The Golden Key
A newsletter for chapter advisors, chapter officers, and regional officers.

Conquering Cancer Month by Month

This fall, Phi Theta Kappa encourages chapters to shine the spotlight on a particular cancer issue for September, October and November. The American Cancer Society, our partner for the “Conquering Cancer” International Service Program, has many resources to help chapters take part in these initiatives. If your chapter is not already volunteering with a local American Cancer Society office, contact Donna Scoggins at donna.scoggins@cancer.org or 404.329.7960.

September

September 14-20 is Prostate Cancer Awareness Week, but your chapter can sponsor events all month long. For American men, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death. The good news is that prostate cancer can often be treated successfully if it is caught early.

• Consider developing a program to promote prostate cancer awareness among your college’s faculty and staff.
  
  
• September is also a great time to meet with your local American Cancer Society office to plan activities for the fall. If you haven’t already made contact with your local office, please get in touch with Donna Scoggins first!
  
  
• Or your chapter could promote prevention and early detection of cancer by organizing a health fair on campus. Your local American Cancer Society staff can help you with literature, ideas and speakers. Consider focusing on exercise, healthy eating and getting physical examinations.

October

In 2003, the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Campaign celebrates 18 years of educating women about breast cancer, especially the importance of detecting the disease in its earliest stages through screening mammography, clinical breast examination, and for women 20 years of age and older, breast self-examination.

Here are ways members can focus on breast cancer awareness:

• Make sure your friends and family know the facts. Consider getting trained to become a volunteer with the American Cancer Society’s Tell A Friend® program.
• If you are a breast cancer survivor, help others cope with the disease by becoming a Reach to Recovery® visitor.
• Add your voice to the American Cancer Society Action NetworkSM and make an impact on many of the laws that govern what options are available to people with cancer.
• Help raise funds for community education, patient services and lifesaving research — all while having a great time — at a Making Strides Against Breast Cancer® event.Visit www.cancer.org to see if an event is scheduled in your area.

November

Tobacco accounts for 87 percent of lung cancer deaths each year. It’s no wonder the Great American Smokeout® is the American Cancer Society’s primary awareness campaign for the month that focuses on lung cancer. The Great American Smokeout, which spotlights the dangers of smoking and challenges people to stop using tobacco, will be held on November 20.

Here are some creative ways to help smokers kick the habit:

• Cold Turkey Trot - Participants are urged to give up cigarettes for the day and join the American Cancer Society for a run/walk instead. The event can last all day, allowing smokers to run/walk anytime they want, for as long as they want.
  
  
• Cold Turkey Bowling - A bowling alley used this event to advertise they were going smokefree. Bowlers actually bowled with frozen turkeys!
  
  
• Teen Press Conference - Journalism/English students from local high schools are invited to a press conference. A panel of presenters talks about smoking and prevention, and then the students return to their school to write an article or essay for their local paper or class.
  
  
• Cigarette Drop-offs - Smokers are encouraged to drop off their cigarettes and in turn they get a Smokeout t-shirt and other giveaways.

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This page last modified -- Friday, 14-Nov-2003 11:00:29 CST (cwe)