ATLANTA (May 21, 2013)

The proclamation read in part, “May 22, 2013 will mark this illustrous organization’s 100th year of existence and service to those affected by cancer and their loved ones. Therefore, I, Nathan Deal, Governor of the State of Georgia, do hereby recognize May 22, 2013, as the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the American Cancer Society in Georgia.”

Society staff pictured at the proclamation signing are (left to right) Randy Redner, vice president for Georgia; Olga Jimenez, director of community outreach; Erika Hairston Perry, senior income manager; Elissa McCrary, senior director, marketing communications, South Atlantic Division; Eric Bailey, Georgia Director of Government Relations; Gov. Nathan Deal; Nancy Dove, senior vice president for administrative services; Crystal Mantooth, area executive director for metro Atlanta; Jeanine Bade, director, audience trends and innovation; and Terri Clay,  Society Senior Director.

More than 15,000 Relay For Life participants in Gwinnett County on May 17 toss their gloves in the air at the end of the purple glove dance. The gloves were later picked up and recycled. The Gwnnett Relay is one of the world’s largest Relay events, raising nearly $2 million.

Raleigh/Durham, N.C. — May 16, 2013 – The American Cancer Society and Saks Fifth Avenue are joining together to create a spring fashion show featuring local breast cancer survivors. The event, to be held June 1 from 3-5 p.m., at Saks Fifth Avenue Triangle Town Center, will include a pink tea party. Advanced tickets may be purchased for $25 by calling 919-334-5241 or emailing raleigh.strides@cancer.org. Saks will be dressing and accessorizing all of the models who are all local cancer survivors. In addition to ticket sales, 10 percent of store sales made throughout the evening will be donated to support the cause.

Event sponsors include: Saks Fifth Avenue, ABC11, Clear Channel Media, Edible Art Bakery and Dessert Cafe, Finks Jewelers, Marshall’s, North Raleigh Florist, Royal Flush Studios Branding and Imaging, Triangle Town Center and Winnow Creative.

The Spring Fashion Show and Tea Party is part of the American Cancer Society’s 2013 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Fundraising efforts. The main event, a 5K walk, will be held during Breast Cancer Awareness Month on October 5 at North Hills. For information, and to register for the walk, visit MakingStridesWalk.org/Raleigh. Funds raised through all Making Strides activities will support American Cancer Society efforts to find cures and provide programs and services for those facing the disease. These services include transportation to cancer treatment, lodging for patients who live far from treatment facilities and peer support from other breast cancer survivors. The American Cancer Society is the largest private funder of cancer research and is currently funding 39 grants totaling more than $20 millioin in North Carolina alone.

Thanks to early detection and improved treatment methods, more people are beating the disease. The five-year survival rate for breast cancer patients is up to 99 percent if the cancer is detected before it has spread to other parts of the body. The most significant risk factors for breast cancer are gender and age. Although there is no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer, the risk can be reduced. The American Cancer Society encourages women to put their personal breast health first by taking steps to stay well. This includes: maintaining a healthy weight, eating a well-balanced diet, and engaging in physical activity for at least 30 minutes five or more days per week. Limiting alcohol consumption can also reduce breast cancer risk. 

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society’s efforts have contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks in part to our progress nearly 14 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year. As we mark our 100th birthday in 2013, we’re determined to finish the fight against cancer. We’re finding cures as the nation’s  largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

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Watson is one of the most successful golfers of all time, having won eight major championships and a total of 39 PGA Tour events. At the 2009 British Open, Watson came to the 18^th hole in the final round needing a par to win. He dropped the shot and lost in the ensuing playoff, but his performance at age 59 will be remembered as one of the most impressive the game has ever seen.

“We are thrilled to have Tom Watson joining us at Swing Fore a Cure,” said Garnett Smith, volunteer committee member. “The event has been successful because of the community support from individuals and corporate partners like Advance. Tom’s participation is a great reminder that this is one of our area’s premiere events, raising significant funds for programs and services that benefit cancer patients, as well as lifesaving cancer research.”

Last year’s event raised $492,000 for the American Cancer Society and was named the largest golf fundraising event in the nation for the Society. Financial support from events like Swing Fore a Cure allows the Society to continue providing area residents facing a cancer diagnosis with access to day-to-day help, information and emotional support. Whether a newly diagnosed patient is referred to the Society by their health care provider or reaches out to the organization on their own, the non-profit responds with information, programs and services to help the patient better understand their diagnosis, manage their cancer treatment and find the physical and emotional support they need, at no cost.

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society’s efforts have contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks in part to our progress nearly 14 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year. As we mark our 100th birthday in 2013, we’re determined to finish the fight against cancer. We’re finding cures as the nation’s  largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org. For cancer news in your community, visit sacancernews.org.

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MEDIA: Tom Watson will be available for interviews from 8:45 a.m. until 9:15 a.m. Tournament media contact is Mark Hurley, (540) 774-2716 or Shelly Whitaker, (540) 521-2227.

O.H. Bobbitt, volunteer for ACS CAN

LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA – May 14, 2013 – Cancer volunteer O.H. Bobbitt from Gladys, Virginia represented the Commonwealth at the annual Volunteer Leadership Summit for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). The event, held in Alexandria, Va. at the end of April, gathers volunteer leaders from across the country to prepare them to lead grassroots campaigns on federal legislative issues impacting the fight against cancer.

ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, is the leading cancer advocacy organization fighting to make cancer a national priority with lawmakers. Founded in 2001, ACS CAN has built a nationwide movement of advocates who are working to pass legislation and policies that help fight cancer – a disease that continues to kill an estimated 1,500 people a day in the United States.

Bobbitt has been the state lead ambassador for the past three years and has championed ACS CAN’s legislative priorities with both lawmakers and other advocates in Virginia.

“I am honored to represent Virginia as an advocate in the fight against cancer,” said Bobbitt. “We want to make cancer history. We need to take action to make cancer a national priority by ensuring that lawmakers are supporting evidence-based policy and legislative solutions that will help defeat the disease.”

