Relay for Life makes a difference

Thousands of Minnesotans benefit from the money that is raised at Relay For Life. Here are a few examples of how the American Cancer Society is making a difference across the state and in International Falls.

If you know a woman who has had a mammogram, you know someone who has benefitted from American Cancer Society-funded research. Our research has helped establish the link between cancer and smoking, demonstrated the effectiveness of the Pap test, developed cancer-fighting drugs, dramatically increased the cure rate for childhood leukemia and proven mammography to be the best tool to find breast cancer early. No single nongovernmental, not-for-profit organization in the United States has invested more to find the causes and cures of cancer.

In 2011, the American Cancer Society provided more than 8,400 Minnesotans with cancer information, programs and services to help them make informed decisions and improve their quality of life.

Many cancer patients must travel to seek lifesaving treatment. In 2011, The Sandra J. Schulze American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Rochester and The Richard M. Schulze Family American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in the Twin Cities provided nearly 2,000 cancer patients and their caregivers a no-cost, home-away-from-home during treatment — saving them more than $3.7 million in lodging costs.

Lack of transportation makes it harder for cancer patients to access treatment and get well. In 2011, thanks to American Cancer Society transportation services and our Road to Recovery volunteers, cancer patients in Minnesota received over 2,500 rides to and from treatment.

Talking to someone who has experienced breast cancer can be reassuring when you are starting your own breast cancer journey. In 2011, American Cancer Society Reach to Recovery volunteers provided inspiration, understanding, comfort, information and resources to more than 110 people across Minnesota fighting breast cancer.

Cancer treatment can have side effects, including changing how someone looks. For more than 20 years, American Cancer Society Look Good…Feel Better volunteers have helped cancer patients learn techniques to enhance their appearance and, as a result, their self-image. In 2011, more than 900 Minnesotans participated in this program.

Last year over 1 million calls were made to our toll-free number, 1-800-ACS-2345, available 24/7, for information, help, or maybe just someone to talk to.  In 2011, more than 390,000 people in Minnesota visited our website (www.cancer.org) to learn more.

The American Cancer Society began its work in 1913, when cancer was a certain death sentence. Thanks to American Cancer Society volunteers the five-year survival rate for all cancers is now 68 percent. Since the 1990s, that’s 350 more lives saved each and every day!  We could not do the work we do without the committed and passionate volunteers we have in Koochiching County.

Please join us for Relay For Life on Aug. 11, from noon-10 p.m. at Smokey Bear Park.  For more information please contact me at 218-444-4916 or denae.alamano@cancer.org.  

Alamano, formerly of International Falls, provides community relations for the MidWest Division of the| American Cancer Society Inc.