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Relay for Life continues in the United States.

There is a constant fight nowadays against cancer and its causes. Fortunately, Relay for Life is one of the initiatives that continue helping and encouraging people in their battle with cancer.

Survivors confessed that the devastating force of cancer included a lot of pain, needles, constant blood work, fatigue, and hair loss. Plus, scans, chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery are some of the many efforts that cancer fighters must make in order to deal with this disease.

Nevertheless, every single cancer survivor says that it is all worth it as long as you have a healthy perspective towards life. The next Relay for Life will be in Mercer County, Saturday from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. at Central Park, 120 N. College Avenue.

The Relay will raise money and awareness to help cancer fighters and to support the research of the American Cancer Society. During the Relay, there will be many types of activities such as children’s games, musical entertainment, food sales, and silent auctions.

Plus, there will also be the Survivor’s Walk and many long event runs. The funds will also go to many other support programs including Look Good Feel Better Program, designed to teach women with cancer beauty techniques; transportation for patients to a hospital where they can benefit from the correct treatment; and Hope Lodge, a program which helps patients undergoing treatment.

According to Sue Hiscocks, Mercer County Relay organizer for the last 25 years, Relay for Life is one of the most critical missions for her as she lost her brother, Gary Johnson, after a long fight with leukemia at age 15.

She underlined that it is a tough battle, so people need to be encouraged to carry on. In addition to this, Survivor Walk is the most touching part of the Relay as during this activity you can hear a lot of people cheering and encouraging one another.

Through this initiative, the ones who passed away are remembered, cancer fighters are supported, and survivors are celebrated. Until now, the Mercer County Relay has collected $41,206 during the event, and the fundraising will continue as 22 teams will be walking this Saturday.

At the sunset, the track will be illuminated by luminaria candles which will be available for $10. The silent lap will begin at 9 p.m. and will probably be the most important part of the Mercer County Relay For Life.

Image Source:Cancer Council

senior patient suffering from Alzheimer's.

New fundraise will support Alzheimer’s costs.

Despite the latest developments in the medical field, Alzheimer’s disease cannot be cured, treated or even prevented. Furthermore, Alzheimer’s is not normal aging as it has various symptoms depending on the patient and its progression cannot be slowed.

Fortunately, people can live up to 20 years with this disease. The only way we can prevent Alzheimer is by living a healthy life.

Experts have established that people having a healthier lifestyle based on a proper diet and physical exercises were less likely to develop life-threatening diseases, such as cancer, heart conditions and in this case, Alzheimer’s.

Regarding the elderly, this disease is associated with dementia whereas people diagnosed in their 30s show other symptoms that progress in time.

Around 6,400 people were diagnosed last year in the United States, and $56 million covered Medicaid treatment. Plus, one-third of the 33,000 caregivers in Alaska will suffer financial consequences as they spent 38 million hours of unpaid service last year.

According to Cindy Harris, Alaska’s ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Association, and leader for Mama Lena, a central Kenai Peninsula Longest Day team, this situation might lead to the bankruptcy of Alaska’s government.

Fortunately, nine teams from Alaska will participate in the Alzheimer Associations’ 2016 The Longest Day Fundraiser. In addition to this, they will have 19 hours of daylight on the summer solstice thanks to their geographical position.

Through this initiative, the teams hope to raise awareness and enough funds to support the costs of the most expensive disease in the United States.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the statistics show that without policy changes, funding and targeted support, the federal government will have to spend $1.1 trillion in Medicaid and Medicare payments by 2050 when the number of diagnoses in the United States will reach a critical number of 13.8 million.

Furthermore, the average cost supported by caregivers or anyone contributing to a patient’s care is $15,000 every year, provided only by their income. This situation has consequences as 74 percent of these caregivers are worried that they will not be able to maintain their own health. Plus, one in five caregivers will rarely check their doctors because they will not be able to support any other expenses.

Hopefully, this fundraiser will gather enough money and scientists will find a treatment that will be able to tackle Alzheimer’s eventually.

Image Source:Approved Senior Network

Relay For Life Never Gives Up

The Longest Day of Alzheimer Funding

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