HICKORY, NC – The Cancer Task Force (CTF) has received a $5,730 Priority Populations grant from the South Atlantic Division of the American Cancer Society (ACS) to promote colorectal cancer screening in Catawba County. The CTF will use the funds to support its “Get Checked!” initiative, which emphasizes the importance of colorectal cancer screening in presentations to community groups and at-risk populations throughout the county.
According to North Carolina’s State Center for Health Statistics, Catawba County’s death rates from colorectal cancer are higher than North Carolina state averages for all populations: men, women, whites and minorities. The death rate is particularly high among minorities when compared to other populations in both the county and the state.
“Research has shown that if colorectal cancer is found early, the survival rate is over 90 percent,” says Hani Nassar, Chairman, Cancer Task Force. “However, only 39 percent of cancers are currently found at this stage. We aim to improve those statistics here in Catawba County by spreading the word about the importance of early detection, and we are grateful to the American Cancer Society for their support of our efforts.”
“The American Cancer Society is committed to reducing cancer health disparities,” said Morgan F. Daven, vice president of health disparities and community outreach for the American Cancer Society, South Atlantic Division. “Our strategic priorities are designed to eliminate these disparities through research, education, advocacy and service. This round of grants is just one way we are working to make this happen.”
For information about hosting a Cancer Task Force presentation for your community group or getting involved, please contact Hani Nassar at (828) 234-6330 or hmnassar@gmail.com.
About the Cancer Task Force
The Cancer Task Force (CTF), a Catawba County Health Partners coalition, is a collaborative effort to increase colorectal and prostate cancer screening among Catawba County residents. It was formed in 2007 after cancer was selected as one of Catawba County’s priority health issues. The coalition is comprised of volunteers from Catawba Valley Medical Center, Frye Regional Medical Center, Centro Latino, the NAACP, local churches and community organizations. To learn more, visit www.catawbacountyhealthpartners.org/cancer.asp.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing about $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in Americawho have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.
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ELECTRONIC PHOTO CAPTION: The Cancer Task Force aims to improve colorectal cancer screening rates in the community in partnership with the American Cancer Society. Pictured (L-R): Jerry L. McCombs, Charter Media/NAACP; Becky Wiles, Frye Regional Medical Center; Lindsey Smith, Catawba County Health Partners; Hani Nassar, Klingspor/Chairman, Cancer Task Force; Barbara Rush, Sr. Community Manager-SAD, American Cancer Society; Peggy Messick, Catawba Valley Medical Center; Mandy Pearce, Centro Latino/GrantCREWS; Amy McCauley, Catawba County Health Partners; Jenish Holloway, Catawba Valley Medical Center. (Not pictured: JoAnn Smith, Frye Regional Medical Center; Reverend David Roberts, Morningstar Baptist Church)