Bobbitt has volunteered with ACS CAN for the past 11 years and with the American Cancer Society for 24 years. He currently serves as an advisor to the Society’s Relay For Life of Liberty University.

Bobbitt works with ACS CAN staff to manage volunteer activities across the state and attend meetings with lawmakers on ACS CAN’s priority legislative issues. At the summit, Bobbitt met with his volunteer counterparts from all 50 states, along with national and state ACS CAN staff, to discuss and develop legislative campaign strategies for the next year.

“We are excited to work with O.H. this year to implement legislative campaigns in Virginia,” said Keenan Caldwell, state director of government relations for ACS CAN. “Together we will strive for increased cancer research funding, better access to quality health care and preventive cancer screenings and strong tobacco control policies at the state and federal levels.”

This year’s summit emphasized the importance of continued federal funding for cancer research and prevention programs, increasing the federal tobacco tax to encourage adults to quit smoking and prevent kids from starting the habit and palliative care legislation that can improve the quality of life of cancer patients and survivors by coordinating care and providing relief from pain, stress and other symptoms of treatment and care.

ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit acscan.org.

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“It is my honor to be with the committed staff and volunteers of the American Cancer Society as they celebrate their landmark 100th Birthday,” said Mayor Riley. “As I proudly proclaim this, May 22, 2013, American Cancer Society day, this is an opportunity to look back at many lifesaving accomplishments. Yet, it is also a time to look forward to the work that will save even more lives and ultimately finish the fight.”

The American Cancer Society is the largest nongovernmental, not-for-profit funder of cancer research in the country. Among the organization’s many accomplishments are funding 46 Nobel Laureate researchers, discovering the link between smoking and cancer, and serving one million callers every year through its National Cancer Information Center.

The Society is using its 100^th birthday to encourage people to join together, make noise and take action to finish the fight against cancer. The Society urges everyone to make some noise by donating at cancer.org/fight, participating in a local Relay For Life or Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in their community or enrolling in its groundbreaking Cancer Prevention Study-3 to find ways to prevent cancer.

Today, two out of three people diagnosed with cancer are surviving the disease (for at least five years). More than 400 people a day in the U.S. are celebrating birthdays that would have otherwise been lost to cancer. As the Official Sponsor of Birthdays™, The American Cancer Society will continue to make noise by amplifying its efforts to ensure lifesaving cancer research gets funded; by making sure people facing cancer have the help they need, such as a free place to stay during treatment or a ride to get there; and by fighting for equal access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, and clean air.

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society’s efforts have contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks in part to our progress nearly 14 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year. As we mark our 100th birthday in 2013, we’re determined to finish the fight against cancer. We’re finding cures as the nation’s  largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

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“I was so thankful to receive a visit from a volunteer who was able to listen to fears and concerns I was having,” said Iredell County resident and breast cancer survivor Barbara Bonicelli. “Sitting in front of me was someone who had walked in my shoes. She provided me with comfort, encouragement, support and most of all HOPE, knowing that I too, would get through this.”

Bonicelli is now giving back through the program by serving as the volunteer coordinator. “I am happy to say that Reach to Recovery is getting stronger in Iredell County. We are here, and we are ready and willing to give hope.”

She encourages women to find out more about the Reach to Recovery program. To be matched with a volunteer, newly diagnosed women or their families can call 1-800-ACS-2345. They can also ask their physician to refer them to the program.

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end cancer for good. As a global grassroots force of three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping you stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early, helping you get well by being there for you during and after a diagnosis, by finding cures through groundbreaking discovery and fighting back through public policy. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.8 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, an estimated 13.7 million people in America who 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 anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

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WHEN: Monday, May 13, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Monday, May 20, 1 – 7 p.m.
WHERE: Darrell Barrett Salon, 69 W. Timonium Road, Timonium, MD 21093
CALL: Christopher or Amy for your appointment at 410-560-5630.

This project is being made possible in conjunction with Relay For Life of North Baltimore County, which takes place on June 8 at Goucher College. Relay For Life events “Celebrate, Remember, and Fight Back.” Cancer survivors, caregivers, friends, family and the community dedicate themselves to fighting cancer by going around the clock, walking a track, to raise important funds for cutting-edge cancer research and support services for cancer patients and their families.

The event features entertainment and games that build camaraderie, as well as a touching Luminaria Ceremony after sundown, honoring the community’s cancer survivors and remembering those lost to the disease. Participants circle a track surrounded by glowing luminaria bearing the names of loved ones who have battled cancer.

Relay For Life was created in 1985 by Dr. Gordy Klatt, a cancer physician in Takoma, Washington who walked and ran a track for 24 hours to raise funds to fight cancer. Relay For Life has become a phenomenon, taking place in more than 5,000 communities in the U.S. with approximately 4 million participants. In honor of its 100th birthday, the American Cancer Society is renewing its commitment to finish the fight in this century.

A Delta Air Lines Boeing 767-400 features the American Cancer Society’s 100th birthday logo. The logo is on the nose of the plane adjacent to the boarding door with the phrase “The Official Sponsor of Birthdays.”  The aircraft flies international routes and will raise awareness for American Cancer Society in Europe, Latin America and the United States.

Randy Redner, the Society’s Vice President for Georgia, told the board that there are 42 school teams participating in Relay events that have raised over $21,000 this year to date to support Relay and the fight against cancer.

“One in two men and one in three women will get cancer in their lifetimes. That means that of the 100,000 students in the DeKalb school system, approximately 40,000 of them will have cancer at some point,” Redner told the group. “DeKalb is certainly educating our kids for today but also building leadership for tomorrow. By participating in Relay For Life, students get a chance to build those leadership skills and understand how they can work together to have a positive impact on the future.”

Presenting the award in addition to Redner were Christina Pastore, volunteer chair of the DeKalb Adams Stadium Relay For Life, and Erika Hairston Perry, senior income manager for the Society in Atlanta.

