The Global Fight Against Cancer

Peru Minister of Health Appoints Dr. Elmer Huerta to Cancer Advisory Committee

Dr. Elmer Huerta, Dr. Carlos Vallejos, Minister of Health in Peru, Alessandra Durstine, ACS Director of Global Marketing

On August 21, Dr. Elmer Huerta, first vice president of the American Cancer Society, was appointed as special advisor to Dr. Carlos Vallejos, Peru’s Minister of Health. Accompanied by Alessandra Durstine, ACS Director of Global Marketing, Dr. Huerta participated in a comprehensive cancer control planning forum - a regional initiative launched in Mexico City in May 2006. The forum reviewed the results of a recent analysis of cancer control nongovernmental organizations conducted in the Latin American region. Dr. Huerta also delivered a presentation to members of Peru's Ministry of Health on the importance of prevention in controlling cancer.

New England Volunteer Trains Irish Cancer Society to Launch Relay For Life

 

On August 19-20, International Relay For Life® staff and New England Division volunteer Susan Meyers conducted a training in Ireland in preparation for the Irish Cancer Society’s first Relay For Life, scheduled for October 7-8, 2006. The event will be held in the Dublin Docklands and include a survivor lap, luminaria ceremony, and cancer education activities throughout the night. The Northwall Women’s Centre, a community-based organization in Dublin serving the area's underserved population, has dedicated staff as lead participants to inspire Ireland’s first Relay For Life. Relay For Life co-chairs Geraldine O’Driscoll and Deirdre Flanagan, along with 15 members of the organizing committee from North and South Dublin, participated in the training that emphasized cancer education and mission delivery. Of Ireland's four-million-plus inhabitants, 22,000 are expected to develop cancer in 2007.

New York City Mayor Donates $125 Million to Support Global Tobacco Fight

On Tuesday, August 15, 2006, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced plans to donate $125 million of his own money to support global efforts to fight tobacco use. The money will be distributed over the next two years to existing organizations to implement anti-smoking measures, including: programs to help smokers quit and to prevent children from initiating tobacco use; smoking bans and higher tobacco taxes; and a system to track global tobacco use and the effectiveness of anti-smoking efforts. John R. Seffrin, PhD, national chief executive officer, was interviewed by major press outlets about the impact this donation could have on reducing tobacco usage, and its toll on public health.

Eastern Division Relay Volunteers Hosted by Cancer Research UK

In late July, as part of a survivor exchange between the Eastern Division and Cancer Research UK (CRUK), four Eastern Division Relay For Life® volunteers attended a Relay in Portsmouth, England, and received news coverage from major broadcast and radio outlets in the United Kingdom. The BBC Breakfast News show interviewed Rockland County volunteer and survivor Alex Baron, along with CRUK volunteer Sarah Claydon-Bone. The Portsmouth Relay was also mentioned on BBC Radio 2, a popular UK radio show hosted by Johnnie Walker, who has publicly aired his own struggle with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. The Daily Telegraph, a major UK newspaper, has also expressed interest in a story about the US/UK Relay For Life survivor exchange. In June, the Rockland County Relay For Life hosted CRUK Relay volunteers and survivors. The exchange was initiated by UK Relay volunteer Neil Weiss in honor of his mother Carole Weiss, a cancer survivor. In 1996, the United Kingdom was the first country outside of the United States to launch a Relay For Life. Events are now held in 24 countries.