Relay For Life

RELAY FOR LIFE

Page 22 April-July 2011 The Southern Illinoisan

The Southern Illinoisan (USPS 258-980) ispublished daily for $178 per year at 710 N. IllinoisAve., Carbondale, IL 62901. The Southern Illinoisanis owned by Lee Enterprises, Inc. of Davenport, Iowa.

•• BBoobb WWiilllliiaammss,, [email protected]

special.thesouthern.com

•• TToo ssuubbssccrriibbee:: Call 618-351-5000 from Carbondale, Murphysboro and De Sotoor 800-228-0429, option 2, between 6 a.m.and 5 p.m. weekdays, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.Saturday and Sunday.

•• TToo ppllaaccee aa ddiissppllaayy aadd:: Call 8 a.m.to 5 p.m. weekdays, 618-529-5454, option 6;or toll free: 800-228-0429, option 6.

•• MMaatteerriiaallss pprroovviiddeedd bbyy::The American Cancer Society

Relay For Life: Less cancer, more birthdays

I’m writing this lettertoday to inform all of thepeople in SouthernIllinois just exactly howthe American CancerSociety’s Relay For Lifebenefits our region.

The society forecaststhat about 63,890Illinoisans — or about 175people on any given day —will be diagnosed withcancer in 2011.

Conversely, because ofthe progress being madein cancer awareness andtreatment, more peoplethan ever before arebeating cancer. Today thefive-year survival rate inIllinois is 68 percent, upfrom 62 percent in 2004.

Through facilitypartnerships with morethan 50 Illinois hospitals,

as well as the society’stelephone call center withreadily available cancercare specialists, peoplefighting cancer can getunparalleled access toinformation and servicesthat complement whattheir doctors andhospitals provide.

The services includetransportation solutions,explanation of insurancequestions or concerns,resource matching andreferrals, Look Good …Feel Better sessions andcosmetic help such as afree wig or headwear forpatients who have losttheir hair because ofchemotherapy. Thesociety also offers cancerinformation and access tosupport groups via its call

center, accessible anytimeat 800-ACS-2345.

Last year, approximately1,400 new patients andcaregivers in SouthernIllinois benefited fromthese services.

This year, the societyhopes to assistapproximately 1,500 newpatients in the southern22 counties of Illinois,because less cancer meansmore birthdays.

Now, more than ever,cancer patients and theirfamilies need our help.You can be a part of yourcommunity’s fight againstcancer by joining aplanning committee orhelping 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 CancerSociety depends onvolunteers to make aworld with less cancer. Ifyou are interested inbecoming a volunteer inany capacity pleasecontact us. There aremany different ways toget involved.

Cancer resourcevolunteers are needed to

help guide patients andfamilies through thechallenges of cancer atlocal treatment centers.Flexible schedules let youwork as few as four hoursa month, and we providetraining. To learn more,contact [email protected].

Road to Recoveryvolunteers provide

transportation to andfrom their cancertreatments. [email protected]

To learn how to get involved with Relay For Life, call 618-998-9898, option 3or email [email protected].

It’s never too late to getinvolved with Relay!

PROVIDED BY ACSSurvivors take a lap during the 2010 Relay For Life Marion County in Salem.

RELAY FOR LIFE

The Southern Illinoisan April-July 2011 Page 33

What it means: Relay iconsends a powerful message

A half-moon, ahalf-sun and a starcomprise the designof the AmericanCancer Society’sRelay For Life logo,and these elementscombine to create acompellingmessage.

These icons aremeant to create theimagery of both day and night, as the battle againstcancer is an unending one. As such, the participants inthe various Relay For Life events in Southern Illinoisand elsewhere will stay awake through the night.

“Cancer doesn’t sleep and through our Relay For Lifeevents, we don’t sleep,” said Fran Miley, an IncomeDevelopment Manager for the ACS. “Cancer doesn’ttake a break after business hours; cancer doesn’t stopfor the weekends.”

While some people may find themselves exhausted ortired after a Relay, it’s important to keep things inperspective.

“It’s nothing compared to what a cancer patient goesthrough every day,” Miley said.

— Adam Testa

American Cancer Society: ‘Attacking cancer on all fronts’

The key to victory inany war is a strong,strategic battle plan.

