Governor Beebe Declares November Lung Cancer Awareness Month - January 7th, 2011
Governor Mike Beebe joined forces with many states across the nation to declare the month of November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month in Arkansas. Along with the Arkansas Cancer Coalition, November was used to bring awareness to the dangers of tobacco use, as it can be extremely hazardous to one’s health, including the development of lung cancer. Moreso, Governor Beebe used this opportunity to emphasize the increasing number of deaths in Arkansas as a result of lung cancer. Read the full story here.
[Include photos of Governor Beebe. Link to full story.]
Joining many states across the country, Governor Mike Beebe declared the month of November Lung Cancer Awareness Month in Arkansas.  Together with the Governor, representatives of the medical community, advocates and policy makers highlighted the urgent need and potential for prevention and treatment for lung cancer.
One main reason for which the Arkansas Cancer Coalition (ACC) petitioned Governor Beebe to make this declaration was to call attention to the single greatest cause of lung cancer: tobacco smoke.  Currently, more people die from lung cancer than any other cancer.  Arkansas’ rate of tobacco-related deaths is ranked one of the top as compared to that of other states.  Even after recent tobacco tax increases, Arkansas has the 27th lowest tobacco prices in the country.
Another motive for calling attention to lung cancer is the ongoing effort to facilitate the most current quality care to all Arkansans. A major goal of the ACC Lung Cancer Work Group is to identify strategies for dealing with disparities and at-risk populations. One such disparity being addressed is that African Americans start smoking later in life and smoke less, but compared to Caucasians, African Americans are more likely to die from a smoking-related disease.[1]
To commemorate the Governor’s proclamation, the Arkansas Cancer Coalition Lung Cancer workgroup hosted a press conference in the Capitol Rotunda on November 16 at 10:30 a.m.  Speakers Included:
• Dr. Thadd Bartter, UAMS
• Representative Greg Reep
• Katherine Donald, Coalition for a Tobacco Free Arkansas
• Representative Fred Allen
• Genine Perez, Youth Extinguishing Smoke
• Dr. Konstantinos Arnaoutakis , UAMS
• Cornelya Dorbin, ACC
[1] Information in article from Handsel Art & Advertising article “Governor Proclaims November Lung Cancer Awareness Month”
Dr. Thadd Bartter of UAMS and chair of the Arkansas Cancer Coalition Lung Cancer Workgroup announces Governor Mike Beebe proclaimed November Lung Cancer Awareness Month in Arkansas at the State Capitol on November 16, 2010.
Arkansas State Representative Greg Reep speaks on behalf of Governor Beebe for proclaiming November Lung Cancer Awareness Month in Arkansas at the Arkansas Cancer Coalition Lung Cancer Workgroup Press Conference at the State Capitol on November 16, 2010.
Arkansas State Representative Fred Allen discusses the impact of smoking and lung cancer on the state of Arkansas at the Arkansas Cancer Coalition Lung Cancer Workgroup press conference at the State Capitol on November 16, 2010.
