By Alaina Denean 

The Selma Times-Journal

 

Breast cancer is a hot topic this month, and with all of the pink clothing being worn and ribbons being tied, the American Cancer Society is reminding everyone that cancer is beatable, and they have the survivors to prove it.

The American Cancer Society is teaming up with local churches to help raise money for the fight against breast cancer, by holding a Survivor Sunday. Each church that participates can choose a Sunday in October to have the event, and members are asked to make a special donation for the cancer society.

“The Survivor’s Program is an effort to, first of all, celebrate the lives of our survivors,” said Bridget Mills, an American Cancer Society Specialist. “The American Cancer Society realizes that it’s our survivors who are a testament that we are winning over cancer.”

The American Cancer Society estimates that over 3,600 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Alabama in 2014, and around 700 people will die from the horrible disease.

“It was decided to reach out to our faith community to give them an opportunity to celebrate the lives of their survivors within their congregation, while at the same time, bringing awareness to breast cancer.”

The program has been going on in other counties, but this will be the first year that Dallas County has participated.

“This just seemed to be the perfect year to really push it, and get it out in our communities, and we’re really hoping that it becomes an annual event, and each year we get more and more churches to participate,” Mills said.

In the last year, three counties from the surrounding areas participated, raising nearly $7,000. This year, with Dallas County in the mix, Mills said they are hoping to double that amount.

“Part of what we’re trying to do is get out community aware — number one — that we are winning cancer, and to really identify that there are hundreds of survivors here in Dallas County.  And this is an opportunity to celebrate them while also making sure that we’re getting out in the community the work that the American Cancer Society is doing,” Mills said.

Some churches have asked for a special donation during service, while some have decided to give even more.

“There are some churches who have decided to donate their benevolent offering for that particular Sunday as a way of giving to a non-profit organization and supporting the cause of fighting cancer,” Mills said.

“The money that the churches turn in will go towards the fight against cancer but those dollars that we’re raising is also a kickoff of our 2015 Relay For Life event.”

The American Cancer Society is also offering free cancer literature by calling the society at 1-800-227-2345.

Mills is hopeful for this year to be the best one yet, and one day, end cancer for good.

“The more churches we get involved, the more we’ll be able to raise,” Mills said.