JACKSONVILLE — Courtesy of Cherokee County Relay for Life



The Cherokee County Relay for Life was recently designated as a Cancer Prevention Study - 3 (CPS-3) registration site by the American Cancer Society, said CCRFL organizer Cynthia Kline. This special designation allows Cherokee County residents to take part in research vital to the fight against cancer.

"We are so honored that we've been designated a CPS-3 site," Kline said. "This research is a grassroots effort in which people nationwide can register to be a part of groundbreaking, historical research. It's amazing that we get to take part."

CPS-3 is the latest research endeavor by ACS's Epidemiology Research Program. The organization seeks to enroll 300,000 men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 years who have no personal history of cancer. The study's aim is to pinpoint how to prevent cancer.

"Every one of us has been affected by cancer in some form," Kline said. "It may be you, your parent, spouse, child, sibling, or even your neighbor, but someone you know has had to deal with this horrible disease. CPS-3 will help researchers learn how to stop cancer before it even starts.

"This study is an important part of our goal for this year's Relay for Life: To make cancer a part of history. Nothing would bring us more joy than for cancer to be a disease of the past, not affecting future generations."

Study participants will be asked to read and sign a consent form, complete a survey, provide some physical measurements, and provide a small blood sample. At home, participants will receive periodic follow-up surveys that as for information about lifestyle, behaviors and other health-related factors.

Those interested to participate can sign up at Relay for Life from 6:30-10:30 p.m., April 26, at Mauldin Field on the Jacksonville High School Campus.

"I am so excited the people of Cherokee County have this chance to help make history and eradicate cancer," Kline said. "This is a chance for you to be a part of something monumental in terms of the health of future generations."

The Cherokee County Relay for Life 2013's theme is "We Are Making Cancer History". Teams will choose any historical period or significant event, inventions, discoveries, etc., to represent their team name, decorate their campsites, even inspire their fundraisers.

This year's theme was chosen to honor the American Cancer Society's 100th anniversary. All funds raised through Relay for Life benefit ACS.

Organizers of the Cherokee County Relay for Life are also assembling the first ever RFL of Cherokee County cookbook. They want favorite recipes from cancer survivors, caregivers and RFL participants for this special publication. Along with fantastic recipes, the book will also feature unique cancer facts, information about cancer, early detection and prevention information, side-effect management suggestions, and more.

Anyone interested in submitting a recipe for inclusion in the book can mail it to RFL Cookbook, P.O. Box 2364, Jacksonville TX 75766, or email it to relayrecipes@yahoo.com.

Cherokee County Relay for Life begins at 7 p.m. April 26, and will run through the night, ending on the morning of April 27, at Mauldin Field on the Jacksonville High School Campus.