RALEIGH, N.C. – May 3, 2013 –

“I am honored to represent North Carolina as an advocate in the fight against cancer,” said Schechner. “We need to take action to make cancer a national priority by ensuring that lawmakers are supporting evidence-based policy and legislative solutions that will help defeat the disease. We want to make cancer history.”

Schechner works with ACS CAN staff to manage volunteer activities across the state and attend meetings with lawmakers on priority legislative issues. At the summit, held just outside Washington, D.C., in Alexandria, Va., Schechner met with his volunteer counterparts from all 50 states, along with national and state ACS CAN staff, to discuss and develop legislative campaign strategies for the next year.

“We are excited to work with Bob Schechner to implement legislative campaigns in North Carolina,” said Patti Bossert, ACS CAN’s grassroots manager for North Carolina. “Together we will strive for increased cancer research funding, better access to quality health care and preventive cancer screenings and strong tobacco control policies at the state and federal levels.”

This year’s summit emphasized the importance of continued federal funding for cancer research and prevention programs, increasing the federal tobacco tax to encourage adults to quit smoking and prevent youth from starting the habit and palliative care legislation that can improve the quality of life of cancer patients and survivors by coordinating care and providing relief from pain, stress and other symptoms of treatment and care.

ACS CAN is the leading cancer advocacy organization fighting to make cancer a national priority with lawmakers. Founded in 2001, ACS CAN has built a nationwide movement of advocates who are working to pass legislation and policies that help fight cancer – a disease that continues to kill an estimated 1,500 people a day in the United States. ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.acscan.org.

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Delta Day of Hope supports the Society’s Relay For Life movement, which unites communities across the globe to fight back to end cancer. This event will take place inside airport facilities Delta serves around the world including Atlanta; Boston; Chicago; Dallas; Detroit; London; Los Angeles; Nagoya, Japan; Madrid; Minneapolis-St. Paul; New York; Rome; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Seattle; Tokyo; and Vancouver, British Columbia.

“We are proud of the enthusiasm and generosity of our employees in the more than 70 cities around the globe who will help raise public awareness in support of the fight against cancer as we honor the commitment and dedication of the American Cancer Society as part of their 100th birthday this month,” said Gil West, senior vice president – Airport Customer Service and Technical Operations and Delta’s executive sponsor for the American Cancer Society. “Delta takes our mission to raise $1 million very seriously and we want to do our part to end to a disease that’s touched all of us.”

In addition to the airport walks, two events will take place in Atlanta. The first is a Jet Drag at the Delta TechOps facility on May 3. The Jet Drag is an airplane-sized tug-of-war between teams of employees and a Delta Boeing 757 aircraft. The teams pull the jet 20 feet to determine who can move it in the shortest amount of time. The second event will take place at Delta’s corporate campus and consists of a walk that will include hundreds of employees, family, friends and members of the local community.

Delta also will donate $1 to the Society for the first 50,000 new luminarias lit on the Delta Facebook page through the end of May. With Delta’s Light to Finish the Fight application and awareness promotion, visitors have the opportunity to create a virtual luminaria in honor or in memory of loved ones who have been affected by cancer, share it with their friends and build additional awareness of the Society’s fight to end cancer.

Delta’s administrative building at its general offices will be illuminated in purple lighting in support of the Society each night in May.

Starting this month and continuing throughout the year, a Boeing 767-400 will travel the globe featuring the Society’s 100^th birthday logo with the phrase “The Official Sponsor of Birthdays” near the nose of the aircraft, adjacent to the boarding door. The aircraft flies international routes and will raise awareness for the Society in Europe, Latin America, and the United States.

The Society recognized Delta with its 2012 Distinguished Corporate Achievement award for having raised more than $500,000 in the fight to end cancer last year. Delta participated in its first Relay For Life event in 2000.

Delta Air Lines serves more than 160 million customers each year. Delta was named by Fortune magazine as the most admired airline worldwide in its 2013 World’s Most Admired Companies airline industry list, topping the list for the second time in three years. With an industry-leading global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 313 destinations in 57 countries on six continents. Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta employs nearly 80,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of more than 700 aircraft. The airline is a founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance and participates in the industry’s leading trans-Atlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Alitalia. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 15,000 daily flights, with hubs in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita. Delta is investing more than $3 billion in airport facilities and global products, services and technology to enhance the customer experience in the air and on the ground.  Additional information is available on delta.com, Twitter @Delta, Google.com/+Delta and Facebook.com/delta.

Annually, Exelon selects 18 employees who perform outstanding volunteer work and honors their commitment with a Volunteer Award and a contribution to the nonprofit each serves.

Barbara has been an American Cancer Society volunteer since 1994 and has been involved in the Baltimore Making Strides Against Breast Cancer since 2007. This two-time breast cancer survivor is a strong advocate for the Society and its programs and services, giving a great deal of her time to the Society’s Hope Lodge in Baltimore.

“Barbara is what we call a Hope Lodge Ambassador. That means no job is too big or small,” shares Karen Seaberry, Baltimore Hope Lodge Manager. “She will sit at the front desk, volunteer at Society events, and will even go out into the community and speak on our behalf.”

Barbara has also been the survivor speaker for Making Strides, appeared on local news shows for interviews, and is certified to do breast cancer workshops for the Society, which she has offered at her work. “I always try to share with people what the Society does and what they can offer to cancer patients and survivors,” Barbara says.

Barbara and a representative from the Society’s Hope Lodge will attend a special awards luncheon in May where she will receive her award and the $10,000 gift will be presented.

“Exelon is an amazing company that promotes community service and supports local non-profits in an exceptional manner,” Karen adds. “Dedicated donors like Exelon are the driving force behind significant progress against cancer, and we are honored to be one of this year’s recipients.”

Additionally, Barbara and the other Exelon volunteer award recipients will be recognized by the American Institute for Public Service Jefferson Awards honoring community and public service.

Raffle tickets can be secured by contacting an American Cancer Society office:

• in Virginia Beach at 4416 Expressway Dr. or (757) 493-7940, or
• in Newport News at 11835 Canon Blvd., Suite A102 or (757) 591-8330.