The American CancerSociety has worked foryears developing its planof attack against thedisease. Now, theorganization haslaunched a full-onapproach to the battle.

“What we hope to do isattack cancer on all thosefronts,” said Fran Miley,an Income DevelopmentManager for ACS, inregard to theorganization’s efforts inresearch, education,advocacy and patientservice. “Through all ofthose things, we’re

fighting back againstcancer and surroundingit to attack from allsides.”

Research offers a long-term strategy, as doctorsand scientists continue tomake headway intodeveloping preventionstrategies, treatmentsand medications. Forthose already diagnosed,the ACS offers a varietyof programs to help themthrough the process inthe form of patientservices.

The Look Good ... FeelBetter program offerswomen a connection toother patients andsurvivors with acosmetologist and helpwith finding wigs.Drivers with the Road toRecovery will help

transport patients toappointments, and theHope Lodge in St. Louisoffers patients and theirfamily a place to staywhile undergoingtreatment in the city.

Education helps bringcancer awareness to theforefront for the generalpublic, while advocacykeeps the issues offunding and support alivein Washington and statecapitals like Springfield,where governmentdollars are beingallocated to cancerresearch andadvancements.

All of the programs aredesigned to provide anetwork of support tocancer patients and tohelp them through one ofthe hardest times of their

lives. In this war, the ACSis armed with thousandsof volunteers, many ofthem cancer survivors,who are willing to help.

“It’s a chance forpeople who are goingthrough cancer to talk toother people about theirjourneys,” said BrendaNehring, lead Relay ForLife volunteer inSouthern Illinois.

“There are all kinds ofprograms where you canreach out to somebodyfor help on your journey.”

For Clora May Baker,it’s amazing to see thearray of services andprograms offered today.When she was diagnosedwith inflammatory breastcancer in the spring of2001, she couldn’t even

find a local supportgroup. Understandingand perceptions of cancerhave changed drasticallyin the passing time.

Medicine hasimproved, and peoplehave become more openand accepting of theirbattles with the disease,recognizing that withenough fight, it can infact be defeated.

“Some people still sawit as an immediate deathsentence, but throughmedicine and education,it’s become less a matterof death and more how to live with it,” Bakersaid. “Part of it is tellingpeople you have to facethis head on — don’t beafraid to ask questions.Some people don’t wantto talk about it; you

know, if you don’t talkabout it, it doesn’t exist. But you can’t shut me up.”

And on top ofeverything else,volunteering with theACS can help improve thespirits of survivors andtheir families alike. ForNehring, who lost hergrandson to cancer at age8, it’s been an emotionalbenefit.

“I can honestly say I’m still angry that an 8-year-old lost his battlewith cancer,” she said.“This was a way for me toturn a lot of that angerinto somethingproductive andbeneficial.”

[email protected]

BY ADAM TESTATHE SOUTHERN


High Schools Against Cancer: Youngsters lead the way

Lucas Johnson made apromise to his cousinCaleb, and it’s one heintends on keeping.

Doctors diagnosedCaleb Nehring withcancer at age 7. Less thantwo years later, he lost thebattle. But his familyrefuses to give up.

“He more or less toldme to carry on his legacyby fighting and raisingmoney,” said Johnson, ajunior at MurphysboroHigh School. “That’swhat I’ve been trying todo.”

Johnson doeseverything he can to help.He collects soda cans andtabs for the RonaldMcDonald House and hehelped launch the HighSchools Against Cancerprogram at his school. Heserves as the Relay ForLife chairman for thegroup.

Founded in January asan American CancerSociety pilot program in

Southern Illinois, theMurphysboroorganization has a core ofabout 10 students whohave already made animpact in the fight againstcancer.

Lori Elwell, a familyconsumer sciencesteacher and the group’sadvisor, said the schoolcommunity has alreadylatched onto the idea andshown its support as well.A “Pink Out” at aFebruary basketball gamepropelled the studentspast their initialfundraising goal.

“Our first goal was

$1,000. They blew thatout of the water by raising$2,600,” she said. “It’svery inspiring to see themwant to help. Our schoolhas really stepped up andmade a difference. The‘Pink Out’ proved it.”

But there’s more toHigh Schools AgainstCancer than justfundraising. Members ofthe group will alsoparticipate in a June 10Relay For Life event, andthey have done otherprojects around school toraise awareness. Earlierthis semester, they postedpink and blue sticky noteson lockers to symbolizethe percentages of menand women who will bediagnosed with cancer intheir lives.

