Blanco, Texas-The American Cancer Society has selected Kasi Baker to serve as honorary chair of this year’s Relay For Life of Blanco County. Like many in our community, Kasi has seen many lives, including her own, affected by cancer. Kasi’s Grandmother is Breast Cancer Survivor and a good friend of hers passed away two years ago from Lung Cancer. She as well has seen a good friend of hers survive not only Breast Cancer, but also become a Survivor of Stage 4 Brain Cancer.

“This year we are welcoming back many survivors and volunteers that have worked with us from the very beginning. We are also welcoming a few new comers as well,” Kasi adds. “We are still looking for a few more volunteers to join this year’s Relay For Life Committee.” Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s national signature event and is as much an awareness raiser as a fundraiser. This family-oriented team event brings participants from all parts of the community together in a “celebration of life.” Businesses, civic clubs, churches, friends and families take turns walking and running in relay fashion while they also celebrate the critical role the American Cancer Society plays in the fight against cancer. “The vital research and programs of the American Cancer Society are leading the way to eliminating cancer as a major health problem,” said Kasi Baker. “I’m proud to participate in Relay For Life. More funds raised translate into more research and more life-saving programs.”

For information on cancer, call the American Cancer Society’s 24-hour help line at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org. The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service. In this year alone, some 91,020 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Texas. Of that, 49 new cases will be discovered in Blanco County alone. This number represents 49 cases too many! We all have been touched by cancer in one way or another, and now is the opportunity to Fight Back! This Fight cannot be done effectively alone, but together we can accomplish much.

Some of the major cancer research breakthroughs of the past century have occurred as a result of the money that has been raised for cancer research. These include the following:

· Aided in the 80 % five-year survival rates for many childhood leukemias using combination chemotherapy

· Began the crusade to gain acceptance of the Pap test (to screen for cervical cancer)

· Proved mammography as an effective screening tool for breast cancer

· Supported the researchers who discovered the prostate specific antigen (PSA) for prostate cancer screening

· Supported the researcher who discovered the drug 5-FU for colon cancer treatment

· Confirmed that smoking is a cause of lung caner

· Discovery of the genes for inherited breast and colon cancer

· Initiated the use of Tamoxifen to reduce the risk of second or first breast cancer

· Development of monoclonal antibodies to treat breast cancer (Herceptin) and lymphoma (Rituxan)

· Supported the development of small molecule inhibitors, such as Gleevec, for treatment myeloid leukemia

These findings represent just some of the research that has been done as a result of funds raised by Relay for Life. This year Relay for Life will be held on Saturday & Sunday, April 25th & 26th, at the football field in Blanco. To go along with the night’s activities, we will have guest appearances and autograph signings with Shannon Moore formerly from the World Wrestling Entertainment and Marty “Champain” Garner.

For information about Blanco County Relay for Life, you may contact the Event Chairs Kasi Baker at 512-820-9282 or Mandi Welch at 830-358-5559. If you would like to be a Team Captain or to start a Relay for Life team you may contact Sylvia Romero at 512-461-6337, for Survivorship Trish Hartmann at 830-833-1431, for Luminaries Laura Jenschke at 512-971-9097, for Silent Auction Peggy Wallace at 830-833-5335. Please let us hear from you!