Tickets are also available by contacting team captains participating in Relay For Life, the Society’s signature fundraising event and the world’s largest grassroots effort to celebrate cancer survivors, remember those lost to the disease and empower participants to fight back against cancer. Southern Auto Group offers the raffle tickets during the Relay season of February through June. The timing allows the Society and its volunteers to utilize Relay meetings and community recruitment efforts to promote the raffle, an opportunity to support the non-profit with little commitment. Since its inception, the vehicle raffle has generated more than $4 million for the Society.

“Like many people, our company has been touched by cancer,” said Don Hughes, community relations director of Southern Auto Group. “We are committed to helping the American Cancer Society finish the fight against cancer. We are proud that the money raised through the raffle supports cancer research and access to lifesaving programs for local cancer patients.”

Proceeds from the raffle and Relay events support the Society’s investment in cancer research, as well as a wealth of information, programs and services, including transportation and lodging during treatment, to assist cancer patients and caregivers. Cancer prevention, detection and treatment breakthroughs funded by the American Cancer Society have led to 14 million cancer survivors in the United States who will celebrate birthdays this year.

For more information on the car raffle or Relay For Life, please contact the American Cancer Society at (757) 493-7940 or (757) 591-8330.

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society’s efforts have contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks in part to our progress nearly 14 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year. As we mark our 100th birthday in 2013, we’re determined to finish the fight against cancer. We’re finding cures as the nation’s  largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org. For cancer news in your community, visit sacancernews.org.

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“In high school and as a college undergraduate, I shadowed doctors on their rounds to care for patients,” says Jones, 30, a postdoctoral fellow at Emory. “But I soon learned that caring for family members when they’re sick and caring for strangers is very different. Ultimately, I decided that I could potentially help more people through cancer research.”

Dr. William Phelps, director of Preclinical and Translational Cancer Research for the American Cancer Society, says, “It will be these very talented young scientists like Justin who will change the future and revolutionize our ability to treat the most difficult cancers such as those in the lung.  Justin brings both exceptional scientific skill and a personal motivation growing from his own family history with cancer.  Young scientists like Justin will finish the fight.”

Research is at the heart of the American Cancer Society’s mission. The Society is the largest non- governmental funder of cancer research, investing more than $3.5 billion since 1946. The Society has funded the research of 46 scientists who have been awarded the Nobel Prize and has been involved in nearly every major breakthrough in cancer research – from bone marrow transplants to mammography to colonoscopy to “miracle” drugs like Herceptin and Tamoxifen to treat breast cancer to Gleevec to treat the once-fatal myeloid leukemia.

Jones explains that his cancer research is centered around epigenetics, a study in gene changes caused by factors other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence.  Put simply, his research focuses on specific enzymes involved in gastric, breast and prostate cancers and identifying inhibitors of the enzymes to prevent cancer.

“One of the great things about being at Emory is the collaboration that goes on here,” Jones says. “Being able to test you hypothesis in collaboration with others is very valuable when you’re studying something as complex as cancer.”

“An article in Science Magazine recently talked about the importance of collaborations between industry and academia, and it went on to say that you can’t thrive today if you don’t collaborate,” he adds. “It’s difficult to be a sole researcher today, working in a lab alone, and be successful. The collaborative network is growing, and I think for the better of science. It will lead to more cancer discoveries.”  

Jones received his undergraduate degree in chemistry from the University of South Carolina Aiken. Upon graduation, Jones became a graduate teaching assistant and graduate research assistant at the University of South Carolina and received his doctorate degree in chemistry in 2010. He was a research associate at The Scripps Research Institute in Florida and has been a post-doctoral fellow at Emory since 2011. He has received several awards including the Bouknight Teaching Award in 2006 and 2008 during graduate school.

As a researcher, Jones’ long-term goal is to be a part of a cure for cancer.

“If I can have any sort of breakthrough or mark for a new cancer drug, that has to be my ultimate goal,” Jones state.  “I would like to be a part of a discovery that leads to a new way to control or eliminate cancer.”

For more information on the American Cancer Society and its role in cancer research, visit www.cancer.org.

ATLANTA (April 25, 2013) –

In 1985, Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office. He decided to personally raise money for the fight against cancer by doing something he enjoyed – running. He spent 24 hours circling the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma for more than 83 miles. Throughout the night, friends donated $25 to run or walk 30 minutes with him. He raised $27,000 that night to fight cancer.

That first Relay event has since grown to become the American Cancer Society’s signature event and the largest fundraising event in the world, bringing in about $400 million a year for the fight against cancer. Relays now take place in 5,200 communities nationwide and in 20 countries. In Georgia, 157 Relay events are scheduled in 2013.

Klatt, who is now battling cancer, will also make a special appearance on Saturday, June 1 in Atlanta at a special program at Georgia Power’s Arkwright Auditorium. He will meet fellow Relay participants and cancer survivors and caregivers and will be interviewed in a question and answer session by WSB-TV.

“We are delighted and honored to have Dr. Klatt with us this Relay season in Georgia,” says Randy Redner, the Society’s Vice President for Georgia. “As the founder of Relay For Life, Dr. Klatt is a hero to all of us at the American Cancer Society and to cancer survivors and Relay participants and volunteers everywhere. Throughout the years, he has kept up his strong commitment to Relay and to working with the American Cancer Society to eliminate cancer. As a cancer survivor, Dr. Klatt is a true inspiration as he continues to do everything he can to raise awareness and funds for the cancer battle while at the same time, dealing with a personal diagnosis of cancer.”

The Vinings-Smyrna Relay For Life will be held at the Lovett School at 4075 Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, beginning at 6 p.m. on May 31. The survivor reception begins at 7 p.m. and will be catered by Longhorn. Numerous bands will be performing throughout the evening, and there will be fun activities for children.

