By NANCY LONG
The American Cancer Society is looking for volunteers who are members of the Eastern Band of Cherokees and live and work within the Cherokee communities to educate local men and women about breast, cervical and colorectal cancer. It wants to help these community members to participate in lifesaving screening tests.
The Society trains volunteer Community Health Advisors (CHA) on the basics of cancer and cancer screening. It provides information on community resources to help get men and women get screened for the disease. According to the NC Central Cancer Registry, Cherokee residents are diagnosed with cancer at a higher rate and dying at a higher rate than their counterparts.
“Volunteers help the American Cancer Society save lives,” said Nancy Long, manager of the Community Health Advisor Program for the EBCI. “Community Health Advisors spread positive health messages in their communities and truly multiply the impact that the Society can have as an organization.”
The American Cancer Society expects that the CHA program will help eliminate the high number on new cases and deaths from cancer in communities that are at higher risk for breast, cervical and colon cancers. Finding cancer at an early stage, when it is most treatable is the greatest defense against the disease.
“Our community health advisors will help members of our community understand the importance of cancer screenings and help them find local resources,” Long further commented.
Upcoming trainings will be held on Aug. 10 and 17. For more information on becoming a CHA volunteer or about the CHA program, contact Nancy Long or Harold Long 554-5682 or nancy.long@cancer.org.