Both Johnson and Elwelllook forward to thefuture, when they hope toraise more money andorganize additionaleducational events. Theyalso hope they’ll be ableto share what they’velearned with otherschools.

One other SouthernIllinois school, Zeigler-Royalton High School, hassigned on. The school alsostarted its program inJanuary, spinning out ofthe successful “Coachesvs. Cancer” program.

The group has only runa few fundraisers so far,but advisor DonellynDean said they’re learningto play a role in a largerpicture.

“We haven’t been ableto do much yet, but everylittle bit helps,” she said.

And there’s more toparticipating in HighSchools Against Cancerthan helping fundraise.It’s an opportunity forstudents to come face-to-face with the disease andto join to fight.

“You don’t want themto go down the wrongpath,” Dean said. “Cancerunfortunately affectseveryone at some point intheir life. (The program) isa win-win situation.”

[email protected]

ADAM TESTA / THE SOUTHERNLucas Johnson, a junior at Murphysboro High School, is veryactive with the High Schools Against Cancer program. Fueledby a request from his cousin, Caleb, who lost his battle at age8, Lucas helps fight the disease any way he can.

PROVIDED BY ACS Children participate in a 2010 Mini-Relay For Life at UnityPoint School in Carbondale.


ADAM TESTA / THE SOUTHERNLori Elwell is a teacher atMurphysboro High Schooland the group’s sponsor.

PROVIDED BY COLE TAYLORThe 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 threelockers, representing the women who will be afflicted with the disease.

BY ADAM TESTATHE SOUTHERN

RELAY FOR LIFE


Relay For Life of Southern Illinois is setto take place at 20 locations throughoutour region. More than 17,000participants and volunteers make theseevents possible.

To get involved, call Fran Miley at 618-998-9898, option 3. Here are theupcoming 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 FieldUnion County: June 10, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.,

Anna City Park/FairgroundsWilliamson County: June 10, 6 p.m. to

6 a.m., Herrin High School Football FieldSaline/Gallatin Counties: June 17, 6 p.m. to

6 a.m., Eldorado High School Sports ComplexWilliamson 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., PerryCounty 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

First Name: __________________________ Last Name: __________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip: ______________________________________________________________

Phone: ______________________________________________________________________

E-Mail: ______________________________________________________________________

� Please contact me about free cancer patient/family services and programs availablethrough 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 � FemaleT-Shirt Size: � YS �YM � YL � S � M � L � XL � XXL � XXXL

Are you a cancer Survivor? YES NO Are you/have you ever been a cancer Caregiver? YES 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 Society4503 W. DeYoung, Suite 200C

Marion, IL 62959Fax 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.

RELAY FOR LIFE

Survivor and/or Caregiver Registration

Relay For Life in Southern Illinois, is just around the corner! Relay is a community eventthat raises funds to support the vital research, education, advocacy and patient services ofthe American Cancer Society. The event is held overnight at various locations around ourregion.

To register online, go to wwwwww..tthheessoouutthheerrnn..ccoomm//hheeaalltthh

DR. RAYMOND SIMITH & DR. M. AMJAD ALIONCOLOGIST

(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

101 N. Walnut St. • Pinckneyville, IL 62274357-5971 • www.pvillehosp.org

Pinckneyville Community Hospital

Relay schedules


RELAY FOR LIFE

Murphysboro HighSchool junior LucasJohnson remembers sittingat a Relay For Life eventwith his cousin, Caleb, twochildren taking in theevent like few their ageever could.

Caleb had beendiagnosed with cancer, adisease that wouldultimately claim his life atage 8. But this night, thecousins sat together as event leaders read a list of namesas part of the luminaria ceremony.

“I can remember sitting next to Caleb and lookingover at him, and he just smiled back,” Johnson said. “Noone should have to go through that fight.”

Now, Caleb’s name is one of those written on theluminaria bags during Relay For Life ceremonies. Thesebags are lighted around the track at these events as amemory of those who have been lost to cancer andthose who survived their fights.

Local Relay events sell these luminaria as a fundraiser,with money supporting cancer research, education,advocacy and patient services.

