Rally for a Cure Day was a huge success.
We would like to thank everyone for your help and assistance in making the Rally CRUSH for Cancer Day successful. Without you, none of this could have been possible.
We say to our great community, you rock!
Special thanks to Mayor Sedrick Smith, Sheriff Jimmy/Mary/Denman Fly, Clay/Krista McFerrin and The Sun-Sentinel, Tallahatchie General Hospital, Lloyd/Lillie Smith, Community Funeral Directors, First South Farm Credit, Perry Herron Sr., SuperValu, Arletha Coffee/Holmes Community College Nursing Students, George P. Cossar Jr. in memory of Louanne Cossar, Diane Cook, Ray/Dana Clolinger, David/Barbara Herron, Diane Mabus, Kathy Estes, Olivia Brunson, Glenna Callender, Jean E. Hackman, Johnny/Debra Goodwin, Eddie/Ann Reynolds, Anita Greenwood, Berlin/ Willie B. Taylor, Thomas Kimble, Jimmy Kimble, William McKellar, Clara Harper, Bumpers, Nutrition Shop, Briana’s, Bank of Commerce, Thomas U./Elizabeth Reynolds, Frank/Janice Silberman, Joann Melton, Dorothy Martin, Ambrois/ Daphane Neal, Lance Tennyson, John B. Burnett Jr., Rowland Insurance, Issac/ Elaine Sayle, Jeanette Beauty Supply, Val’s Boutique, Shannon van der Poel, Lisa Anderson, Cedric Terry/Sports Lounge, NAPA, Little’s Express, Bears, Mullen Farm Supply, William Brewer, Juanita Bradford, Kim Taylor/Eva Covington ICS Head Start employees, Julia Woodley, Union Grove MBC, Veronica Hankins, Steve Brown, Discount Lumber/ Hardware, Discount Building Materials/Inside Discount, Bread of Life Ministry, Charleston High School students and BFNW Group PLLC. If there has been anyone omitted, please let me know. Because you are all special to us and we love and appreciate all.
As we know, cancer never sleeps.
The types of cancer and their ribbon colors we recognize for the month of May are bladder, yellow, purple, navy blue; brain, gray; and melanoma, black.
There are three main types of bladder cancer. Traditional cell carcinoma, or urothelial carcinoma, is the most common type. The cells make up the inside of the bladder, which is in contact with urine. The cells are also present in the urinary tract, including the ureters, urethra and kidney parts. In squamous cell carcinoma, the cells look flat and are often found on the surface of the skin or other organs. They are found in the innermost layer of the bladder. The third type of bladder cancer is adenocarcinoma, which forms in the glands of the bladder or urinary tract. In 2022, an estimated 81,180 new cases of bladder cancer were diagnosed.
Bladder cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the United States. Signs and symptoms include the urine may look pink, orange or dark red; an inability to urinate; reduced appetite; pain in the side of the lower back; unexplained weight loss; swelling of the feet; bone pain; blood in urine; more trouble than usual getting urine out; and getting up to urinate many times through the night. See your health care provider if you have the symptoms.
There is no definite cause of primary brain tumors or brain cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates one’s risk of developing brain cancer over a lifetime is less than 1%. The most common primary cancers that spread to the brain include kidney, colorectal and melanoma. Contact your primary care physician with any of your health concerns.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that arises from skin cells, called melanocytes, which make up the pigment that gives your skin its color. Melanoma can appear in different ways, most commonly in a new spot on the skin, or as an already existing mole that changes color, size or shape. While being considered the most dangerous type of skin cancer because of its ability to spread throughout the body rapidly, melanoma is very treatable if found early. Potential signs and symptoms are itching; tenderness or pain; sore on the skin that does not heal; bleeding or oozing from a mole; a change in the surface of the mole, like a lump or a bump; spread of pigments, redness or swelling surrounding a mole; and moles with a diameter as large or larger than a pencil eraser.
Donations are welcome and may be sent to Rally for a Cure, P.O. Box 971, Charleston, MS 38921. If you would like to speak to someone, you may call 662-752-9267
Words of encouragement: when you in the middle of the storm of life, it can be hard to find the strength you need to keep going. When a friend, loved one or a member of your church faces trials, it is difficult to know how to encourage them. This is where we turn to the word of Jesus and let perseverance finish its work. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may mature and complete, not lacking anything. When you are hurting, it is not very encouraging to hear someone say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, but in the first century that’s exactly what James said to the early Christians as they faced the constant threat of persecution. It wasn’t to lessen the significance of their pain and suffering, but to reveal something about what happens when our faith is tested. As you endure, your capacity to endure grows and when you persevere through something hard, the experience makes life begin to feel easy in comparison. See James 1:2-4.
