOR LIFE
Survivor and/or Caregiver Registration To register online, go to www.thesouthern.com/health Relay For Life in Southern Illinois, is just around the corner! Relay is a community event that raises funds to support the vital research, education, advocacy and patient services of the American Cancer Society. The event is held overnight at various locations around our region. First Name: __________________________ Last Name: __________________________ Address: ____________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip: ______________________________________________________________ Phone: ______________________________________________________________________ E-Mail: ______________________________________________________________________ Please contact me about free cancer patient/family services and programs available through the American Cancer Society. Please check the event(s) at which you will attend and want to register to walk:
Carbondale Centralia Edwards Franklin Hamilton
Hardin/Pope Herrin Jefferson Marion Massac
Murphysboro Perry Randolph Salem Saline/Gallatin
Union Wabash Washington Wayne White
Please complete the following additional information Gender: Male Female T-Shirt Size: YS YM YL
S
M
L
Are you a cancer Survivor? YES NO Are you/have you ever been a cancer Caregiver? YES
XL XXL XXXL
Relay schedules Relay For Life of Southern Illinois is set to take place at 20 locations throughout our region. More than 17,000 participants and volunteers make these events possible. To get involved, call Fran Miley at 618-998-9898, option 3. Here are the upcoming Relays: Jackson County: April 30, 5 p.m. to 5 a.m., Carbondale Community High School’s Bleyer Field Washington County: May 13, 6 p.m. to 6 p.m., Nashville Grade School Massac County: May 21, 5 p.m. to 5 a.m., Fort Massac State Park Hardin/Pope Counties: June 3, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Hardin Co. K-12 School, Elizabethtown Wabash County: June 3, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Mount Carmel High School Hamilton County: June 3, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Hamilton County Courthouse Square, McLeansboro Marion County: June 10, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Centralia High School Track Field Jackson County: June 10, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.,
Murphysboro High School Football Field Union County: June 10, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Anna City Park/Fairgrounds Williamson County: June 10, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Herrin High School Football Field Saline/Gallatin Counties: June 17, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Eldorado High School Sports Complex Williamson County: June 17, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Harry L. Crisp Sr. Sports Complex, Marion Jefferson County: June 17, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Mount Vernon Township High School White County: June 17, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Bradshaw-Jaycee Park in Carmi Franklin County: June 24, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., West Frankfort Community Park Marion County: June 24, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Salem Community High School Wayne County: June 24, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Leo French Park, Fairfield Perry County: July 8, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Perry County Fairgrounds, Pinckneyville Randolph County: July 8, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sparta High School Edwards County: July 15, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Roy M. Luthe Memorial Park in Albion
DR. RAYMOND SIMITH & DR. M. AMJAD ALI ONCOLOGIST
NO
My Most Recent Diagnosis Is/Was: (Please check) Breast Prostate Colon/Rectal Skin
Lung
Other
If other: ______________________________________________________________________ Date of Diagnosis: (mm/dd/yyyy): ____________________________________________ Please circle the race with which you most closely identify: African-American Black Asian American – Indian/Alaskan Native Caucasian/White Hispanic/Latino Pacific Islander Other To pre-register, please send this form to:
American Cancer Society 4503 W. DeYoung, Suite 200C Marion, IL 62959 Fax 618-997-8456 Or call your American Cancer Society office at 618-998-9898, option 3. *Survivor T-shirts are available upon check-in at your local Relay event.
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(Back) Dana Zeidler, Linda Gross, Marsha Easterly, Carol Kellerman, Diedre Restoff, (Front) Dr. Raymond Smith, Dr. M. Amjad Ali
PINCKNEYVILLE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL OFFERS AN OUT PATIENT ONCOLOGY CLINIC. DR. SMITH AND ALI ARE AVAILABLE WEEKLY BY APPOINTMENT. THE CLINIC GOAL IS TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR EDUCATION, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT OF CANCER HERE AT HOME. NON-EMPLOYED PHYSICIANS, INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS
Pinckneyville Community Hospital 101 N. Walnut St. • Pinckneyville, IL 62274 357-5971 • www.pvillehosp.org
RELAY FOR LIFE
Luminaria: A moving tribute Murphysboro High School junior Lucas Johnson remembers sitting at a Relay For Life event with his cousin, Caleb, two children taking in the event like few their age ART SERVICES ever could. The luminaria at Relay For Caleb had been Life events are simple, but diagnosed with cancer, a the meaning and memories disease that would behind the lighted memorials ultimately claim his life at is significant. age 8. But this night, the cousins sat together as event leaders read a list of names as part of the luminaria ceremony. “I can remember sitting next to Caleb and looking over at him, and he just smiled back,” Johnson said. “No one should have to go through that fight.” Now, Caleb’s name is one of those written on the luminaria bags during Relay For Life ceremonies. These bags are lighted around the track at these events as a memory of those who have been lost to cancer and those who survived their fights. Local Relay events sell these luminaria as a fundraiser, with money supporting cancer research, education, advocacy and patient services.
