Cancer society is committed to helping area families

Cancer society is committedto helping area families
EDITOR:
When you or a loved one is touched by cancer, it's important to know that the American Cancer Society (ACS) is here to assist and give you the necessary support.
This year and every year since 1913, the goal of the ACS has been to help cancer patients and their families and to work toward the day when the world is cancer free.
Volunteers and staff are working toward that day by focusing on four areas: education, services, advocacy and research.
We recognize that we can save more lives by giving people information about how to prevent and detect cancer at the earliest stage possible. Guidelines and screening schedules for breast, colorectal, prostate and other cancers are distributed throughout the year, and many cancers are spotlighted during a specific month. Early detection saves lives.
Helping the cancer patient has always been a mission of the organization. Through the years we have modified some of our programs, but we still offer a variety of useful services for those with cancer. Some of these free services include Reach to Recovery, Road to Recovery, scholarships, Look Good Feel Better and support groups. Helping those with cancer has always been and will continue to be our focus.
Cancer is not only a medical concern but a political one too. The American Cancer Society's advocacy efforts have played an integral role in reaching our 2015 goals, which are to reduce cancer incidence by 25 percent and mortality rates by 50 percent. Applying pressure on our elected officials to support legislation that is favorable to cancer patients and their families has paid huge dividends and will continue to be an area that we pursue in the years ahead.
The ultimate goal to end cancer can be reached through research. Scientists supported by American Cancer Society funds are continuing to make breakthroughs that increase the number of lives saved. Since 1946 -- the year the American Cancer Society awarded its first research grants -- we've invested more than $2.5 billion in cancer research. Great progress has been made. In 1946, only one in four cancer patients was alive five years after diagnosis. Today, more than 60 percent live longer than five years after diagnosis.
The battle to eliminate cancer is the No. 1 health issue that remains on the minds of millions of Americans.
The American Cancer Society, through its programs of work led by volunteers in our area and throughout the nation, continues to stay focused and determined to end this dreaded disease.
Until we find a cure, there's the American Cancer Society.
Dr. ROBERT DEMARCOPresident, Mahoning County American Cancer Society
Without Traficant leading fight, Valley will lose air base
EDITOR:
Regarding Tuesday's front page story headlined, "Base stands a chance, but there is no guarantee."
Your headline underscores the current general apathy toward the fate of our Youngstown Air Reserve Base. At this point, if we can only meekly claim to stand a chance of saving the base, the Valley is once again in danger of squandering another of its most valuable assets.
Washington PR firms and half-hearted rhetoric, a meeting or two and an occasional news article are not going to save the air base.
Whatever one may think of the trials and tribulations of our former congressman, I can tell you from firsthand personal observation that before, during and after the 1995 BRAC hearings in Chicago, he brought a veritable whirlwind of passion into the street fight that was the '95 BRAC. The base was his baby, and no one was "gonna take it down."
Notwithstanding the fact that none of our local leaders can match his celebrated mercurial prowess, unless our federal, state and local leadership can somehow find and inspire that fire and passion, the Valley will lose one of its last best assets.
Thank you for your consideration.
J.R. REPUCCI
Austintown
Political leaders mustaddress U.S. job losses
EDITOR:
I love my country, but I hate and find deplorable what is happening to it.
If the March 28 headline "Chinese competition hits hard" doesn't serve as a wake-up call for all Americans, then I fail to know what will.
If American businesses continue to move to other countries, the travel agencies in our country should do a booming business transporting Americans to other countries in search of jobs.
I'm beginning to believe I might have been wrong to think that the people we vote to represent us really concern themselves with the needs of their own people first.
I believe the time has come for the American public to ask some tough questions from our leaders, and they deserve to be given honest answers.
Instead of political candidates trying to be elected by slinging mud at one another, I would appreciate it more if instead they would discuss issues facing our country and how best to go about fixing them.
The American people are strong enough to deal with the truth whether it be with the Iraq war, terrorism, employment, health care or other issues. But what weakens American morale the most is to be lied to or be told half-truths by those we vote into power and trust.
The blood, tears and sweat it took to build and make America the great country that it is can only continue when Americans "sow and reap" the fruits of their labor by working at jobs in their own country.
I will always believe that "working Americans are proud to work and keep America great," and their livelihood should never be threatened.
MARY LOU JURINA
Youngstown
Korean War veterans seekcharter, respect from U.S.
EDITOR:
In almost every war in which our military men and women have served, fought and died, they have had to fight for either benefits promised or help for war-related disease.
In World War I, it was medical help for the mustard gas. This was denied by their government for years.
In World War II, it was contamination from atomic testing radiation. Their government denied treatment.
In the Vietnam War, veterans saw the government reject claims of cancer related to Agent Orange. They had to fight their government's denial for many years before benefits were approved.
The Korean War saw the veterans fight their government's denial that there was such a thing as post traumatic war syndrome suffered by prisoners of war and by many in battle.
Veterans of the Gulf War were denied by their government that the disease called Gulf War Syndrome was related to their military service.
Now we have our sons and daughters fighting honorably in Iraq. For what reason, nobody really knows. Walter Reed Hospital has hundreds of young men who have lost legs, arms, eyes and you name it in service of their country. Let us pray that their government will treat them as soldiers who gave their all for their country.
In 1989, the Korean War Association applied for a federal charter. A moratorium was put into effect and we were denied. We are still trying after seven denials. Why is it important to us? Because a number of states will not recognize us for veterans committees without a federal charter. Here it is over 50 years since President Truman sent us to fight and die in Korea and we are still facing the "Forgotten War Syndrome." There are no financial aspects to our bill (HB 1043).
We are asking only for the respect that we've certainly earned from our country.
RAY L. REBER
2nd Vice CommanderAustintown American Legion Post
Niles resident has questionfor medical society leader
EDITOR:
Can Mahoning County Medical Society President Dr. Marc Saunders cite one case in which a patient came to no justiciable harm, but pursued a lawsuit anyway against practitioners and other providers to a favorable settlement or verdict that was judged by an impartial body to be completely without merit, that is, frivolous?
JACK LABUSCH
Niles