One hundred years ago, the word “cancer” was not spoken, and we lost almost all patients to the disease.

Physicians sometimes did not tell their patients they had cancer, and patients often did not tell their friends and families if they had been diagnosed.

A group of 15 prominent physicians and business leaders in New York City knew they had to raise public awareness about cancer if progress was to be possible. Despite the enormity of their task, these determined trail blazers started writing articles for popular magazines and professional journals, published a monthly bulletin of cancer information and recruited physicians throughout the country to help educate the public.

It was this group of people and their brave actions in 1913 that started what we know today as the American Cancer Society.

As the official sponsor of birthdays, the American Cancer Society knows how important each and every birthday can be. From deadly to treatable, from treatable to preventable: On May 22, 2013, we will celebrate our 100th birthday – 100 years of saving lives.

After 100 years of saving lives and creating more birthdays, the Society is leading the way in working tirelessly to transform cancer from deadly to treatable and from treatable to preventable.

— Today, two out of three people diagnosed with cancer are surviving for at least five years. In fact, more than 400 people a day in the United States are celebrating birthdays that would have otherwise been lost to the disease.

— The Society contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the United States since the early 1990s. That means they helped save nearly 1.2 million lives during that time.

— The American Cancer Society played a role in nearly every cancer research breakthrough in recent history.

— Each year, the Society helps cancer patients everywhere get the help they need when they need it. For example, last year alone we assisted more than a million people who called the Society’s tollfree number for help, providing free services like a place to stay while traveling for treatment, rides to treatment, emotional support, and much more.

— The Society’s work has helped lead to a 50 percent drop in smoking since the 1960s, which has contributed to a drop in overall lung cancer death rates.

As the “official sponsor of birthdays,” the American Cancer Society knows how important each and every birthday is. That’s why the Society is embarking on their most ambitious undertaking yet.

— The Society is determined to make this cancer’s last century and finish the fight — not just in America but for people everywhere.

— The Society wants to change the statistics from two out of three people surviving cancer today in the United States to three out of three.

— The Society has never been more ready to put the American Cancer Society out of business.

One-hundred years ago, the American Cancer Society bravely started the fight of a lifetime. Now it’s time to boldly join together to finish the fight.

It can’t do this alone. The Society needs everyone in every community to join us today. Now is the time to finish the fight. Make some noise by taking action now. Join us for the Relay For Life.

Relay For Life

WHAT: American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life
WHEN: 6 p.m. Friday through 6 a.m. Saturday
WHERE: Brunswick High School, 116 Maquoit Road

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