President Trauth declares April Cancer Awareness Month

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
January 28, 2009

“During this month-long observance, we want to educate our campus community about cancer prevention and support those individuals on campus who are battling the disease,” Trauth said. “Every one of us has been touched by cancer. If we have not had the disease ourselves, we all know a loved one or colleague who has. The good news is that survival rates go up dramatically with awareness.”

Cancer strikes 1.4 million Americans every year and more than a half million Americans die with it annually. One in every two American men and one in every three American women will face the disease sometime in their lifetimes.

A university committee of faculty, staff and students, along with the San Marcos community, is planning events for the month. So far, plans call for a student-led marrow donor registration drive and two education symposia – one for students and one for the larger community – that will include presentations by prominent oncologists, cancer survivors panels and remembrance sessions.

Cosponsors for the observance are the Texas State Faculty Senate, Staff Council, Associated Student Government, City of San Marcos and Hays County along with several hospitals and organizations that have a commitment to curing cancer.