Day of hope for cancer survivors

Assemblyman Tom Harman

Fighting cancer is a tough battle, but it can be won. Today, more

people than ever survive cancer, thanks to modern medicine and

education. The American Cancer Society says knowledge, hope and

inspiration can also help beat the disease.

Awareness programs such as the upcoming 18th annual National

Cancer Survivors Day on Sunday lend a hand in the fight against

cancer, too. Sponsored by the National Cancer Survivors Day

Foundation, the event is the one time each year when cancer-related

organizations are heard as one voice.

Who is a cancer survivor? The National Cancer Survivors Day

Foundation defines a survivor as “anyone living with a history of

cancer -- from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of

life.”

The event began 18 years ago in Kansas City at the Cancer Survivor

Rally. It was held by H&R; Block founder Richard Bloch and his wife,

Annette, to demonstrate that a cancer diagnosis is not a death

sentence. Other communities caught on to the idea and it became known

as National Cancer Survivors Day.

The American Cancer Society estimates there will be 1.4 million

new diagnoses of cancer in the United States this year. Of all deaths

in this country, 22% are cancer-related. But many people with the

disease will survive. Living with the aftereffects of cancer is

challenging, though. Patients are physically, mentally and

financially scarred.

That’s why I support Cancer Survivors Day. And you can help, too.

Many communities in California -- and throughout the world -- will

host special events on this special day to help raise money for

further research, detection and awareness.

Cancer death rates continue to decline each year within the

general population and at a faster rate for men. Lung cancer has made

one of the biggest declines in the past 10 years, according to the

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

I invite you to join me, and the many people around the world, in

recognizing and honoring cancer survivors on this special day.

* TOM HARMAN represents the 67th Assembly District, which includes

the communities of Cypress, Huntington Beach, La Palma, Los Alamitos,

Seal Beach, and portions of Anaheim, Garden Grove, Stanton and

Westminster. To contribute to “Sounding Off” e-mail us at

hbindependent@ latimes.com or fax us at (714) 966-4667.