After the survivor reception, there will be an inspirational opening ceremony, followed by a first lap around the school’s track by cancer survivors and caregivers. Then all Relay participants will take to the track. After dark, hundreds of candles will light the night during a reverent luminary ceremony to honor those who have survived cancer and remember those who have lost their battles with the disease. Teams of walkers will be on the track all night, and the event will end with a closing ceremony on Saturday morning, June 1.

The presenting sponsor for the Vinings-Smyrna Relay is WellStar Health System, with Gold Sponsor Kaiser Permanente, and Silver Sponsor McCarthy Building Company. Survivor Level sponsors include VRA Partners, Always Best Care Senior Services, Race Trac, La Paz Mexican Cantina, The Lovett School, St Angelo’s Pizza, SkyFlicks, and Game Cave. Club Level sponsors are The Honeybee and Larry Jackson’s Rare Coins

For more information on the Vinings-Smyrna Relay For Life or on Relay For Life, visit www.relayforlife.org.

Combined with this year’s financial support, GEICO has donated more than $600,000 locally to the Society.

“Almost everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer,” said Toiya Sosa, public affairs and community relations manager of GEICO. “We believe that our partnership with the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life will help cancer patients and their loved ones get the help they need when they need it the most.”

Across Hampton Roads, thousands of participants have registered to participate in the Society’s Relay For Life, an overnight event that celebrates cancer survivors, remembers those lost to the disease and empowers participants to fight back against cancer. In conjunction with the Society’s 100^th birthday this year, area residents are asked to join a Relay For Life in their community to not just fight back, but help the Society finish the fight against cancer.

More than 20 events are planned between April and June in communities across the area and volunteer organizers rally neighborhoods, schools, businesses and churches to join their local Relay For Life.

“Relay For Life brings residents of communities together for a single purpose, fighting cancer,” said Elisa Wills, Area Executive Director for the American Cancer Society. “Relay provides us with an unequivocal opportunity for sharing compassion with one another and for having hope for a future without cancer.”

Each annual event begins with an inspiring first lap around a track – whether at an area high school or a manmade loop around a large grassy area – led by survivors and caregivers. Teams are encouraged to have a walker on the track for the next 12 to 16 hours. As day turns to evening, volunteers race to fill luminaria, typically white paper bags with “In memory of” or “In honor of” written on the front for loved ones who have faced the disease. Once the evening sets in, a reverent ceremony is held to remember and honor those affected by cancer while lighting the bags with small candles. The lit bags guide walkers through their laps as the evening turns to morning, and finally daybreak. With a new day, participants celebrate their success and the ultimate goal of creating a world with less cancer.

Their success is vital to the American Cancer Society and its efforts to finish the fight against cancer: Relay For Life has become the largest fundraising event in the world and now raises more than $400 million each year. Funds raised at Relay events support the Society’s investment in cancer research and its support of a wealth of information, programs and services to assist cancer patients and caregivers. Cancer prevention, detection and treatment breakthroughs funded by the American Cancer Society have led to 14 million cancer survivors in the United States who will celebrate birthdays this year.

GEICO’s donation allows the American Cancer Society to continue helping local residents who are diagnosed with any type of cancer. Whether a newly diagnosed patient is referred to the Society by their health care provider or reaches out to the organization on their own, the non-profit responds with information, programs and services to help the patient better understand their diagnosis, manage their cancer treatment and find the physical and emotional support they need. And best of all, the help is at no cost to the cancer patient.

“It’s the generosity of donors like GEICO that make it possible for us to help people facing cancer each day,” said Wills. “Their financial support benefits our community. We can help a growing number of people facing cancer access transportation to treatment, lodging, clinical trials and more.”

On a daily basis, local American Cancer Society offices throughout Hampton Roads and across the nation provide one-on-one support for thousands of cancer patients and their caregivers, and Society staff work with area hospitals, health centers and community programs to help patients cope with cancer. Trained cancer information specialists are available to speak with cancer patients, caregivers or anyone with questions about the disease via the Society’s toll-free phone number, 1-800-227-2345, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The organization’s website, cancer.org, provides details on the disease, coping with a diagnosis and access to local information.

For more information on Relay For Life, to sign up to participate in a Relay or to find a Relay event near you, visit relayforlife.org.

About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end cancer for good. As a global grassroots force of three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping you stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early, helping you get well by being there for you during and after a diagnosis, by finding cures through groundbreaking discovery and fighting back through public policy. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.8 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, an estimated 13.7 million people in America who 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 anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org. For cancer news in your community, visit sacancernews.org.

# # #

“The American Cancer Society has a strong understanding of breast cancer patients’ needs and demonstrates compassion for those affected by the disease,” said Sherry Fox, PhD, vice president of the Bon Secours Cancer Institute and director of the Cullather Brain Tumor Quality of Life Center. “It’s a natural fit for us to sponsor their Pink Ribbon Tea.”

The annual tea features a hat fashion show and silent auction, including packages with weekend hotel stays, and restaurant and grocery store gift cards. Lakshmi Challa, founder and managing attorney of Challa Law Offices in Richmond, serves as the Pink Ribbon Tea’s honorary chair. Kat Simons from Lite 98 will host the event and Ava-joye Burnett from WRIC-8 TV will emcee the hat fashion show. Dr. Rashmi Vaidya, a breast surgeon at Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital, will speak about breast health at the event.

Proceeds from the event help the American Cancer Society fund groundbreaking research to find, prevent, treat and cure breast cancer; ensure access to mammograms for women who need them; and provide free resources and support to the one in two newly diagnosed women who turn to the Society for help and support, including transportation and lodging during treatment.

“Our Pink Ribbon Tea is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the women in our lives who have survived breast cancer and inspire us to continue making progress against the disease,” said Patti Jackson, area executive director for the American Cancer Society.

Thanks to improvements in treatment and early detection, more and more women are surviving breast cancer. While progress has clearly been made, breast cancer is still the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in the US, and the second leading cause of cancer death in women. The Society’s research program has played a role in many of the advances that save lives from breast cancer today, and is relentlessly pursuing the answers that will save even more lives in the future.

