[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 80 (Tuesday, June 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1155-E1156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY--ORANGE COUNTY RELAY FOR LIFE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 10, 1997

  Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address my colleagues about 
an issue that affects every family in this country. I am certain that 
all of you have a friend or relative, as I do, that has been afflicted 
by the scourge of cancer. Cancer is a disease that does not 
discriminate, it strikes every race, every economic level, every age, 
and every ethnic group. In 1997 alone we can expect over 130,000 new 
cases of cancer to be diagnosed, and that will be in the State of 
California alone.
  However, in the war against cancer, we are beginning to see success. 
Effective and dedicated organizations such as the American Cancer 
Society are leading the fight in the battle for a cure. For the first 
time in history, overall death rates from cancer are actually 
declining, and with an enhanced nationwide effort, the cancer death 
rate could be cut in half by the year 2015. A major part of that 
nationwide effort is the contribution of the Orange County American 
Cancer Society, which served over 5,000 cancer patients in the county 
last year.
  On June 20 and 21, 1997, the Orange County American Cancer Society 
will hold its annual Relay for Life to raise awareness of the disease 
and call attention to the work of the American Cancer Society. 
Community colleges from around Orange County will host teams of runners 
and walkers competing against each other to raise money for cancer 
research. Each team will field from 15 to 20 runners. For 18 hours, one 
team member will be on the track at all times, walking, jogging, or 
wheelchairing in 30-minute intervals. During the race an all night 
vigil entitled ``The Mile of Hope'' will take place to honor cancer 
survivors and those who have lost their battles against cancer. The 
Relay for Life is sure to be an enlightening and consciousness raising 
event. It is the only relay event that raises money for the American 
Cancer Society in Orange County. I am pleased to call attention to the 
event and I wish to commend the Orange County American Cancer Society 
for its work on behalf of our families. I look forward to its continued 
efforts in the areas of cancer research, education, advocacy, and 
service.

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