And now for the post event tally...

Whew!  What a Relay!  The weather was beautiful, the event was fun, and you guys kicked patootie at cleaning the field!  We totally left it better than it was. 

1 - As of today, June 22nd, we have raised $97,380.  We will be collecting donations through 8/31/3012, so you can donate online at http://www.relaybridgewater.org/ or you can send the donations to the American Cancer Society at 5 Manley Street, West Bridgewater, MA  02379 (be sure to put Attn: Bridgewater Relay on the donation/envelope!)

2 - Have you taken our survey?  We want your feedback!  We have 10 quick questions regarding the event.  Your input helps us improve year over year:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/X5TR357.

3 - Send your pictures to us at relaybridgewater@gmail.com so we can post them to Facebook.  And be sure to check the photos already on our page and tag your team and friends!

Don't forget to follow us on Facebook! You can also reach the website at http://www.relaybridgewater.org/ or email us at relaybridgewater@gmail.com.

From the Desk of Marc Hymovitz @ ACS CAN

First - Dr. Gordy Klatt, the founder of Relay For Life, announced he is suffering from stomach cancer.  If nothing else, we owe it to Dr. Klatt to make 2012 the best Relay season ever!

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Last week, I received the May 2012 Massachusetts Government Relations & Advocacy Newsletter from Marc Hymovitz:

Dear Advocate,

Massachusetts Government Relations & Advocacy Newsletter

May 2012

As the calender turns to June, I wanted to provide an update of what has been a very busy spring at the Massachusetts state house.  Several important bills are moving through the legislature with many of them having the potential to have a big impact on our efforts to reduce the incidence, suffering and death from cancer.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

• Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention program (MTCP) - The House adopted an amendment which provides a modest $150,000 increase in funding for MTCP which funds programs to prevent kids from starting smoking and help smokers quit.  The Senate budget would level fund the program at $4.15 million.  The program has been cut by 90% over the past decade but adoption of the House increase would be the first increase for the program in several years.
• Health Promotion/Disease Prevention - Both the House and Senate originally proposed a cut for this line item which funds care coordination programs as well as important cancer education, awareness and screening initiatives for low-income individuals.  After ACS supported amendments were adopted, both budgets now level fund the line items at $3.4 million ensuring continued federal and private matching funds of up to $8 million.
• Expansion of smoking cessation benefits - The Senate adopted an ACS supported amendment filed by Senators Richard Moore and Anthony Petruccelli which would provide a comprehensive, smoking cessation benefit for individuals insured under plans offered by the Group Insurance Commission (state employees and retirees) and Commonwealth Care (subsidized plans through MA health care reform).  The benefit, which is already offered in MassHealth (Medicaid) plans, has shown a huge return on investment there saving the Commonwealth over $14 million and reducing smoking rates by 25% in just the first two years.  Senator Moore has also filed the legislation separately this session which he has been championing through the legislative process.
• Minimum pricing - Attempts to repeal minimum pricing laws on cigarettes were defeated during the House budget debate.  These important laws help keep a pricing floor on cigarettes, ensuring higher prices which is one of the most effective ways to get people to quit smoking and discourage others from starting.
• Health Care Reform funding - Both the House and Senate budgets fully fund the continuation of Massachusetts health care reform.
• Health care disparities - Both the House and Senate include language for the creation of an Office of Health Equity to coordinate the efforts across the Commonwealth to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities.

FISCAL YEAR 2013 STATE BUDGET:
Last month, the House of Representatives passed their version of the FY'13 state budget with the Senate concluding debate on theirs today.  A conference committee made up of three Representatives and three Senators will now work to negotiate the differences between the two bills so a budget is in place when the new fiscal year begins on July 1st.  Here are how our priorities stand:

RESEARCH MATCHING GRANT FUND:
The House this week passed a "job creation" bill aimed at providing additional economic growth in Massachusetts.  Why, you ask, is this important to the American Cancer Society?  Because one of our top priorities is to increase funding for scientific research so we successfully lobbied to have included in the bill the creation of a $50 million research grant matching fund.  Scientific research is a huge part of the Massachusetts economy.  In fact, last year the Commonwealth received over $2 billion in funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) helping support 34,000 jobs.  The matching fund would create a matching grant fund which would be available to researchers to leverage additional dollars for their work.  Grants eligible to be matched include, but are not limited to those from the federal government as well as the American Cancer Society which was specifically mentioned by one Representative on the House floor during debate.  The bill now moves to the Senate for their approval.

NEXT MASSACHUSETTS ADVOCACY COMMITTEE MEETING:
June 14, 2012, 6:00-7:30 PM
American Cancer Society
30 Speen St, Framingham
If you are unable to attend in person, please contact Patricia Mallios at 508-270-4683 or patricia.mallios@cancer.org to obtain call-in information.
Click here to read a recap from the last meeting and the agenda for June 14th.

For further information or to find out how you can help, please contact:

Marc Hymovitz at mailto:hilary.schneider@cancer.orgor 508.270.4945

Source

 Don't forget to follow us on Facebook! You can also reach the website at http://www.relaybridgewater.org/ or email us at relaybridgewater@gmail.com.

"How does one get...cancer?"

