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Queens couple leads relay to run circles around cancer

By The TimesLedger

With cancer ranked second among the leading causes of death in the United States, an increasing number of people are becoming more concerned about the disease’s magnitude and its impact on human lives.

Each year, according to the American Cancer Society, there is an increase in cancer cases among Americans — a dilemma that intensifies the need to inform people that the disease remains a leading health problem.

Michael and Joan Gore, a married couple from the Queens Village area, are taking steps in a literal sense to ensure that the inhabitants of Queens are aware of the risks posed by cancer. Advocates in the fight against the dreaded disease, the Gores are asking the public to join them in a relay-for-life event June 14-15 at Roy Wilson Park in Jamaica designed to raise funds for cancer research.

“We are putting our hearts into Relay for Life for two groups of people,” Michael said. “It’s for those we lost along the way, and those we can still help.”

Since joining the fight against cancer approximately two tears ago, the dedicated couple has spread the message of hope and survival for those diagnosed with the disease. They said they became involved in the struggle as a result of having a family member diagnosed with breast cancer. Initially, curiosity about the disease motivated them to investigate its realities. But after attending workshops and getting accurate statistics about cancer, they gradually became committed advocates. They now relish the idea of making their advocacy a life-long commitment.

“When we first started getting data, we were awed as to the magnitude of the disease,” Joan said. A registered nurse, she found herself in familiar territory, but with her aim directed at a new challenge. “I’ve been witness to cases, so my interests lie there,” she said.

Since then, the Gores have donated money and launched collection drives to raise funds for the fight against cancer, including an effort by a group of Springfield Junior High School students that raised $1,000 for the cause. Other groups actively supporting the Gores include the Douglas King Democratic Club, the Wayanda Civic Association of Queens Village, the 105th Precinct Council, the Pal Foster Laurie Senior Center and the Holliswood Community Church.

An active member with his wife in community organizations, Michael uses the lessons he has learned — and his voice — to galvanize resources and strength.

“We spend time talking to these groups about the American Cancer Society, so they in turn are helping us with Relay for Life,” he said.

Relay for Life, first held in 1985 in Tacoma, Washington, has raised more than $732 million. The Gores hope the event will become an annual affair in Jamaica.

An overnight celebration, the two-day affair is primarily a volunteer-driven community event geared toward bringing people together. It kicks off June 14 at 6 p.m. with individuals and teams building campsites, cooking barbecues, engaging in dances and taking turns walking or running around the track in relays. As night falls, participants will light hundreds of candles around the track in a moving ceremony to honor cancer survivors as well as friends and family members lost to the disease.

The American Cancer Society, headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., is a nationwide community-based volunteer health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer and other illnesses through research, education, advocacy and service. Since its formation in New York City in 1913, it has been a stalwart in the fight against what was then a disease rarely discussed in public. Based on recent reports, it is estimated that one of three Americans will eventually be affected by cancer. The most common varieties include breast, lung, colon, and rectum cancer. In 1995, a total of 547,000 deaths were attributed to the disease. Among men, prostate cancer is most frequent, while breast cancer is prominent among women. But in terms of mortality rate, lung cancer is the number one killer.

However, there is still hope as some people are alive even after being diagnosed five years ago, resulting in a 54% survival rate.

Awareness is big on the Gores’ agenda, and the couple is employing different approaches in an effort to spread information.

“Educating people about [the disease] is crucial to the cause,” they said, adding, “men are shy” and usually find out they have the disease at a late stage of development, and that conducting “self-examination is imperative” to early detection. Men are also at risk to breast and rectal cancer.

“The rates of cancer deaths are shocking,” Michael said, “Education is one of the tools for prevention, and our community needs to know how to guard against the disease.”

Park location: Roy Wilkins Park

Foch Blvd and Merrick Blvd

Jamaica

Registration: $10

For further information on cancer go on-line at www.cancer.org