rhonda
Rhonda Bramell
Springdale, AR

Note:  I asked Rhonda to share this very important message with all of you.  Cancer is not something that just happens to someone else.  All of us have probably been touched by cancer in one way or another.

Let me just get this out there. CANCER. It’s affected us all in some way; there is rarely anyone I meet who doesn’t have a family member, friend or co-worker who’s gone through the battle. I worked for the American Cancer Society for eight years; I’ve seen a lot of cancer. For me personally, my dad beat prostate cancer, and I lost my mother-in-law to breast cancer a few years ago.

 
One thing I remember dealing with when my mother-in-law was sick was the feeling of helplessness. I wanted to “do something,” but of course, couldn’t do anything to make her better. I could only be there and support her. If you’ve been a caregiver or seen someone through cancer, you might have felt the same way.

 
Now, there is something we can do to support cancer survivors and those lost to cancer…and future generations, as well. The American Cancer Society is holding a public enrollment to be in a national cancer prevention study. It’s called the Cancer Prevention Study-3, and it’s a big deal. The first study found the link between cigarette smoking and cancer. The second study found that obesity is a factor in cancer mortality. We are anxious to find out what this study will find.

 
If you will be in Northwest Arkansas in mid-September, you can enroll. It’s as simple as it sounds. YOU can be a part of some real, ground-breaking research!

 
To enroll, a person must meet the following criteria:

–Be between the age of 30 and 65.
–Have never been diagnosed with cancer (not including basal or squamous cell skin cancer)

–Be willing to commit to a long term study, which means completing periodic surveys at home for the next 20-30 years.
 
 
There are expected to be 300,000 people in this study nationwide. In Northwest Arkansas, we’d like to enroll 500. There will be several opportunities to enroll September 17-20.

Tuesday, Sept. 17 at Hope Cancer Resources office in Springdale from 9:00am-1:30pm
Wednesday, Sept. 18 at Fayetteville Public Library from 2:00pm-6:30pm

Thursday, Sept. 19 at NWA Mercy Family YMCA in Rogers, from 9:00am-1:30pm
Friday, Sept. 20 at the Center for Nonprofits in Rogers, from 9:00am-1:30pm

 
It is recommended that participants go online to reserve a spot to enroll. This essentially lets you make an appointment time, and will save you time waiting in line to enroll. The site to sign up is www.cps3nwark.org. You do not have to be a resident of Northwest Arkansas to enroll here; only a US resident. There is no cost or payment to participate. For questions about the study, you may call 1-888-604-5888.

 
At the enrollment appointment, participants will be asked to fill out some paperwork. There will also be a waist circumference measurement taken and a small blood sample taken. Prior health conditions do not matter in this study (i.e. high blood pressure, diabetes, pregnancy, etc). Also, it does not matter if you are a smoker. This study is done confidentially and anonymously. The enrollment is the only in-person part of the study, and will take a half hour or less.

 
I actually enrolled in the study last year, at an enrollment in Fort Smith. It was quick, easy and painless. I am so excited to share this journey with my children. My kids are ages six and three, so they will get to see me participate in this study throughout their entire childhood. What a great teaching opportunity!! I cannot wait until they are old enough to understand that their mama has an important part in national history. And my ultimate wish is that, through this study, researchers will find something to help prevent any of my children (or grandchildren) from having a cancer diagnosis.
 
Please, join us to enroll in the Cancer Prevention Study-3 and share the information with others.