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How We Can Help


It seems at least once a week I hear of someone close to me or close to a family member or friend who has been diagnosed with cancer. We wait for biopsies, results from scans and surgery. Besides the sadness and tears and I find a huge sense of frustration. How can I help? How can I help not just my friend who has been diagnosed, but how can I help do something bigger? At one time I regularly donated platelets at Sloan Kettering, but that isn't possible now and I wanted to do something that would help. I'm not a scientist, but I got an email that showed me a way I could join with three hundred thousand other people to help prevent cancer.

Two weeks ago I went to Roosevelt Hospital, just a mile from my home, and became a participant in the American Cancer Society's Cancer Prevention Study-3.  This is a twenty-year study that will include 300,000 people between the ages of 30 and 65, who have not been diagnosed with cancer. Having squamous or basal cell skin cancer does not preclude people from joining the study. The initial visit involved an hour of my time and a donation of blood and I spent another half hour at home filling out a questionnaire about my health. We will receive follow up surveys as the survey progresses, which should take about forty-five minutes to complete. That's it. That's all I have to do to help prevent cancer.

We won't see the results quickly, but I think of it as a gift to the younger people I love. One blood draw and ten or twenty surveys is a very small price to help make our world a healthier place for them. If you go to the link above you will find details about how you can join this study.

This post is for those I love and their loved ones who are in my prayers for healing, and for our dear Tim.  

17 comments

Terra said...

Carol, this is a wonderful and positive thing you are doing, to participate in this study.

Nellie said...

What an amazing thing for you to do to participate in this!

I have had squamous cell removed from my wrist a few years ago, and my husband had the Mohs technique for squamous on his finger. I lost my father to lung cancer over 40 years ago.

Great step for you, Buttercup!

TARYTERRE said...

What a lovely gracious thing for you to do. If one person is helped, there is victory against this monster illness.

Barbara F. said...

You are a kind soul, Carol, and a wonderful project to be a part of. xo

Maggid said...

Doing your part to repair the world.
Excellent.
Thank you,
-g-

Dee @ A Deecoded Life said...

Hats off to you! What a great thing to do!

The Cranky said...

What a wonderful and thoughtful thing to do...wonder if they have something similar around here. Worth investigating.

Theresa said...

Good for you my friend! I have SO many friends right now going thru Chemo and about to begin! SO sad! Thanks for what you are doing! Have a blessed day, HUGS!

Life and Breath and Everything Else said...

This sounds like a great way to help.

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

What a blessing you found a way to help. Cancer is one thing that effects so many. It has hit in my family and I felt helpless. The only way I found to help at the time was prayer. Prayers do help too. Your way is a little more hands on for sure. Giving time and love to those going through it is another way.

Chatty Crone said...

You are such a wonderful gal for doing this. sandie

Pondside said...

I like your attitude! We can feel powerless or we can take action. I hope many others are inspired by your choice.

Mevely317 said...

What a positive, selfless thing to do! I'm going to check out this link tonight.
Hugs,
Myra

Ms Sparrow said...

That sounds like a great way to contribute to finding a cure for that awful disease!

Susie said...

Sorry about the lost of your friend Tim. You did mention him in the previous post..sorry I didn't send condolences. It does seem we all know someone suffering from cancer. Thank you for all you do to help find a cure. xoxo,Susie

Cathyjo said...

I think anything no matter how much or how small is just wonderful.Your so kind to do your part.

Grammy Staffy said...

Good for you. I'm sorry that I am too old to participate too. Good luck to Tim. Hugs, Lura