03/28/2024
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COVID-19 has changed the focus in Bladen County from cancer to the coronavirus pandemic. Around this time of year in the past, Bladen County would support Relay For Life. 

Relay For Life is a grassroots effort to encourage communities to raise awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society. 

In 2015, cancer was the second leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while it was the leading cause of death in North Carolina.1 In 2015, 19,309 persons in North Carolina died from cancer, 80 in Bladen County, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. 

Cancer is a group of more than 100 different diseases, but all are characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. Cancer risk increases with age and varies by gender and race. As the average age of the population increases, the incidence of cancer will increase as well. The majority of cancer deaths occur at five sites: colon/rectum, pancreas, lung/bronchus, female breast and prostate (Figure 1).

The NCDHHS states for several cancers, effective treatment is available. For these cancers, early detection saves lives. For example, according to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) website, almost 99 percent of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer in the earliest stage survive the disease, whereas only 26 percent survive if the condition is diagnosed in the most advanced stage.2 

NCDHHS has projected a slight increase in new cancer cases and deaths in Bladen County. View the each county’s new cancer case and death outlook according to NCDHHS here: https://schs.dph.ncdhhs.gov/schs/CCR/proj20co.pdf

During the COVID-19 Pandemic (coronavirus outbreak) Dr. Teresa (Terri) Duncan, in press releases, has encouraged Bladen County residents to seek medical attention for health concerns. If you have health concerns, do not delay, contact your health care provider. 

View the most up-to-date Cancer Profile report released by NCDHHS here: https://schs.dph.ncdhhs.gov/schs/CCR/cp2017/Bladen.pdf

Amanda Dreszer, with the American Cancer Society announced the organization is carefully assessing the COVID-19 situation across the country. The Society decided to suspend all in-person events through Mid-May, which includes our event, Relay For Life of Bladen County. This decision was made to ensure the safety and welfare of all our participants at this time.

At the time of publications, no new date for Bladen County Relay for Life has been announced. 

Some Relay for Life Teams are still holding fundraisers. Dr. Lisa Bryan, President of the Elizabethtown Kiwanis Club, released a statement about Relay For Life fundraising efforts. This year the club will have a team participating in the Bladen County Relay for Life. Relay has been postponed at the time, according to Dr. Bryan. The Kiwanis Relay For Life Team is offering a chance to win a new Snapper riding lawn mower donated by Thompson’s Small Engine Repair. Tickets are for sale for $5 per ticket and will be available up to the day of the Relay for Life event. Purchase tickets from any Kiwanis Club Member. Tickets may also be available at Thompsons Small Engine Repair, Bladen Builders Supply, Cape Fear Heating & Cooling, or BladenOnline.com.

You may make a donation by mailing a check to: 

American Cancer Society

ATTN: Relay For Life of Bladen County – SK #5YRMWH

2202 Wrightsville Ave Ste 111

Wilmington Office

Wilmington, NC 28403

Donations are also accepted online by visiting: https://secure.acsevents.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=relay_donate_now&FR_ID=97258

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