The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-11-22
M'NUTT CALLS
CITIZENS TO AID
RAD|UM DRIVE
Governor Breakfasts Appeal
in Fight Against
Cancer.

Ger was stressed last night by Gov.
McNutt in radio address in be-
half Of the Seventh District Fedora
ton of Clubs radium fund commit
tee.
Speaking from Radio Station
WIRE. Gov McNutt declared:
The women of the Seventh Dis
trict Federation of Clubs now are
engaged in great humanitarian
work, a work designed to relieve suf-
fering from dread disease-can-
Ger.
"One of the accepted treatments
of this disease, which took a toll in
1888 of $4,000 lives, is radium.
There are now, in Marion County
alone, approximately 300 men and
women probably destined to die, I'M
less they can be treated with radi-
UNI Hence there is no further need
to point out the great need at once
for obtaining a necessary supply of
radium for the treatment Of cancer
at the clinic at the Indianapolis
City Hospital
One Out or III Is flcllm
statistics show that one out Of
every 10 persons beyond the age Of
as, listening to the sound Of my
voice, is destined to die of cancer
This dreadful malady now ranks
second as the cause of death from
diseases in the United States.
1T has risen from sixth place,
in 1900, to its present position. A
study of cancer deaths by age
groups shows the most vulnerable
age period to be from IS to SO, but
with no age period escaping The
disease is more prevalent IN women
than in men, with approximately
Sc per cent Of the total deaths be-
ing from the former.
1T has been shown definitely that
cancer is durable if discovered in
time, but inappropriate treatment
and delay is invariably fatal.
The cancer clinic at the Indian
apolis City Hospital, since its be-
ginning in 1888, has registered 232
cases of cancer.
Treatment Made Difficult
Because Of the expense involved in
obtaining a supply of radium, it is
difficult for a large majority of
those afflicted with cancer to avail
themselves of this scientific treat
ment, and the women Of this dis
trict are to be congratulated on
their efforts to raise an $4,000 fund
10 purchase radium for the use of
those who need this treatment, at
the clinic at the City Hospital.
In connection with this drive,
sponsored by the women, against
cancer, it might be we'll to point out
that there has been set up within
the division of public health state
bureau Of health education. This
bureau acts as a contact medium
between the lay public and the
medical profession, helps plan health
programs and campaigns. secure
speakers, provide health films and
literature, and assists persons or
groups in carrying on this program
of health education.
The statistics of the state
division Of public health, strangely
enough, show that cancer fatali-
ties were more prevalent in rural
communities than among the urban
population. This may have been
due to lack Of treatment or inap-
propriate treatment in these rural
communities.
statistics show that while there
have been deaths from cancer in
children under that fatalities
reach the alarming stage from the
age of 35 to rs, the greatest number
of deaths being between the ages
of IS and rs. There were only 101
deaths from cancer reported among
the Negro population of Indiana
last year, the rest being among the
white.
The highest death rate from
cancer was shown TO be in Jennings
County. with a rate of 1864 on the
basis of 1000 population. In Marion
County, the rate was 1927.
Drive to Save Lives
And so, my friends, consider
these points in the drive by the
Federated Clubs of the Seventh
District:
First, 1t is to save lives. Who
knows how many Of the almost
1000 who died as a result of cancer
last year might have been saved
with proper treatment.
Second, this campaign is Of state
wide interest, for I am informed
that the City Hospital Cancer Clinic
is the only clinic in the state which
furnishes such treatment free o.
charge.
Third the objective of $4,000 for
the purchase Of this radium need;
the definite assistance of all oul
people.
Fourth. it is local philanthropy
with lasting results, for radium re-
tains all its properties indefinitely
And, fifth, could any investment
give greater value than the saving
of human liveS?"