Committee prepares for 20th annual Relay event, shares good news on U.S. cancer survival rates
The Relay for Life of Greene County, alongside the American Cancer Society, is marking World Cancer Day this Thursday, Feb. 4, with the good news of “20 in 20” and highlighting local ways to celebrate, remember, and fight back.
2016 marks the 20th annual Relay for Life fundraising event in Greene County; the first annual was held in 1997. According to January 2016 statistics from the American Cancer Society, during nearly the same two decade period, the U.S. survival rate for all cancers has improved by 20 percent.
“Any improvement in the U.S. cancer survival rate is one we should celebrate locally,” explained Relay for Life of Greene County committee chairwoman Peg Raney, who works year-round with a volunteer group of more than 40 people.
“While our committee cannot take credit for a national decrease in cancer deaths, we can, without a doubt, say we continue to increase awareness and support for our cancer survivors and caregivers across Greene County,” added Raney.
Despite the good news about survival rates, Raney said the committee is more determined than ever to celebrate survivors, remember those who lost their battle, and fight back against cancer.
“It is estimated an Iowan will be diagnosed with cancer every 30 minutes in 2016. We want our neighbors and friends to know the support, information, and resources they need are available close to home if they need it,” Raney said.
To mark the 20th annual event, the Relay for Life committee reminds the community of the following
- Relay For Life of Greene County’s main event will be Saturday, April 23, from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm at the Greene County Community Center in Jefferson.
- Registration is now open for new and veteran fundraising teams online here.
- Local businesses are welcome to sponsor the event by contacting Deb and Craig Marquardt at csbnet@wccta.net
- Information on the Color Out Cancer 5K Run/Walk will soon be available online
- Follow “Relay For Life of Greene County, Iowa” on Facebook for real-time updates
- Greene County cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers are invited to attend monthly support meetings. Learn more by contacting Sharon Stalder at stalder@netins.net
More about the Improvement in Survival Rates: Annual statistics reporting from the American Cancer Society shows the death rate from cancer in the US has declined steadily over the past 2 decades. The cancer death rate for men and women combined fell 23% from its peak in 1991 to 2012, the most recent year for which data is available, translating to more than 1.7 million deaths averted during this time period. http://cancerstatisticscenter.cancer.org/#/