A limited number of tickets are available for a suggested donation of $50. For tickets or more information on the Society’s Pink Ribbon Tea, contact Corliss Hamilton at (804) 527-3705 or corliss.hamilton@cancer.org.

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society’s efforts have contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks in part to our progress nearly 14 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year. As we mark our 100th birthday in 2013, we’re determined to finish the fight against cancer. We’re finding cures as the nation’s  largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org. For cancer news in your community, visit sacancernews.org.

# # #

]]> http://sacancernews.org/2013/04/bon-secours-st-marys-hospital-to-sponsor-american-cancer-society-pink-ribbon-tea-to-celebrate-cancer-survivors/feed/ 0 http://sacancernews.org/2013/04/american-cancer-society-hosts-benefit-concert-featuring-legendary-music-producer-quincy-jones-and-friends-at-atlantas-fox-theatre/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=american-cancer-society-hosts-benefit-concert-featuring-legendary-music-producer-quincy-jones-and-friends-at-atlantas-fox-theatre http://sacancernews.org/2013/04/american-cancer-society-hosts-benefit-concert-featuring-legendary-music-producer-quincy-jones-and-friends-at-atlantas-fox-theatre/#comments Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:29:11 +0000 Elissa McCrary http://sacancernews.org/?p=4629 ATLANTA – April 2013 – Tickets are now on sale for “An evening with Quincy Jones & Friends,” a concert benefitting the American Cancer Society’s 100^th Birthday, on Thursday May 23 at 8 p.m. at Atlanta’s historic Fox Theatre.  The legendary music producer will be joined by special guests including James Ingram, Patti Austin, Siedah Garrett, Nikki Yanofsky and Alfredo Rodriguez. For ticketing information, visit FoxTheatre.org.

The American Cancer Society is using its 100^th birthday on May 22^nd to encourage people to join together, make noise and take action to finish the fight against cancer. The Society urges everyone to make some noise by donating at cancer.org/fight, participating in a local Relay For Life or Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in their community and/or enrolling in its groundbreaking Cancer Prevention Study-3 to find better ways to prevent cancer.

Today, two out of three people diagnosed with cancer are surviving the disease (for at least five years). More than 400 people a day in the U.S. are celebrating birthdays that would have otherwise been lost to cancer. As the Official Sponsor of Birthdays ™, The American Cancer Society will continue to make noise by amplifying its efforts to ensure lifesaving cancer research gets funded; by making sure people facing cancer have the help they need, such as a free place to stay during treatment or a ride to get there; and by fighting for equal access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, and clean air.

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society’s efforts have contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks in part to our progress nearly 14 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year. As we mark our 100th birthday in 2013, we’re determined to finish the fight against cancer. We’re finding cures as the nation’s  largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

CHARLOTTE, N. C. – April 19, 2013

 In June 2008, while performing a self exam, Fleming found a lump in her breast. A mammogram showed that while the lump was not cancerous, she did have breast cancer deeper in her tissue. Shortly thereafter, Fleming underwent a six hour mastectomy and reconstruction surgery. “During this period, my husband was always by my side,” said Fleming. “He even took a full month off from work to care for me.”

 That October, Fleming once again received terrible news. Her beloved husband was diagnosed with t-cell acute biphenotypic leukemia. It was now her turn to be the caregiver. She took a leave of absence from her job and moved into his hospital room.

A year later, doctors reported that both Fleming and her husband were doing better. For the first time in a long time, their spirits soared. But the good news didn’t last long. Both were soon told that their cancers had returned and that they would need intensive treatment. He would be treated in Houston, Texas, while she would receive care here in North Carolina.

For many patients, cancer treatment means daily trips to the hospital for radiation or chemotherapy. Making this daily trip can be difficult for those who are too ill to drive, do not have reliable transportation, or are receiving treatment away from their family. The American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery Program is designed to step in to help by providing free transportation to and from local care facilities. Through the program, patients are matched with volunteer drivers.

Over the course of her treatment, Fleming has received rides from several American Cancer Society volunteers.

“As my family members and many friends work fulltime,” said Fleming, “the Road to Recovery program and its volunteers has become one of my lifelines and given me peace of mind.  Through Road to Recovery I no longer have to worry whether or not I’ll be able to make it to the many appointments I have associated with my cancer.”

“It is so rewarding to be a volunteer for Road to Recovery,” said Sue Sutherland who has driven Fleming several times. “Every patient I have come in contact with has been so grateful and appreciative. I feel as though I do so little for them and they make me feel like I have given them the world.”

The American Cancer Society provides free training to Road to Recovery volunteers. If you are interested in learning more about volunteering for the program, please contact LeeAnna Perry, 704-553-5378 or leeanna.perry@cancer.org. If you are currently undergoing treatment for cancer at a local facility and need assistance with transportation, please call 1-800-ACS-2345.

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society’s efforts have contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks in part to our progress nearly 14 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year. As we mark our 100th birthday in 2013, we’re determined to finish the fight against cancer. We’re finding cures as the nation’s  largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

 # # #

Forty events are planned between April and June in communities across the area and volunteer organizers rally neighborhoods, schools, businesses and churches to join their local Relay For Life. Students, faculty and staff from Longwood University, Randolph Macon College, Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Mary Washington, the University of Richmond, the University of Virginia and Virginia State University also host Relay For Life events on their respective campuses.

“Relay For Life brings residents of communities together for a single purpose, fighting cancer,” said Patti Jackson, area executive director for the American Cancer Society. “Relay provides us with an unequivocal opportunity for sharing compassion with one another and for having hope for a future without cancer.”

Each annual event begins with an inspiring first lap around a track – whether at an area high school or a manmade loop around a large grassy area – led by survivors and caregivers. Teams are encouraged to have a walker on the track for the next 12 to 16 hours. As day turns to evening, volunteers race to fill luminaria, typically white paper bags with “In memory of” or “In honor of” written on the front for loved ones who have faced the disease. Once the evening sets in, a reverent ceremony is held to remember and honor those affected by cancer while lighting the bags with small candles. The lit bags guide walkers through their laps as the evening turns to morning, and finally daybreak. With a new day, participants celebrate their success and the ultimate goal of creating a world with less cancer.

