Who among us has not been affected in some way by cancer – if not by a personal diagnosis, then by the diagnosis of a family member, friend, or colleague?
This year, in the United States alone, there will be an estimated 1,958,310 new cancer cases. And according to official statistics, each of us has an approximate 40% birth-to-death chance of developing an invasive cancer during our lifetimes:
Source: ©2023, American Cancer Society, Inc., Surveillance and Health Equity Science [1]
According to their website, the American Cancer Society is “the leading cancer-fighting organization with the vision of ending cancer as we know it, for everyone.” Working to improve the lives of cancer survivors and their families through advocacy, research and patient support, their goal is to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. [2]
Originally founded in 1913 as the American Society for the Control of Cancer, the American Cancer Society has devoted more than $5 billion dollars to cancer research.
Decreasing Cancer Mortality
Since the peak of cancer mortality in 1991: [3]
- Overall cancer deaths have declined by 32%, translating to 3.5 million fewer cancer deaths.
- Overall mortality for breast cancer has declined by 43%.
- And for certain types of cancers, mortality has declined by over 50%.
This degree of progress is made possible in large part due to ongoing research which is directly funded by the American Cancer Society. Additional contributing factors include a combination of ever-evolving patient support, prevention and screening guidelines, and working to provide better access to healthcare for all people. The American Cancer Society impacts the lives of millions of people every year with community programs & services to help newly diagnosed cancer patients and cancer survivors, as well as their family and friends, providing information, day-to-day help, and emotional support. [4]
For individuals battling a cancer diagnosis, a few of the invaluable resources available from the American Cancer Society include the following:
- Cancer Help Line (800-227-2345) is available 24/7/365, providing trained operators to talk with and support cancer patients and their caregivers.
- “Road to Recovery” program provides patients with rides to treatment.
- “Hope Lodge” program provides lodging for those who must travel away from home for treatment.
- A variety of specialized, online tools for navigating the cancer journey.
At the national level, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network is the political policy arm of ACS. ACS/CAN seeks to influence public policy for the improvement of lives for cancer patients, to expand healthcare availability and increase public funding of research.
- Relay For Life of Michiana, June 10-11, 2023, at the St. Joseph County 4H Fairgrounds: www.relayforlife.org/stjosephelkhartcountiesin More than 500 people walk together to fight cancer during “Relay!”
- Coaches vs Cancer Night of the Stars and Golf Tournament, Monday, July 31, and Tuesday, August 1, 2023: www.cvcnightofthestars.org
- Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of South Bend/Elkhart on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at Central Park in Mishawaka, www.makingstrideswalk.org/southbendelkhartin More than 800 people walk together to fight breast cancer during “Strides!”
Please join us in congratulating The American Cancer Society as the Indiana Trust Nonprofit Spotlight honoree for February 2023! In keeping with our tradition to honor local charity work within our footprint area, Indiana Trust Wealth Management directs the monetary support for this month’s award to the local ACS fundraiser walk, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer® South Bend/Elkhart, Indiana!
Tina M. Patton, CSOP™, CISM®, Indiana Trust Vice President, Director of Nonprofit & Foundation Engagement, adds, “We are happy to join this fight with the American Cancer Society, as they continue to help decrease cancer mortality rates through targeted research and policy decisions that affect millions of Americans each year.”
Pictured above, left to right: Tina M. Patton, CSOP™, CISM®, Indiana Trust Vice President, Director of Nonprofit & Foundation Engagement; and Jamie Miller, Senior Development Manager, American Cancer Society North Region.
Sources:
- https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2023/2023-cancer-facts-and-figures.pdf
- https://www.cancer.org/about-us/who-we-are/fact-sheet.html
- https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/facts-and-figures-2022.html
- https://www.cancer.org/about-us/what-we-do/providing-support.html#:~:text=We%20offer%20programs%20and%20services,all%2C%20our%20help%20is%20free
- https://pressroom.cancer.org/NobelPrize?_ga=2.23007867.139481573.1675962069-371592790.1675962063
Learn More About the American Cancer Society
- ACS Support and services: https://www.cancer.org/about-us/what-we-do/providing-support.html#
- 24/7 Toll-Free ACS Helpline: 1-800-227-2345
- Cancer Signs & Symptoms: https://www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/signs-and-symptoms-of-cancer.html
- Smoking cessation tools: https://www.cancer.org/healthy/stay-away-from-tobacco/guide-quitting-smoking.html
- Research and funding: https://www.cancer.org/research.html
- 2023 “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” Walk, South Bend/Elkhart IN: https://www.cancer.org/involved/volunteer/making-strides.html
About the Indiana Trust Nonprofit Spotlight Program
Indiana Trust Wealth Management launched the Indiana Trust Nonprofit Spotlight program initiative in January 2021, which consists of recognizing, rewarding, and promoting a nonprofit organization in one or more of the company’s footprint areas on a monthly basis, as a way to highlight various nonprofit organizations throughout the year and bring attention to the good work being done in the communities they serve. Under the Nonprofit Spotlight initiative, the nonprofit organization will receive a $1,000 corporate donation and be eligible for employee gift-matching throughout the year. David R. Kibbe, JD, President & CEO, states, “As a majority employee-owned company, matching our employees’ contributions is an opportunity for Indiana Trust to support those nonprofits whose missions connect with our employees."
About Indiana Trust Wealth Management
Chartered in 1988 as the first independent trust company in the state of Indiana, and now with more than $2 billion in assets under management, Indiana Trust is deeply committed to the communities they serve. Advising clients and their families nationwide, Indiana Trust is dedicated to increasing financial security by providing superior, ethical, and unbiased wealth management and advisory solutions – delivering legacies built on trust.
Indiana Trust offers comprehensive wealth management strategies for individual and family wealth, business retirement plans, charitable organizations, foundations, and endowments – delivered with the fiduciary standard of care, a multigenerational commitment, and excellence in stewardship. The company is majority employee-owned with offices in Mishawaka, Elkhart, and Muncie.
Find out more at www.IndTrust.com.
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IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES: All info contained herein is solely for general informational purposes. It does not take into account all the circumstances of each investor and is not to be construed as legal, accounting, investment, or other professional advice. The author(s) and publisher, accordingly, assume no liability whatsoever in connection with the use of this material or action taken in reliance thereon. All reasonable efforts have been made to ensure this material is correct at the time of publication. Copyright Indiana Trust Wealth Management 2023.