Relay For Life in Southern Illinois, is just around the corner! Relay is a community event that raises funds to support the vital research, education, advocacy and patient services of the American Cancer Society. The event is held overnight at various locations around our region. Luminaria (lit candles in white paper bags) will line the walking track and are lit in honor of cancer survivors and those who have lost their lives to cancer. The Luminaria Ceremony begins at around dusk, and the community is invited to attend. If you would like to pay tribute to a loved one and join the fight against cancer, please complete this form. For more information about luminaria or specific events, contact your local American Cancer Society at 618-998-9898, option #3.
Yes, I’d like to honor a loved one. In Honor of: __________________________________________________________ Living:
Deceased:
Purchaser: ____________________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip: ________________________________________________________ Phone:________________________________________________________________ E-Mail: ________________________________________________________________ $10.00 (minimum) per luminaria bag for a total of: $ ______________________ Please make your check payable to the American Cancer Society. Send your check and this form to: American Cancer Society, 4503 West DeYoung, Suite 200C, Marion, IL 62959.
Luminaria can only be displayed at only one event. Please check your location request:
Carbondale Centralia Edwards Franklin Hamilton
Hardin/Pope Herrin Jefferson Marion Massac
Murphysboro Perry Randolph Salem Saline/Gallatin
Union Wabash Washington Wayne White
— Adam Testa
Relay fundraising also makes Patient Services possible Reach to Recovery and Support for Recovery: When people first find out that they have — or might have — cancer, they may feel overwhelmed, vulnerable and alone. Our Reach and Support programs match new referrals with trained survivors based on similar diagnoses, treatments and other various factors such as age, life status and cultural background. Talking to a specially trained Reach or Support volunteer who is a cancer survivor offers a measure of comfort and some help in making informed decisions. Support for Recovery can also match surviving caregivers with other caregivers to offer encouragement and assistance during a very difficult time.
Look Good … Feel Better: Cancer can rob a woman of her energy, appetite and strength. But it doesn’t have to take away her selfconfidence. Look Good … Feel Better is a free program that teaches beauty techniques to women cancer patients in active treatment to help them combat the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment. Volunteer cosmetologists lead the sessions, which include tips on skin care, make-up application and wig choice, wig care and wig styling. All participants receive a skin-care and make-up kit that is theirs to keep free of charge. Wig Closet: Currently housed at the local American Cancer Society office in Marion, the Wig
Closet offers free wigs to cancer patients. There are also branches of the Wig Closet in Fairfield at The Medicine Shoppe — Home Medical Equipment; contact Lucy Potts at 618-842-2531. In Mount Vernon, it’s the Center for Comprehensive Cancer Care from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesdays; contact Penni at 618-998-9898, ext. 3. And in Metropolis, contact The Split End at 618-524-4749. Transportation Solutions: Lack of transportation leaves cancer patients with few options for completing their treatment schedules. The American Cancer Society offers several options for patients who are faced with this discouraging situation. Road to Recovery is a free
DETAILS For cancer information or support services, or if you have questions, call 618-998-9898, ext. 3 or 800-642-7792, ext. 3.
PROVIDED BY ACS
Participants walk in Relay For Life Jefferson County.
service offered by the American Cancer Society in which volunteer drivers provide cancer patients transportation to and from cancer treatment and treatment related appointments. When Medicaid Transportation is an option, ACS will complete the paperwork and work with the transportation companies and doctors offices to schedule rides for the patient so they don’t have to worry about the hassle.
When neither of these options are suitable, ACS can offer several options for transportation grants which may be available to qualified applicants to help patients and families off set the burden of high fuel prices. Personal Health Managers: The Personal Health Manager is a valuable tool kit for people with cancer. The kit can help you learn about your type of cancer, treatment and side effects, organize your cancer information, keep track of test results, doctors appointments, and medications and organize your medical bills
and insurance information. Case Management: At the local office in Marion, the social service staff can help patients through a variety of situations. Through the case management process, they can offer information on virtually any kind of cancer and/or treatment, they can help find financial resources when they are available, help a patient navigate through the Medicaid or Social Security Disability application and appeal process when necessary, and help with other questions when they arise.
The Southern Illinoisan April-July 2011 Page 7
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