The American Cancer Society was founded in 1913 by 10 doctors and five laypeople in New York City. At that time, a cancer diagnosis meant near-certain death. Rarely mentioned in public, this disease was steeped in fear and denial. Doctors sometimes did not tell their patients they had cancer, and patients often did not tell their friends and families that they had been diagnosed with it. The Society’s founders knew they had to raise public awareness about cancer if progress was to be made against this disease.
Today, your local American Cancer Society is alive and well in Rutherford County. Currently, it is the largest nonprofit organization that funds cancer research. The pandemic has taken its toll on this organization with more than 2,500 layoffs nationwide with countless programs on hold, fundraising events going virtually and Hope Lodges closing their doors temporarily. They know that cancer hasn't stopped because we are in a global pandemic and cancer screenings and diagnosis are surely delayed due to restrictions. They know that cancer rates will grow due to these contributing factors.
"Your local American Cancer Society is looking to grow in this community and I can't do that without the help from the community. We offer so many programs and resources for caregivers, cancer patients and survivors. Cancer doesn't stop and neither will we! I see this as a personal mission currently," says, Dawn Rhodes the Community Development Manager. "I've seen too many families affected by cancer. My father passed when I was 8 years old from back cancer and with the research and treatments that we have currently for that specific cancer it would've been treatable and possibly would've saved his life. I take this job very personal."
The American Cancer Society needs your help to save lives and to celebrate more birthdays! You can help. The American Cancer Society needs your help to help fund cancer research and provide services. They have many ways for your company, families and churches to get involved there are two campaigns currently running in the month of October and it's not too late to join.
- Real Men Wear Pink - runs October 1st 2020 - November 1st 2020
- Fundraise with the goal of each candidate rising a minimum of $2,500 or more
- Commit to wearing something pink throughout the month of October in promotion of their efforts (various pink items will be provided: tie, lapel pin, etc.)
- Raise awareness about cancer through networks and social media platforms
- Relay For Life - Virtual event October 26th-30th nightly at 7pm 2020
- Fundraise with the goal of each Team setting their our fund development goal
- Commit to participating in our local Relay For Life Event
- Raise awareness about cancer through networks and social media platforms
- Event Leadership Team (on going)
- Commit in helping with the planning and community engagement of all events
- Be a ambassador in the community committed to fighting cancer
- Raise awareness about cancer through networks and social media platforms
October is breast cancer awareness month. Get those appointments in that you have been putting off.
To learn more contact: Dawn Rhodes dawn.rhodes@cancer.org or call 615-879-9206