American Cancer Society celebrates 100 years

by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - A very happy birthday goes out to the American Cancer Society as it celebrates 100 years. the local chapter has big plans for this tremendous milestone. 100 years ago, cancer was not a word many said out loud.

"We've come such a long way in helping to raise awareness about what cancer is but also and more importantly, helping to identify research that's helping to contribute to increase survival rates and making cancer something a little more understood in the community but also helping to make sure patients feel better supported as well," explained American Cancer Society's community manager for health initiatives Marisha Artero. She says it's the research that's helped reach this milestone adding ASC has been a part of every cancer research breakthrough in recent history. ?

"It's 100 years of progress but it's also an effort for us to look ahead at the next 100 years and really commit as an organization and make a commitment to our organization more importantly to finish the fight that we started," she said. That fight started in 1913 with just 15 physicians and businessmen wanting to address a disease that had very little attention. Artero said, "Here at home, the Guam field office has been operating since 1969 not only helping find cures but help people stay well, get well and fight back. Every year approximately Guam residents are diagnosed with cancer in which last year, the Guam office has provided service to cancer patients islandwide."

So what can we expect in the next 100 years? Artero says of course they hope to find a cure for cancer. "And we're really here in this next century to put ourselves out of business and that's what I look forward to when we can say we no longer need the American cancer society to provide these support services and will be a really shining moment for us," she said.

The Guam office will celebrate the ASC's 100th birthday year-round and is currently focusing its efforts to gear up for this Friday's Relay for Life honoring the superheroes of cancer survivors along with community members supporting the cause. The ASC isn't the only one celebrating a birthday - nearly 14 million people in the us who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating a birthday this year as well.?

Source: http://www.kuam.com/story/22381043/2013/05/22/american-cancer-society-celebrates-100-years

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