Put the Full Court Press on Cancer

More than one in three people will develop cancer during their lifetime. Even if you’re one of the lucky ones who never develops this disease, everyone knows someone whose life has been affected by one form of it another. That’s why, on World Cancer Day and during National Cancer Prevention Month, we’re recognizing family members and Latham® customers who know first-hand what a gift “hope” is.

Last Saturday we had the honor of recognizing Latham customer Tom Fuchser (pronounce Few-sher) on center court during the ISU vs. TCU (Texas Christian) men’s basketball game in Hilton Coliseum, Ames. Tom was diagnosed with cancer in June 2014 and is undergoing treatment for neck, pelvis and prostrate cancer.

Latham Hi-Tech Seeds is one of three Iowa companies that sponsors the Cyclone Charity Stripe, which donates $100 to the Coaches vs. Cancer program each time ISU scores a free throw. This year sponsors teamed up to present the American Cancer Society with a check for $15,000. We also support the American Cancer Society at the local level through our annual sponsorship of the Franklin County Relay for Life, and in 2014, Bill and Linda Latham were honorary co-chairs of this event.

Later this month we’ll celebrate five years of renewed life for my father-in-law, Bill Latham, who underwent a stem cell transplant on Feb. 20, 2010, after being diagnosed in October 2009 with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML). My mother-in-law, Linda Latham, is a 14-year breast cancer survivor.

In these cases, early detection and treatment were key to recovery. No wonder early detection and treatment are two of four main areas for education and action as identified by World Cancer Day 2015:

1. Choosing healthy lives: Lower the risk for cancer by avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol consumption, eating right and getting plenty of exercise, as well as protecting yourself from the sun and other sources of UV rays. NOTE: Farmers are at higher risk for skin cancer, so click here for tips to prevent sun cancer.
2. Early detection: Know the warning signs and symptoms of cancers because the benefits of early detection are indisputable. The survival rate for early detection of breast cancer is 98 percent! ­An estimated 2,150 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.
3. Achieving treatment for all: All people have the right to access proven and effective cancer treatments and services on equal terms, and without suffering hardship as a consequence.
4. Maximizing quality of life: People with cancer and their caregivers deserve high-quality, compassionate care during treatment and survivorship. This includes care for the emotional, mental, and physical effects of cancer.

Help “put the full court press on cancer” by taking action on a personal level!