               |
General Schwarzkopf, Celebs Lend Support for National Cancer March Desert Storm hero General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, ABC news anchor Sam Donaldson, talk-show host Larry King, CBS News’ Paula Zahn and actor Robert Urich have something in common: they all are lending support for the planned September march on Washington to make the treatment and cure of cancer a national priority. Schwarzkopf, a survivor of prostate cancer, serves as honorary chair for, “The March: Coming Together to Conquer Cancer,” which is set for Saturday, September 26 in the nation’s capital. 
Together, we’ll make cancer-its treatment and cure-a national priority,” says Schwarzkopf. “We’re talking about a bigger pie for research. And we’re talking about people getting access to the best care available, and not just those of us lucky enough to have healthcare coverage. We’re talking a full-scale, united assault on cancer. That’s how wars are won.” With support from every national cancer group in the country, The March is being spearheaded by three organizations: the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), Friends of Cancer Research (FCR) and the Intercultural Cancer Council (ICC). NCCS is a grassroots advocacy organization for cancer survivors. ICC is a national forum that brings together distinguished experts on cancer treatment, cancer survivors, and leaders of culturally and ethnically diverse communities. A lobby organization, FCR seeks to increase government funding for cancer research. The brainchild of NCCS Executive Director Ellen Stovall, The March also has support from labor, educational and environmental groups, as well as from FCR’s Creative Community Task Force on Cancer. The latter is a group of Hollywood actors and producers who are trying to get the message out to the entertainment industry. While The March is headlined by celebrities and major cancer groups, Chief Operating Officer Betsy Clark points out that there is a major difference between this and other prior cancer lobbies. “The key difference is that this is a patient-led movement, one that is being organized from the grassroots up,” says Clark, an Albany, New York hospital administrator who is on leave for a year to head The March. While not a cancer survivor herself, Clark’s sister died after a 13-year battle with multiple myeloma. Early on, March organizers sought help from Wally McGuire to assess national opinion on whether or not such a campaign might succeed. Head of McGuire and Company, McGuire has organized the Olympic Torch Relay, the Pope’s visit to the U.S., World Cup Soccer and other such major events With his help, some 900 organizations in more than 200 American cities have been contacted for their views on The March. The groups represent about 6.5 million people in every sector of society, and response has been overwhelmingly positive. Clark says The March has received thousands of calls and letters since the official announcement of the event was made during a press conference held at the National Press Club in Washington. “It’s pretty remarkable. We receive at least 100 letters, calls and e-mail messages a day,” says Clark. “It’s also very moving. Some patients say their goal is to live long enough to be able to come to the march,” she adds. The Washington, D.C. weekend, which will serve as climax to a year-long campaign, will include a Friday evening candlelight vigil at the Lincoln Memorial, a Saturday morning event for children who’ve been diagnosed with cancer, and the march itself, to be held from noon to 4 p.m. on The Mall. Constitution Hall has been reserved for Saturday night’s entertainment, tentatively billed, “Stars Shine for Cancer.” There also will be interfaith services and educational displays. “Our goal is to have delegates from the capitals of all 50 states for the rally on The Mall,” comments Clark, adding that march participants also are expected to be diverse by race and age. Clark offers a word of caution: reserve hotel rooms now, as there are only 250,000 hotel rooms in the greater D.C. area, including Baltimore. Soon, march organizers will contract with a travel agent to assist in identifying inexpensive air and ground transportation fares and hotel space. Participants must make their own travel arrangements, however. While there are no funds available at present to help those who wish to attend the march but cannot afford it, Clark encourages would-be participants to approach their employers, local businesses, churches and other organizations to seek sponsorship for the trip. Meanwhile, March organizers are approaching pharmaceutical companies and other corporations for money to help. For those who cannot make it to Washington, similar events are being planned for the same weekend in communities across the country. Cancer advocates have called from other countries as well-specifically England, Holland and Canada-to discuss the possibility of holding similar events in tandem, says Clark. She suggests that families and nursing home residents can hold their own candlelight vigils that Friday evening. “When you think of the importance of lighting candles in the Jewish tradition, for instance, or of the significance of fire for Native Americans, a candlelight vigil for cancer survivors is something that could be done every year,” Clark says excitedly. Clark believes The March campaign will make a huge difference in the ways Americans address cancer issues and fund cancer research. “The campaign has two roles. One is to educate the American public that this is a war. The second is to educate our legislators that we don’t have enough funding for cancer research,” she says. “We lose 1,565 people to cancer every day. That’s like five jumbo jets crashing a day. Isn’t it time we did something to stop this?” Clark, who holds a doctorate in medical sociology, says only one in five viable cancer research projects manages to secure government funding. “With the signing of the National Cancer Act in 1971, President Richard Nixon said we would wipe out cancer in seven years. That was 27 years ago and the war still is being waged,” Clark points out. Calling on all Americans to become involved, March organizers remind the public of the following:
“We hope that after this campaign, we will have procured enough money for research to actually cure cancer,” says Clark. “We cured polio. Perhaps we will see a cure for cancer, even in this generation.” To become a grassroots organizer in your community, to have your event registered as an official event of The March or to learn more, contact organizers of The March at: 1010 Wayne Avenue, Suite 200 |
|
|
||
