There are 479 people in the Capital District who are helping to fight cancer by raising more than $92,000 for Relay For Life. But this year, there’s another way even more people can join the fight, and it won’t cost a penny.
Men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 who have never been diagnosed with cancer can enroll in the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Study-3 at the 17th Relay For Life on Friday, June 8, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Christian Brothers Academy in Colonie.
The organization hoped to recruit between 300,000 and 500,000 individuals from across the country when enrollment opened in 2007. So far, more than 160,000 Americans have signed on. Researchers will use the information gathered to better understand lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer.
“We’re adding more every day … but we still need a bunch more. We’re getting toward the end of the enrollment window,” said Loretta Hackney, director of special events at the American Cancer Society.
Enrollment ends in December 2013. From then on, participants will be sent surveys sporadically for 20 or 30 years.
Hackney enrolled in 2009.
“Personally, I found it to be one of the most empowering ways to give back because I’m providing my personal information to a study that hopefully is going to yield significant results in what causes or prevents cancer and that could save lives,” said Hackney.
Enrollment takes about 30 minutes and Hackney said follow-up studies take about an hour or less to complete.
This is the society’s third cancer study. The first began in the 1950s and exposed the link between tobacco and cancer, leading to surgeon general warnings on cigarette packaging and anti-smoking campaigns. The second study started in 1982 and is still ongoing. It has yielded results about obesity and cancer risk.
Hackney said the third study will expand on the link between overall lifestyle and cancer.
“(Researchers) are continuing to look at environmental factors, what people are eating, lifestyle, are they active. … When they see a trend they dive deeper,” said Hackney.
The American Cancer Society shares the data and results with partners around the world to explore cures and treatments.
“It’s a great example of how money we raise at Relay For Life is being used to help find a cure. Money we raise is funding this study,” said Hackney.
Joann Gaudio of Colonie is involved with the fundraising side of the cancer fight. She’s heading up a Relay For Life team for the second year and has far surpassed her goal of $3,000, raising more than $5,000 at last tally.
“I also got the community involved. There were tons of local businesses that supported us and we did two fundraisers,” said Gaudio. “Everybody has been extremely considerate and generous and really helped us out.”
Relay For Life challenges teams to raise money and then walk or run around a track for 24 hours. The entire relay team doesn’t have to walk all night, but someone from the team has to be circling the track at all times.
Gaudio started a team last year in honor of her mother.
“My mom got diagnosed with a very rare cancer. … She’s alive and well now and she’s in remission, but we wanted to form a team to give back to the American Cancer Society,” said Gaudio.
Her mother, who was able to complete the survivors lap at last year’s event, could receive treatment only in New York City. That’s where the family’s relationship with the American Cancer Society really started.
“There’s a place called Hope Lodge in New York City sponsored by the American Cancer Society and they let people stay there in between treatment,” said Gaudio. “They were very good to us and we want to pay it forward.”
The overnight event is powerful, said Gaudio, and was a unifying experience that went far beyond family bonding.
“It’s an amazing experience. You kind of feel everything; you’re happy, you’re sad, you’re hopeful,” said Gaudio.
Relay For Life starts at 6 p.m. Friday, June 8, and lasts until Saturday, June 9, at 6 a.m. at CBA at 12 Airline Drive. Enrollment for Cancer Prevention Study-3 requires participants to sign a consent form; complete a survey packet; have their waist measured; and give a small blood sample. For more information about the study, visit cancer.org/cps3 or email [email protected]. Visit relayforlife.org for more information about the event.