— Adam Testa

Relay For Life in Southern Illinois, is justaround the corner! Relay is a communityevent that raises funds to support the vitalresearch, education, advocacy and patientservices of the American Cancer Society.The event is held overnight at variouslocations around our region. Luminaria (litcandles in white paper bags) will line thewalking track and are lit in honor of cancersurvivors and those who have lost their livesto cancer. The Luminaria Ceremony beginsat around dusk, and the community isinvited to attend.

If you would like to pay tribute to a lovedone and join the fight against cancer, pleasecomplete this form. For more informationabout luminaria or specific events, contactyour 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.

� Carbondale� Centralia� Edwards� Franklin � Hamilton

� Hardin/Pope� Herrin� Jefferson� Marion� Massac

� Murphysboro� Perry� Randolph� Salem� Saline/Gallatin

� Union� Wabash� Washington� Wayne� White

Luminaria can only be displayed at only one event. Please check your location request:

ART SERVICESThe luminaria at Relay ForLife events are simple, butthe meaning and memoriesbehind the lighted memorialsis significant.

Reach to Recovery andSupport for Recovery:When people first find outthat they have — or mighthave — cancer, they mayfeel overwhelmed,vulnerable and alone. OurReach and Supportprograms match newreferrals with trainedsurvivors based on similardiagnoses, treatments andother various factors suchas age, life status andcultural background.Talking to a speciallytrained Reach or Supportvolunteer who is a cancersurvivor offers a measureof comfort and some helpin making informeddecisions. Support forRecovery can also matchsurviving caregivers withother caregivers to offerencouragement andassistance during a verydifficult time.

Look Good … Feel Better:Cancer can rob a womanof her energy, appetite andstrength. But it doesn’thave to take away her self-confidence. Look Good …Feel Better is a freeprogram that teachesbeauty techniques towomen cancer patients inactive treatment to helpthem combat theappearance-related sideeffects of cancertreatment. Volunteercosmetologists lead thesessions, which includetips on skin care, make-upapplication and wigchoice, wig care and wigstyling. All participantsreceive a skin-care andmake-up kit that is theirsto keep free of charge.

Wig Closet: Currentlyhoused at the localAmerican Cancer Societyoffice in Marion, the Wig

Closet offers free wigs tocancer patients. There arealso branches of the WigCloset in Fairfield at TheMedicine Shoppe — HomeMedical Equipment;contact Lucy Potts at 618-842-2531. In MountVernon, it’s the Center forComprehensive CancerCare from 1 to 3 p.m.Wednesdays; contactPenni at 618-998-9898,ext. 3. And in Metropolis,contact The Split End at618-524-4749.

Transportation Solutions: Lack oftransportation leavescancer patients with fewoptions for completingtheir treatment schedules.The American CancerSociety offers severaloptions for patients whoare faced with thisdiscouraging situation.Road to Recovery is a free

service offered by theAmerican Cancer Societyin which volunteer driversprovide cancer patientstransportation to and fromcancer treatment andtreatment relatedappointments. WhenMedicaid Transportationis an option, ACS willcomplete the paperworkand work with thetransportation companiesand doctors offices toschedule rides for thepatient so they don’t haveto worry about the hassle.

When neither of theseoptions are suitable, ACScan offer several optionsfor transportation grantswhich may be available toqualified applicants tohelp patients and familiesoff set the burden of highfuel prices.

Personal HealthManagers: The PersonalHealth Manager is avaluable tool kit for peoplewith cancer. The kit canhelp you learn about yourtype of cancer, treatmentand side effects, organizeyour cancer information,keep track of test results,doctors appointments,and medications andorganize your medical bills

and insuranceinformation.

Case Management: At thelocal office in Marion, thesocial service staff canhelp patients through avariety of situations.Through the casemanagement process, theycan offer information onvirtually any kind ofcancer and/or treatment,they can help findfinancial resources whenthey are available, help apatient navigate throughthe Medicaid or SocialSecurity Disabilityapplication and appealprocess when necessary,and help with otherquestions when they arise.

Luminaria: A moving tribute

PROVIDED BY ACS Participants walk in RelayFor Life Jefferson County.

DETAILSFor cancer information or support services, or if you have

questions, call 618-998-9898, ext. 3 or 800-642-7792, ext. 3.

Relay fundraising also makes Patient Services possible


Documents

Relay For Life