A2 participates in nationwide cancer campaign

A national campaign brought cancer to the forefront this weekend in Ann Arbor and around the nation.

Highlighted by a march on the Capitol in Washington, D.C., the weekend's activities, part of the "Coming together to Conquer Cancer" campaign, were held "to bring cancer awareness to a higher level," said Maxine Solvay, promotion coordinator for the University's comprehensive cancer center.

Ceremonies in Ann Arbor began Friday night with a candlelight vigil at the cancer center. A similar ceremony took place at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. as well as in other locations around the nation. Organizers said the purpose of this weekend's nationwide campaign was to increase the visibility of the disease in hopes the government will give more money to cancer research.

Speakers included the heads of the area's three leading cancer centers - Max Wicha, director of the University's Cancer Center; Raymond Demers, director of the Josephine Ford Cancer Center; and Phillip Stella, medical director of the McAuley Cancer Center.

"We need more funding ... we hope that this message is heard all the way to Washington and to our state legislators," Wicha said.

Andrew Epstein, a senior at Ann Arbor Community High School, spoke about how his father's death from leukemia taught him how to cope with the death of a loved one. "At any time, life can be taken away from you," Epstein said. When someone does die, "always cherish the life they led before they died."

Rick and Donna Carducci, who lost their 4 1/2-year-old daughter Chelsea to cancer, talked about their experience accompanying Chelsea at the University Hospitals.

"Chelsea taught us what is important in life. Cancer always seems to happen to someone else," Rick Carducci said. "There are a lot of people here at U of M who are here to help, if you let them."

The emotional ceremony concluded with a service of remembrance, led by University Health Systems Chaplain Joel Beam. Participants lit candles in honor of those who have died from cancer and added names to a book listing more than 600 local victims of cancer.

"It was touching," assistant Nursing Prof. Bernadine Cimprich said. "This ceremony is so personal because families and patients who are here tonight are all part of the experience of cancer. (Tonight) was for them."

The service is only the beginning of a national movement to bring awareness to a lack of funding for cancer research, Wicha said.

Scientists "have the direction, now just more funding is needed to get the cure," Solvay said. For every $10 in collected taxes, only one cent is spent on cancer research, organizers said. About 1.5 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year - 25,000 just in southeastern Michigan - and more than 535,000 people will die from cancer this year.

Cancer costs the nation $104 billion a year in lost productivity and medical costs, which is about 50 times the federal investment in cancer research, organizers said.

At a legislative brunch in Crisler Arena, held before Saturday's Michigan-Michigan State football game, Wicha addressed Gov. John Engler and the state Legislature on the current national focus on cancer awareness.

One hundred cancer survivors accompanied the Michigan Marching Band on the field during the football pre-game show while cancer statistics were displayed on the scoreboards.

Cancer volunteers solicited signatures for petitions during the football game for a state house bill, introduced by Rep. Mary Schroer (D-Ann Arbor), calling for insurance reform so cancer patients can gain better access to care.

The bill is "a step in the right direction," Solvay said.

Other events across the state this weekend included candlelight vigils in Livonia and Detroit, a rally at the State Capitol in Lansing and a cancer walk in East Grand Rapids.

The idea for the march was born April 7, 1997 on CNN's Larry King Live when a group of panelists, including ABC news broadcaster Sam Donaldson, Michael Milken, founder of the Association for the Cure of Cancer of the Prostate, and Ellen Stovall, executive director of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship.

The panelists commented that the public and private war on cancer was inadequate. King challenged them to march on Washington and six months later plans were underway.

Gen. Norman Schwartzkopf, a prostate cancer survivor, phoned in, offered to lead the march and challenged "every other cancer survivor - and every other American - to join me."

"I was watching Larry King (that night) and as soon as I heard that, I knew that I was going to Washington," said Solvay, a 12-year cancer survivor.

More than 500,000 people attended cancer events on the National Mall, including a march on the Capitol, led by Schwartzkopf. More than 250 national, state and local medical and professional organizations, and celebrities like supermodel Cindy Crawford, Vice President Al Gore, figure skater Scott Hamilton, singers Aretha Franklin, David Crosby, Graham Nash and Michael Bolton, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and ABC's Donaldson and Cokie Roberts participated in the day's events.

09-28-98