Hundreds of Tennessee cancer survivors, family, friends, caregivers, researchers and advocates will rally on the Bicentennial Mall and march to the state Capitol Saturday, Sept. 26, to help make cancer the nation's top health care priority.
Co-sponsored by the Vanderbilt Cancer Center, the day-long event will be a part of "The MARCH: Coming Together to Conquer Cancer," a national campaign involving thousands of people in Washington, D.C., and local communities across the country. A delegation of Tennessee survivors and others will travel to Washington to represent the state in the national MARCH.
Participants in The MARCH have their sights set on three goals:
o More federal funding for all cancer research.
o Increased access to quality cancer care for all Americans.
o A renewed commitment from all elected officials to conquer cancer.
Cancer survivors and Vanderbilt staff members Linda Horton and Jane Kaufman are co-chairs for the Tennessee MARCH, which will begin at 8 a.m. on the Bicentennial Mall. Horton is a research assistant in the VCC and Kaufman is a purchasing agent. Former Gov. Ned McWherter, also cancer survivor, is the honorary chair.
In addition to the march and political rally, the event will include entertainment, survivor stories, an information fair and a candlelight vigil at dusk in honor of those who have faced or are facing this disease.
For more information or to get involved, call 936-3727 or visit the VCC website at www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/vumc/centers/cancer.