Their success is vital to the American Cancer Society and its efforts to finish the fight against cancer: Relay For Life has become the largest fundraising event in the world and now raises more than $400 million each year. Funds raised at Relay events support the Society’s investment in cancer research and its support of a wealth of information, programs and services to assist cancer patients and caregivers. Cancer prevention, detection and treatment breakthroughs funded by the American Cancer Society have led to 14 million cancer survivors in the United States who will celebrate birthdays this year.

For more information on Relay For Life, to sign up to participate in a Relay or to find a Relay event near you, visit relayforlife.org.

About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end cancer for good. As a global grassroots force of three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping you stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early, helping you get well by being there for you during and after a diagnosis, by finding cures through groundbreaking discovery and fighting back through public policy. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.8 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, an estimated 13.7 million people in America who 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 anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org. For cancer news in your community, visit sacancernews.org.

###

Hampton Roads area residents are asked to register online at cps3hamptonroads.org for CPS-3 study enrollments at the following locations/dates:

Wellspring United Methodist Church
4871 Longhill Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23188
Saturday, June 8, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

American Cancer Society, Virginia Beach office
4416 Expressway Dr., Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Tuesday, June 11, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 15, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

Ebenezer Baptist Church
728 Effingham St., Portsmouth, VA 23704
Saturday, June 15, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

Emmaus Baptist Church
Christian Outreach Center, 814 Yorktown Rd., Poquoson, VA 23662
Saturday, June 15, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

Riverside Walter Reed
7519 Hospital Dr., Gloucester, VA 23061
Saturday, June 15, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

Sentara Belle Harbour
3920A Bridge Rd., Suffolk, VA 23435
Saturday, June 15, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

Sentara St. Luke’s
20209 Sentara Way, Carrollton, VA 23314
Tuesday, June 18, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

Residents of the Eastern Shore of Virginia are asked to register online at cps3esva.org for CPS-3 study enrollments at the following locations/dates:

Parksley Volunteer Fire Company
18431 Dunne Ave., Parksely, VA 23421
Wednesday, June 5, 2013 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital
9507 Hospital Ave., Nassawadox, VA 23413
Thursday, June 6, 2013 from 8 a.m. until 12 Noon

Registration ahead of time for the CPS-3 enrollment sites is critical to ensuring a sufficient number of trained phlebotomists and materials are available at each location. The American Cancer Society is expecting approximately 900 area residents to enroll in the study. The study will enroll a diverse population of up to half a million people across the United States and Puerto Rico. CPS-3 will help researchers better understand the lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer.

To enroll in the study, individuals will go to a local enrollment location and will be asked to read and sign an informed consent form; complete a brief survey, have their waist circumference measured; and give a small blood sample. The in-person enrollment process takes approximately 20 – 30 minutes to complete. At home, individuals will complete a comprehensive survey packet that asks for information on lifestyle, behavioral, and other factors related to their health. Upon completion of this process, the Society will continue to send periodic follow-up surveys to update participant information and annual newsletters with study updates and results. The initial and follow-up surveys completed at home will take an hour or less of time to complete and are expected to be sent every few years.

“Many individuals diagnosed with cancer struggle to answer the question, ‘What caused my cancer?’ In many cases, we don’t know the answer,” said Alpa V. Patel, Ph.D., principal investigator of CPS-3. “CPS-3 will help us better understand what factors cause cancer, and once we know that, we can be better equipped to prevent cancer.”

Dr. Patel added, “Our previous cancer prevention studies have been instrumental in helping us identify some of the major factors that can affect cancer risk. CPS-3 holds the best hope of identifying new and emerging cancer risks, and we can only do this if members of the community are willing to become involved.”

Researchers will use the data from CPS-3 to build on evidence from a series of American Cancer Society studies that began in the 1950s that collectively have involved millions of volunteer participants. The Hammond-Horn Study and previous Cancer Prevention Studies (CPS-I, and CPS-II) have played a major role in understanding cancer prevention and risk, and have contributed significantly to the scientific basis and development of public health guidelines and recommendations. Those studies confirmed the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer, demonstrated the link between larger waist size and increased death rates from cancer and other causes, and showed the considerable impact of air pollution on heart and lung conditions. The current study, CPS-II, began in 1982 and is still ongoing. But changes in lifestyle and in the understanding of cancer in the more than two decades since its launch make it important to begin a new study.

The voluntary, long-term commitment by participants is what will produce benefits for decades to come.

“Taking an hour or so every few years to fill out a survey – and potentially save someone from being diagnosed with cancer in the future – is a commitment that thousands of volunteer participants have already made. We’re looking for more like-minded individuals in the Roanoke community to join this effort that we know will save lives and improve the outlook for future generations,” said Dr. Patel.

For more information on enrolling in CPS-3, contact Pennie Faircloth at 757-493-7949 or pennie.faircloth@cancer.org. For more information about CPS-3, visit www.cancer.org/cps3.

About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end cancer for good. As a global grassroots force of three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping you stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early, helping you get well by being there for you during and after a diagnosis, by finding cures through groundbreaking discovery and fighting back through public policy. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.8 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, an estimated 13.7 million people in America who 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 anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org. For cancer news in your community, visit sacancernews.org.

# # #

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – April 10, 2013

The local cancer survivors who walked the runway were: Christine Appleton-Scott, Lake Wylie, S.C.; Catterina Calderon, Charlotte, N.C.; Torie Costa, Huntersville, N.C.; Daniel Dyszelski III, York, S.C.; Susan Falco, Matthews, N.C.; Marnie Howiler, Davidson, N.C.; Harry Jones, Charlotte, N.C.; Mari Merrill, Charlotte, N.C.; Jeffrey Palmer, Rock Hill, S.C.; Thomas Pope, Charlotte, N.C.; Moira Quinn, Matthews, N.C.; Alethea Ramey, Charlotte, N.C.; James Rhodes, Charlotte, N.C.; Tammy Ross, Shelby, N.C.; Lisa McIntire Shaw, Charlotte, N.C.; Vinita Shaw-Simmons, Charlotte, N.C.; and Krista Willson, Charlotte, N.C.

