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Show Cancer crusade 'Early defection is best cure' "It gives me lots of satisfaction," says Anna Oldham of her job as President Presi-dent of the Uintah County American Cancer Society. A job she has held for the past 18 months. Twice a victim of cancer herself, Mrs. Oldham has great empathy for those who suffer from this dreaded disease. Her first cancer surgery was 21 years ago for cancer of the uterus. A pap smear examination led to the detection of this cancer. In June 1965, she had a severe radical mastectomy, removal of a breast and related tissue. Four days after her surgery, he son Leslie drowned in the Green River. Mrs. Oldham, 59, has had ten major surgeries. She has also had ten lumps removed from her breasts and several cancer scares. She has been a widow for 10 years and works as a cook at Maeser Elementary. 'I am grateful for my health each day," says Mrs. Oldham, "I am glad to be alive to help others accept and understand their problem." Anna Oldham tries to contact the other cancer patients in Uintah County as soon as possible. Once a month at least. Her goal as president of the Uintah Uin-tah American Cancer Society is to educate others to the seven cancer warning war-ning signals. "139.000 people in the United States will die in 1982 from cancer who could have been saved by early diagnosis and treatment," Mrs. Oldham said, "early detection is very important. Ninety percent of cancer could be cured if detected soon enough." Forty-four cases of cancer have been reported in Uintah County in the past 18 months, says Anna. "If I can help just one other person to escape cancer death by early detection, I'll be happy," says Anna. Russell Vernon, Ver-non, crusade chairman, says Anna has already done that several times. Vernon says the Cancer Crusade is scheduled during April, but that the work of the cancer volunteers is a twelve month program. "We give of our time gladly," Vernon comments. Vernon also was a cancer victim. About seven months ago he discovered a lump which was later removed and confirmed as cancerous. He then under went 15 sessions of radiation treatment to prevent the possible spread of the cancer through the lymph system. Today To-day he is fully cured and suffers no effects ef-fects of the cancer. Vernon is an engineer for Uintah Engineering in Vernal. This year's Cancer Crusade will emphasize em-phasize educating the public to the signs of cancer, but more important, it will stress getting problems taken care V'.y s i " . J 4 . tW 4,-.' 0 V f& ' i - ' i 1 ANNA OLDHAM, president of the Uintah chapter of the American Cancer Society says her goal is to educate people to the seven warning signals of cancer and to assist those who have cancer. of, Vernon said. "Most people are aware of the signals of cancer, but many are afraid to have them treated," Vernon said. "Anyone who has questions or concerns con-cerns about cancer is welcome to call and talk to me or other members of the cancer society," says Oldham. "If we don't know the answers, we'll find them. We can call Salt Lake City direct with questions." Corey Grua, public information chairman, endeavors to keep the public aware of cancer problems with a w eek-ly eek-ly Cancer Answer column in the Vernal Express. Renae Shiner, public education chairman, chair-man, has touched over 4000 people with films shown to schools and clubs. Dr. Parker Davies is medical advisor to the cancer society. Other members are Mark Nash, legacy and planned gift chairman. Marilyn Thacker is service and health chairman. She stated that the society has "facilities to furnish hospital beds, wheel chairs or clostomy supplies." Veda Hatch serves as "Reach for Recovery" chairman. She helps patients pa-tients who have had mastecomies adjust. ad-just. Candlelight chairman is Dee Ann Martin, who works with parents who have children or who have lost children to cancer. Trudy Roelofsz is chairman of a new-program new-program which involves people who have cancer called "I can cope." Mike Murdock, vice president of the Utah American Cancer Society, met with the members of the Uintah Society March 30 and stated that "70 percent of all cancer could be cured is people would stop smoking." The American Cancer Society spends more in Utah than it collects on the Aoril Cancer Crusade "Patients who need assistance are allowed up to $200 to monies raised in Uintah County for medication and travel expenses," Oldham reported. Over 20.000 volunteers give of their time freely throughout Utah on the American Cancer Crusade. About 500 volunteers are helping w ith the crusade in the Vernal area. Cancers seven warning signals are: 1. Change in bowel or bladder habits. 2. A sore that does not heal. 3. Unusual bleeding or discharge. 4. Thickening or lump in breast or elsew here. 5. Indigestion Indiges-tion or difficulty swallowing. 6. Obvious change in a wart or mole. 7. Nagging cough or hoarseness. "If you have a warning signal, see your doctor, " admonished ad-monished Anna Oldham. |