Angels Camp, CA…The following is comments from Karen Rojas addressing the City Council on the Summit. “Even though it’s not on the agenda, thank you for allowing me to have 3 minutes to speak on a grave matter that does affect Angels Camp. I cannot imagine that there is a single person in this room whose life or that of a loved has not been impacted by cancer. President Nixon declared the War on Cancer back in the 70s and although there have been successes, the Standard of Care – surgery, radiation, and chemo – has not “cured” cancer. If it was 1 in a 1,000 40 years ago and will soon be 1 in 5, it’ll hit 1 in 2 for our grandchildren. For decades, cancer has baffled scientists and experts around the globe, claiming over 8 million lives worldwide in 2012 alone. Numbers of newly-diagnosed cancer cases are expected to rise by 70% over the next 20 years.

In January you may have heard President Obama announce the Cancer Moonshot in his State of the Union address. The White House has committed to a bold new initiative to find a cure for this devastating disease by 2020 and on June 29th, Vice President Joe Biden is convening a National Cancer Moonshot Summit. This summit will be the first time that individuals and organizations representing the entire cancer community (researchers, doctors, scientists, philanthropists, community, advocates, patients and survivors) will all convene under the national charge to double the rate of progress toward a cure. Local summits will convene on the same day in cities in every state around the country.

Our very own Union Congregational Church in Angels Camp will be hosting this White House Cancer Moonshot Taskforce event on Wednesday, June 29th, from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm, to discuss efforts in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care. Those in the medical field, cancer patients, caregivers, survivors and community members are encouraged to attend and help brainstorm ideas for cancer research at the grass roots level. At the request of the White House, the discussion and feedback from these sessions will be recorded and transcribed, then forwarded to Washington, DC to help spur new ideas and research in the fight against cancer. Even though the Vice President will be speaking at Howard University back East we hope to be able to live stream Mr. Biden’s remarks here locally.
Union Congregational is located at 1141 South Main Street, in downtown Angels Camp, katty korner from the 49er auto lot. Light refreshments will be served. Guests may also bring a photo of a loved one to add to a special commemorative collage. You are encouraged to come prepared by bringing your experience, concerns and ideas in writing to help move along our conversation.

Not only is cancer killing millions around the globe, but we have lost too many loved ones right here in Calaveras County. Do this in honor and memory of all those who are dear to us. Thank you and I hope to see you at the church a week from Wednesday.