“Because anyone can develop cancer, there is not one face of the disease,” said Amy Vance, chief operating officer, Presbyterian Hospital, and honorary event chair. “Presbyterian is proud to sponsor such a wonderful night celebrating individuals of all ages, shapes and sizes who have battled cancer in the past or are currently battling it.”

Cure by Design Charlotte is presented by Presbyterian Cancer Center with additional sponsorship provided by Adams Outdoor Advertising, Belk, Carocon, CBS Radio, Carroll Financial, Celgene, Charlotte Magazine, Charlotte Mechanical, Classic Auctions, Ed Frazier Photography, JMT Photography, Macy’s, Mecklenburg County Health Department, Monroe Crossing, Piedmont Natural Gas, Southeast Radiation Oncology Group, Spot on Graphix, Target Marketing, Value Village Thrift Store and WSOC-TV/TV 64.

Designers, retailers and vendors supporting the event include: Brooks Brothers, Classic Auctions, Coplon’s, Elle VJ, Alex Garfield, Four Friends Brewing, Lilly Pulitzer, Lotus, Effie Loukas, Luis Machicao Couture, Mack and Mack, The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, Monkee’s of Lake Norman, Ms. Blush, NoDa Brewing Company, Peace of Cloth, Petal, Salon Tribeca, Scarlett, Shoe Zoo, Silver Fly, Split Second Sound & DJ Services, and Tommy Bahama.

For further information, please visit curebydesigncharlotte.org or call 704-553-5350.

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end cancer for good. As a global grassroots force of three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping you stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early, helping you get well by being there for you during and after a diagnosis, by finding cures through groundbreaking discovery and fighting back through public policy. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.8 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, an estimated 13.7 million people in America who 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 anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

# # #

Allgood Pest Solutions recently presented a check for $10,000 to the American Cancer Society for sponsorship of Relay For Life events. Pictured are (left to right) Lanny Allgood, CEO of Allgood; Glenda Davis, the Society’s Market Development Director; and Bill Ballard, Allgood Technical Director.

DUBLIN, GA (April 8, 2013) – Allgood Pest Solutions has launched its Crush Cancer campaign in support of Relay For Life, using a “Pestimonial Booth’ as a vehicle for telling cancer survivors’ stories and raising funds for Relay.  The booth will be a vehicle of victory and hope for cancer survivors and those currently fighting the battle. 

The Crush Cancer initiative began with the idea of sharing stories of cancer survivors to encourage and empower those currently battling cancer.

“Our Pestimonial Booth is unique and engaging, and we’re putting it to good use to give back to the community,” said Allgood Chief Executive Officer Lanny Allgood.

The Crush Cancer booth records stories that will be shared on the initiative’s website www.allgoodcrushescancer.com.

“Our goal with these videos is to spread the message of hope, optimism and encouragement to those battling cancer,” said Bill Ballard, Allgood Technical Director, who spearheaded the Crush Cancer initiative.

Allgood Pest Solutions will introduce the Crush Cancer booth at the Relay for Life event in Milledgeville. on April 12. Other events for the Crush Cancer booth include  April 26 in Douglas; May 3 in Savannah; May 10 in Augusta; and May 17 in Dublin.

Allgood Pest Solutions will donate up to $1,000 per event in addition to a $10,000 donation to kick off the event series. 

Allgood Services, Inc., Dublin, Georgia, operates as Allgood Pest Solutions in Georgia and South Carolina. Allgood Pest Solutions has been putting customers first since 1974 and has grown to be one of the Southeast’s leaders in pest control services. For more information about Allgood Pest Solutions, contact Greg Vines at gvines@allgoodpests.com or visit allgoodpestsolutions.com.

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 more than $3.6 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 14 million people in America who 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.

President Barack Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation declaring April Cancer Control Month, stating, “For more than a decade, Americans have watched the overall cancer death rate drop lower and lower with each passing year. As a Nation, we have measured that progress not just in the lives we have saved, but also in the moments we have shared — patients lifted up by the promise of remission, parents blessed with the chance to watch their children grow up, young people confident that a diagnosis cannot put a limit on their dreams. But even with the gains we have made, we know there is more work to do when more than half a million Americans lose their lives to cancer every year. This month, we rededicate ourselves to securing better outcomes, reducing new cases, and advancing cancer research.”

From April through June, thousands of walkers in Maryland will dedicate themselves to fighting cancer by going around the clock with the American Cancer Society at more than 30 Relay For Life events. Relay participants camp overnight at a local school, park, or fairground, and take turns walking or running a track or path. Because cancer never sleeps, Relay events go overnight, lasting up to 24 hours. Relays feature a touching Luminaria Ceremony after sundown, honoring the community’s cancer survivors and remembering those lost to the disease. Participants circle a track surrounded by glowing luminaria bearing the names of loved ones who have battled cancer. Luminaria may be purchased by anyone in the community. Relay for Life events “Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back.” See www.RelayForLife.org or call 1-800-ACS-2345.

April Relay For Life Schedule Baltimore Area:
Friday, April 6, 6 p.m. Towson University Burdick Gym, Towson
Friday, April 19, 7 p.m. Stevenson University, Mustang Stadium, Owing Mills
Friday, April 19, 7 p.m. Johns Hopkins University, Keyser Quadrangle, 3400 N. Charles St., Balt.
Friday, April 26, 7 p.m. McDaniel College, Kenneth R. Gill Stadium, 2 College Hill, Westminster
Friday, April 26, 6 p.m. UMBC, Commons Quad 1000 Hilltop Circle, Balt.

Relay For Life raises important funds to support the Society’s effort to bring an end to cancer. The Society is celebrating its 100th birthday this year and renewing its commitment to finish the fight in this century.