South Texas College students promote cancer prevention with American Cancer Society
South Texas College students are doing their part to tackle cancer by working with the American Cancer Society. Members of the college’s Mid-Valley Biology Club and STC instructor Dr. Debbie Villalon are leading the charge to get the college’s students and staff population, as well as the entire Rio Grande Valley community involved.
“The American Cancer Society is kicking off its Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3) at the Relay For Life™ of the Mid-Valley on Apr. 11, 2008 and STC students and staff will play a big role,” said Dr. Villalon. “We are currently helping to recruit staff, students and the community to participate in the study and sign up for the relay. We have all been directly or indirectly impacted by cancer and we want to encourage everyone to participate.”
CPS-3 will be taking registrations for participation at the Relay For Life™ event held from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Weslaco East High School on Apr. 11, 2-008. It will be one of 119 enrollment sites across the nation to recruit millions of diverse participants for the study.
“In addition to recruiting participants, our Mid-Valley Campus Biology Club members are forming a relay team for the event,” added Dr. Villalon. “Our STC students will be promoting cancer prevention awareness by passing out awards to participants who successfully complete scavenger hunts and quizzes related to cancer research, education, advocacy and service. This is a great group and their enthusiasm for the project is very inspiring.”
In order to participate in the study, volunteers must be between the ages of 30 and 65, must never have been diagnosed with cancer and must be willing to make a long-term commitment to the study, which simply means filling out follow-up surveys. Those who qualify and agree to participate will be asked to complete a brief written survey, provide a waist measurement and give a small blood sample at the relay enrollment site, in addition to completing a baseline survey at their home.
Anyone of any age is invited to participate in the free Relay For Life™ activities.
“Cancer prevention, detection and treatment are of the utmost importance to everyone across the Rio Grande Valley, not only because we have all had a loved one impacted by or lost to cancer, but because we live in a medically underserved community, where education in this field has been lacking” said Dr. Shirley A. Reed, STC president.
“Because the resources have not become available to Valley residents until recent years, many of us do not know how to prevent cancer or recognize our own family histories. It is crucial that we all do our part to learn more about cancer trends and thus treatment and prevention by participating in this landmark study. I applaud Dr. Villalon’s and our students’ efforts and leadership with the American Cancer Society, and encourage all Valley residents to participate for the sake of our local and national education to prevent and treat cancer for future generations.”
For more information about the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Study-3 call Villalon at 973-7638 or to pre-register for the study and participation at the event at Weslaco East High School, send an e-mail to cancer-prevention@hotmail.com.
To learn how to become involved with CPS-3, visit www.cancer.org/cps3 or call toll-free 1-888-604-5888.