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ACS recruiting cancer-free adults for new Cancer Prevention Study-3

Mark Luke was introduced by Deborah Liptak, Boardman Rotary chairlady. Photo by Mike Varveris.

By Mike Varveris

Mark Luke, special events chairman for the Mahoning County chapter of the American Cancer Society, told Boardman Rotary last week the Chapter will recruit cancer-free adults between the ages 30 to 50 to take part in a new research study called Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3).
Luke said the enrollment will take place at the Society's annual Relay for Life to be held at the Boardman High Stadium May 15-17. Boardman Rotary has sponsored a team of walkers who have placed third in the state for three straight years. The Relay of Life has raised over $16 million for cancer research.
Luke said that more than 1.4 million people were diagnosed in the United States with cancer in 2007 with 550,000 dying from dreaded disease.
"To better understand ways to prevent cancer, the Cancer Society's Department of Surveillance Research wants to recruit 500,000 cancer-free adults to participate in CPS-3," he noted.

"This study will better understand the genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors that cause or prevent cancer," he continued. "Hopefully, this will eventually eliminate cancer as a major health concern."
Luke said those who sign up for CPS-3 will be asked to take a long-term commitment to the study which simply involves completing periodic follow-up surveys.
Enrollment is a two-phase process. One takes place at the Relay for Life and the other at home.
At the Relay for Life event, those who enroll will complete a written survey and give a small blood sample drawn by a trained, certified phlebotomist. At home, they will complete a more detailed survey giving information on their lifestyles, behavioral and other factors related to their health.
"They will continue to mail follow-up surveys periodically asking them to update their information." Luke said.
Luke, who hails from Boardman, is a past president and member of the  Boardman Kiwanis Club and a Boardman Park commissioner.

Boardman fire station to be open "day-to-day"

nine by layoffs due to the budget crisis and two  not replaced  due to retirements.
The Fire Station on Shields and Lockwood was also closed for a few days last week because of illness to one firefighter and another being on vacation. Only the main Fire Station on Route 224 was operation.
"Thank goodness we didn't have a major fire or catastrophe," one caller told this writer. "It's a shame that the area's largest township had one only one fire station operating those days." Wolfe said nationally recognized standards recommend the department's safe staffing to be ten firefighters on duty at each station on a 24-hour basis,
This is impossible with only nine firefighters available at each station on a 24-hour-shift. Before the retirements and layoffs, 39 full-time firefighters and nine volunteers were available.
Wolfe said safe staffing levels are important for the safety of the township's fire firefighters and for those they are sworn to protect. "If we are not capable of providing for own safety in an emergency, then we cannot safely provide protection for the public," he added. Boardman firefighters do more than fight fires. In February, they answered 285 calls. Only 69 were fire related.

Boardman Fire Station 74 on South Ave will be open on a "day-to-day" basis as staffing permits. Photo by Mike Varveris.

By Mike Varveris

Boardman Fire Station 74 at  6169 South Ave. will be open on a "day-to-day" basis as staffing permits, according to Union President Harry Wolfe.
The station was re-opened on March 5 after it had been closed for several days following the reduction of 11 firefighters,