St. Louis Celebrates American Cancer Society Turning 100

This year the American Cancer Society marks its 100th birthday. In St. Louis, and cities across the country, cancer patients, survivors, volunteers, and corporate partners joined together to salute this major milestone.

We’re honored that more than 300 supporters took time out of their work day for our celebration on the American Cancer Society’s St. Louis campus. That’s 300 people who made noise and pledged to take action to finish the fight against cancer.

St. Louis staff celebrating 100 years

Today, two out of three people diagnosed with cancer are surviving. More than 400 people a day in the U.S. are celebrating birthdays that would have otherwise been lost to cancer. As the Official Sponsor of Birthdays ™, the American Cancer Society will continue to make noise by amplifying its efforts to ensure lifesaving cancer research gets funded; by making sure people facing cancer have the help they need, such as a free place to stay during treatment or a ride to get there; and by fighting for equal access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, and clean air.

We want to sincerely thank all of the individuals and businesses who gave of their time, their talent, and their products in honor of our local 100th birthday celebration.

Aaron Wrenn, volunteer griller
Adrenaline Zone
Anthonino’s Taverna
Bommarito Hazelwood
Botanical Garden
Brasserie / Niche
Brunswick Zone
CBS Outdoor
Damita Moris-Silpada
Dooley’s
Federhofer’s
Five Guys
Four Seasons St. Louis
Hooters
Laura Klein, Touchstone Crystal
LeGrand’s
Magic House
Manchester Sam’s Club
Maplewood Sam’s Club
Massage Envy
McAlister’s Deli
Mike Hoey, volunteer griller
Noodles and Co.
Pam Carissimi, Tastefully Simple
Pam Liesman, Sanofi
Pappy’s
Pasta House
Phillip Johnson Salon
Psghetti’s
QuikTrip
Schnucks
South County Costco
St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Rams Cheerleaders & Rampage
Tanner Bechtel, Music
The Cup
The Fox Theatre
The Science Center
Therese Fenske, Thirty One Bags

To view more photos from our celebration, visit: http://on.fb.me/19GywEl

Cheer on Survivors

Story of Survival
Published in The Missourian on 5/30/13
Written by By Karen Butterfield, Missourian Staff Writer

For Wendy Wildberger, who has been involved with the Relay For Life of Franklin County on and off since its beginning 18 years ago, the Relay is personal.

In 1990, at the age of 10, she was diagnosed with astrocytoma, a tumor in her spinal cord.

The tumor was removed surgically, but three years later, Wildberger relapsed. This time, she was treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Treatments lasted eight hours per day, two to three days per week.

In 2001, Wildberger was labeled “terminal” and told she didn’t have much longer to live. Because of nerve damage, she is paralyzed.

Her tumor eventually “settled” and hasn’t caused any further nerve damage, she said.

“I never really felt that I was terminal,” Wildberger said. “I was determined to prove the doctors wrong, and at 33, I’m still here. I have proved them wrong.”

Wildberger said that as a survivor, Relay is another opportunity to celebrate that she has beaten cancer.

This year also holds special meaning for her, since it’s the 100th birthday of the American Cancer Society.

Wildberger said she’s amazed at the advancements even just in treatment, as now, people can choose oral chemotherapy and spend much less time at the doctor’s office.

“Personally, I’m looking forward to it being the 18th year of Relay in Franklin County,” she said. “We have such a great community of survivors, caregivers and citizens who come out to support our cause.”

Wildberger reminds people that you don’t have to have cancer to attend the Relay.

“Anyone can cheer on a survivor,” she said.

More than 150 cancer survivors will walk around the track in unity [during the Survivors' Lap].

“I can’t wait to see the full track of survivors,” Wildberger said. “It always gets me. It’s overwhelming to see all the purple shirts (survivors wear).”

This year’s longest cancer survivor [attending their event] is celebrating 47 years of survival. The newest person was just diagnosed a few weeks ago.

“Even if you’re not affected personally by cancer, as a community, we can support our survivors,” Wildberger said. “Pack the track and make some noise for them.”

Free Skin Cancer Screening at Nine St. Louis Area Locations

St. Louis Dermatological Society, American Academy of Dermatology, and American Cancer Society team up against most common cancer

Nine area hospitals and medical centers will host this year’s annual free skin cancer screening on Saturday, May 11. Groups including the St. Louis Dermatological Society, American Academy of Dermatology, and American Cancer Society are coordinating the event, which aims to screen more than 1,000 area residents for the single most common form of cancer: skin cancer.

The program includes a free, total body skin examination in a private exam room. Those needing treatment will be referred to a dermatologist if they do not already have one. The screening only takes about five minutes with the doctor, and an estimated 20 minutes total at the screening center. Twenty minutes that could be life-saving by detecting a cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage.

“This is a great opportunity for the dermatologists involved to provide a community service for patients who otherwise would not have their skin examined,” said Dr. Lee Portnoff, Dermatologic Surgeon at Missouri Baptist Medical Center and coordinator of the annual program. “Since the program’s inception in St. Louis in 1985, we’ve detected several thousand skin cancers, some of which might have been fatal had they not been found at an early stage.”

Facilities hosting free screenings include Missouri Baptist Medical Center, St. Anthony’s Medical Center’s Cancer Care Center, Mercy Hospital St. Louis, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital’s Siteman Cancer Center, Saint Louis University Hospital Des Peres, Saint Louis University Anheuser Busch Institute, St. Luke’s Hospital, St. Clare Health Center, and Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital.

Appointments fill quickly, but can still be made by calling the following facilities:

St. Anthony’s Medical Center: Cancer Care Center
9:00-1:00, Call 314-ANTHONY / 314-268-4669

Mercy Hospital St. Louis
9:00-12:00, Call 314-251-6400

Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital: Siteman Cancer Center
9:00-1:00, Walk-ins only, First come, first served

SLUCare Des Peres: Department of Dermatology
8:00-12:00, Call 314-977-4440

SLUCare Anheuser Busch Institute: Department of Dermatology
8:00-12:00, Call 314-977-4440

St. Luke’s Hospital
8:00-12:00, Register online at http://www.stlukes-stl.com or call 314-542-4848

St. Clare Health Center
8:00-12:00, Call 636-755-3034

Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. Every year more than one million cases of basal cell or squamous cell cancers occur. Most, but not all, of these forms of skin cancer are highly curable. Nationwide this American Academy of Dermatology program has screened over 2.1 million people and detected more than 206,500 suspicious lesions, including more than 23,500 suspected melanomas.

Monthly self-skin checks are also important. People should be familiar with their pattern of moles, blemishes, freckles and other marks on their skin to notice any changes. Have a doctor look at any moles or spots on the skin that are changing in size, shape or color. Be sure to promptly point out any unusual sore, lump, blemish, marking, or change in the way the skin looks or feels.

For more information on skin cancer, contact the American Cancer Society at 800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.