Running Cancer Out of Town
Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum

Be a part of running cancer out of town by participating in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life at South Lakes High School on May 21-22. Although called a relay, no stressful physical activity is required. You simply participate on a team to raise money at an event that is one of the most successful in the region at raising money for the American Cancer Society.

The number of people with cancer is shocking. In fact, according to the American Cancer Society, one-third of all Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes if current trends continue. More than 1.3 million new cases will be diagnosed in 2005. Cancer is now the leading cause of death in the United States among persons 85 or younger, causing one in four deaths. For women, the top killing cancers are lung, breast, and colorectal. For men, the top killers are lung, prostate, and colorectal.

I got involved in Relay for Life after my personal experience of having colon cancer. In addition to the pleasure of working with the people who make up the Top of the Town team there is the satisfaction that comes from feeling that the funds raised help with needed research and education.

Already we know that many cancer deaths can be prevented with early screening and treatment. Colon cancer is an obvious example. But many new cases of cancer can be stopped from ever developing with the right lifestyle choices. Not smoking is the obvious no-brainer here. The American Cancer Society uses funds from Relay for Life and other activities to raise public awareness of the need for screening for detection and treatment and for changing lifestyles to prevent cancer.

“Attacking Cancer on All Fronts,” an article in the April 2005 issue of State News published by the Council of State Governments, outlines the comprehensive approach that many states are taking to fight cancer. From cancer registries, such as the one maintained in Virginia, that track incidents of cancer to information and referral systems, more states are getting involved. In Delaware with one of the highest cancer risk and death rates in the country and where the governor’s husband died of lung cancer, a pioneering program has been started to pay for cancer treatment for those who cannot afford it.

To learn more about the dread disease and its prevention and treatment, visit the American Cancer Society website at www.cancer.org. For information on the Relay for Life event at South Lakes High School, go to www.restonrelay.org or contact Shari True at 703.938.5550 or shari.true@cancer.org. To participate in the Reston Relay with the Top of the Town Team or to make a contribution to the team, contact me at 703.391.2978 or kenplum@aol.com. You can help run cancer out of town.

Thanks to the citizens who attended the Town Meeting I co-hosted Monday evening with Senator Janet Howell at the Reston Regional Library. I learn a great deal about my constituency and the interests and needs of our community by listening to your questions and comments at these meetings. We had a good exchange of information about the highlights and low points of the 2005 General Assembly session with time at the end of the meeting for questions about issues specific to Northern Virginia and Reston.

Vote in the June 14 Primary Election. If you are not registered to vote, you have less than one week to register and be able to vote on June 14. The deadline is next Monday, May 16, at 5:00 p.m. Those needing to vote absentee in the Primary Election must apply for the absentee ballot by mail by June 9 or in person by June 11. For information about registration and where to vote, call the Fairfax County Electoral Board at 703.222.0776 or visit their website at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/gov.eb/homepage.htm. Visit in person at 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 323, Fairfax. The Electoral Board offices will be closed on Monday, May 30, for the Memorial Day holiday.

The Democratic and Republican Parties have primaries on the same day this year. Democrats have a statewide contest for lieutenant governor. Republicans have statewide contests for governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general. You may participate in either Primary Election but not both.

The 2005 Virginia Medicare Supplement Insurance Premium Comparison Guide provides basic information you need to know about Medicare and private insurance plans designed to supplement Medicare. The State Corporation Commission’s (SCC) Bureau of Insurance developed the free publication to help consumers with comparison shopping for Medicare supplement insurance (also called Medigap) products. For further information, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov.

Virginia’s Air Pollution Control Board is planning to promulgate a fast-track regulation concerning Permits for Stationary Sources (9 VAC 5-80), Permits for New and Modified Sources (Rev. K04). The public comment period is May 30 through July 29, 2005. For more details go to www.townhall.virginia.gov/Stage/viewStage.cfm?Stage_2951. For more information, contact Robet A. Mann, Director, Office of Air Regulatory Development, at ramann@deq.virginia.gov, or phone 804.698.4419.

The second annual Bike to Work Day celebration will be held in Fairfax County with rallies in Reston, Vienna, and the Government Center on Friday, May 20, from 6:30 to 9:00 a.m. Reston’s rally will be held at the Reston Town Center pavilion. Throughout the morning last year over 220 bicycle commuters from around the Reston area gathered at the Town Center to celebrate bicycle commuting. This year’s event will feature food and drinks for cyclists, gift raffles every half-hour, and information displays from a number of local and regional organizations. Among the groups represented will be the Reston Association, the Friends of the W & OD Trail, Reston Bicycle Club, the Virginia Department of Transportation, Fairfax County government, and LINK. Great Harvest Bread and Whole Foods Market will provide food, and A-1 Cycling will provide raffle items. Thanks to Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins for distributing information to me and others about Bike to Work Day.

LaBECA, A Women’s Scholarship Foundation, brings education, compassion and assistance to women and girls in Latin America through educational scholarships and programs. The inaugural fundraiser will be held in Alexandria on May 23. For more information, call 703.360.8445.

A celebration honoring Delegate Jim Dillard and raising money for the James H. Dillard II Scholarship will be held at the Waterford at Fair Oaks on June 7. For more information call 703.922.6768 or email fairfaxscholarship@att.net.

The Wolf Trap Gala, “The Art of Romance,” featuring Tony Bennett, will be June 18. For more information, call 703.255.4030.

Saturday and Sunday, May 21-22 – American Cancer Society Relay for Life at South Lakes High School. If you would like to join a team, call Delegate Ken Plum at 703.758.9733. No physical activity required in the Relay – just a willingness to help raise money for an important cause.

Wednesday, June 1, 6:00-8:00 p.m. – Spring Reception sponsored by the Dulles Corridor Rail Association at Sallie Mae headquarters in Reston Town Center. Governor Mark Warner will be recognized for his leadership on the Dulles rail project. For more information call 703.855.5068.

Thursday, June 2, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. – Anniversary Celebration Honoring Delegate Kenneth R. Plum at the historic Smith-Bowman House. Sponsorships and invitations available. Call 703.391.2978.

Saturday, June 4, 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. – Clyde’s Strawberry Festival to benefit Nature House. Schedule and details at www.reston.org.