According to the American Cancer Society, 577,000 people will die from cancer this year – and 50 percent of all cancer deaths could be prevented – with what we know right now. It is within our collective power to prevent half of all deaths from cancer.

This holiday season show your commitment to saving lives through cancer prevention and early detection. Join the Prevent Cancer Foundation and give the gift of prevention by making your donation today.

By joining the Prevent Cancer Foundation community you will be making an investment in:

• Cutting-edge research that allows us to understand how to prevent cancer or detect it early when it can be more successfully treated
• Community education about how to prevent cancer or detect it early through healthy lifestyle choices and medical screenings
• Outreach to local communities through funding, events and partnerships with other organizations
• Advocacy for policies and legislation that advances cancer research and prevention and supports the needs of cancer patients and their families.

The Prevent Cancer Foundation has a number of ways in which you can donate. We hope you will consider contributing before December 31:

• By giving online, you won’t need to worry about getting your check in the mail by the end of the year and you will receive an instant email receipt for tax purposes.
• Find presents for your family and friends by supporting our Shop for Prevention partners.
• Legacy and planned gifts help the Prevent Cancer Foundation carry out its mission and often provide financial benefits to the donor. For more information on planned giving opportunities click here  or contact Tanya Blue at 703-837-3684 or Tanya.Blue@preventcancer.org.
• Make your gift in memory of a loved one who lost their battle with cancer or in honor of someone who is currently undergoing cancer treatment. Tribute gifts are a great way to remember or honor loved ones or friends while making a commitment to saving lives through cancer prevention and early detection.
• Enlist your friends and family to help you raise money to fight the war on cancer by hosting a fundraising event.

In addition to funding the Foundation’s cancer prevention and early detection efforts, your gifts, if made by December 31, 2012, can help reduce the amount of taxes you will owe next April!

At this special time of year, all of us at the Prevent Cancer Foundation send our warmest wishes to you and your family. Thank you for your continued support, generosity and trust. Have a happy and healthy holiday season!

Join the Prevent Cancer Foundation in #GivingTuesday

Over a thousand organizations, in all 50 states, are joining together to kick off this holiday’s giving season with the launch of this social media campaign. You can join us in giving back by:

1. Texting GIVE HEALTH to 84465 to give $10 that can help save lives (Terms)
2. Donating in remembrance or honor of a loved one
3. Hosting your own #GivingTuesday™ fundraiser. Visit our fundraising page for ideas
4. Giving back while gift giving. Visit our Shop for Prevention webpage

Every donation makes a difference in cancer prevention, no matter how big or small; $25 can cover the cost of one skin cancer screening, $250 can provide two women with mammograms and $4,500 pays for one full day of Mammovan services and screenings for 20 women.

It is always better to give than it is to receive, so please join the Prevent Cancer Foundation and #GivingTuesday™ to Stop Cancer Before It Starts!

“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”
― Mother Teresa

For more information on how you can get involved on November 27 visit #GivingTuesday or the Prevent Cancer Foundation donation page.

Prevent Cancer Foundation board member Kimberley Fritts flanked by Director of Major Gifts & Planned Giving Director Tanya Blue (L.) & Corporate & Foundation Grants Manager Janet Hudson (R.).

The Washington Business Journal vetted over 200 area women, who are established business leaders with a strong record of innovation in their fields, outstanding performance in their businesses and/or a clear track record of meaningful involvement in DC before announcing the ninth annual “Women Who Mean Business” awards.  The 25 awardees are women who have made a difference in their communities, blazed a trail for all of us and are leaving a mark on the Washington metropolitan community.

Alex Orfinger, publisher of the Washington Business Journal, emceed the awards ceremony along with Colleen Taylor from title sponsor Capital One Bank. He commented that, “It’s my favorite Washington Business Journal event.”  He went on to add that these awardees and the alumnae of this award have formed a tightly knit group of women, the “Smart Girls Club,” who help one another, support each other in business and help make the community a better place.They know what it takes and they’ve done it!

Join us in congratulating Kimberley and watch her “Women Who Mean Business” video.

Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy Lisa Hughes with 2012 International Development and Education Awardee Dr. Mateus Kambale Sahani from the DRC.

