Page 12 - South Mississippi Living - May, 2021

COAST NOTE
American Cancer Society Debuts New Event
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a signi cant impact on people with cancer, their families, and caregivers. The pandemic continues to disrupt support systems needed by people with cancer and their caregivers, like rides to treatment, lodging, and access to care. Cancer hasn’t stopped for the pandemic, so neither has the American Cancer Society.
In Mississippi, the American Cancer Society estimates 17,190 people will learn they have cancer this year. “With regards to cancer care, the availability and quality of care is in uenced by various structural barriers, including access to care,” states LaWanda Jones, senior development manager for the American Cancer Society.
The American Cancer Society is debuting a new event that will target transportation disparities for cancer patients. Join the American Cancer
Society for a shucking good time as they debut Shuck Cancer Gulf Coast, which is truly a party with a purpose that involves business professionals in the ght against cancer.
Bene tting the Mississippi Community Transportation Grant Program, all funds secured by this event will be restricted
to this grant program that supports
local health care systems as they address transportation barriers in Mississippi,
a critical need to ensure treatment completion is met. Local facilities such as Memorial Hospital and Singing River Health Systems have been awarded this grant.
The American Cancer Society is on a mission to free the world from cancer. “For more than 100 years, we have helped lead an evolution in the way the world prevents, detects, treats, and thinks about cancer,” says Jones. “Our mission delivery
e orts are focused on the critical areas of research, education, advocacy, and service. These four areas serve as our messaging pillars, the foundation of how we speak to what we do, so we can make our biggest impact on cancer yet.”
That’s why it is imperative to ensure cancer patients are not missing appointments and treatment because they have transportation issues. No one should have to put their life on the line because of a lack of access. Shuck Cancer Gulf Coast will help to bridge that gap.
Shuck Cancer Gulf Coast
www.shuckcancergulfcoast.com
story and photos courtesy of
American Cancer Society
12 | May 2021 www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living