The Journey
A newsletter for chapter advisors, chapter officers, and regional officers.

Phi Theta Kappans: Help Smokers Kick the Habit
for the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout®

Garon Tate is the 2002-03 International Vice President for Division II, which includes the Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi/Louisiana, Tennessee and Texas Regions. He is a physical therapy major at Chattanooga State Technical Community College in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

This past September marked the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania. September 11, 2001, is indelibly etched in our memories. I will never forget watching the news that morning horrified that something like that could happen to the United States of America, not believing it, not wanting to believe it. On that one day, more than 3,000 people lost their lives, not only Americans, but also people of many nationalities.

On that day, however, the attacks were not the only tragedy that took place. Approximately 1,580 Americans also lost their lives. They did not die because of the actions of some other person; they died as a result of cancer.

Every day, 1,580 more Americans die, and each year 550,000 Americans lose their fight against cancer. With this in mind, September 11th would have to be repeated about 183 times to equal the cancer deaths in one year. September 11th would have to take place almost three times per week.

Cancer is arguably the most lethal disease that is known to man. It is a disease that is not confined to social or economic status. Every community has dealt with this disease, and almost everyone has dealt with cancer on a personal level, either through their own diagnosis or through family and friends. It is this reason that Phi Theta Kappa members are so passionate about the current International Service Program, “Conquering Cancer - A Prevention and Awareness Program with the American Cancer Society.”

For the next two years Phi Theta Kappa members will be working with the American Cancer Society to help them meet three important goals:

• Reduce cancer mortality by 50 percent (prevent 5 million needless deaths)
  
  
• Decrease cancer incidence by 25 percent (avoid 5 million unnecessary cancer cases)
  
  
• Measurably improve the quality of life of cancer patients and survivors

There are four areas your chapter may focus on: prevention, fundraising, service, and advocacy. Each chapter may choose to take part in all areas or just one or two, but it is vital that every chapter get involved in some way as a Chapter of Service.

By participating in just one service project related to cancer, your chapter can be recognized as a Chapter of Service. To register, simply complete the online enrollment form at www.ptk.org/service/cos.htm or contact Director of Programs Jennifer Stanford at jennifer.stanford@ptk.org or 601.984.3532.

When dealing with cancer, the most important line of defense is prevention. Did you know that 30 percent of all cancer deaths and 87 percent of lung cancer deaths can be attributed to tobacco? Each year tobacco use accounts for approximately 430,000 deaths in America alone.

This year your International Officer team has issued a challenge to every chapter in Phi Theta Kappa to take part in the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout®. For the past 26 years the American Cancer Society has designated the third Thursday of November to highlight the dangers of smoking and encourage people to stop smoking for at least one day.

This year the November 21 event falls during the same week we will be celebrating Phi Theta Kappa’s Founders Day, November 19. Many chapters have already planned a project to spotlight both events.

If you haven’t already made plans to participate in the Great American Smokeout®, you may still get involved. First, find out who the contact person for the American Cancer Society is in your area by contacting Donna Scoggins at donna.scoggins@cancer.org or 404.329.7960. Then work with your local American Cancer Society office to plan or publicize an activity for the Great American Smokeout®.

Ideas and additional resources can be found on Phi Theta Kappa’s website at www.ptk.org/service/toc.htm. Please let us know how your chapter gets involved. Sharing your successes helps inspire others to make a difference.

Let’s continue to be messengers of hope in the fight against cancer!

Copyright 1996-2002 by Phi Theta Kappa, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The name, logo and various titles have been registered with the U.S. Patent Office.

This page last modified -- Friday, 14-Nov-2003 11:00:24 CST (cwe)