Cancer Survivors Trick-Or-Treat, Ask For Cancer Research Funding
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Some cancer survivors get in the spirit of Halloween by trick-or-treating at the State House in Annapolis.
Pat Warren reports the treat they're looking for is funding.
Arriving in a pink limo and clutching power purses, cancer survivors masquerading as trick-or-treaters arrive at the state's doorstep.
"I actually became a cancer patient in 1977," said Anna Renault.
"I'm actually a two-time breast cancer survivor," said Jacqueline Beale.
"I'm a two-time breast cancer survivor and my two paternal aunts and my paternal grandmother all have breast cancer," said Peggy Kidwell.
They have a message to deliver with 500 signatures asking the governor for additional funding for the state cancer research screening program.
"The Breast and Cervical Cancer Program is a program that picked me up when I lost my job, my family moved out. I had nothing," said Vonnie Uzoukwu.
An estimated 4,700 women in Maryland will have been diagnosed with breast cancer this year. About 800 women will have died.
The state's screening program for women who are uninsured is a critical element in early detection.
"This is vital to me. I mean, through these programs, you can tell, since as I said, I'm a two-time survivor, helped save my life a couple of times," said Beale.
The program was funded this year at the same level as 2012, $6 million. But the Cancer Society Action Network said at that rate, many eligible women are being left out.
"We have learned so much, but we still have a ways to go. We're still losing way too many too young," said Renault.
Studies indicate that early detection raises the survival rate to 98 percent. Later stage detection is 27 percent.
The program also provides cervical cancer screenings.
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