Improving The Lives Of Future Generations
Improving The Lives
Of Future Generations
To the Editor:
Last year, an estimated 230 residents in greater Danbury enrolled in the American Cancer Societyâs Cancer Prevention Study 3 (CPS-3) at the 2007 Relay For Life of Newtown.
On Saturday, June 7, greater Danbury residents will again have a unique opportunity to play a direct role in improving the lives of future generations.
The American Cancer Society will be signing up volunteers for CPS-3 at the Relay For Life of Fairfield June 7, from 5 to 9 pm at the special CPS-3 tent at Fairfield Ludlowe High School.
The study will enroll half a million people across the nation and will help researchers better understand the lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer.
Participants 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. They will be asked to complete a brief written survey, provide a waist measurement, and give a small blood sample at the enrollment site. After that, follow-up surveys will be sent to participantsâ homes on a regular basis over the next few decades to update health behavior information.
Researchers will use the data from CPS-3 to build on evidence from a series of American Cancer Society studies that began in the 1950s and involved hundreds of thousands of volunteer participants.
While science can do a lot to explain the biology and genetics of cancer, some of the most valuable information is a result of the contributions of dedicated individuals over several generations. The society is once again looking to the dedication, compassion, and generosity of Americans to come through and help provide answers that will save lives for years to come.
Last yearâs enrollment was a generous outpouring of support and I hope that those who missed their opportunity to make a difference in the fight against cancer will be able to enroll this year.
For more information or to learn how to become involved with CPS-3, visit www.cancer.org/cps3, e-mail cps3@cancer org, or call toll-free 888-604-5888.
Mary Marinaccio
18 Greenleaf Farms Road, Newtown                            May 16, 2008