In the fight against cancer, the American Cancer Society (ACS) places great importance on local cancer patient services, hoping to ease cancer's impact on people's lives in Dunklin County.

The fact that people are surviving cancer today more than ever before reinforces the need to help people get back into life's mainstream.

According to statistics, today, more than 60 percent of cancer victims live at least five years longer than originally expected and many fight the disease and overcome it altogether, giving them the title "cancer survivor".

Much of this progress is made possible through family, friend, and community efforts, including the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life of Dunklin County, in addition to top notch medical care.

"Dunklin County's American Cancer Society provides the latest information about cancer and guidance to local community resources," said Marcie Lawson, Community Manager - Health Initiatives.

"Programs, services and materials to cancer patients and their families are available locally at no cost through public contributions."

The American Cancer Society helps people with cancer and their families in every Missouri community through a toll free number that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. By calling 1-800-ACS-2345, a cancer information specialist can offer assistance.

Resources can also be found on the ACS Web site at www.cancer.org.

With a click of the mouse, patients and caregivers can log onto the Cancer Survivors NetworkTM and seek support. The site offers discussion groups, personal stories, communication with others via e-mail and resources such as suggested books, articles and Web sites.

The Society also offers several tangible services such as, comfort pillows, wigs, turbans, nutritional supplements and other items.

These items can be made available at Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center and the Dunklin County Health Department, both conveniently located in Kennett.

Temporary housing at the Hope Lodge® is available in St. Louis for cancer patients who must travel for treatment.

According to Lawson, several Dunklin County residents have taken advantage of the Hope Lodge® resource in their time of need.

Additionally, the Reach to Recovery® program is a support program for breast cancer patients and Look Good… Feel Better® is a wonderful program available to women to help with the physical and emotional side effects of cancer treatment.

All of these services are available in Dunklin County through the American Cancer Society Relay For Life which is a unique community event that celebrates survivorship and raises money for cancer-fighting programs.

Teams of eight to 15 people camp out overnight at Metz Cherry Stadium, located at Kennett High School, and take turns walking around a track or path.

The event begins with a survivors' lap, in which cancer survivors take a victory lap around the track.

Later, a candlelight ceremony takes place to honor cancer survivors and remember those who lost the battle to cancer.

This year, the ACS Relay For Life of Dunking County will take place from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., May 30 and May 31, 2008.

Those local teams scheduled to participate in the event includes LaFemme, Business and Professional Women of Kennett, Family Counseling Center, City, Light, Gas and Water, South Elementary and Masterson Elementary, Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center, Slicer Street Church of Christ, FROGSS, ACS, Hamlett & Hamrick, Kennett High School, First Christian Church, National Health Care, H&R Block, Senath Nursing Center, First State Community Bank of Malden, Independent Home Pharmacy, Heritage Nursing Center, Kennett Middle School and St. Cecilia's Catholic Church.

To learn more about Relay for Life or how to participate, call Co-Chair Autumn Burk (573) 471-1873.