That was a question recently posted in the comments section of an article announcing the death of MCA from the Beastie Boys.  MCA, or Adam Yauch, died Friday 5/3/2012 of cancer of the salivary glands.  He was diagnosed in 2009.  And, one of the commenters wondered how he could have ended up with such a cancer.

Cancer doesn't discriminate.  It also follows no real rhyme or reason.  I know people who smoked until the day they died, and they died of "natural causes", not lung cancer.  I also know people with no family history of cancer who are fighting currently...particularly one person who is young, otherwise healthy, and had no knowledge of any cancer diagnoses in her family.  Sometimes, you can do everything "right" and still end up with the diagnosis.

So, what does this mean?  Do we stand by and just say "Oh well, it's going to happen anyway.  There's nothing one person can do", or do we act?  We ACT!  I might not be enough alone, but I can bring my family members and friends into the fight.  Everyone has a circle of influence.  Use yours this year to fight cancer.  Maybe one day, no one will hear the words "You have cancer."  That is why I Relay - I Relay because I can, and I Relay for those who cannot.  Why do you?

I have 3 challenges for you:

1 - Next week, the Relay For Life of Greater Attleboro is hosting a sign-up for the Cancer Prevention Study -3 from 6-10 PM on Friday night -"Individuals who are willing to make a long-term commitment to the study, which involves completing periodic follow-up surveys at home, are between the ages of 30-65, and who have never personally been diagnosed with cancer are eligible to enroll. Enrollment will take between 20-30 minutes. Once enrolled, a participant’s 20-30 year commitment to the study will involve completing mailed surveys every few years. Please visit the Cancer Prevention Study-3 website www.cancer.org/cps3 for enrollment locations and additional information, or call toll free at 888-604-5888."

2 - ACS CAN is looking for 30,000 signatures in 30 days on their "Congress: It's time to make fighting cancer a priority" petition.  If we really want to improve healthcare, we need to focus on all aspects.  You can sign the petition here, and there will be an option after signing to send this to your friends and family.


3 - I am collecting stories about why YOU Relay, and I'm planning to post them to the blog over the week before our event.  Your story could be a couple of paragraphs, a couple of sentences, or even a link to your blog/Facebook/personal donation site.  I would like stories pertaining to Survivors, Caregivers, Team Captains, Committee Members, New Relayers, and Veteran Relayers.  Please send your story to relaybridgewater@gmail.com, using the subject line "Why I Relay/(specific subject)" - please pick whichever subject speaks to you, even if your story fits into more than one. Deadline - 6/1/2012. 

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And one quick note:

Next Saturday, May 19th, Team Jean is holding a yard sale/bake sale with all proceeds going to their Relay For Life team.  The sale will be from 8AM until 2 PM at 730 High Street in Bridgewater - you may not need stuff, but EVERYONE needs a delicious baked good (even if you gift it to someone else!) 

Don't forget to follow us on Facebook! You can also reach the website at http://www.relaybridgewater.org/ or email us at relaybridgewater@gmail.com.

Why do you relay?

Everyone has their own reason for Relaying.  And, just in case you thought you needed more motivation, here are a few things we fundraise for:

Hope Lodge

Getting the best care sometimes means cancer patients must travel away from home. This can place an extra emotional and financial burden on patients and caregivers during an already challenging time. The American Cancer Society is trying to make this difficult situation easier for both cancer patients and their families through Hope Lodge. Learn More »

Road to Recovery

Every day, cancer patients need rides to treatment. Some may not be able to drive themselves, and family and friends cannot always help. Our Road To Recovery program provides rides to patients who have no way to get to their cancer treatment. Learn More »

Look Good…Feel Better

In a Look Good…Feel Better session, trained volunteer cosmetologists teach women how to cope with skin changes and hair loss using cosmetics and skin care products donated by the cosmetic industry. Learn More »

Reach to Recovery

If you have breast cancer, you may want to talk to someone who knows what you’re feeling – someone who has “been there.” Through our Reach to Recovery program, we can match you with a volunteer who will talk with you about coping with your breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Learn More »

College Scholarships

The American Cancer Society's Cancer Survivor College Scholarship Program is an opportunity exclusively for students with a history of cancer. Established in 2000, the program is designed to provide young cancer patients/survivors assistance in pursuing higher education from an accredited school. Talk to your local office to learn more.
(All information from - http://www.relayforlife.org/learn/whywefundraise/index)

But you know why I relay?  I Relay in honor of my uncle who died in 2003.  I needed something to do, and the Relay at Bridgewater State was a good starting point.  I didn't stay overnight that year (in fact, I didn't stay overnight until last year - the idea of staying up the entire time was a little overwhelming), but I was involved.  I even walked a 15 miles in 2010 based on my donations (btw - never promise that you'll walk a lap for ever $5 you raise...people like to test that!).  Unfortunately, I've lost more relatives since 2003, and I know many people who have been diagnosed since that point too.  I figure, my involvement in Relay is kind of like popping microwave popcorn - as soon as I don't hear of any more diagnoses, I'll stop. 

Don't forget to follow us on Facebook! You can also reach the website at http://www.relaybridgewater.org/ or email us at relaybridgewater@gmail.com.