The meeting included hundreds of sessions covering all areas of oncology–research, treatment, policy, screening and survivorship among many other topics. As part of the ASCO sponsored patient advocacy booth, the Foundation offered our resources to oncologists from around the globe, and to advocates, academics and corporate representatives who share our interest in prevention.  It was a pleasure for all of us to meet with so many individuals doing such incredible work and to learn about the many ways in which we all contribute to improving the field of oncology.

And while it is difficult to summarize all of the news that came out of the ASCO meeting, we wanted to share a link to the presidential address and video given by then ASCO President, Dr. Michael Link. His remarks summarize some of the progress that has been made in cancer care over the past year, his perspective on the state of care delivery in this country and beyond, and his observations over his year as ASCO President. His remarks can be viewed here.

Sevan Mehrabian, Director of Outreach, The Life Tie Project

“After my mother’s struggle with breast cancer, a coworker and I began wearing pink ties on Fridays to remember our loved ones. Pretty soon everyone in our office joined– and casual Fridays became “Pink Tie Fridays”. The incredible thing about this movement was not just the overwhelming participation– but that nearly everyone had their own experience and their own ideas for improving cancer treatment. Wearing pink neckties created its own venue for discussion.

“The growing enthusiasm for our venture inspired us to create a broader social endeavor to benefit cancer patients across the country. By creating products that help people express their own cancer stories and donating proceeds to cancer organizations, we saw ties not just as a way to raise money but also as a means for spurring action in treatment and prevention.

“Life Tie’s goal is to cultivate a new paradigm in health, in which prevention and healthy living is emphasized. We could not have found a better partner than the Prevent Cancer Foundation.  We are especially impressed with the Foundation’s dedication to prevention through educating the public on healthy lifestyle and habits. We also appreciate Prevent Cancer’s advocacy, which ensures federal funding and legislation supportive of vital cancer research. As Father’s Day approaches we cannot help but feel for those fathers that have lost their wives, children and parents to cancer or those who are battling cancer themselves. Our partnership with the Prevent Cancer Foundation will lead to better informed patients, families and communities. By purchasing a necktie for your dad today you directly help fund the Foundation’s efforts, making prevention possible and accessible to all.”

The Prevent Cancer Foundation greatly appreciates the opportunity to work with Sevan and The Life Tie Project. Visit the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s Shop for Prevention page to purchase a Life Tie necktie or scarf and Stop Cancer Before It Starts!

Jamie and her mom Julia

This Mother’s Day I am giving my mother a gift that will save lives.  I am making a contribution to the Prevent Cancer Foundation in her honor memorializing the family members we have lost to cancer.  I’m helping the Prevent Cancer Foundation to Stop Cancer Before It Starts!

Over a 10 year period my family experienced many tragedies through the death of loved ones from cancer; an experience for which many other families also share.  We lost my 17 year old sister to cancer in 2000, my grandfather was treated for prostate cancer that eventually metastasized to bone cancer and took his life in 2001, my other grandfather developed lung cancer and ultimately lost his battle in 2006. My remaining grandparent, my grandmother, succumbed to her battle with brain cancer in 2009.

Sara and Jamie Cooper

Working for the Prevent Cancer Foundation is more than just a job for me; it’s a mission to eradicate this terrible disease. To keep it from taking another loved one from my life.

Would you join me and consider making a tribute gift in memory or honor of your loved one; a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, wife, colleague or friend for Mother’s Day?

To learn more about your dollars at work, how to reduce your risk and prevent cancer please visit www.preventcancer.org.

With the support of hundreds of players, Bad Beat on Cancer raised more than $125,000 at this year’s World Series of Poker ™ to help save lives through cancer prevention research, education and community outreach nationwide.

Each year, nearly 1.6 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer, and sadly, over 550,000 will lose their battle. The Prevent Cancer Foundation is working to impact those statistics by funding research that unlocks the mysteries of cancer, and how to reduce your risk, and taking that knowledge to educate the public on how they can reduce their risk.

Research suggests that only five percent of cancers are hereditary. That means the non-inherited causes of cancer — the lifestyle choices we make, the foods we eat, and our physical activity levels — have a direct impact on our overall cancer risk.

