Cancer program airs tonight

A special program on the impact of cancer in America airing tonight on all three major networks will hit home for many eastern New Mexico families.

Between 1995 and 2004, there have been 1,590 Curry County and 657 Roosevelt County residents diagnosed with new cancer cases, according to the New Mexico Department of Health.

“Stand Up to Cancer” is a project produced by the Entertainment Industry Foundation, a non-profit group of entertainers, philanthropists and broadcasters trying raise public awareness and funding for cancer research.

Shannon Perry of Clovis and her family plan to watch the show.

Perry’s son, 9-year-old Jordan Perry, has been receiving treatment at the University of New Mexico Cancer Center for five years.
 There were no cancer centers near Clovis that offered pediatric care, she said.

“The staff at UNM has been amazing,” she said. “They create a family type of atmosphere, which helps comfort the child. We could not ask for any better care.”

In 2007, the staff at the UNM Cancer Center provided treatment to 49 patients from Roosevelt and Curry counties, according to the center.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death for New Mexicans, second only to heart disease, according to the center. Based on a recent study, one in five people die annually from cancer in New Mexico.

“New Mexico contains some of the worst cancer disparities in the nation,” said Dr. Cheryl Willman, director and chief executive officer of the UNM Cancer Center. “Native Americans and Hispanics are experiencing significant increases in cancer incidence and mortality.”

Statistics collected by the 2007 U.S. Census show that more than 22 percent of New Mexicans lack health insurance of any kind and do not have access to preventative care.

Any program that helps to raise funds for cancer research is a great idea, Shannon Perry said.

“I have been sending a monthly donation to UNM for the past three years,” Shannon Perry said. “I send the money to aid in the research and to ensure that other families receive the same type of care and attention that we did.”

More than 8,200 New Mexicans will experience a life altering cancer diagnosis this year, according to statistics from The New Mexico Tumor Registry at the UNM Cancer Center.

The program will air:
6 p.m. today
Networks airing the program are:
NBC, ABC and CBS.