Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-04-20
Letters to The Star ss-.s'"ss
WashinKtenlans Can Help
In This Growing Fight ON Cancer

Wa&hinKtoniAna Can Help
In This Grswins Fight ON Cancer
Tv Be1sas - Tas s~T
This x Cancer Control Month
Designated By Congress and the President
Of the United States. the month Of April
marks an annual pilgrimage Of faith and
hope against q common enemy. cancer
earnest faith in our enduring ability 10
eventually overcome and conquer this scoarse
OF mankind. and renewed hope to be OBJ
tanned from the achievements and progress
that We have made against this disease dur
ing the past year,
Not only nationally. but locally as well,
the battle against cancer has assumed the
vigorous proportions Of about warfare which
in time must surely produce the definite re-
suits We hopefully anticipate and work for.
Alterations Made for Research.
The American Cancer Society recently has
completed an ALLEGATION OF s. 200 900 70 re-
search projects from public contributions re-
ceived last year. This brings TO nearly
$40. 900 900 the sum devoted 70 cancer in
yestigation by the society since its research
program was inaugurated in ls4s. During
these three years the research program di-
rected against cancer has exceeded in scope
and magnitude any previous attack on any
single disease. Arrayed in a solid unbroken
front against cancer are 1T scientists on the
Ger Society-representing American science
at its best
Under the direction OF these outstanding
scientists, 205 grants-in-aid have been
awarded. and As fellowships provided TO over
100 institutions throughout America to con-
tinue and maintain vital research. For the
first time in history vicious disease Is being
assaulted from every conceivable angie. II
has been stated that. when we at last pos
sess a clear and complete understandings of
cancer. we will be very near the secret of life
itself"
Obviously. then. a disease as complex and
as occult as this will demand all OF the scien-
tific resources we have at our disposal before
any victories can be counted.
Gains in Washington.
Those who have contributed in the past
to the fght against cancer and those who
WILL and should, respond to the current APP
peal for funds have the satisfaction OF
knowing that the fight against cancer Is
progressing satisfactorily nationally. as in
Washington. Here the D. c. Division of the
American Cancer Society has made signih-
cant progress. A year ago only one cancer
detection center existed. Today six detection
centers and five cancer diagnostic and treat
ment clinics are in regular operation. Offer
ing the most modern facilities available for
cancer and with 1t the assurance that thou
sands Of lives otherwise earmarked for death
may now be saved.
The people OF Washington are especially
fortunate to have these facilities, The peo-
pie Of Washington are fortunate to have an
organization relentlessly pursuing cancer.
doing everything it can to safeguard lives
through research. education and service. The
work accomplished thus far is a cause OF
qualification and should be a good source of
encouragement.
The progress now recorded must call for
intensified effort so that we can advance.
even further. the battle against the Nations
number two killer which this year will prob
ably claim the lives of 100000 Americans
and which will claim In the year ahead 49,
000, 900 Americans now living Contributions
mailed to CANCER. Washington. D. c.. will
reach their destination. Checks should be
made out to District OF Columbia Division,
American Cancer Society.
E. CLEVELAND GIDDINGS,
General Chairman. l949 Fund Campaign.