This work would not be possible without the members of Team 1% — and we thank you!

Barbara Grassley

On February 7^th, a fundraiser for Tracy’s Kids art program brought together several hundred movie goers for its “And the Winner Is….” event. The annual function, which raises funds for a program providing art therapy to children undergoing cancer treatment, presents a Courage Award to a role model who exemplifies the strength, dignity and perseverance necessary to face those daily challenges.

My friend Barb Grassley is certainly deserving of this recognition, as was the presenter of her award – fellow Senate spouse Marcelle Leahy of Vermont – who was honored in 2007. Strength and dignity are qualities they demonstrate daily.

Thanks to these wonderful women who use their experience to raise awareness through their work with the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s Congressional Families’ program. Congratulations Barb!

The increase in survival cited in the report is the result of decades of research, education, screening and services provided by hundreds of organizations across the country, including universities, cancer centers, providers, professional societies and advocacy organizations. For the past twenty-six years, the Prevent Cancer Foundation has been working alongside colleagues from these communities focusing our contributions to this effort on prevention, through research, education, community outreach and advocacy.

Prevent Cancer Super Colon

The increase in survival can be attributed a combination of factors, including detecting cancers like colon, breast and prostate in earlier, more treatable stages and also a decline in lung cancer due to decreased tobacco use. Prevent Cancer takes pride in the knowledge that its continuing work is making a difference. We are educating the public about the importance of screening and early detection, through unique national efforts including National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Campaign, our Super Colon exhibit, Screening Saves, Dialogue for Action Conference Series, Save Your Skin, and Project Early Awareness.

The Mammovan

We have improved access to screening services for underserved communities through programs including our mobile mammography van, Celebremos La Vida, community grants and State Fair health education and screening booths. We have improved policy through advocacy for private and public insurance coverage of colonoscopy, continued coverage of mammography, tobacco cessation and regulation, and funding for critical cancer research and control initiatives. And we have contributed to the body of research in cancer prevention through our research grants to young investigators around the country.

But greater strides need to be made. The National Cancer Institute estimates that 571,950 men and women died from cancer in 2011 and the incidence of liver, skin, head and neck cancer is on the rise. Taking steps to reduce your risk for cancer through tobacco cessation, healthy lifestyle, screening and sun safety will contribute to helping move the needle of reduced incidence.

You can find tips to reduce your risk of cancer in Prevent Cancer Foundation website, blog, Guide to Preventable Cancers, Save Your Skin, or Screening Saves.

To learn more about the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s work and our vision to “Stop Cancer Before It Starts!” view our latest annual report.

She was thrilled to learn I’m now working for an organization with a vision: Stop Cancer Before It Starts! She and her husband had no idea that approximately 50% of all cancers and cancer deaths can be prevented by changing personal behaviors; or, that one out of every two men will be diagnosed with cancer in his lifetime and one out of every three women will be diagnosed with cancer in her lifetime.

As I drove home through the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, I thought about my friend and how proper screening led to early detection of a cancer that could have killed her.

I thought about how nearly every life has been touched by cancer. I thought about my father, grandfather and several friends who lost their battles with cancer.  I thought about how many people I know who have been diagnosed with cancer – my aunt, numerous friends, even myself – but, fortunately caught it early through proper screening.

And, I thought about the power of charitable giving to save lives through cancer prevention and early detection.

Dr. Daniel Rodriguez

Gifts from individuals, like you, make it possible for the Prevent Cancer Foundation to change the landscape in cancer prevention by funding young investigators who are researching new approaches to cancer prevention and early detection, paving the way for research breakthroughs that are our best hope for a cancer-free future.

Gifts to the Prevent Cancer Foundation also make it possible for our organization to continue as a leader in cancer prevention and early detection through our educational programs and community outreach efforts. Philanthropedia, the premier charitable giving rating site affiliated with GuideStar,  recently recognized the Foundation as as one of the top national non-profit cancer organizations making the most significant and positive impact on cancer.

As you consider your charitable giving this season, I hope you will make a commitment to Stop Cancer Before It Starts!  You can make a secure gift online, donate stock or transfer funds from your IRA.  Click here for more information on ways you can give.

Thank you for including the Prevent Cancer Foundation in your charitable giving.