Cervical Cancer Awareness Month & Relay for Life of New Fairfield

January is cervical cancer awareness month. A rarer form of cancer, cervical cancer affects around 200,000 people a year. Although the cancer itself is uncommon, human papillomavirus (HPV), a cause of the disease, affects more than 3 million Americans every year. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection and almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV. To prevent this, it is important to have regular testing, such as Pap smears or HPV tests, and to get vaccinated to protect against HPV. Over 50% of women diagnosed with cervical cancer have never had or have rarely had Pap testing; if caught early, cervical cancer is preventable.

The American Cancer Society has endless resources to help cancer patients, families, and caregivers. This includes free rides to treatment, a 24/7 cancer helpline, and free stays at the Hope Lodge for patients undergoing treatment far from their homes. Since 1946, ACS has invested $4.8 billion into cancer research and they have contributed to 915,000 cancer screenings in disadvantaged communities since 2011. Since 1991, 2.4 million lives have been saved thanks to the work of the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life events across the globe.
On January 22nd, from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Company A Firehouse, the New Fairfield community will come together to begin this years fight against cancer with the 2019 Kickoff Party. The event will share information about the 2019 Relay season and give a little summary of our great 2018! We will be having a survivor speak with us and we will honor our sponsors from last year's event as well as having games, prizes, and food. Don't miss this family friendly fun night as we kick off 2019 and our zoo theme to CAGE UP CANCER! It will be a great beginning to another year of fundraising and fun for the New Fairfield Relay for Life!

Author: Isabella Scampone