Recently I had the pleasure of meeting former Reston resident and legendary Redskins star Darrell Green. I was surprised; he really is not much taller than I am. But his exploits on the football gridiron speak volumes about his greatness as a football player. And the good news is that he says he will play one more year.

But the occasion of my meeting Darrell Green was not about football; it related to one of the many projects with which Darrell Green lends his name in order to help the community. Darrell Green and the “Green Team” of the American Cancer Society, Aetna, and INOVA Health System have joined together to lead the fight against colon cancer. I attended a reception for The Colorectal Cancer Partnership, as the Green Team is officially known, and presented to Darrell Green a framed copy of House Joint Resolution 316, sponsored by me and signed by all 140 members of the General Assembly.

HJR 316 commends the Green Team for its efforts to “Tackle Colon Cancer” by educating the public about the risk factors and possible symptoms of the disease, encouraging people to adopt health behaviors that can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, and increasing regular screening for people over 50 and for people who are at added risk for the disease regardless of age.

As a colon cancer survivor I have learned more about the disease than I really wanted to know. It is the third most common cancer in men and women and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. The good news is that 90 percent of colorectal cancers can be cured if caught in their early stages through regular examinations.

I admire Darrell Green and the Green Team for the important community awareness work they are doing. That’s why I introduced HJR 316. And other important work is going on to find a cure for cancer. In the last session I introduced HJR 323 commending the Reston Relay for Life for its fundraising efforts on behalf of the American Cancer Society.

On June 8–9 at the football stadium at South Lakes High School more than $400,000 will be raised to support the work of the American Cancer Society. I have organized a team for the Relay for Life, and we are hard at work raising money for the American Cancer Society.

Stop by to join with the more than 1500 people who will participate in the event including a 1:00 p.m. lap around the track on June 8 by cancer survivors. At 9:30 p.m. luminaria will be lit for cancer victims. Have lunch while you are there; my team, “Top of the Town,” will be serving elegant meals throughout the afternoon to persons who make contributions to the American Cancer Society.

Darrell Green, the Green Team, the Reston Relay for Life, the Top of the Town Team, and the community—all working together—all fighting for a cure. For more information, visit www.restonrelay.org or www.kenplum.com.