Esther McClellan of Conway said Faulkner County residents have a chance to be part of a historic study that might find a cure for cancer.
Faulkner County residents are asked to enroll in the Cancer Prevention Study-3, sponsored by the American Cancer Society’s Epidemiology Research Program.
Men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 in Faulkner County who have not had cancer are asked to enroll by calling or going online to make an appointment
A one-time appointment, between Aug. 3-6, must be done in person, but after that, participants receive a questionnaire every two or three years to fill out, McClellan said.
McClellan, 33, said she got involved with the American Cancer Society because her mother-in-law died of pancreatic cancer, and her father-in-law is a cancer survivor.
“Tons of people I know have gotten cancer; their kids have gotten cancer. It’s just heartbreaking,” she said. “This is a way to really do something. This is a way to save your grandchildren’s lives.”
“It’s the most comprehensive study of its kind,” said D’Anne Easton of Conway, who is also working on the project. “They have 46 people [signed up], and they want 500.”
The study is seeking 300,000 people across the country to participate.
McClellan said she started panicking when she saw the low enrollment numbers in Faulkner County.
“To me, it’s a no-brainer on why to participate,” McClellan said.
People may sign up online at www.cps3conway.org or by calling (888) 604-5888.
The following times and locations are available:
Conway Regional
Medical Center
Aug. 6 — 7-11 a.m.
Aug. 8 — 3-7 p.m.
Faulkner County Library
in Conway
Aug. 7 — Noon-4 p.m.
Greenbrier City
Event Center
Aug. 7 — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Antioch Baptist Church
in Conway
Aug. 8 — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Aug. 10 — 8 a.m. to noon
Questions will be asked about lifestyle, diet, what kinds of medications the person is taking, family history, etc.
A blood sample will be taken, and the person’s waist will be measured.
Appointments are appreciated but not required, McClellan said.
“You can show up there on the day, and they’ll work you in,” she said. However, “if we don’t have enough people signed up, then they may not be able to justify paying the [workers].”
People other than Faulkner County residents may sign up for a time, too.
“I’m hoping that some of my friends and family will come from North Little Rock, anybody who will make that one-time trip to Conway,” she said. “You can be out of state, but if you’re in town that week, you can come and do it.”
McClellan, who co-owns U.S. Pizza Co. in Conway, said the restaurant holds celebrity-waiter events to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
The mother of three said this study is “exciting” because it’s a way to be directly involved with a project that donations are funding.
“It’s for my husband and kids. … His mom died at 50, his grandfather died at 40, and his great-grandmother died at 30, all of cancer,” she said.
“I need him to be around at 90 or 95.”
Easton said people who are concerned about their privacy should know that they do not have to give their Social Security number.
Christy McCreight, health initiatives representative, Mid-South Division for the American Cancer Society in Little Rock, said no one would be turned away for not providing a Social Security number.
“People are tracked and identified by a scanner code and a number attached to their survey they complete on the day of the study. A duplicate sticker is attached to the blood that is drawn,” she said.
“I’ve already signed up, and I hate giving blood,” McClellan said.
Senior writer Tammy Keith can be reached at (501) 327-0370 or tkeith@arkansasonline.com.